WONDERFUL-WORLD

Life is like a painting that you add to every day.  I have found a renewed determination to paint by my own numbers, without interruption. 

Too often it is demanded of me to paint with a certain color (i.e., green for "give me money"), or to paint only a certain number (i.e., "you have to help ME and give ME all of your energy"), or to paint only on certain days (i.e., "you have to deal with MY problems today, not your own!").

When I stand back and look at what has been painted, I am saddened to see the painting in such a mess.  I recall all of the painting I did, all of the time, energy and money I spent while painting this portrait, yet it is messy.  It does not seem to be telling a very good story, and looks nothing like what I had in mind while painting it.  The painting looks tired.  The once vibrant colors are faded and painted over with colors other people demanded.  Some of the paint runs off the canvas completely, while other areas are completely empty and blank.  The canvas appears completely worn out in some areas, while other areas are covered with dust.  I notice many, many used brushes that were not used on this painting; they were obviously used to paint on someone else's canvas instead of my own. 

This is the only canvas I will ever be given.  It is time for me to take care of it, protect it and bring it back to life.  It's time for me to paint by my own numbers, with my own choice of colors, at my own pace, and without interruption. It's time for a new set of brushes.

How does your canvas look to you?