This is week six in Scribbled Lives, a weekly calligraphy prompt group. We were asked to create an alphabet border in any form or fashion…anything else we created to include that border was at our own discretion. I had instant ideas, which turned out to be what everyone else in the group thought of as well. I wanted to push myself to do a bit more, so I pondered the alphabet for a few days which made me think about books. The alphabet is the foundation for all languages, no matter what language you read. I then found this quote about book stores and the rest went rather quickly.
I utilized gentle Scotch tape on the paper to create a rectangle. I then wrote the names of my favorite female others right over that tape. I tried to wipe off the extra ink on the tape and it smeared, so I just kept smearing. Next I peeled up the tape and wrote the alphabet in two different colors in small letters around and around. The quote inside was done last. Overall it took about three hours to bring this one to a close.
As I worked I was reminded that we have so much to do each day and much of it we can do on autopilot. Get up, get ready, drive to the store, drive to work, drink, clean, work, complete tasks, and really just live our lives. Before we know it days and weeks have passed where we have never really pushed ourselves to do anything more than just auto pilot. That is not aways a bad thing. When we are stressed, experiencing trauma, changes, feel poorly or even working towards a big goal, autopilot can work wonders. Getting through each day is a blessing and helps us maintain what we already value. The challenge comes in when we suddenly become aware that time and events have passed and we do not remember doing anything…it all smears together. Yikes!
THAT is when we need to break the cycle and push ourselves to do more. Which may mean delaying the end product, working longer on a unique idea, giving ourselves the freedom to be meticulous, or even rerouting a plan in progress to make it even better. Digging deeper, enjoying the details, paying attention to giving more opens us up to all sorts of great things. It means we can get it done while focusing. It reminds us that we are worth that extra effort. It reinforces that we can do anything we set our mind towards doing.
Maybe there is something on your to do list that is worthy of turning off autopilot. Maybe today, one thing you do will be better, stronger, and more awesome when you dig deeper to concentrate on the details. And maybe YOU need to know that what you want is worthy of that extra something that autopilot does not fulfill. I dare you to dig deep and see how you feel after surveying the final piece you complete once the digging in is done.
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