Here we are again, Inktober! Let me remind you what Inktober is all about. More than fifteen years ago, a man wanted to learn how to draw better with ink. He challenged himself to create a piece of art everyday using a black ink pen. He started posting it online, and whala! Inktober was started. This is my seventh year, and I plan to spend the month creating ink pieces on black paper, using all sorts of inks and colors. As part of the process I am testing out new inks, so stay tuned as we travel this month together and celebrate ink!
I have many – MANY – quote books, and these words came out of one of my favorites! Sally Koch wrote this:
Great opportunities to help others seldom come,
– Sally Koch
but small ones surround us every day!
So many times I hear people wanting to do something important with their lives. Great creations, monumental inventions, websites, online viral posts or even grand world adventures! That is both powerful and amazing. I was touched by these words as they remind us that great opportunity is out there, just don’t overlook the small ones we can manage every day. The simple things we can do to make someone else’s life better.
Be it raising a family, making a yummy dinner, carrying someone’s groceries to their car, or even mowing the neighbor’s lawn while they are out of town. Life is marked by grand adventures, which make great stories. Life is mostly about navigating the simple day to day mundane or routine elements and making them matter. Like picking the kids up on time, with a smile and wanting to hear about their day, not droning on about your boring meetings. It means petting the cat, loving on the dog, paying attention to the drawing of a deformed bird your child drew for the hundredth time. Listening as your spouse share their daily grind, or even stopping by your neighbors to give them a pumpkin for their doorstep. Maybe it’s time to turn off the television and talk to the people in the room. Or put down the phone to have a focused conversation about how you are feeling, or what you are giving thanks for right now!
I’ve said this before, and I am reminded of it by Sally Koch’s words. Ninety percent of what makes relationships successful means showing up. Just being there, paying attention and listening with an ear to understand not just to wait for your turn to talk. Just show up. Show up to the funerals, the recitals, the family gatherings, the kids play dates, for any meal, for help in running an errand, or even helping someone complete a chore. Just show up! What lets people know we care is that we invest, we spend time – we TAKE THE TIME- to be with them. Not just as a warm body in the room, we are really present and that shows how much we care.
Let me encourage you to find your small opportunities to do great things, even if that means just showing up!
Ann Art Gallery Blog 