Vincent van Gogh's colorful and passionate brushstrokes awaken the canvas with movement and personality. So often, there is an intensity and energy conveyed in his paintings. This Expressionist painter's style attracted my attention as a young college student. I remember going to Barnes & Noble to pick up one of those over sized art anthologies dedicated to van Gogh's paintings. The above painting of the sower confidently striding into the fields has always been one of my favorites. Ready to face an exhausting day of field work and chores, this sower can tackle any of the day's challenges. A luminous sun is filling the sky and energizing this young man as he begins his morning routine.
As a wife and mother, I get bogged down by the same tasks each day. New challenges may be few and far between. Just as the sower starts his day with confidence, I should jump start my attitude with a little self-esteem boost. I may not be strutting my stuff in an executive board room, but I can still exude confidence in what I get done every day at home. As a stay at home mom, I can benefit from holding my head high each morning and feeling good about what lies ahead. Your day is as good as you make it. Whatever you do today, walk with confidence. I'll try and remember this advice when I have two fidgety children complaining that we have to pick up their brothers tonight from a CCD class. I can't let that whining wear me down :)
13 comments:
I totally know what you're talking. It's like we have to accept where we are and who we are and not fight against it in order to be happy. Lord knows, being a mom is full of frustration, but it is what it is. And within the frustration, there's a lot of possibility and happiness.
I like starting my days out with a skinny mocha. That always brightens my outlook, lol!
Well said! I always feel SO refreshed when reading your blog.. and contemplating this Van Gogh for a moment reminds me that I really have no complaints, no matter how much there is to get done! It's all in our attitude, as you said!
It's funny that you wrote about this today. I was thinking about something similar last night as I was picking up food (uneaten) off of the floor after I put the baby to bed. There is something in us that insists that there is a better time ahead or life will be easier when this or that happens. But then I stopped myself. I realized that this is the life I will one day be looking back on to have memories from. I felt compelled to really embrace this point in my life. Yes the baby is sick because he's building up his immunities, and the house is always a mess, and despite my best intentions there are three baskets of laundry folded and ready for drawers just sitting on the landing...but there's so much to be grateful for.
Thank you, SeptMom, for getting in touch with me. I've made a fresh pot of tea so I hope you can join us once you've put the babies to bed.
it is important to take time out for yourself so your children can have a complete and rounded mum.
Right on! My husband, talented as he is, could never do the work I do at home, probably that most moms do. We don't wear the fancy title, but our duties require just as much, if not more executive decisions, planning, budgeting, etc..
Enjoy your day!
deep breaths first thing in the morning help me start out right. a good devotional and some time with God are always a plus too! then a smile on my little one's face when i go get him from his room...that is the best way to start the day! refreshing!
Thanks for stopping at my blog. I love this post! Confidence and a good attitude go a long way!
That's a wonderful thought. And I've never seen that painting, but I love it -- and the attitude behind it.
I love the painting. Thanks for the great attitude. It made me think a little different.
Heya! My first time on your blog. I love your blog. Its fabulous. Stay sassy & fabulous. It keeps 'em guessing. I will be back. Ciao.
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I went to an exhibit at Yale last September, and in one small room only 2 paintings were on display - van Gogh's Starry Night and Cypresses. Only about 10 people were allowed in the room at one time, so it was an amazing exhibit, seeing those brushstrokes up close. As is evident in your post, art is so inspiring in so many ways. I like the connection here.
Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters! When I finally got to see one of his paintings in person, I was even more amazed ... the paint is so thick and almost alive!
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