Lisa Call

OC#9 ©2007 David Castle 12"x12"

Self Care

Lately I have been practicing abundant self care. I believe this is an important element to holding intent. Self love and self care are super important pieces to living the life I want. When I set an intent or a goal I find it easier to hold that intent or complete that goal if I am at peace with myself.

Here are some things I’ve done in the last month as part of my self care:

• Start acupuncture. I’ve thought out this many times but I wasn’t on first name terms with needles so I was never willing to take the leap. Then Alyson Stanfield posted a referral for an acupuncturist and I took this as a sign it was time to become buddies with the needles. I had my second treatment today with Renae Einspahr and I’m hooked. Good thing my insurance pays for this cause I can see it a frequent element of my self care.
• Buy art I love. I’ve always wanted to purchase some of David Castle’s art and now the piece above is part of my collection. I love his work. You can read about how he makes these amazing water media pieces on his blog.
• Drinking plenty of water is something I have to work at, it doesn’t come naturally for me yet. I’m working on adding this to my daily ritual as I feel tons better when I’m well hydrated.
• I decided to celebrate my sense of well being today by buying myself a big box of my favorite chocolates. Yum. Why wait for someone else to pamper me when I can pamper myself. Expecting someone else to treat me better than I treat myself is a recipe for unhappiness.
• It doesn’t matter what I’m doing or what the weather is like, I always feel happier if I’ve been outside for a while. I would like to fit a walk into my life every day and I’m working up to that goal. Last friday the sun had the first hint of heat in it peaking through the bite of the cold wind and on saturday it was down right warm. It felt incredible.
• My cats are really missing my kids. [they are in Europe with their father for 3 months. Two down, 1 more to go. The cats aren’t the only ones missing them.] I’m spending much more time each day sitting and petting my cats. They are so excited to have me SIT DOWN. They have an internal radar for this activity and come running. "ohmygawd - she’s sat down and it’s not in front of the computer or sewing machine - quick jump in her lap!". Not only do the cats love it but slowing down like this has brought a lot of inner peace for me.

 
How do you practice self care?

Related Posts

Transitioning and Intent
Holding Intent - Part I [Realistic Goals]
Holding Intent - Part II [Excuses]
Holding Intent - Part III [Focus]
Holding Intent - Part IV [Enough Time]

 
[I said I’d talk about fear this time but I didn’t want to go there tonight as the acupuncture and chocolate have lulled me into peacefulness. Next time.]

What is Art?

Many years ago my perception of art was Art. Big expensive stuff. Things that only rich people could buy. It was a very restrictive view point on what art can be and is. As a result I never considered myself the type of person that would ever buy Art. Instead I bought posters/prints of artwork I liked and paid ridiculous sums to frame the prints and then ta-da - I had Art, or at least a copy of it.

Some where along the way my opinion changed. Art is way more than the stuff we see in museums. The idea that I, myself, could buy art - original amazing art - was a revelation to me. I feel silly that it took me so long to get this (especially since I’m an artist) but doesn’t matter. I got it.

Now I buy art. I am an art collector. My collection is small and so far I’ve only purchased fairly inexpensive pieces but I love each one dearly and they make me smile.

Budgeting to Buy Art

A few years ago to aid in my art buying I carved out a small but important chunk of my monthly budget for art. Every month my bank automatically moves $50 from my checking account into a special savings account that I’ve titled Art.** If I see some art I want to buy I know I have money for it and I just buy it. It’s not a challenge to fit it into my budget as it’s already in my budget.

I’m saving up now for a larger piece so I haven’t bought much in a while but it’s so cool to think that in just 2 years I’ll have enough money to buy a piece of $1200 art. Effortlessly. The money will just be there. I never think about that money except in terms of buying art. It’s labeled art, it’s for art and I would never use it to buy shoes (okay I never buy shoes anyway - but you get the idea).

As my income goes up my art budget also goes up. Next thing ya know I’ll have one of those really cool houses full of amazing art that I just love. I used to be jealous of people that had this but no more - because I am building the same thing myself.

 
Do you buy art? Are you an artist? How do you budget for your art purchases?

 
 
** This is how I budget most of the big ticket items in my life. I use a credit union and have a bunch of share/savings accounts designated for special things, such as christmas and vacations. I love this hands off way of paying for things that might seem like a shock to the budget but in reality we know they are coming.