December 10th, 2015

"I Picked These For You" - mixed media on aquabord, 6" x 6"

One more creature under a full moon for this week's daily paint-a-thon, this one inspired by the Mercer Mayer children's books, which I read to both children and grandchildren over a 30 year time span. The slightly odd-ball humor of the forgetful critter with good intentions and awful results always made me smile, and sometimes got a laugh from the kids, too.

Throughout these books, the critter breaks things, spills things, loses things, forgets what he's told, runs away, starts bathroom floods and gets tangled up in everything, and yet ends each story with a sweet moment where he actually comes through on something successfully.  He is the perfect example of human-ness, even though he is a little critter.

And this got me to thinking.  How many times have I had the most excellent of intentions, but the results were not so good?  A few embarrassing moments immediately came to mind (those will remain unspoken!)  along with times I put my foot in my mouth, didn't think through a plan ahead of time, meant to say one thing but said something else...well, you get the idea.   Just the thought of these unfortunate moments is enough to make me want to hide under a rock for awhile to avoid messing up!

But then I remember the endings of the books...where the critter somehow gets it right.  And the only reason he does so is because he keeps on trying.  Over and over and over again, without getting down in the dumps or giving up, knowing he means well and therefore it MUST work at some point!  And there we have it - a fabulous example of the power of optimism.  The belief that you have the power to positively impact your life by your own actions, even if it doesn't happen the first time (or even the tenth time).  Maybe this is why I so fondly remember these books?

So go out today, whatever your intentions, and keep trying.  Believe in your own power.  And be kind and gentle to yourself if you have a few spills, tangles and mishaps along the way.

​This piece is available.  Framed or unframed.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com