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| Digital The silly Singers |
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| Abstract flowers |
I was thinking the other day of all the expectations women, in particular many of my friends, have had over the years. All the obligations of being a parent , spouse, employee.. It's truly daunting at times and never ending.
Especially if you have a slew of kids or are a single parent. Even if you only have one, that too can be worrisome since it's your only one and you especially don't want to screw that up! If you have elderly parents that adds to the pressure with even more demands!
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| Icad 3 |
I was thinking of all the things women have done over the years, because we had to. With never a question whether we wanted to or not....we just did it. Putting crazy things on our plate that we never questioned. We plugged along doing all the things we thought would benefit our loved ones! Never once questioning if it would be good for us, or if we really wanted to do it!
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| Icad 4 |
Many times watching what our kids loved on television because it made them happy...we ate kid food because it made them happy and prevented any bickering or whining..During supervised school trips we went camping in the rain in unheated cabins we wouldn't normally be caught dead in
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| Icad 5 |
We drove to swimming, and skating, and soccer, and volunteered at the school, not because we particularly wanted to. It was to be with our children, to support them, to show our love!
Let's face it, if you didn't have children it's the last thing you'd probably ever want or think of doing! Was it fun? Yes many times it was really fun...but it was never something you truly wanted to do.
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| Icad 6 |
It just happened, like hosting Christmas dinners when you were dead tired from working insane hours the weeks before, or cleaning the floor every night before bed because the kids tracked grass in off the trampoline all day long and you didn't want it tracked through the house! Most days you were on insane automatic pilot!
So many many things women do everyday for years out of obligation. Then all of a sudden you're sitting at a social function thinking, "why am I here?"....I'm not even having fun. From that day on you question....am I having fun?
Why am I playing this sport with my hubby when I've never liked it? Why am I making a dish for a party when everyone just buys it? Why am I trying so hard when others don't? Why do I remember to bring everything to the party except the booze I was looking so forward to enjoying!
The day you start questioning yourself is the day you begin to set yourself free... the more you question....the more you feel free to say " NO I don't wanna" If you have aches and pains and don't want to struggle through some function with a smile on your face.... you think," NO, I don't wanna"
When someone asks you to do them a favour you think, " Naw....I don't wanna" When someone tells you how to live, you think " Naw I don't wanna....It's when you don't feel guilty about making that statement that you truly set yourself free!!
Are still running around on automatic pilot?
If so, say No, I don't wanna!!
A little side note to this post. Cupcake usually reads my blog once it's posted. However last week we were talking and I read her this one I had in draft. Ever since she has been saying...." Naw, I don't wanna!" Every single time she says it I laugh so hard!! I may have created a monster!! I wonder what would happen if women started saying " No I don't wanna!" earlier in life and more often.... Nothing would get done....lol
Oh and I have no doubt there are many good men who feel the exact same way!!
28 comments:
I love this post. Once we become truly aware of who we are and what makes us happy it can change everything. Many women are so busy taking care of everyone else they forget who they really are. Naw, I don't wanna sounds like a great refrain. It's simple and to the point without any unnecessary explanations. Mind if I borrow it?
Another fun and artful post! The older I get, the more I do what I want to! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
Fun post this week with lots of lovely art. I especially liked "Step In The Art Game", plus the quirky birds are so fun. Happy PPF.
Lovely pieces. There is so much I do out of duty hmm.
Your fantastic new banner gave me a smile befor I got to the page!
Thanks for your great drawings and wise words.
Happy PPF xx
There is such a fine balance isn't there between being selfless and being selfish. I think the fear of being seen as selfish prevents women from putting what they want into action. I am very guilty of that.. My new mantra " naw I don't wanna" ;)
Love your birdies!! <3
I LOVE the dog! Especially the pink version. Happy PPF!
fabulous post and art! Too many pieces I love to pick a favorite:) It took a long time but thankfully I can say no quite readily nowadays, and I don't always feel the need for any explanation either. I feel much better now:) Happy PPF!
Thought provoking post! Being set free of obligations and duties is a great feeling. Accompanying art is great too. Love the banner.
Wonderfully colorful creations, and a thought provoking read. While I'm past the stage of doing what others want/expect, there are some things I still do because they need to get done. (And if I don't do them, who will? haha!) *wink*
Happy PPF!
Great post, Sherrie, and one to ponder. I think there is a balance that we have to maintain in order to be loving, giving, non-selfish members of the human race. After all, we really are our "brothers'" keepers. But a balance does have to be kept or we wind up whining, unhappy, and bitter. And some people are born with the natural giving gift. I have friends who truly are happiest when they are able to do for others. Saying all that, I am not one of those born with that gift and I have been in the position you so aptly described in your post. I think at my age I have earned the right to say "I don't wanna".
Love the advice!!!!! I like to say "phooey"! fun art to go along!!!
I loved this post. Just the other day I told my husband I wasn't making it dinner and he asked, why not? I told him I didn't feel like it and perhaps he could make himself a cup of soup or something easy. I should have just said, naw, I don't wanna. :) I am going to remember those four words. Perhaps I'll do a Haiku with it.:) Love your paintings, great color.:) ::hugs::
Your silly singers made my day. So fun! I think i hear them sing: "Naaaaawww, I don' t wannaaaaa!"
Great post, Giggles. I am a big fan of the power of "No". No excuses, just "No". Although Paper Rainbow has also made a good point. Maybe a good balance is required, but leaning more favourably to the "Me"?
I'm really enjoying your ICADs on Instagram, ICAD3 would make a super poster for the challenge, and I do like the way you have make the 6-patch ICAD5. ICAD4 lady is beautiful and modern with lovely eyes. I always love the way you use the Radiant Colo(u)rs.
What a marvellous and useful new phrase you have invented, thanks.
I'm good at saying "No" to what doesn't appeal...if it doesn't feel right then it's a "No."
Always fun to check out the theme of the week here and your super authentic art. I especially love the "Shape Your Possibilities" piece, simple yet so funky!
the older you get the less you give a....its all about finding your own serenity in this mad world of obligations to family and society..great thoughtful post and quirky art
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. I have often wondered what would happen if all women stood up one day and said, naw I don't wanna! I think the Earth would stand still. And it is amazing what women have done before us to give us the rights we have today. Those are the women I admire the most! Your paintings are great. The birds and the Silly Singers are my favorite and the singers cracked me up. I can see them singing at a New Year's Eve party after having a little too much! Perfect entertainment. Happy PPF and have a great week. Hugs, Rasz
Beautiful collection of works..I am totally in love with the birds, charming souls, so adorable. Wonderful insightful post!
Happy PPF
Victoria
Oh I think I am just plain lazy to cook organic food from scratch and worry about all that stuff. I made homemade baby food once and thought, oh goodness this is just too much work! Never beat yourself up about taking short cuts or a short cut to KFC. Your Silly Singers are just so much fun. I will take a cue from them and sing my heart out.
Happy PPF
The silly singers and the birds are fantastic as well as your thoughts this week!
We have to find a good balance in life ... and if we are well balanced we can say yes or no - but it's not easy to get good balanced! . Great new header Giggles!
Happy weekend to you!
oxo Susi
an impressive post both with art and writing :) I think you covered most of a woman´s life :)
What a fun and thoughtful post! I love the dog you created, it's so very cute.
This is so true. We do all of those, and if we tried to say no, then at least me, I would feel so guilty. And woman have done this for centuries. But some of those things I did with my daughter I am glad I did, even if I wouldn't have done them before. I love your pieces this week-and the header is so much fun! I think it is perfect for you Giggles, always speaking for so many who can't. Have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful new week too. Hugs-Erika
There is an awful lot of freedom in a well-placed 'no'! Lots of things we do for love, and that's great and selfless. But a 'no' that keeps things off your plate that you really don't need and won't help you to grow, well, that's well said :)
Hahaha, love Cupcakes's reaction! That'll teach you :-D
But you're right, women should say that more often, and I find that the older I get the more easily I can say it. Love your silly singers :-)
Such fun to Andy colorful artwork Giggles! Your creativity is quite inspiring! Happy PPF :)
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