Two Minutes Du Jour

Embracing the Seasons of Change in Life by Barbara K. Mednick

On my afternoon walk the other day, I could see the changes that come with autumn: the wilting flowers losing their petals, the sun shining lower in the sky, and the leaves starting to change to hues of yellow, orange and red; with some blowing off the trees and drifting to the ground. While I love the change of seasons, I am always wistful that summer is over, and winter is not far behind.

Just like the seasons, our lives are constantly changing whether we want them to or not. Sometimes these changes are joyful and exciting, sometimes they are stressful or painful, and other times they serve as a catalyst for exploring new horizons. That’s why if we want to continue to grow and evolve, we must embrace these changes.

My life has been in a season of change over the past year with retirement from a 42-year career in PR/corporate communications, the launch of Barbara’s Brushworks LLC as a part-time endeavor and labor of love, and the passing of my husband Philip, who I had been married to for 40 years.

This new chapter has been challenging and painful at times, but it has also given me the chance to reflect on my life, explore new possibilities and pursue my passions.

For example, I have always had a passion for painting and picked up a paintbrush in my mid-20’s, where I learned to paint folk art in acrylics, a favorite weekend hobby for over 25 years. About 10 years ago, I switched to painting in watercolor. But, with a family and a career, I didn’t have time to paint as much as I had wanted to.

Now I create colorful, vibrant, nature-inspired watercolor art that I plan to sell as original paintings, prints and cards. My art features florals, plants, fruits, fish, etc. because nature is beautiful, and I want to capture that amazing beauty with my paintbrush. I love flowers, so I particularly enjoy painting them and watching the water and paints merge and flow. Of course there is also the business side, such as planning, marketing, social media, invoicing, etc.

Watercolor, however, is a challenging medium and a competitive landscape, so I am continually working to enhance my skills through online tutorials and an online Floral Art Membership. You can view my watercolor art on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram @bbrushworks.

These days, I am embracing change and letting my paintbrush take me where my heart wants to go.

“The moment in between what you once were, and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.” Dr. Barbara De Angelis, renowned transformational teacher, TV personality and author

Two Links Du Jour:

The Growing Appeal of Semi-Retirement – Forbes
The Rise of the Semi-Retired Life – Investopedia