It takes strength to keep at a goal when it feels like failure prevails at every attempt. Last week I mentioned in the article ”O Yes I Can Stay Positive“, that I had a day filled with disappointment that challenged my ability to stay focused with a positive attitude. Yes, I got bummed out, but I made myself bounce back and it just might be merely a re-routing to my destination. 

I had entered an art contest and my two pieces were not accepted to be in the show. Ouch! Not that I felt they were my best work, but they did have hard work, thought, and effort applied as thick as the acrylic paint was to the canvas. After a mini hissy fit, I convinced myself that the judges were tasteless – ok that was not my honest conclusion, however I am hoping that my work just didn’t fit the theme as well as the other entrants. I respect that. A few days later I got back on the internet and looked for more call for artists. I found a gallery looking for art, sent a sample and they liked the piece well enough to want to see more. I have a chance to have my painting, and maybe my photography, in a real gallery! I may never have found this out if I had not been “dismissed” from the other show. In the least, I got complimented on a piece of my art and that makes me want to keep trying.

There you have it, a live example at taking a bad experience and turning it into a good, maybe soon to be great experience. In the past, I might not have taken the time to see the good that budded from a bad seed. I doubt I would be brave enough to share the idea that the bud might blossom into something beautiful without being sure of it. I am not sure what will happen, the gallery might not like my photography and maybe that one painting is the best piece I will ever produce. However, if I don’t try, and keep trying I will never know.  -ed