Lisa Thorpe

Confessions of a Speed Freak (or Taking Time for Tea)

If you have been reading my blog for awhile then you know that I (like everyone) wrestle with shoving all the things I need to do into the twenty-four hours that are granted me each day.  And I (like everyone) rarely succeed.  My list grows longer and the satisfaction of crossing off a finished task is diminished by the next item I write directly below the satisfying red line above.  Also if you are a long time reader you know I have several jobs; the graphic designer for The Bishop’s Ranch and Resident artist, art teacher at Healdsburg Elementary school, as well as working artist and art promoter.  This is all set up to say that I am busy.  So yesterday when I had arranged to meet two friends, one before teaching and one after teaching to chat and deliver a calendar, I will admit I wrote these two meetings on my to-do list like any other task.  And I am ashamed to tell you that I was looking forward to crossing these two tasks off my list just like any other task.  I tell you this knowing full well that these two women will be reading this blog post; both are great blog subscribers, art patrons and all around supporters of my goal to live artfully.  When I came to my first tea date it began to dawn on me that I needed to slow down, get off the speed track and be present.  My friend, who is struggling with a vexing and mysterious illness, was calm and present and full of joy for the moment and the beauty of the day and our time spent together.  She was full of wisdom about taking each day as it is and doing the best you can with what you are given. And so when I sped off to teach fifty 2^nd graders the joys of art I was lighter in my step and brighter in my voice thanks to my cup of tea and thoughtful conversation.  After teaching I returned to the same coffee shop (The Goat for you Healdsburgians in the know) to meet another friend and chat and share.  I as with my previous tea date I did a bit of kvetching about not having enough time and striking the right balance blah, blah blah.  This friend after asking about the possibility of a winter art sale,  without hesitation offered to host a gathering at either her house or massage studio, I didn’t even ask, she just offered!  Amazing!  As our conversation wandered she mentioned the upcoming Samhain (pronounced Sawin) a Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest and welcoming the winter. A time embrace the dark, embrace the cold, embrace the coming quiet a thoughtful discussion ensued (this will show up in a future blog).  Both these conversations, these tea times, these portraits of the artist in still life with friend, were so much more important than any item on my to-do list struck through in red.  Thanks to both of you for this reminder of what’s important, precious, solid, sustaining and true; friendship, conversation, exchange of ideas, a cup of tea, me and you.

I can’t let loose of everything on my list so here is a reminder to get your calendars today