May 13, 2011

The Unlived Life







I don't want to have an unlived life.  At times I can let myself get carried away with one lone activity and not keep myself balanced.  I'm a person who's content to be home tucked under covers reading a book or sitting with my laptop grazing the web.  It doesn't take much to entertain me--but that doesn't make for a good story.  I want my story to be full of love and pizazz.  Okay, not famous-in-the-spotlight kind of pizazz, just more of the have-fun-in-the-moment kind.

I want people to remember me laughing, listening and loving them. I don't want to stay huddled in my corner blocking the world from my heart.

But that corner is comfy.  And my heart's a little afraid to be seen.

So it takes great effort to tear off the covers and step out into the world.  To throw open the shutters of my heart and let the love shine out.  Huddling in the corner is all about me.  Loving another person and taking the risk to be honest is about loving them.

What does the "unlived life" look like to you?


Check out these sites with an awesome array of goodness: Paint Party Friday and Pink Saturday.

38 comments :

  1. I love these! The eyelashes are so cool!

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  2. love your ladies faces. I have discovered if I'm huddled in the corner I must be depressed! But I enjoy being at home and doing my own thing, just getting out once in awhile to blow the cobwebs off. Happy PPF!

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  3. Since I have gotten older, I live my life to fullest every day. I may not to things very exciting or a big deal, but I get out and about each day. I may stay in and clean house now and then.

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  4. nice post, and I love her eyes.

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  5. what does the "unlived" life look to me... I suppose it means no adventures, no discoveries, no colour, no softness, no light, just dullness... I don't get to live as much as I want because of a chronic pain issue, but I do live as much as I can and make sure that i surround myself in colour every day.

    Hey, I have a friend who is an artist like you, that I met thru blogging, although not the same in terms of colours, you have some similarities in what you paint. Her name is Joanna and you might be interested in her stuff. She is at www.birdonherhead.blogspot.com.

    You are amazingly talented! And I love your work!

    Happy Weekend to you!

    Cheers
    Tracy
    www.asidreamit.blogspot.com

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  6. i think you're off to a great start living life by getting you work out there (and on here)
    it's beautiful!
    my unlived life is an emaculate house. my messy house is evidence that we do so much i dont have time to clean my house all the live long day! (my husband thinks i take this too far...)
    =)

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  7. Hi Catherine! I really appreciate your candor. An unlived life looked a lot like mine after a crushing incident a few years ago. I was quite discouraged and pretty much kept to myself for a long time. I was pretty much afraid to try anything. Fortunately, my faith and starting my blog two years ago have helped me to overcome that. Blogging has caused me to look at my life differently and to look for the wonderful in the ordinary. I've made new friends and have gotten to know so many wonderful people. I have a whole community of people that I can share my interests with. To me, touching the lives of others in a positive way, and allowing myself to be touched by others is a life well-lived. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Terri

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  8. Great quote and your painting is lovely. (Love the crown!!).

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  9. What a creative way to draw eyelashes! Just lovely!

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  10. Love your artwork - such talent you have! Your pictures have pizazz! ;0)
    Happy Pink Saturday!

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  11. Hi Catherine - i know just what you mean - my place of comfort is at home in my own space tucked away from the world. i like my own company - i don't have to be anything but me but there does come a time when we need to tear ourselves away from solitude and enter the world - even if just for a brief period. live is a paradox all we really have is ourselves, there is a loneliness about live yet we need relationships to grow, it is also the essence of being human - much to ponder. Love :)

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  12. wow super cool eyelashes and a fab piece of art. Annette x

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  13. awesome piece of artwork!!! i think an unlived life is not doing what makes your heart sing :)

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  14. Catherine, what a gorgeous painting, love the life in it.

    I live my life thru 'giving to others'. Putting a smile on a face & in a heart is the most precious part of life for me ... it fills me completely. Being a very sensitive person, I protect myself from the nasties of life ... content in my home, but love to be busy & doing ...

    Have a beautiful PINK weekend ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

    5 Day GIVEAWAY, pop over

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  15. I love your post and totally agree. I can also amuse myself and stay inside. I always push myself to go out and when I do I'm always better for it.
    Great painting...Live Life Large!

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  16. Oh Catherine! It's like you climbed into my heart and wrote a description of what you saw.

    I am SO like this.

    Shelley

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  17. I think mine is also adventure and exposing myself through my work to the world. Letting in new love...that's a big challenge.
    Your recent posts are great!

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  18. this is a lovely piece and i love the honesty in your writing. you sound very similar to me-i am very content with my own company and that of my husband and dogs. the rest of the world doesn't intrude on us much which suits us. maybe that's why i love my 'virtual' friends that i've gotten to know via my blog. but an unlived life to me is the thought of spending every day living the 9-5 office drudgery and not doing what i love which is art, travelling and being with animals. i need to find a way to make a living from what i love, is all! thanks for making me think with your lovely art and emotive words.

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  19. Such a feel-good post. Thanks for sharing! I love the artwork.

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  20. Delightful faces!!!
    Your post struck me too!
    I was just talking to a friend who said I need to get out more, that I am missing so much. I am lucky to be at home and have time for art and gardening. I love staying home. So much of what you posted sounded like you were writing about me.

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  21. Great post and pages!! I often feel torn hibernating and putting myself out there but I have decided that really "living" involves both! As some guru said - "after enlightenment, the laundry."

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  22. Great post, great art. Loved them both! Happy PPF!

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  23. Oh my, everyone's comments are so beautiful! I love how so many of you relate to this post. It makes me feel understood and less alone in the world. That's why I love blogging so much. You guys make it AMAZING!!!

    I <3 you!!

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  24. The eye is the window to one's soul, in this case yours! Beautiful and giving and so very unique.Lovely work.

    Annabelle

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  25. Your post reminds me of a book I just finished called. one thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp.

    To me the unlived life looks like not being thankful. This book has help me to begin living in the present moment and taking every thing as a gift-

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  26. Wise and heartfelt post.

    I feel a bit like you, easy to stay in my corner, but not wanting to let life go by without experiencing it.

    The unlived life for me would be not spending time enjoying every stage of my little one's growing up, not spending time with friends in laughter, and not accomplishing at least one of my creative dreams.

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  27. Catherine, I could have written this post; it is so like myself...although, I haven't really been able to pinpoint the why of myself being content at home. I am raising three boys, a full house of messiness and love. Driving the school bus each day of the week and the "mom taxi" after school, leaves me exhausted for any other beyond my family and daily path.

    I've always called myself a "friendly introvert" :)

    I surely do not want to live an "unlived life". For my making, it would be to not "become" all that The Lord designed me for ♥

    Glad that you visited today, and that I've found you in return.

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  28. The unlived life? When we don't try harder, face challenges head on, dream big, in other words, when we don't live the adventure God has planned for us! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  29. What a thought provoking post and it obviously struck a chord with many of the commenters. I think most lives go through ups and downs - periods of more engagement with the world and periods of quiet ... introspection. It's best not to get stuck in either one - what's the word I want? Balance. We can find support and inspiration in the world but need time to retreat to the safety and comfort of our homes to recharge.

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  30. Hi Catherine! I love your post! "loving another person and taking the risk to be honest" hit the spot for me :)

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  31. Love this post! Live your life now! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  32. Very well said! I think many of us creative types are content to stick to ourselves and do our own thing. It's hard sometimes for me to step out--not so much out of fear or shyness, but because I just don't want to be bothered! :( 1 Corinthians tells us our gifts are for the body, not for ourselves. I guess I'm being pretty selfish when I don't share my company with others! :)

    HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
    Sarah

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  33. "To live will be a great adventure."
    — J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)

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  34. Great sentiment and wonderful painting x

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  35. Wow I love your picture it's very fun and upbeat I really feel your message of living life to the fullest in this picture. I love the lady she is so stylish.

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  36. Your words contain much truth and your desire to have fun work ... Saludos

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