Leftovers are often the best

My jaw was tight - do I go for a morning walk or do I paint?  I checked in with my inner guidance.  It was clear - paint.  Hmmm what to paint - my habitual circles?  I'm beginning to tire of them, but I also know that I enjoy doing them.  I put on my palate a generous helping of red, blue, yellow and white.  The primary colours - I like to start a-fresh.    I ponder (but not for too long!)
Green, shades of green, the greens I see in nature., that I'd have seen on my walk.   I had the background painted already.  The big circles came together easily but didn't hit the spot.  I added some dots, green snow to jazz it up a bit, rebel a little...  nothing more to add, but something was missing for me.   Here it is.  

What next?  I had load of green paint - in it's various shades and I knew mixing it up roughly together would be a satisfying background.    I was right.  It felt good having the streaks of all the colours coming through as I covered the sheet, completely.  Here it is ... a background ready for another day...

Now what?  I had a huge blob of red - untouched - and the remnants of the green.  I was not going to waste it, so I mixed them all in together.  Now, that hit the spot.  A deep Chinese lacquer red that was most satisfying - and there was just enough to cover another sheet.  My jaw was relaxed now,  I was in the present:  my breath steady, my heart full, and I feel as if I've done something.  

What is this sense of doing, sense of satisfaction?  Nothing more than being in the zone of creativity.  It would be wonderful if my product was valuable to the world, but in the meantime, I'm going to continue painting.  It's better than drinking, eating or seeking another self-development course in the hope that I reach the spot that I'm looking for.  The one that wants to be itched, satisfied. 

Paint works for me -  what works for you?  Where do you get into the zone that gives your mind a rest?  It doesn't have to be useful - the purpose is to feel , if only for a moment,  the stirrings of inner satisfaction.    I'd love to know, it inspires me hearing from you -  so do leave a comment below.