Discovering the Art of Life

Lessons Learned As a Beginner Grandfather and Artist

I didn't paint as much as I wanted to this past weekend because we had our grandson, Ford, stay with us. Ford is 11 months old. 

Whenever I hang with him, I am humbled by the power of creation and life.

We learn everything in life on the job. Sure, we can watch a webinar, take a course, get another degree, read 10,000 books, watch a bunch of BoobTube videos, and find a mentor.

But we learn the most essential lessons in life by doing what we think is best. I'm learning to be a grandfather and to paint. 

I'm a beginner at both.

One of the lessons I've learned over the years is to have a beginner's mind. I take a beginner's mind with everything: I've been a husband for 39 years, a father for 36 years, a photographer since 1977, and a professional writer for decades. 

I am a beginner at all.

"In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind, there are few." 

— Shunryu Suzuki

The Art of Life

As a beginner painter, this 11 x 14-inch acrylic painting on paper happened late yesterday.

The painting took about an hour. But, like anything we experience in a flow state, the experience is timeless.

How did I know what to paint?

Sometimes, I use reference images. In this case, the image was in my mind, and all I had to do was let go and let my Muse drive the brushstroke bus.

I've never painted a good sea before. I like this one, though.

Clouds are tricky because they need to be "loose." These clouds turned out well compared to most of those in the past.

Painting requires patience. Patience is not my best virtue. But being a painter humbles me, teaches me patience, and calls me by name when it's time to create and play with paint.

When we love the process of anything, we can find flow. In doing that, we become less attached (drag) to the outcome, which we can't control.

Work feels like play.

It's the same with life.

In closing, let my article be a friendly reminder to maintain a beginner's mindset and enjoy the ride as much as when you were a child and played all day between naps and bites to eat.

Thanks for reading my article, published originally on Medium, where writers get paid for being creative. When not coaching and advising emerging entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors, I help people improve their "mental wealth" and quality of life by writing, speaking, coaching, and advocating for mental wealth and well-being. Learn more at www.CliffordJones.com, or subscribe to The Clarity Letter on Substack.