*
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." ~Bernice Johnson Reagon~
It's important to understand that obstacles are part of life. They are everywhere, testing you all the time. I learned that important lesson many years ago. At some point I even started feeling curious about what was going to be the next obstacle on my list.
Yesterday, on the last day of 2010 I encountered an obstacle. It took me totally by surprise, it hit me on the face with both hands. I couldn't even stop my tears from coming out, but then my mind knew exactly what to do so the tears stopped and I smiled again :)
What happened had to do with Rojo. It turned out that the electric installation for my dear kiln costs an amount of money that is prohibited for me right now. About twice what I payed for the kiln itself.
But there is always a solution for every problem and a key for every locked door. So, after the electrician left feeling disappointed and sorry at the same time I called my brother Alex in Florida. He will do the installation for me, for free. I just need to wait until he comes to California, right now he has lots of work in Miami. So, the solution to this particular problem is: patience.
I wanted my first post of 2011 to be about the very thing that each one of us will encounter this year: Obstacles. The world is going through a deep economic crisis that it affecting us all in one way or another. We need to be wise spenders and smart planners. That's when imagination becomes our most valuable possession.
This is a good year to get to know ourselves better as we face different obstacles. Let's not get negative or scared when new obstacles show up. Instead, let's be ready, strong and positive so they don't have a negative effect on our spirit. The most important thing to keep in mind is that when a door closes, it doesn't mean that we have to close our mind as well. There is a particular door that should remain permanently open: The door to imagination and creativity. That tiny door is the mother of all doors on planet Earth. Please, let's keep that in mind.
Happy New Year, my friend!
Elsita :)
Happy New Year my friend! How wonderful that you've already overcome an obstacle and learned a lesson in 2011!!! Yaaaaay! :0)Thanks soooo much for sharing that with us Elsita.I have some obstacles I'm not sure how to overcome at the moment, but you've helped me see them in a new way! Big hugs, xxxx
Posted by: Lois Collins | January 01, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.
You are a very wise soul, in my opinion.
Posted by: Cynthia Baxter | January 01, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Glad to hear you found a solution to that. How unusual that it would be that costly! I would have never thought that either. I can't wait to see what you create w/ Rojo.
Posted by: Gina | January 01, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Hello Elsita,
Your post is wonderfully inspiring, to be curious giving up is great advice. There is always a creative solution.
Thank you for your wisdom.
Happy New year to you and yours ~
Posted by: Tammie | January 01, 2011 at 06:53 PM
oops, i just realized I left some words out of my comment, I meant: to be curious instead of giving up, is great advice!
thanks again.
Posted by: Tammie | January 01, 2011 at 06:54 PM
Thank you for this reminder, as I'm afraid we will be heading for some obstacles sooner than later. I'm trying stay positive but it is a scary time.
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | January 01, 2011 at 07:38 PM
Perfect! I am so glad i stumbled upon your amazing post: "when one door closes another door remains permanently open: imagination and creativity."
thank you for this
xo
kim
Posted by: kim baise | January 01, 2011 at 08:00 PM
What a great post to start the year with although I'm sorry you have to wait before you can start using Rojo. Love the quote and your artwork, a lesson to remember when I find a door closed.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 02, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Happy New Year!, Bonne Année! It seems Alex can do anything. This is the great news. Patience is the KEY for many problems (little or big). Un abrazo.
Posted by: Bluescocuyo (Laura) | January 02, 2011 at 02:43 AM
Oh what a shame about Rojo, but you will love using it that much more when your brother comes to install it for you!! How handy to have a brother that can do it for you! See? It is meant to be!
One of our obstacles at the moment is our house. We would love to move somewhere that's bigger with a bigger garden, but our house isn't selling... We've replaced the windows, repainted the outside and I'm about to change the colour of the front door. That's as far as the creativity goes for this obstacle. Oh, and hopefully our change of agents will help too. So now, we need to be patient too.
Other than that I have my very first lesson in knitting tomorrow, so I'm really excited about that!
xx for now
Posted by: Veronika | January 02, 2011 at 05:15 AM
thank goodness for your wonderful talented brother alex coming to save rojo from a life of inactivity.
xo
Posted by: margie oomen | January 02, 2011 at 05:17 AM
gracias Elsita....your blog helps me today. Just hang on, la vuelta a las cosas siempre llega. Paciencia, I like that! mis cariños desde Caracas
Posted by: consuelo mendez | January 02, 2011 at 05:22 AM
This is a very good lesson-- my biggest obstacle is feeling despair when big disappointments happen. I will try to remember what you said and look for the next door. I was just wondering if someone out in CA will see this post and offer their electrical help. I guess you just never know! ;)
Posted by: Bethany Hissong | January 02, 2011 at 07:25 AM
<3 ¡Gracias! This made me feel better :)
Posted by: Claudia Liliana / rasamalai | January 02, 2011 at 08:28 AM
As usual, you are so insightful! Obstacles will always present themselves, learning how to navigate them is a part of life! Rojo will be there for you when you're ready.
Posted by: Wanett | January 02, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Happy New Year to you too! Wonderful inspiration for the new year :-)
And your new banner is lovely.
Posted by: Into Vintage | January 02, 2011 at 12:33 PM
No doubt your patient heart and Alex's wonderful willingness to make it all happen brought a smile of relief to Rojo, too!
Posted by: Betty | January 02, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Happy New Year, Elsa! Congrats on getting Rojo, even if you haven't been able to use it! At our studio, we name our kilns too! We have Fat Man (a big guy!), Otto ("Auto" because it's automatic), and Newbie.
While your brother is there, have him read the manual and show you how to change the kiln elements; if you're high firing porcelain, you're going to need to know how to do that. (High firing is hard on kiln elements.)
:)
Posted by: Rosa | January 02, 2011 at 04:39 PM
Hi Elsa! I am sad you were sad. I know this feeling - when we are SO happy about something happening - we cannot even imagine that it might turn out another way...and then if it does! Bam!
Our brains are amazing things, and it really is true that we create everything we experience. Sometimes it is so frustrating when we get caught up in the story, that we cannot see the way out. I am SO glad you saw the way out! I am so excited to see what you make with Rojo! You have really inspired me!
I begin school in 2 weeks, and I am so happy, and also so sad that I am moving a little further away from caring for my children full time. I know it will all be good for all of us, but I am feeling so many mixed emotions! What a mix up! I really love your quote about obstacles helping us to see who we are...
Thank you!
Posted by: Unlikely Nomad | January 02, 2011 at 04:53 PM
I love that your stairway girl has her very own shadow! Sweet!
Posted by: Unlikely Nomad | January 02, 2011 at 04:54 PM
I think you must have been speaking directly to me. I have been so struggling with those obstacles, but I hope to chip away at them with hope and not fear in 2011. Thank you for being such a wonderful spirit in the world. :-) xoxo
Posted by: terry | January 03, 2011 at 01:26 AM
Sorry, about the delay.
At least it is only a delay.
Pretty soon you will be at play.
Just curious: Do you need 240 volt, 3-phase AC?
Not something I have had much experience with, 'til now,
and I think it's funny how some things show up, once you learn more about them.
Buena suerte, y Feliz Año Nuevo.
Posted by: Natalie VV | January 04, 2011 at 12:03 PM
you are an incredible force of positivity and truth! I am loving reading your posts. and adoring your artwork as well.
Posted by: Jess | January 14, 2011 at 05:17 PM
See how the sky was black during the day, see how long is the night, and at dawn.
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