A Revealing Heart--An Art Journal Page Discussed

"A heart often reveals itself in times of difficulty. It either shines, or....it doesn't."

Last week was undoubtedly filled with lots of highs and lows, great memories, full of promise of potentially a new relationship, but ultimately ended with extreme sorrow for our family unexpectedly.  It was in that time of grief, that I had time to reflect once again about many things: such as how short life is and how it can change when you least expect it. People, animals, things, all come into your life not necessarily forever, but if you allow them to, they teach you lessons that you can carry in your heart the rest of your life.

   

Without going into the details again, for those of you who follow me on Facebook, you already know, but suffice to say, Friday we lost a beloved member of our family unexpectedly.  Not a person, but rather our pet who might of well been a person because that's how he was treated.  

My son and I were devastated of course and in shock all weekend...still in shock.   At the same time, earlier in the week, I met someone who seemed very special....romantic, brought me flowers on the first date,  chatted with me throughout the week, we went out on a second date and had an even better time, and generally seemed to get along well. Things looked very promising until  I had a crisis on Friday that brought me to my knees.

Not that I expected pity or this person to come running to me as in reality, we only known each other a week...but the true colors of this person's sincerity showed a lot earlier than I suppose some may show months or possibly years later,  and for that I'm grateful.

Spoiler alert...it wasn't good.

Not to be the Taylor Swift of the art world and lay all my cards out for the world to see, but I just have to say I'm proud of myself for not wanting to change someone like I normally would take on a challenge like this.   The g-rated version of the exchange was that 15 minutes after we talked on the phone Friday about the devastating course of events that happened that afternoon, I get a text that HE was disappointed we wouldn't be getting together tonight. Not a sorry this happened, can I do anything for you, blah blah blah.  

At first, I made an excuse of well, he really doesn't know me that well yet and couldn't possibly know how I feel or how I react in moments of extreme sorrow, stress, or struggles.  And maybe he just wasn't brought up to be super compassionate with words, not everyone knows how to communicate well or openly. I can relate, often my method of communication is in writing or through my art.

But to be made to feel guilty over not wanting to go out (and I can say going out very loosely because I can say with 150% certainty that dinner and a movie wasn't what he wanted)  on a day that I had been crying my eyes out over a loss of a loved one...well.....it was pretty revealing of his character.

The next two days...Saturday and Sunday were more of the same.  No contact until later in the day, no check in on how I'm doing.  Just are you coming over tonight?  No. No. and No.

If that's the best you have, then I'd rather have nothing at all. Period.

I am ready for dating again after a long break but my time is so limited, I barely have enough for myself, my kids, and my close friends---if I make room for someone, I want to make it count.   

That brings me back to the moral of the story-- part of the theme for my  resolutions this year, have been to stand my ground and make myself "Better Than Before".  I might have thought well, he's a decent person with a good job and well he did buy me dinner and bring me flowers 2x.. Maybe I should help him to see how his lack of compassion hurt me.   

No.  What point would that make? If someone doesn't have it in them to know what to do, right or wrong...why waste your time trying to make someone into someone they are not.  Accept it and move on.

The truth of the matter is, a person's true colors are often shown in moments of extreme highs an extreme lows more quickly than if you un-peel the layers bit by bit over time.  You can't change someone, but you can change yourself.

I grabbed my journal today and processed those feelings and heck decided to write about them on the blog in the quest of being more open and honest with not just myself, but with everyone around me.  

I'm not mad, I'm in fact pretty proud of myself.  I feel more empowered than I have in awhile even at the eve of something tragic,  there's wisdom to be found. And now I can move forward...I'm still sad, still broken-hearted, still grieving;  but,  I'm also happy I didn't waste precious time with someone who didn't have the type of heart I desired in a partner.

Don't settle for less...I know I won't. 

Jodi Ohl

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Products used in this journal page:

Dylusions Journal

Striped washi Tape

Neocolor II Watersoluble Crayons

Deco Markers by Pebeo

4Artist Marker by Pebeo

craft luggage tags

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Upcoming classes not to miss!

January 21 and 22nd!

I'll be teaching a Zen Weekend at Donna Downey's studio!  We have a few spaces left for this hot class! Take a winter creative break and join us in this spectacular workshop!