Stepping out

For the first six months of being a full-time artist, I focused intensely on my work and our business.  I very purposely did not take on a lot of outside projects or volunteer opportunities.  It was important to get a solid sense of what this new world was going to be like and give it a chance to succeed.  In the process of pulling seven day work weeks and spending countless hours in Birdsong Studio, I started to feel rather isolated.

I started to spread my wings a little by joining the Bracelets For Buildings board.  It's a small group that is spread out around the world.  We have regular meetings using video conferencing and will convene in Cambodia early next year to build homes for the poorest of the poor.

A friend of mine recently reached out to ask if I would be interested in applying to join a local board.  This would mean additional meetings and activities.  It was time to have some external commitments that would get me out in the world again on a more frequent basis.  On Thursday I was formally appointed to the board of FuseSocial, a capacity building charitable organization in Fort McMurray.  It was the result of an amalgamation of three other groups including Leadership Wood Buffalo, of which I was a board member 6 or 7 years ago.

Photo posted by Arts Council Wood Buffalo

I spent three hours yesterday engaged in a deep dive conversation with government officials about the idea of getting "Status of the Artist" legislation moving in Alberta.  While I felt a little like a mouse on a wheel, engaging in yet another conversation about the arts in Alberta that goes round and round, it was stimulating to participate in a group conversation.

A healthy life is one that has balance.  At the age of 51, I'm still learning to find mine.  Stepping out on a more regular basis will help get me closer to getting it right.