With my sincere apologies to Robert Fulgham for modifying his text. I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth to his wisdom and mention calligraphy, too!
If you follow me at all, you already know that I consider calligraphy to be a sort of “yoga for the soul”. Much of yoga and the well-being it procures is about balance. Physical balance, yes (like standing on one leg in tree pose) but also mental and emotional balance.
Some of the yoga instructors I follow “jump right into it” at the beginning of their session, but I like to take a few minutes, centre myself and my thoughts, and bring myself to the present moment.
Calligraphy helps me to do that, too. When I’m concentrated on a text, on writing, on the pen and nib … I don’t leave much room for parasitic thoughts to creep in.
Of course there are moments of frustration – just like when I’m standing on one leg in my yoga session and I fall over! But, as in yoga, I pick myself up and start again. (Usually muttering words that my mother wouldn’t approve of under my breath!)
As you watch the video, you’ll hear me say that it doesn’t matter if things are not perfect. If perfection is all that we accept, 99% of us won’t do anything at all.
The important thing is to just do it. And to enjoy the process. Even when you fall over!
