Don't Force A Goal To Happen

So I had this lofty goal of doing some landscape paintings this weekend but I never got around to it. Instead I did paint swatches of what I have in my watercolor palette. 

And I realized something. I realized that sometimes we can't force a goal or an outcome. We can want it, but we can't force it especially if maybe we are too tired or we are simply aren't motivated or inspired to do it.

So what does this have to do with mindfulness? If you are thinking of having a mindfulness practice, whether traditional in the case of sitting meditation or your form of mindfulness is painting or drawing but you can't seem to do it that day. Then don't do it. 

One day of no practice isn't actually bad for you. Just acknowledge that's happening + don't force yourself to feel like you should. 

I think part of being mindful is wanting to do it. Feeling inspired to do it as opposed to adding a check mark to that goal.

So if this how you feel today much like how I've felt all weekend, give yourself permission to do something that inspires you.

For me, it was sketching weird portraits in charcoal + doing paint swatches. And sometimes the alternatives are good enough. And also, sometimes if you don't have an alternative to lean on, that's perfectly fine too.