Quite some time ago now – I decided to have a go at sketching – something that I had never really done before.

I thought about it – purchased the necessary paper – pencils – and even charcoal – and began to experiment.

Although I had moderate success – I recognised that it wasn’t really something that appealed to me – or even felt as if it was a ‘good fit’ – and so I decided to take up my water colour painting again.

But – even in doing that – I have decided to stick to the methods that suit me best – those things that work for me – and not to feel that I must follow someone else’s way of doing it.

I’m so glad I did at least try the sketching though – because it confirmed to me the importance of staying true to myself – and to take the advice offered here – “Whatever’s good for your soul – do that”.

As I have chosen to follow my soul – instead of ‘seeking to conform to the expectations of others’ – I have been so much more relaxed and free.

But – in allowing myself the freedom to find what works best for me – it’ so important – that I allow others that same freedom too.

Talking with a friend recently – she was telling me how she has had to come to recognise – that the way her husband tackles jobs around the home – is not how she would go about it – but – she has to allow him to do it – in the way that works for him.

In a similar way – she struggled with the different ways that her children went about their studies – vastly different from her way – but none the less – a way that worked for them.

In other words – “Give others freedom – to be themselves – appreciate the differences – between their ways – and yours.”

It would be a boring place indeed – if we were all the same – if we all did things in the same way – followed the same patterns of behaviour – and even the way we experience life – in all of it’s dimensions.

And so – I am happy to be free – to “Own my own niche – because – one size definitely does not fit all” – and – look for what works best for me – helps me to be the best that I can be – and helps me to demonstrate the unique person I was born to be.

I am not the same as anyone else – I am unique – with my own peculiarities – faults – preferences – abilities – and even ways of doing things – and – to quote – “Life is so much simpler – when you stop explaining yourself to people – and just do what works for you”

Blessings – Lois