@John — We’re not going to please everyone, are we. And that’s okay, what matters is that we’re living the life we want. Keep doing that John!

@Amy — To get your picture here, go to http://gravatar.com/ and sign up with the email address you use when you comment. When you sign up, you can upload a picture to use.

Great post, Lance, but you don’t need me to tell you.
.-= John´s Last Fabulous Post ..Be Yourself and Stop Emulating the Masses =-.

What fun to fingerpaint! Emily — did you get in there with them? I guess that I would be like your son… looking at my fingers and marveling at the mess and yet, a little apprehensive of it. But I do love to make messes! My thing is collage. THanks for the reminder to CREATE FUN!
.-= Amy Jewell / Cirklagirl´s Last Fabulous Post ..Hump Day Hero #9 Christine Kane =-.

@Caroline — Ha! Thanks much Caroline!! Hey, guess what — I turn 40 this year too! Keep doing that, my friend — living YOUR truth. That’s what matters. And whatever that looks like, it’s “you”, and that’s pretty special. You ARE a masterpiece!

@Liara — Every stage is a masterpiece, and that masterpiece is what we make it to be. Liara, thank you!

@Rhythm Rob — In the everyday-ness of life, it is easy to forget that each day we are creating that masterpiece that is us. This idea of us making our lives what they are to be — I completely agree. While there are some things that are out of our control, we can always control how we respond — and I think this says a lot — in the way we DO respond to any given situation. I love that you’re using the word “conscious” — that’s such a key in this whole process. If we’re to live our life on our terms, then we need to be conscious of what that life is. Thanks much for coming over here today Rob. And thank you for the very honest and heart-felt comment…

@Angie — Hi Angie! I’m so glad this post is meaningful for you. The whole idea really resonated with me, this idea of our “life canvas”, when Emily originally shared these pictures on her site. And having her add her perspective, along with everyone else who has added in the comments — has made this all very powerfully moving for me. “I get” –> I hear much joy in these words, and how you truly love the time you have with your children — that’s awesome! And we can learn so much from them. Thanks so much for this today Angie, and for being here…

@Julie — Julie, it’s great to have you here today. That your painting is a big old mess…that’s perfectly okay. We work with what we have, and we move forward. Maybe we start fresh, and maybe we paint right over the top. Keep at it, keep creating your “life canvas” as you want it…it’s there within you!

I couldn’t help but visit your site after reading today’s post by Lisis on her blog, Quest for Balance.

It’s funny how your last post relates to the stage I am currently in my life. I think that sometimes we tend to forget that we are the Picassos of our lives and we determine how we shape it. For a while, I used to think that it was all up to destiny and that things were unfolding in my life for a reason with no control on my part. While I still think this is partially true, now I believe that we are what we make it to be. Sure there may be a “potential” destiny waiting for us to discover, but we’ll never get there if we don’t make it happen. So I try as much as possible to remember that I’m the creator of the circumstances surrounding my life and I try not to think that my life is being run by external forces. It’s still a struggle at times, but it’s getting better day by day as I consciously decide how I want my life to turn out.

Lance, you’re an inspiration and you speak true words of wisdom. I’m glad to have come across your site and I look forward to many more insightful thoughts you have to offer!

Rhythm Rob
.-= Rhythm Rob´s Last Fabulous Post ..A Quote by Robin Sharma =-.

Thank you for this today!
.-= Caroline´s Last Fabulous Post ..Bye bye birdie… =-.

@Jannie — Jannie, it’s great to see you here! What? I’m the one who’s extra glad we’ve met! Now what we need is a great big ol’ blog party! Once again…you’ve brightened my day! Keeping singing your song Jannie…

@Hilary — And aren’t those little green feet awesome! And it goes so well with the idea that our life masterpiece can be whatever our heart sings — and it doesn’t matter what others think of it — it is uniquely us! Yes, that is you, Hilary — your masterpiece in action — non conformist and all!

@Tony — Yes, making the best of what we have…whatever that is for each of us. Thanks for stopping in today Tony!

@Sagan — …and I just got a print that says that very saying — “Life is art”! Yes it is!!

@Evita — Thank you Evita! Our canvas…something about the way you’ve said that here really is so wonderful. And having fun…if we’re not having fun as we go through life, then we are missing out. And the thing about fun is that there’s enough for everyone!

@Tim — Hi Tim. Thanks much! Working together with Emily was so easy. And the photos that Emily shared just fit this whole concept of a “life canvas” so well. So, let’s go out there, make some mistakes, have some fun, and really live our life!

@Jocelyn — I wish you safe travels Jocelyn. Whatever it is that’s taking you on these travels, always remember who you are, deep down. With that, you can’t go wrong. Spread you wonderful colors…your amazing masterpiece is being created! And it WILL be beautiful…

@Marelisa — And that just shows that it’s different stroke for different folks..in painting, and in life. And that’s good isn’t it. That’s what makes life interesting — that we’re all different. Keep painting outside those lines, Mare! Your masterpiece is filled with amazing colors and life!