Daily Decision: Writing or Painting

Everyday I have to decide what I'm going to do. Which is calling me more, writing or painting? It's tougher than it may seem. Painting is far easier for me to do; writing is more demanding. Add in reading and blogging, and I have a full day of work ahead of me. Most days, I start off reading, because I'm not ready to make the decision whether to begin writing or painting first. I'd say that most days I read for a while, then paint. Then the need to write calls me, and I start writing. Sometimes I just start off with painting, then when I've reached a point at which I'm ready to take a break, I can easily move into writing.

The saying that you cannot serve two masters comes into play. The question becomes, am I trying to serve two masters? And, if so, am I doomed to failure? Actually, I don't see myself as trying to serve two masters. They are both voluntary activities. I can walk away from either one at any time. I can give to them whatever amount of time I desire. There are days when I don't paint and days when I don't write, days when I do both and neither. I just try to be open to both and do what I can, and not fret over it.

The results of painting--the finished product--tends to come more quickly than that of writing. Writing tends to be a long-term project. So, they overlap each other. I'm happy working this way. It seems to suite me. I don't want to be a slave to either. I want to befriend the processes of both activities. They both give me satisfaction. They do, and I'm happy with that.