Step by step or piece by piece. That is how we go through our life and that is how a mosaic or a book is created. Love, Courage, and Miracles is now complete. There were a few edits here and there. I had to approve the final cover and then another two tiny edits like those pieces in my monarch. But for both creations, they are not done until each piece is done. I have to take a deep breath with what feels like a delay. I just want to get this done! I just want my book launch date!
Seems like the monarch’s launch date is going to have a “delay” as well as the book. Now, the concept of delays are only of my fabrication. It is me who decided when it was to be done. I could see it. If I step by step or piece by piece this way then it is logical it will be done by the time I have decided. But, of course life gets in the way of those plans. Or is it I have I gotten in the way with my determination? All creative projects have their timing. This is a lesson to be learned over and over.
The monarch butterfly is to go on a wall in our beautiful park. I promised it. The wall is waiting. It is patient and I am not. I want it all done before I again go to Australia in May. What is holding it back is the weather, the outside temperature needed for the proper curing of the thinset adhesive that will hold it on the wall. I was hoping for April to be the time. As I look at the temperature averages in April it is usually in the lower 40s in the evening. I need it to be 50 for my greatest success. Looks like my plan is changing and it will be June. Looking back at my last wall in the park mosaic it actually was done in June. If I had done my research more thoroughly I could have created a more realistic expectation. So now my mosaic artist sights are on its completion and launch when I return again from Australia. I will have all the pre-created pieces done piece by piece and ready with help from my community.
Yesterday I received an email that Love, Courage, and Miracles is being sent to the printer! Yayy! I think well, maybe that can be done in my timing but no, now I realize it probably won’t. I have to approve the proof copy next. The managing editor says, “The timeline for this process varies, as the printer and distributor must vet the files for approval across their international network, and only after that can they print the copy. So, you could receive the proof copy in as soon as a week, but sometimes it can take longer. If you haven’t received it after three weeks, definitely check in with me so I can shake some trees.” Ughhhh I have to let go and let be again. So I am re-framing. I need to change my expectations on this project too. I am not in as much control as I would like to be.
After approval of the proof my book has to get in line with the printer for its launch. Soon I will be talking to Atmosphere’s marketing consultant and I hope then we will come up with a reasonable date. I am thinking it will be in line with my butterfly taking flight in June. I am realizing and recognizing the metaphor of both being completed in June in their creative timing. This was not planned before but now I see it happening that way. Perfect really. On the level of symbolism I could not have planned it better.
Step by step and piece by piece even when we are determined with our decision of timing and how all should go, life has its own way with us. I love this new plan now. I am making my internal adjustments. June, 2024 – the book and the butterfly. That is the way it looks now. But who knows? That could change again. We sure need a lot of patience in this creative life. And remember, we all are artists in the creation of our own lives subject to the creative process that is not in our hands so much of the time.
