Many times in our lives we are faced with change. In change, there is always pain and learning and growth. I love things to stay the same and comfortable, but if they do, I will never grow and become braver or stronger or wiser. The pain of change is valuable and good. The pain of change is the only thing that makes us leap from our comfortable place and do something new.
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If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew. Just go right along and you’ll start happening too. – Oh, The Places You’ll Go
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If you have been following me for a while, you’ll know that last August I had emergency intestinal surgery. I am recovering very well from that but I have had intense digestive pains at times since the surgery and have finally decided the pain was too much. I read about what could cause my symptoms and decided to try eliminating foods to see if that was the issue. The first I tried was dairy since it had bothered me before. I am so glad I did! Taking dairy out of my diet completely fixed the issues I was having. It meant changing my habits and trying new items at the grocery store, but the overall quality of life change is worth all the pain of trying new things and editing my food intake.
This month, my regional SCBWI Spring conference took place and I did several new things that forced me to grow. I drove the New York City art director around all weekend. I am nervous about meeting new people and making small talk. I love to talk about issues and interesting ideas, but I struggle with building up to that in a friendship. Well, it turned out the art director was incredibly nice and friendly. She and I got along very well all weekend. I grew in my interpersonal skill set and made a new friend.
I also finished my illustrations for my upcoming picture book! I am so proud of myself, and yet, a few days later the waves of excitement passed and I panicked. I have to put my book out into the world now. I have to publish and market it. I have to see if anyone will buy it. The fear set in. I will admit it, I freaked out and was crying in the pantry closet. Maybe it was a panic attack. I don’t know. What I do know is I have spent so many hours pouring myself into a project and I finished it, but the future of people’s response to the project isn’t up to me. I will have to change and grow again to take these next steps into the future.
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Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art. –
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Change happens all the time, and I challenge you to embrace it. We can’t hold our lives still, or stop the seasons. Children grow up, and so must we. The process of change polishes our tarnished surfaces, pulls up the weeds in our gardens, sharpens our blades… all those word pictures to help us see that we’re better when we embrace change and move through discomfort. When we allow change to take place in our hearts, God uses these times to make us better.
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If you enjoyed this post from Charlotte, check out her further writings and illustrations at www.charlotteglaze.com! And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter at charlotteglaze.com/newsletter!
About Charlotte Glaze
I love children. Their honesty and open-hearted natures, eagerness to learn and grow, and the unlimited potential of their every dream. My goal in my art and writing is to encourage their dreams, strengthen their character, and bring added joy to their lives.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
– Philippians 4:8 NIV
I am currently working towards being published as a picture book author/illustrator. I live in Oklahoma with my husband and two children. I enjoy traveling the world, photography, belting out show tunes, and drinking tea. I graduated from Oral Roberts University and have worked as a web designer, graphic designer, and teacher. I am a member of SCBWI and SVS.
