I had someone, a fellow artist, call my art business intimidating. It's true that I have accomplished a lot in just two years. First of all, I've never been more sure of any decision. Acting on it has been almost effortless. 

But second of all, and I have written about this before, making any first move is potent. In my case, I listen to my artist affirmations on Insight Timer, make a plan and take action. Posted in my studio is part of a quote by Goethe:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The complete quote really emphasizes magical thinking- or at least the idea that we can manifest what we envision by simply starting. It's the same idea as "God helps those who help themselves." This does seem obvious. Nothing will happen if you don't take some action. But Goethe insists, "...the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred."

For example, I decided to start a website, and that week I saw a post from a friend, with an offer to start a website with the same platform that she uses, and only pay $50 for a full year. Then, six months later, I found that I needed more income in retirement. I applied and interviewed for jobs that were not appealing. And then out of nowhere came an opportunity to manage all the art studios in the building where I paint!

You might, like Goethe, believe in manifestation. Regardless, it's an idea with some traction around the world. Euripedes, Aesop, the Quran, Chinese idioms- all have some variant of this idea that providence, or the gods, reward self-agency.

I'd love to hear examples from your own life. Write me at [email protected]

Parts of this post were originally written for my October 2023 subscriber newsletter.