June 2009
It took persistence for me to draw out this month’s MTOM; five tries to be exact. I almost accepted the second version even though I felt it was still off a bit.
The easy way out would have been to stop at that one yet I kept feeling like I had to try again. On the fifth try it clicked for me. It felt right. I’m glad I persisted; otherwise I would have settled for something less than the best.
Throughout all versions, I kept hearing this phrase in my head: “diamond in the rough.” And when I was done, I heard “we are a work in progress.”
Last month’s MOTM was about finding balance and being gentle on ourselves. Regardless of setbacks, keep moving forward. Apparently, this month we expand on this them to add persistence to the mix. Know that we are a work in progress; like a diamond, it takes time, some effort, and a lot of patience.
I heard that Edison made 1,000 light bulbs before he finally got it right. When asked about it, he is quoted as saying, “We now know 1,000 ways not to build a light bulb. Each “failure” was another step toward success.”
In this day and age of instant everything, we as a culture tend to give up on things if they fail to work the first, second or even third time. If you have a passion for something or a goal you want to achieve, be persistent. Understand that set backs are just opportunities for adjustments; welcome them instead of dread them. Like the song says “pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.” I would also include “do a happy dance.”
Now go have fun coloring! 
Download the June 2009 Mandala of the Month (~680kb)
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Happy Coloring!
Maureen, The Mandala Lady
