Pulse May 2016 | Page 74

“The greatest failure is the failure to try.” — William Ward I never thought a cow would help guide me to my happy place, but it did and here’s how it happened. I am the youngest of three girls—Irish triplets (each about a year apart)—and each with our very own unique style and creative spirit. I once saw a painting of a cow in a magazine which I saved and repeatedly STYLING & PHOTO BY ECHOSTARMAKER.COM asked my middle sister (a talented artist) to paint it for me. I kept asking and asking like only a little sister can until she eventually bought me a canvas and instructed me to paint it myself! There were so many things I discovered during my journey of painting the cow. What I thought would be an impossible and stressful task turned out to be rewarding and quite calming. Working on the painting became my escape—helping me to unplug. Isn’t it funny how often our escape is something so far from what we love to do day to day? When I would get frustrated with it, my sister would encourage me to take a break, sit back and look at it differently. See it from a different angle. She also encouraged me to throw away the original picture of the cow. “Now make it your own,” she said. When my painting was completed, I felt a sweet sense of accomplishment. It was exactly the painting I had wanted, in fact, it was even better. I love it and believe it only What makes your pets adorable and how do you spoil them? “They are long-haired, hippy dogs. They are whimsical and playful. As their names suggest, Jackson Hole and Teton Spirit are ‘national treasures.’ We spoil them by taking them to doggy daycare once a week. We also make their own treats by dehydrating chicken strips, and showering them with kisses.” turned out well, because I had such a good (and patient) teacher. How do you unplug? I can now add painting to my list, which includes mowing the grass, knitting, gardening, cooking, and another new favorite, thanks to a special Christmas gift, adult coloring books. Carve out the time and make unplugging a priority. Go ahead—paint that cow! —LYNNE McNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT 72 PULSE ■ May 2016 CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK! Lynne Walker McNees