[tweetshareinline tweet=”What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? ” username=”IfZgcz8ZKo14VSCu3y8ejhrBGaCG*R!N:1:0″]

– Vincent Van Gogh

In a few years, I will be 40.  They say life begins at 40.  Before I hit that age, though, I would want to be extra courageous and do things I have been meaning to do when I was younger.  Circumstances, fate or perhaps lack of drive pushed me backward.  Now, I still have not accomplished my life goals.

Last Saturday, though, I was able to take a dip to an ambition I wanted to pursue years ago.  A passion that I see would color and brighten the next 40 years of my life.  I just tried painting at Sip and Gogh.

MOMI COUNTS 40| Courage to attempt that ultimate dream

Honestly, at Sip and Gogh, there are no painting skills required.  The art instructors are kind enough to guide students and let them finish their masterpieces.  It has been, after all, the owners’ aim to help everyone unleash his hidden “artist.”  The studio is conceptualized with amateurs in mind.

Those amateurs are the likes of my friend and I.  My dear friend Smash celebrated her birthday more than a month ago.  We were both busy then that we cannot find time to meet and celebrate.  Finally, last Saturday, we met for a quick lunch and headed to Sip and Gogh in Ayala Heights.  I have been begging months ago to try the place.  I am a huge fan of Vincent Van Gogh and anything Van Gogh fascinates me.  So imagine my extreme happiness when she told me we will finally have a visit.  I felt that it was my day.  She can be that selfless.  And I am just so lucky to have her as my best pal.

MOMI COUNTS 40| Courage to attempt that ultimate dream

Sip and Gogh, a first-of-its-kind paint and sip studio in the Philippines, has paint schedules and featured art session for each time and date.  When we went there last Saturday, the featured art was Fire Tree.  I requested the amiable staff if I could do a Starry Night instead and she readily agreed.  That’s how accommodating they can be. And again, I felt it was really my day.  It was like Paulo Coelho telling me:  [tweetshareinline tweet=”When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”” username=”IfZgcz8ZKo14VSCu3y8ejhrBGaCG*R!N:1:0″]

Courage to attempt painting

We were provided with everything we need from apron to canvas to easel, paints, brushes, and palette.  We were thrilled to fill our canvas with colors.  We settled in our workstation, was taught how to start, sipped white wine, and munched on some cheese and salami.  We began our first brush strokes with a few giggles and after a few minutes, we felt silence.  We exchanged pleasantries and took some photos.  We became more relaxed and was convinced what we were doing was so relaxing.  And it was indeed relaxing.  And at the end of the session, we got to bring home the painting.  The experience was like buying a painting which you did yourself, plus you were able to drink, eat, relax and bond with loved ones or even enjoy your own solitude.

Courage to attempt on starting to color your canvas.

The concept of Sip and Gogh then is to simply invite those self-confessed non-artists to relax and try something different from their typical days.    Smash is an Ombudsman lawyer and her work can be real stressful.  This momi, on the other hand, seldom leaves home and needs a new environment to relax. And true enough, after the session, we went home happy and fulfilled.

Making something even imperfectly is empowering because it’s an expression of the self.

– Alton & Carrie Barron MD

Courage to attempt that unfulfilled ambition

I encountered that line years ago and wrote it believing it would create a big impact on me.  It did.  I got its meaning now.

In a few years and I will be 40.  They say life begins at 40.  Before I hit that age though, I would want to be extra courageous and do things I have been meaning to do when I was younger.  And last Saturday, I was able to do for the first time what I would have pursued in college.  I would want to take up Fine Arts.  My mom, on the contrary, discouraged me and said there is no money in arts.

I am nearing 40 and I still do not have money.  I am happy with my life, though, but sometimes, the unfulfilled ambition continues to haunt me.

Courage to attempt on sipping wine and munching cheese

Courage to attempt that ultimate dream

I was able to paint, finally.  I enjoyed it and as I have said,  rekindled the passion that would color and brighten the next 40 years of my life.  But I need money to fund myself.  That would be my next goal. To be extra courageous and do things I have been meaning to do when I was younger.  I am now finding time for my purpose. After painting, I am up to do more courageous steps toward my ultimate dream. Because I always believe that dream would be the life I am so meaning to live.  And that dream would bring laughter and food to our small house.  That would also fund my passion for painting more Van Gogh.

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