Part 3 - Trust the Journey - Go with the Waves

"I’ll never forget that feeling of total uncertainty, like I was losing control while trying to make sense of what was happening during those crazy months of the pandemic in our area."

I remember, as I was finishing this painting after not touching a paintbrush for at least 10 years, having several epiphanies come through me.

The first and most important one was that we have no control over what happens around us. I felt this strong realization that I am the only one in charge of my happiness and the world around me. No matter how much I love someone, I can never make them happy—the only control I have is within myself.

**Purposeful Dreamer** was born out of my realization that art had always been there for me, helping me process the hardest times of my life. It was there all along; I just didn’t realize it until I painted again after more than 10 years.

Since that realization (along with lots of inner work), I can honestly say that I’ve been able to find more and more joy and peace in my life in so many ways—from my relationships with others and myself, to the world around me.

As a mom, I hope my kids learn what I’ve discovered through pursuing my creative dreams, as well as the younger version of myself who wishes she’d known this sooner.

I know that I can share this with the world, hoping it will travel through the online world to anyone who may benefit from this Purposeful Dreamer journey and all the lessons along the way.

**On Going with the Waves and Believing in Myself as an Artist**

Following through on my creative dreams has probably been one of the hardest things I’ve ever worked through since I began **Purposeful Dreamer** in 2020. But I know it continues to feel right and is part of my purpose. It also brings me tons of joy and has taught me to shift my mindset for the better. 

I keep getting back up, working on believing and trusting myself more and more, and learning to **GO WITH THE WAVES** of life that we have no control over. This design is my reminder of how my purposeful dreamer started and keeps me going.

One of my favorite books, which my dad encouraged me to read as a kid (we even had the cassette to listen to!), was *The Greatest Salesman in the World* by Og Mandino.

Through this amazing story, he shares secret life scrolls that are supposed to reveal the secrets to life and success. In one of the scrolls, it says:

“I will love this day as if it was my last.” 

We have no control over what is going to happen tomorrow. Whether we want to or not, both we and the world are constantly changing. So, I continue to learn to enjoy each day, each moment.

After years of working on **Purposeful Dreamer**, I found a way to keep following this dream through digital art designs and writing here as well as other ways to create and express this Purposeful Dreamer journey in person in my local community, like pop-ups and art shops—not because I have more time in my day, but because making time for it helps me feel in my purpose, like I’m working not just on myself, but towards my dreams.

**The Process of the GO WITH THE WAVES Design…**

As you can see from this Instagram reel video I made, it was a process to get to this final design. But it’s so special because it includes part of my original acrylic painting I made during the pandemic, called **“The Waves of Life,”** which brought me back to painting and art after a decade of creating nothing.

Art has been my healer, always there to help me process the hard parts of life. I’ve had to do (and still do) a lot of inner work as my body continues to heal and evolve after giving birth to Salvador.

This year, I challenged myself to finish this digital art collection. It began with writing down core “truths” that remind me each day to come back to my purpose and what really matters to me. Each design pushes me to share the lessons they bring.

There are 7 designs in this collection. The first one was **Love is Everything**, then, **Change the Way You Look at Things, and the Way You Look at Things Will Change**. The next part of this collection I’m sharing here is **Go with the Waves**.

If you’re looking for a unique and inspiring holiday gift for yourself or a loved one, check out my new **Purposeful Dreamer** store and products. **FREE SHIPPING for a limited time!**

Join me in embracing the waves of life and following our dreams. Follow my journey by signing up for my email list or following me here. ☺️🙏💜

Karina Hines

Founder

Purposeful Dreamer