Living the life as an artist is meaningful. I have trained myself to begin my day with mediation and gratitude. I drink my coffee outside where I listen to birds and watch birds mate, build nests. I pay attention to the rose that stands tight in its cocoon and watch it slowly release and open. Being present and feeling, and seeing, and listening, and taking life in as it unfolds and presents itself doesn't make me a great artist, but it has trained me to be open, so I write s