kitchen table as is

This is the current state of the kitchen table. I've been working on a fun little assignment involving illustrations. I walked away for something and as I came back I realized that I am "getting to do" things that I've always wanted to. Because I've been allowing myself to play and do them "just because" I yearn to, my world has opened up to "assignments": being asked to do them for someone else, some other reason, a little job. The pay is tiny, but that's not the point. It's a labor of love, and this one happens to be for a friend which feels even better. It's a little reminder to me to continue to give myself permission to do that which my heart desires, no matter how off the beaten path, no matter that I might not know where it leads, no matter that it might not lead anywhere other than my own personal enjoyment and fulfillment. Forever I have heard that saying "just do what you love" and I got it and didn't get it at the same time. "How can my sitting here doodling at my son's football practice turn into me getting to do it for some reason, some other purpose?" It is a lesson I am still learning, but every time I do allow myself to do what I love, even if it's as silly seeming as doodling, I am rewarded, encouraged,in some small way to continue. What do you love to do? Are you allowing yourself to play at it? To do it? I hope you give yourself permission, even if, like me, it's one small, seemingly unimportant step at a time.