How Can I Do This Impossible Thing?

Today’s drawing of Mary Magdalene. The last page of the sketchbook.

How can I do this impossible thing? It’s a question I ask Mary Magdalene every day.

How to do something we don’t want to do, don’t know how to do, can’t do, don’t feel like doing, or is so huge and so important that it’s overwhelming?

Sometimes we can feel all those things at the same time when a project is required, but confusing or difficult.

When I had to do a mosaic mural, I had more than 10,000 tiny glass pieces to glue in less than a year. The only way to do it was to divide the process into different stages and different parts.

First, think: If someone else has done it before, then I can do it too.

Then, research: how can I do this impossible thing? What is the process?

Next, it’s time to gather all the materials or tools. What do I need to complete this project?

And start. Sometimes we need to waste some material or make some mistakes in order to start. After some time working on the project, we will have enough experience to go back and fix the mistakes.

For the project itself, we can divide it into smaller parts. I used to challenge myself to complete 1 square foot per day. Sometimes I would do more, other times I would only get to the 1 square foot goal. But if I had to do 30 square feet, then I could know that it would take me 30 days to complete and I would finish on time if I put in the work every day. Math is very helpful when a task is overwhelming. How much do I have to do for how long?

And under the 10,000 mosaic pieces, there was a map, a structure I had built for the mosaic. There was a planned design covered by wax paper, and mesh over that layer. It took some time to make the design, print it in parts, tape it together, cover it with the additional layers. And this part of the process prepared me for the work of gluing mosaic pieces. This part of the process is mental and creative, and it is the most important part. This is where we use our mind to pre-create the vision. It is a this pre-stage that we go over each part of the process, build it in our mind, and truly believe that we can do it.

It’s amazing how the processes of art can help so much to be able to approach other kinds of projects. It gives you the main “ingredient” to any impossible project or task: patience… And patience is a superpower!

My project these days is to achieve the ideal life in which I reclaim my time and freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I’m working on the structures. I still have to glue all those 10,000 metaphorical pieces. But I have done it before, I can do it again. I have the tools and the materials. I have a vision. I cultivate patience every day.

What is your own dream and vision? How will you create what seems impossible?