Monday, November 17, 2014

Tangling With Your Non Dominate Hand: the Diva Challenge this week

Rain, Merryweather

Tangling with your non-dominant hand.
Now THAT is a humbling experience.  The guest challenger on the Diva's blog this week asked us to just buck up and try it.  I think this challenge has come around before and I have passed.  I KNOW that my left hand is really weak and the idea that I'd be brave enough to actually POST what happened was just not a very comfortable thought.

But this time I got brave.  

This was REALLY hard.  I couldn't even get the DOTS in the corners with a pencil!  ARRRGH.  

First off it took 2-3 times as long.
I thought maybe I'd get better as I went along but what happened was my hand got tired and started cramping up and actually got worse!  I tried a little shading but basically had to give that up and picked Rain because it didn't need shading.  

My husband has ET (Essential Tremor) and has had for almost his life.  In 2011 he had DBS surgery to help with his right hand.  But he still struggles with small muscle tasks.  I am suddenly VERY aware of what he must go through just to sign his name on his credit card bill.  Also someone who has broken an arm or has had a stroke or a tremor.    

Well, I challenge you all to try this.  You don't have to post it.  Just try it.  Very enlightening.  I picked tinted paper so you maybe would notice it as much. (hahahaha).  

12 comments:

  1. I think your tile is beautiful. I especially like the way Merryweather came out, with a different visual emphasis to the more usual manner.

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  2. Lovely tile. Yes this exercise makes you more aware of what others may be going through. It is a good lesson in tolerance.

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  3. Yes, you are totally right Ginny, this challenge was very enlightening. You did well, I love your design and I LOVE the black filling that's not quite thourghly black and solid.

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  4. Great tile Ginny, and how clever to use a colored paper. I love the wonky lines of everyone, and am please to see that so many people dare to post their 'imperfect' pieces. I like them all.

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  5. Yes, we are brave by posting these zentangles. You are also mentioning the problems of your husband, like I did on my blog too. We should never forget that a lot of people are not able to use their hand as we do.

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  6. Dear Ginny, This tile is so much more than pen lines on paper. It's perseverance. Both yours and your husband's. It's beautifully memorable. I am grateful and thankful that you did decide to share.

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  7. I had the same problem with my left hand getting cramped and tired. I found myself growling at it saying things like "No, what? Why did you put that zag in my nice straight line?!"

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  8. I agree...it makes us much more understanding of what others may be experiencing in their lives. It also makes me very grateful for the blessing of being able to control my right hand...and of course that may not always be the case, so I will make hay while the sun shines!

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  9. This week's challenge was more about the journey than the result. Thanks for sharing yours.

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  10. I agree, It really makes you think what others are going through! I also found this one very difficult... I went bigger, and wonky as it is, it was an eye opener as to what folks go through. I love the subtle color in the background, as it sets off your work!

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  11. This definitely was a challenge this week. But one thing it did show us is that we CAN do it if we persevere. I can feel for your husband because my adult autistic son has had a tremor since his early teens that caused him to give up the violin. Your tile shows your strong perseverance and determination to finish the challenge. It looks great!

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