The Hidden Path (WINNER OF THE BEAUTY AWARD for Spiritual)

Sudden Urges

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
- Unknown Source

Snow.

Everywhere!

Mesmerized, I was gazing at the fairytale landscape outside through the big window in my room.

The world appeared to be so very peaceful. Covered under a thick blanket of white, glittering snow, it sparkled magically in the soft light of the streetlamps.

All sound was muffled, the tiny swirling and dancing crystals almost swallowing it completely.

I sighed deeply. So beautiful!

If only this tantalizing view did not come at such a high price!

I shivered involuntarily.

Cold.

Why on earth did snow have to be so cold?!

I had wanted to open the two wings of my window in order to be able to close the shutters for the night, when the charmed world outside had caught my eye.

And – to be honest – I had also been stalling from carrying out my task. Because, as soon as I opened that window, I would have to deal with the not-so-pleasant side of the white splendor.

Ice-cold air would immediately start flooding my now cozy room, making me feel rather uncomfortable for the next few minutes.

Not good!

Have I already mentioned that I am not particularly fond of the cold?

Knowing there was no way around it, I took a few deep, preparatory breaths, before quickly opening my window. I fumbled for the latches embedded in the walls on either side of the glass contraption, hastily unlocking them in order to be able to close the shutters.

Puh! I breathed out the breath I had been holding all through the operation.

Mission accomplished!

Turning on the little radiator my Dad had recently put in my room - having grown tired of my constant complaints about the temperature - I sighed contentedly when the warm air hit my body.

Chuckling, I thought back to the numerous arguments with my parent, who had repeatedly advised me to put on some more clothes. After informing him just as often that I was already wearing my usual four layers, he had finally caved. Dad dearly loved his peace.

Yes, we did have heating for the whole house – floor heating, to be exact – but somehow, it never seemed to be enough.

And just in case you are wondering: I do love summertime!

Feeling toasty and comfortable once more, I switched on my record player, before walking over to my easel, where a still mostly empty canvas was patiently waiting for my return.

Singing softly along with the mixed tape that I had recorded from the radio, I picked up the abandoned brush to continue with my oil painting: a big sun.

Following a sudden inspiration, I had started a few evenings ago to put one dot of color beside the other, forming countless circles around the first dot in slowly changing colors ranging from white and yellow to orange and red.

The inspiration had, indeed, come rather suddenly on a Tuesday evening at nine pm and I had driven my family almost crazy with my urgent, unpredictable need to paint. After having frantically searched the whole house for the required utensils, I had finally had to surrender and postpone the whole endeavor to another evening, due to some missing key-items in the form of canvasses (you can't put oil on just any old paper), turpentine (to clean the brushes with – otherwise they become stiff as a board) and. . . oil colours!

Since patience was not really a forte of mine, I had thrown quite a tantrum in the face of the adversarial forces thwarting my plans – however impromptu they might have been.

I had even stomped my foot and called out to Dad repeatedly to keep searching and had had a sneezing-fit, until even my ever-patient parent had reached his limits and told me in no uncertain terms that we simply did not have what I was looking for and that the shops would be open again the next day. Well, you can't very well argue with this logic. (You can, however, sulk. . .)

I knew I was not creating a masterpiece, but the act of painting was oddly soothing. Since I did not have to concentrate on any form, I was free to lose myself entirely in the repetitive motion of putting tiny, viscous drops of color on a canvas.

I am glad it's snowing. . . I mused lazily. It means we will almost certainly have a white Christmas, since the 24th is only a few days away. . .

Ever had that sudden, pressing need to start something new? In my case, when inspiration comes, it strikes hard :)
I am looking forward to your comments and maybe even votes (although the chapter is - admittedly - a bit on the short side.  But I shall post longer ones again, soon. Promise :) )