Janice Taylor*
Artist
Writer
How do you see yourself as a Square-Peg?
... I'm following a dream...I understand that my brain works from an intuitive/creative place. I'm not coming from a cognitive or intellectual place. I see things from a different angle - people say to me: "I never thought of it that way."
A friend of mine used to say that I was a a Square-Peg who jammed myself into a round hole - and made it work!
Janice said that, prior to Our Lady of Weight Loss (click on the link to read a Square-Peg review of the book), she "...worked in the corporate arena and I was very creative about the way I worked."
She gave another example of her Square-Pegness:
What's Been the Hardest For You as a Square-Peg?
In her book, Janice mentions experiences of growing up overweight.
How Do You Maintain Your Square-Pegness (in a round-hole world)?
Some people have just accepted that they're almost "done" - and they're just moving through whatever happens. At this point in my life, I am happy to say that I am not "done." I'm reinventing myself - every day!
I make it up as I go along. I have no idea where I'm going and I like it that way. It's a joyful ride...What might happen today?!
I'm always on the look out for other Square-Peg People. I'm driven by fun. My husband says that I'm always looking for someone to play with.
What's Your Favorite Square-Peg Trait?
I like that I have a certain unique quality. I'm sure we all do. It's a matter of seeing it and going with it.
Janice didn't mention her humor as one of her favorite Square-Peg traits - but I have a feeling that she'd agree it's very important to her. Not only is her book filled with humor, lightness and fun - but she was hilarious during our interview. Unfortunately, I can't recreate Janice's fast flair for words or adorable and energetic voice - so keep your eyes open for one of her frequent tv or radio appearances.
What's Your Favorite Book?
What can a Square-Peg learn from Janice?
Janice uses her art consciously! She did this, as she describes in her book, to change her relationship with food.
We all express ourselves in our art - it can't be helped. Our art always tells who we are and what we are growing through. But this can be done subconsciously. It's so much more to our advantage to incorporate consciously using our art for growth.
Humor, humor. Janice plays with her subject - food, eating - she takes it seriously, but still has fun.
Humor can - and does - change your life.
Janice combined humor and using art consciously as she created a new job description. She calls herself a "weight-loss artist". Actually the FIRST weight-loss artist, that's "someone who makes art about food instead of eating it and, in the process, loses weight."
I need a new relationship with food - and I'm getting excited about using art to transform other parts of my life . I keep forgetting about the marvelous power of art - thanks, Janice.
Visit Janice's site, Our Lady of Weight Loss.com, to read more about Janice Taylor,
join her Kick in the Tush Club, or get more weight loss information.
Janice's Favorite Book:
(Remember: when you buy from Amazon.com you don't pay a penny more, but you help support Square-Peg-People!)
*photo credit: www.peggydyer.com
Interview originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of Square-Peg-People's Encourager newsletter.