Thought for The Day - Your Part

...what is it? Your part? What part do you play in the world's growth, expansion, the love quotient that makes the globe a better place? Now before you minimize your part - the self-accusing type - or overemphasize your role - the "superstars" - realize we operate on so many levels.

I remember asking myself many times, growing up and as an adult, what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember three distinct careers that came to mind: scientist, artist and businessman. Scientist, because I love experimenting with things, trying to make 'stuff' and the idea that there are undiscovered concepts, compounds and cures. Artist, because I love to create - seemingly, something out of nothing. And I wanted a business because I like the idea of earning money! But there were so many roles and parts that I thought about, and yet I've done them all!

• I wanted to be a husband and father - doing that
• I knew there was a calling for ministry on my life - done that
• I wanted to help people work through their problems - doing that
• I wanted to help people return to a higher calling for their lives - doing that

Some are born to be parents. Maybe not stellar, soccer mom and dads, but parents that teach lasting values to their children and their children in turn, teach those values to their children. Some are born to be politicians; they navigate the "peopled waters" where opinions and agendas determine policies for the nation. Some are born to help and fall into roles as doctors, dentists, nurses, etc. And there are so many more parts to play in this life! 

Here's an interesting notion and one that allowed me to pick up my brushes again: when you feel restless and as if the life you're living is missing something, SEARCH! You see, there's a strong possibility that you have yet to reach your potential! Now when I say "potential" I'm not talking celebrity status or notoriety. I'm talking about tasks and parts you have not tried yet. And while you may die, never having done them (we get stuck on the idea of "destiny"), understand, there's far more to your life when you're doing these things.

Thought for The Day - Tick-Tock

Hey Mama! 18 x 24 charcoal, pastels

Whatever your age, have you considered how quickly your life has gone by? Depending on your age, you can recall the markers, the indicators that give the impression you've been "here" for a while. But walk with me for a little while. Consider these indicators:

1. A time when you were a child, before school, even kindergarten. Recall an event, a memory of being the small one in a room or playing with 'peers.'
2. The years in school; a teacher you admired or a teacher who made you miserable! Classmates, endless homework, being ridiculed, bullied, or maybe you were the Big Man/Woman on Campus!
3. College years; those few years before you are ushered into adulthood. Your sense that while college was fun, it was a short distance between childhood (being taken care of) and adulthood (the time when you were expected to be the responsible one - and everything that comes along with it!).
4. Your first, second, and maybe third "job." Maybe it was your career, the dream job, the place and occupation you always wanted. Perhaps it was less so, it was a means to an end, a way to put food on the table. And maybe you truly despised any number of jobs held in your adult years
5. Watching your children being born, growing older and seeing yourself and your parents in this new relationship. Remembering their days in school and struggling with homework. Your challenge either being learning the "new math" or trying to recall how to do this stuff.
6. Sending your children off to college - I'm there now - or realizing they would never "come home again." But your trying to put on a brave face, while your heart aches to have them near.
7. Looking forward to retirement; who wants to do this stuff for the rest of their life? Rising early, fighting traffic to get a place where you are considered the Old man or woman, and nearly dismissed. Or maybe you're respected, but you know it's a matter of time before you need to put this behind you.
8. Grandchildren! The circle of life continues as you listen to your children's stories of "firsts" and having to help with homework!
9. Retirement; those years where life seems to slow down, but in retrospect, weren't you just a little boy or girl, sitting at the kitchen table?

My wife's aunt passed away yesterday and as I got up this morning, I remembered one picture of her with my mother-in-law from our wedding photo album. She would have been in her early 60's when we married. She died at the tender age of 87. That was 26 years ago that my wife and I said "I do." There are days where I can't wait for _______! But it's moment's like this, I wish I could freeze or slow down time and just be in this spot for a lot longer. Consider your life; the moments, days and years...time doesn't seem as long when we consider how quickly it flies. 

Thought for The Day - Catching Up

(Working title) With a Twist - in progress 24 x 30 Oils

I think I got this from my dad, the sense of not "leading the pack" or "being the first on your block to buy _______!" Now, don't get me wrong, I really don't follow the crowds or wait to see "what's everyone else is doing," and I typically fume and brood over major decisions. I just need to know that the move I'm making is what's best for me and mine.

So now I'm thinking seriously considering this "art thing." When I think back to childhood, I can distinctly remember having concerns about what I would be when I grew up. Yes, I wanted to be an artist, but I wanted to have a business and I wanted to experiment on things. I think the last aspect, working Information Technology jobs has given me an "up to my eyeballs" experience in experimenting! For the last few years, I've gotten back to my love of art. And just like all major decisions, it seems like it's taking a long time to make up my mind about it.

What I would like is to spend my days creating art. The one aspect of this dream is that I feel like I need to remain connected to people, regularly and at one time, counseling was that channel. I wouldn't say I'm against counseling as a profession, but I am against anything that requires a "full-time" attention. The monotony of being somewhere, each day for 8 or more hours lays heavy on me. I love variety and love to be in control of my day.

So where am I in making a decision? Sitting on the fence, trying to figure out what and where else I can go. Any ideas? I'm open to suggestions.