Thought for The Day - Do it for...

Detail of "Linen - A Storm's Coming" 

You know, there are as many ways to approach this daily practice as there are thoughts in my head. There are equally as many reasons to stop doing it as there are to continue. So I choose to do it. I don't want the reason to stop writing to be I don't have "enough" readers. I don't want the reason to be someone said something insulting or demeaning. The choice to stop has to be significant and that I am making a choice for better. Whatever that is.

You know, I can sit in front of this computer daily, walk the streets of downtown Chicago, or while I'm sweating out my catharsis in the gym, a thousand ideas, thoughts and messages hit me. I can do this writing, journaling and blogging all day. I could start conversations through this outlet that continue into the night, but...

I do it for those who are considering blogging but wonder if they have the right stuff

I do it for the person who reads for a bit of encouragement in general

I do it for my own need to express

I do it as an outlet for my thoughts and emotions

I do it because I don't sing :)

I do it because in a given day, ways to impact the world are limited and everyone needs to express

Thought for The Day - Was That a Tremor?

I'm sure you've seen it, that small quiver of someone's lips, perhaps it was a quick smile. The fact that they felt inappropriate to smile in that moment tells a larger story than quivering lip. Subtlety, implications, veiled compliments, threats and touches; we are good at telling "part of the story" and leaving the whole truth "partially buried." We don't ever "fully know;" life is full of mysteries that, even when we think we know everything there is to know, we wake the next morning with new questions. And that speaks volumes about the unseen and the yet to be be discovered.

For me, rendering is a matter of capturing those subtle stories. Like a wrinkled brow, a roll of the eyes. hiding a smile or a quick glance, the shading and texturing in a painting tells a portion of the story. It allows one's imagination to "fill in the blanks" and to add your impression to the larger narrative. Simply observe, feel, and imagine!

Thought for The Day - Beneath the Surface

Externally, smiling
Within, something else
On the surface, quiet and shy
Beneath the surface, 100,000 ideas are flying about
On the surface, a somber yellow
Beneath, a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns...

For each of us, what is unseen is far more than what is seen. The eyes, to the observant, give away a hint at what's behind them, but we remain a mystery to  one another.

Thought for The Day - The Power of Thought

It is happening now; this very moment, even as you read this, multiple emotions, calculations, memories and plans are simultaneously running through your head. I've heard it said we use our brain - if at all - for little things, but my point would be: It's getting used. It is never idle.

The plans and intentions of our thoughts, of where we want to be - whether it is content with "now" or some other place - can determine your footsteps. But I think many would be surprised to trace their thoughts back to a feeling, an emotion or a dream. There are those lingering impressions that happened a while back that shape our present and future and help determine what makes us happy.

Where ever you are at the moment, what ever is going on in your life, it is not the end. Whether you are content or the opposite, consider what you want your life to be. It all begins with a thought, a notion and where goes is up to you.

Thought for The Day - Decisions and Choices

You're doing it now; deciding, choosing. Small, nerve ending sparks firing through out your frontal lobe. When we think of making decisions, or having "choice" we imagine things like vacations or which bill to pay and which to hold off paying. But when you 'decide' to "chair dance" to a tune that comes to mind or playing in your speakers; when you choose which word to use in a conversation - especially when you're keenly aware that the conversation is potentially volatile - is a decision made in the moment. We think we can't operate in a continuous flow of thought, always 'considering' or "juggling multiple balls," but at least in my head, it seems a continuous flow.

Not every decision or choice is wise or informed. And even with the necessary information available, we often decide to do the opposite. Sometimes our decision is made from our "gut," a sense of knowing what is a right decision and one that doesn't follow "conventional wisdom."

Now, no overarching or specific instructions today. Just "the facts, ma'am." YOU decide...

Thought for The Day - The Energy needs Space

The Phoenix 18 x 24 pastels

I’m running, I know I am; I can feel the need to be elsewhere and here at the same time. But I need to allow the space and energy to move as needed; my body and soul struggle to keep thoughts and feelings in check, to rein in the demands I make. 

Is there enough space for all the energy? These thoughts, these ideas and plans, they seem to be bouncing off one another in an effort to have priority. But no one idea is preeminent at the moment; just the need to arrange the space in my head in such a way I can be productive. And the idea of being productive takes the lead, opening my heart and mind to pathways unexplored.

It is a daily struggle, the need to order thoughts and desires, to spend nearly 10 hours away from my main interest. And yet, I have to maximize the time before and after, creatively. It is this discipline, this bending of the rules that instructs and makes stronger. 

Thought for The Day - Tip of The Iceberg

Well they are almost gone; apparently the temperatures of the world have gotten to a point that the icebergs floating in climates that were cool to cold, have melted away. But the idea that a mound, or mountain of water, frozen for hundreds of years, floating around like a mobile mountain fascinated us! And the saying "it's just the tip of the iceberg" was apparently true. Though they were taller than most ships, what floated beneath the surface was far deeper and larger! Impressive, awesome and potentially deadly. Here's a thought: perhaps the world's water supply is "improved" with the melting of the glaciers. Maybe the minerals and elements stored there are released into the water and sea creatures have a fighting chance against man's greed. Just a thought.

"Tip of the Iceberg"... What lies beneath the surface is far more than meets the eye! You and I my friend! When you consider what lies beneath your surface, what comes to mind? What emotion, reasoning or attitude comes to mind? Do you imagine yourself as damaged, worthless, happy, joyous, introspective (which can be "good" or "bad") or outgoing? I recall years ago, a young lady declared in Sunday school class I taught: "I don't trust nobody!" She said it with such conviction and emotion, that immediately I felt there was far more to those four words. My fellow teacher said, "You have to trust someone; you can't live in this world without trusting people." Both were right in that moment, but here's my point: that young lady, in that moment, pulled up painful memories where an expectation wasn't met, a desire left unfulfilled by someone who should be in a position to meet. Isn't that our lives at any given time?

What is unseen defines what is seen. I quoted the song a few weeks ago and it bears repeating:

"Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream..."

My friend, we put a great deal of emphasis into what is visible and perhaps we should. But understand, what is seen springs from a world we don't perceive. Our thoughts, the very fabric of the universe is made of far more elements than our science world has yet to discover! Truthfully, it's not in the realm of science to define everything; some things have to be perceived through belief and faith. And no matter your relationship to the community of faith, one would be hard put to refute the many examples of "some thing coming out of nothing."

Be, my friend. Be.

Thought for The Day - The Eyes

...Of the Beholder 18 x 24 pastels

…Of The Beholder

In the eyes of the beholder

There is beauty before them

But in the eyes of the beautiful

What is seen

Behind the eyes of true beauty

What thoughts go unseen

What mysteries and decisions

Are hidden behind those beautiful eyes

In the eyes of the beholder

Eyes, face, neck and body

Are wonderful to behold

But behind the eyes of the beauty

A world unknown

Though traces slip out

Made concrete

Yet the eyes

That mind

Are shrouded in the mystical

Thought for The Day - Thoughtful

Rise! 18 x 24 pastels

To be deep in thought or to consider; being mindful of other people or things.

Yes, there remain people like this in the world, those who consider others more than themselves. And they do so without feeling inferior. I started this blog with a friend in mind. She was going through a "rough patch" at the time and quite honestly, I didn't know it because she told me or because we discussed it. It was simply a "sense," an idea of the type of work she does. So a quick email, a few simple words to say "it will be alright" and so it began.

Every now and then, people I've connected to through social networks and those I know personally, come to mind. Some, because "distance" has dulled the connection, a simple text or call won't work. So in this place, I reach out and connect. I don't know if they will ever "see" this blog, but it doesn't matter; the word finds it's intended target one way or another. I am sure of that!

There are times I consider what should be written throughout the day; I'm always jotting "thoughts" and impressions. Sometimes those thoughts make it to this space and some don't, but I'm always mindful of the impressions of living this life. I consider the trauma, drama, highs and joys of living along this journey. If you've noticed, I include an image I've rendered and while I try to keep the words and images thematic, there are times I'm motivated to include something I don't immediately see as coupled.

It's about considering, pondering and being aware. This opportunity is about seeing the "big picture" as well as the details. You and I are intricately enmeshed in both the big picture and the "microcosmic" details.

Be.