Thought for The Day - Quick Note about Technology

Us and tools! As much as I admit I'm in "recovery" as an artist - and I really am - I actually get some things done creatively and would be willing to share them. But I am equally frustrated with technology! Trying to get  quality images uploaded here and other social networks, the "experts" suggest using a digital camera, rather than my phone camera. Actually, the camera on my phone is pretty good, but that's beside the point! I'm trying to be a professional, here! Then there are the recommendations to put the image in certain format, that I have yet to do. And here recently, an unexpected update in my iPhoto software nearly trashed all of my images, making it nearly impossible to access the pictures of my work - and everything I've ever digitally photographed!

And that brings us to the "quick note" about technology. It's a tool, pure and simple. It's a level above hammers, chisels, screwdrivers and pliers. It's a small step above the sewing machine and crochet and knitting needles. And for those who skipped over those basic tools in favor of laptop keyboards or the digital keyboards on a tablet or iPad, the rudimentary tools mentioned above can be equally frustrating! It's rare, but I've seen people break hammers, pliers get stuck open or bend and thread completely clog a sewing machine. It is the woes of attempting to accomplish something, to make meaning in this world!

You know what? No matter the technology or the tool, the joys and pains go along with the journey to finding meaning and purpose in our world. And it is a long and arduous journey to that end!

Thought for The Day - No Quick Fixes

I Will Rise 18 x 24 pastels

Linen - A Storm's Coming 24 x 30 Oil painting

What do you do when the pace slows? What happens when the progress that was slow before, gets slower? When the energy wanes and your attention is elsewhere, then what? You dig in, you slow down and pay attention to what's going on.

There's always something occurring, seen and unseen. The energy is "there," just below the surface, seething, churning and looking for the right time to release. Wait. Patiently do so. It may seem the wait is long, it may seem "change aint coming" but wait, plan hope and dream.

Thought for The Day - Moving Energy Around

The Phoenix 18 x 24 (22 x 26 framed) pastels

It aint a pretty thing, this process of growing and progressing, but the "finished product" will be amazing!

We are all going through it, though some seem to do it with additional grace and style. But we are all growing and maturing and getting to know ourselves. For the most part, we spend our days chasing "the rabbit" around the track, and in doing so, we grow frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned and tired. We see the futility and vanity of living and question the purpose of breathing, eating and trying to be in relationships. But in all of this, there is a moving toward men and women who can be better stewards of the lives we're given! Mind you, I say this of those who are doing the "internal work," as well as those who work it out in the physical. Not perfect individuals or the lazy, who wouldn't lift their head off the pillow if they could help it. But those who hold on to that spark of hope, who secretly believe that life and their existence is more than occupying space.

I say this succinctly so there's no confusion: move that energy about!  Whether you make progress today or not, whether your plans are closer or far away DON'T. GIVE. UP!!!! Keep moving it, keep pressing forward toward your goals! Even if you wake today and feel so depressed and hopeless that you're ready to join the folks hanging on the corner - DONT! Sit in your frustration and let it work it's way through your system. Let the energy build and feel like it's tearing you up inside. Because in truth, that's exactly what it's doing! It is tearing down the internal barriers - fear, doubt, status quo - and making room for the "real you!"

Thought for The Day - Bus Stop

Standing at the corner, underneath the sign, the bus doesn't come sooner because you look down the street. Neither does it come when you look away or at your watch. It doesn't come when you think about being late or what your boss, spouse or 'significant other' will say. It comes when it is time, after it has stopped at the previous stop and crossed the intersection before your stop. And when it comes, simply get on, take a seat and relax. You're on your way.

So much of life is waiting and worrying. We stand or sit in the right place. But we get up or walk away, pacing, trying to figure out if our "desired" outcome isn't manifest because of a shortcoming in us. We arrange our lives, move stuff around, talk "it "up or insult it down, all the while our hearts crying out for results. Sometimes, we give up and walk away; we wrongly conclude "it aint happening," and turn our backs on our dreams...

Some grow tired of waiting for the bus and wave down a cab. The cost of a bus is much cheaper than a cab, even if the cab puts you exactly in front of your ultimate destination. It cost you far more than you planned to pay! Or worse, accepting rides from strangers - nothing worse or more dangerous!

...stay the course. Don't give up on your dreams or the efforts you've put in place to receive your blessing! IT. IS. COMING! Wait a little longer...almost there...

Thought for The Day - Just Keep Swimming

The current goes "that way."

Everyone else is doing it "this way."

A real man lives like "this!"

Something's wrong with you! You don't act like everyone else!

You've heard it, I've heard it, the loop plays in my head ALL THE TIME! And yet I get up early every day, I write and cleanse my soul.

I paint in bright colors, that to me seem as 'normal' as a subtle brown.

That line from "Finding Nemo" doesn't regularly come to mind, but that's okay, I'm swimming and swimming and swimming. There are times I "just want to be normal," stop where I am and be like everyone else. The loop is, after all playing in my head. But sickness, injuries, body aches and just plain mental "rebellion" will not allow me to roll over and play dead. Many days, I don't want to write another line, or more importantly, I want thousands of people to read and respond and to create such a buzz 'bout "Eddie" that I can't work a "regular job." But I have to keep swimming and swimming and swimming.

What's my destination? It isn't a place or people; it's "me." I'm finding M-E.

Just keep swimming...

Thought for The Day - Brick Wall

"I've hit a brick wall." I don't have to say the words because I feel it in my soul. It would be wonderful to hit it as a result of weeks or months of constant creativity, but no, this is a result of the opposite. I get to points where writing and rendering hit a snag, face a sharp right turn or in this case, a brick wall and the flow all but stops. I can write about it, think about it, but quite honestly it is the "ugly" emotions that draw the air out of my lungs.

Let me give you a closer glimpse into this struggle: I have goals, dreams and aspirations. They have never gone too far from me. If I never picked up a brush or wrote another word, I believe the bricks would collapse on me! There is a sense of panic, a sense that if I don't do something creatively, I could drop dead. It's funny, with age, I can anticipate the feeling; I can see it coming from a few "miles" away. When I go days, or as it has been, from one weekend to three or more, without painting, there is a sense of loss, an absence. Again it is painful, an ache in my bones. The brick wall is real because it says: "You can't go any further; your dreams will not be realized." Now that's when I know it's time to set aside the demands on my time and carve out a couple hours to exercise this gift!

One way to overcome this sensation is to tap into other resources. I draw strength from the creativity of others as well. A song, graffiti on concrete and brick walls, the designs in a tie, sources that vibrate my own creative flow. Since childhood, I've loved jazz music, even though it wasn't the music of my parents. The message woven into the notes and sounds coming from a piano, guitar, upright bass, horn and drums, is like an intravenous "link" for me. The years where I would not write or paint, this music stirred a range of emotions for me. There were times I would cry at the sound of a song or get so excited about a song's arrangement, I wanted to share what I heard. But most people don't appreciate the work of composers and arrangers, so I would sit quietly, listening to my inspiration.

There's a painting sitting on the easel asking to be completed. There are two pastel renderings on drawing boards, pleading for equal time. And there's a stretched canvas and a rectangle of stretcher bars awaiting canvas and then paint. Sometimes, I have to simply realize I don't want weeks or months to go by without exercising creativity and amazingly, I find time and energy to do so. My "will" is my wrecking ball when facing this brick wall. Thank you Lord!

Thought for The Day - Moving Forward

Some days, weeks, months seems like "forward" isn't possible. Then one day you look up and you've moved away from all that held you back.

Twenty-two years old, certain there were at least two things I was "destined" to do: visual art and preach/teach. Didn't know how I was going to do them and in the short term, placed emphasis on the latter.  I'm doing both now. Didn't know how it was possible, thought they were diametrically opposed and couldn't see how a preacher could paint and preach. I see now.

Thank you, Lord.