Thought for The Day - Walking

I've gotten in the habit of going out for a walk before eating lunch each day. Occasionally, I'll grab a bite as I make my way back to work. I see old and new architecture, young and old faces as I walk the streets of downtown Chicago. And my mind is absorbing and processing, creating stories, situations and focused on the internal. I gather ideas for "thoughts" and at some point very soon, I'm going to get adept at whipping out my phone and jotting these ideas down.

For now, for today, allow this placeholder until I gather those wandering, random thoughts...

Thought for The Day - Strange Twists and Turns

Linen with a twist (in process) 24 x 36 oils

The stuff of life! You are certain the path you've taken, the one you chose is a good one. It is clear you have done your homework, considered the possibilities and prepared accordingly. But you aren't the master of life and most certainly, you can't control every life and the energy you will encounter along the way. So often, "nouns" pop up you could not plan for: a person, place or thing, unaccounted for, throws you off your trajectory and you are forced to re-evaluate the way you go. There are times where time itself, works against you; perhaps you were exhausted and stopped along the way, but in doing so, you find you are behind schedule and where you anticipated being at this point, is miles away.

Now the above could literally be a trip you're taking or it can be life, but either way, it is not the end of your journey. Unless something traumatic occurs, continue on your way, don't stop where you are. The snippet of "Linen with a twist" (above image) is a whimsical tribute to twists and turns that appear in our path. Sometimes, it's a small turn, nothing to throw you off course. But sometimes, it's a gale force tornado, wreaking destruction for all in it's path. Plan and adjust accordingly!

Thought for The Day - Thinking

Sailing on a Penny Sunset (in progress) 12 x 18 oil pastel

It's 4:45 am, and I'm thinking...

How much time will I get for exercise this morning?

Will I have enough time to do everything I need to do? I need more time in the gym, Is this really working? And this diet stuff, how did I gain all this weight in such a short time?

I would love to get a few more minutes a day drawing and painting! Squeezing in minutes while on the train is not enough! Too tired in the evening to give it a thought. But that's got to change!

It's 4:45 and I'm up considering the possibilities and bemoaning the present. It is said you aren't really living (effectively) if you don't live in the present. There are times I debate that 'cause there are times when "the moment" lacks a sense of joy. But there is nothing like time spent in front of a canvas. For now, the moments will be just that: minutes, in between running errands, cleaning and whatever else comes up. But I believe I've come too far to let this die.

Considering...more minutes, in between the tasks. Thinking about how to work on "this series" and "that." The thoughts about color choices, the amount of color or limiting the palette; all thoughts, all ideas.

Thinking, considering, tossing out and in, this and that...at 4:45 am.

Thought for The Day - Slippin'

Triplicate (in process) pastels

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

Yeah...that 'happens.' And it happens to most of us. It isn't that we are without desire of that we don't want to achieve: success, recognition, or live better. But this "planning" and "following through" stuff? Well, that doesn't happen.

So many of us spend our days, miserable at jobs, anxious for the weekend and looking forward to retirement. For the first (full-time jobs), that usually "just" happens; we 'end up' at some company because we applied at 50 of them, we had some skills they could use and they were willing to pay us. We get benefits and enough money to stay miserable. For the weekend and retirement, we hope "it just happens." We hope on the weekend, we will do "something" that's exciting, but usually, we have a bunch of personal stuff to complete, since we're too tired in the week. And then there's retirement; that nagging sinking feeling that the government mandated time is too far away and that we are ill prepared for a fixed income. All-in-all, with all this stuff happening, I think we are digging ourselves a wonderful hole to sink into!

You know, there's something to be said for the people who live their life in spite the warnings and corrections of well meaning 'advisors.' Especially those who achieve. Their "planning" is worked out in their  head, their actions carry out on a daily basis, a practice that allows them to be prepared for an 8 - 5, the weekends and retirement if they choose. But maybe I'm romanticizing a life I'm not living...

Slippin'...it just happens.