Thought for The Day - The Pace

Treadmills are great at forcing you to keep up the pace! Dial in the desired speed, place your feet on the treadmill and you're off! And when you want to slow down or go faster, unless you change the rate of speed, it keeps going on and you have to keep up!

But life, or should I say "we, in life" like to slow down the pace! No matter how we try to maintain the path we're on, the activities in which we participate, at some point, we find it's too much for us and we need to slow it down! Weekends are an opportunity to do so, taking vacations are an opportunity to do so!

Personally, I'm an advocate of doing the same every day. There are moments in the day when you need to pause, perhaps in the middle of a busy day. The pace is one you choose, not what the world demands. Today, before the day gets away, before the world's pace sets the speed, determine your pace; you set the speed. Perhaps life will continue to move at it's pace, threatening to overrun you, but you have control over you.

Thought for The Day - Preparedness, Thoughtful

Pastels, arranged by colors

Empty palette, prepared for painting.

It's Sunday, and later than I would normally publish the blog; my apologies. But it makes this subject no less poignant.

I remember, as a child being aware that my mom was about to prepare "one of those meals." This wouldn't be a few pieces of chicken and string bean, meal. No this would be Sunday or Holiday dinner, with one or two meats a few vegetables and a "starch." I would hear multiple pots and pans being pulled from the cabinets, the refrigerator would open and close several times and spices would be pulled from the pantry. I would hear the stove start up and a couple  of "eyes" on the stove would be fired up too. It was going to be a long day in that kitchen.

Cut to my own adult years and the sense is no less epic. My wife does the same and often, it is in preparation for the week, multiple meals are considered and prepared, with the same sense that when all is said and done, a feast is prepared!

In situations such as these, forethought "has to be" part of the plan! You can't walk in the kitchen on a whim and prepare meals like this! Actually you can, but somewhere within the last few weeks or months, you have to have gathered all the ingredients and you have to know what is available to make "whatever!" And you have to know what "good food" tastes like and what it takes to get it there. There has to be "trial and error" as part of your past, too. "Over-season", "under-season," over-cooked (burnt in some cases) and maybe under-cooked probably occurred. But in this process of learning, experimenting, succeeding and failing, you learn to not only be prepared, you become thoughtful.

Now mind you, I always "think larger" than the current application; it's part of my preparation as well! You may not be a "cook" can't tolerate the idea of rattling pans, putting your hands in or on uncooked meat and vegetables (I guarantee you everyone who thinks this way, still loves to EAT!) and your food supply might be a single egg and half a container of orange juice, but you have to prepare for anything! Including work, family, vacation or evening out! Everything requires "forethought," thoughtfulness, if you will.

Thought for The Day - Take a Peek

Linen with a swirl 24 x 30, Oils

A private world; that's most of us. The space between our ears is rarely revealed. We will tell other's stories, discuss the news and the intimate details of a celebrity's meltdown, but we keep locks on our compartmentalized minds. Public persona, some put on a "happy face" while inside, they are children cowering in a corner, afraid someone will cause additional pain. Others are solemn and stoic, a constant "game face" rarely revealing what's inside.

For the sake of discussion, let's just assume I'm both of the above. But in this venue, on this stage, I am allowed to pour my heart and soul out, whether it is widely received or not. Though words are arranged to read with appeal, they are the revelation of my soul. You are allowed to peek at the fragments and particles of my mind, and quite surprisingly, I'm okay with that. You see, just as many are afraid of being hurt, so am I, but writing about my apprehensions, hopes, joy and anxiety, hopefully it gives license for others to do the same.

I realized, years ago, that we are pretty much the same, including our need to protect ourselves. We keep the wounded child hidden and locked away and give "the world" what we think they will accept. We want to be free and live life without pain, but each time we find the world to be a cruel place, it gives us another excuse to bury that poor child further in our heads. But for me, not only am I willing to talk about it, I'm willing to visualize it. And in doing so, I also give healing a chance.

Open the door, it's okay to come out now...

Thought for The Day - Self Examination

A Rhythm of Her Own 18 x 24 pastels

For some, standing in the mirror is an opportunity to berate one's self for physical shortcomings. I bet some the most beautiful people find flaws the rest of us would never see on them! Holding up the "mirror of life" has the same effect! Some changes are within our control, a matter of correcting behavior developed as a reaction to the motives of others. We develop habits and practices that change over time, but our core beliefs remain intact. By "core beliefs" I mean what we think about ourselves.

When you think you are unworthy, you either do things to gain approval or you "prove" you're unworthy by behaving badly. Funny thing about gaining approval; you never really accept the approval because of "who I am." If you're not worthy, no matter how glowing or sincere the compliments, you always consider the parts of you no one else sees.

When you feel unloveable, the same holds true as above: either you try to gain love or your behavior indicates you cannot be loved. Both are pleas for something you are reluctant to receive, that is L-O-V-E. How can anyone love you if you are unloveable? More importantly, how can anyone love you when you don't love yourself?

Life is a funny adventure! And I don't mean comedic humor; I mean in the sense that many people struggle with these and far worse and though we want help, know we should think better about ourselves, individuals live well into their senior years carrying this poor self image.

No solutions today my friend, just observations.

Thought for The Day - Patience, Son

Linen with a swirl

Antsy! Like a child waiting for their birthday party. Like a groom waiting for his honeymoon. On pins and needles, can barely stand still. But the process isn't complete and there's work remaining.

A young lady I taught in Sunday School a long time ago, announced to the world that she's a visual artist. She explains in the many social media, her process of creating as "play" and her creativity involves trying out forms and struggling with the "love/hate" relationship of the process. Same here! Since it takes me "forever" to complete one piece, no matter how simple or complex, large or small, there are times I have to place the piece out of sight, to avoid tossing it in the trash! The current work, "Linen with a swirl," seems like it's taking a long time and every stroke seems like a repeat of the last. I can see progress, but at times, it isn't enough. But this is where patience is exercised, this is where I have to allow the "child" to grow.

There are many processes and expectations in my life. I am forever a "dreamer," always hoping for a better day. There are times I wonder will I die with incomplete dreams and so often, it doesn't matter. For now, the dream of creating is realized and this platform is my gallery.

Peace.

Thought for The Day - A Sprinkle...

Soul Dance 8 x 11 Colored Pencils

Humidity hangs in the air; in places like Chicago, Houston and New Orleans, on a summer's day? The air feels like you could literally swim through it!! Moisture moves on top of the breeze and heat and makes movement a chore.

Thick air, dank air, dripping moisture across your skin...

There is purpose and meaning all around us. It hangs in the air, in between obligation and the demands of society. It can easily be confused with the question: "what's everyone else doing?" But it lives in the space between bone and marrow, tendon and muscle. If you are willing to acknowledge, it is more powerful than a 100 degree day with 80% humidity! But we seek comfort, sameness and avoid the need screaming from our souls!

Just sit quietly today; just for a few minutes, listen to that cry from your heart. It wants more than seven matching numbers in the Powerball can deliver! It is the true value of your existence, the reason you have been brought to this place.

Thought for The Day - Suddenly

The intention last night and this morning, was to spend time in front of my canvas. Had the "route" mapped out, knew what colors would be applied and how. Never made it there, never put my hand on the brush. And went as far as looking at the "Cadmium Red Hue" paint on the palette and calculated the amount of linseed oil necessary to thin it to a wash. It just didn't happen.

Suddenly, the urgency of my life took precedence. The need to plan for a new day is in my heart and mind. That desire gives strength to my limbs as I continue to struggle. I'm getting free; this cocoon wont hold me always.

Suddenly, I will be free. And like the multi stages of the creature ultimately known as a butterfly, I will emerge a different being. What you have known about me, who you have known me to be will be changed. I am growing and gaining, not only strength, but the ability to soar!