I went out for a drive...one of my favorite things to do in the fall...top down...wind in my hair...
As usual, I was amazed and completely blown away by the beauty of our "neighborhood". The textures, colors and shapes create the most phenomenal sculptures imaginable.
Red rocks thrusting out of the green hillsides. Blue skies for backdrops. It is so beautiful as to not to be believed. Yet, it is real. I am humbled by the art I see in "everyday things"...
It is good to get out and remind oneself that the world is more than just the studio. Or the office. Or whatever place we find ourselves in most of the day!
I am so grateful that I have the time and ability to get out and appreciate the beauty that is all around me.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
By my nature, I am inclined to stay at home. I've never been much for parties, dining out or shopping. I like spending quiet time with friends and family, or just being alone.
So going out, even to events that I am very interested in, involves stepping outside of my comfort zone. I am grateful that every month I am given the opportunity to face that challenge.
A tradition held by several towns in our area is that most of the galleries and other businesses downtown stay open so that patrons can view the fantastic art there one Friday each month.
I enjoy seeing what other artists are doing. I love seeing something that makes me think, or exclaim "wow, I never thought of that!" Seeing others' work helps me grow as a person and as an artist. I have the opportunity to drink in the energy and skill of so many artists every month. What a blessing that is.
I have found that it is not possible to get to every venue, so I am forced to choose where I will go. Some times the thought of having to choose where I am going to go is too much and I feel I will just stay home, even though on an intellectual level, I know that I will have a good time. This is when I have to push myself just to take the first step.
Growth is like that. We either grow or die. And to grow we have to push a little bit every day. Some days it is more challenging than others.
So going out, even to events that I am very interested in, involves stepping outside of my comfort zone. I am grateful that every month I am given the opportunity to face that challenge.
A tradition held by several towns in our area is that most of the galleries and other businesses downtown stay open so that patrons can view the fantastic art there one Friday each month.
I enjoy seeing what other artists are doing. I love seeing something that makes me think, or exclaim "wow, I never thought of that!" Seeing others' work helps me grow as a person and as an artist. I have the opportunity to drink in the energy and skill of so many artists every month. What a blessing that is.
I have found that it is not possible to get to every venue, so I am forced to choose where I will go. Some times the thought of having to choose where I am going to go is too much and I feel I will just stay home, even though on an intellectual level, I know that I will have a good time. This is when I have to push myself just to take the first step.
Growth is like that. We either grow or die. And to grow we have to push a little bit every day. Some days it is more challenging than others.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Assumers Never Propser
A lady said something to me the other day that I quietly took offense to. It doesn't really matter what she said. What is relevant is that I chose to let it bother me.
Frankly, my ego was bruised. I tried to not let it show, but it irked me that this woman assumed something about me, and my art, without even knowing anything about me other than I sculpt stone.
You know what they say about assuming...well I was pretty sure she was an a....nnoying judgmental jerk. And of course, that I was innocent, misunderstood and unappreciated.
I chose to believe that, and I chose to let it alter my day...in a less than positive way.
Wow. Assuming can really be bad.
Know what I realized this morning?...maybe you are ahead of me here...I have no idea if she was judging me, or making an assumption about me! She made a comment that I chose to ASSUME was an assumption. So who is the a....nnoying judgmental jerk. That would be, moi.
Once I figured this out, it no longer mattered to me what she said. It might be true. Or not. Maybe if she knew more about me and/or my work she wouldn't have said it...or maybe she would have. Maybe it was a comment about her and her work and not about me really after all. (Gosh, you mean the world doesn't revolve around me?)
I allowed my emotions to be controlled by an imagined slight! I am freed by the knowledge that it is not relevant what she said, or even what she meant by what she said! I can choose to be pissed off or hurt, or I can choose to move forward, quite happily, with my life and my work, in my own way, at my own pace. I have decided to choose the latter!
Oh, and don't get me started on presuming versus assuming!
Frankly, my ego was bruised. I tried to not let it show, but it irked me that this woman assumed something about me, and my art, without even knowing anything about me other than I sculpt stone.
You know what they say about assuming...well I was pretty sure she was an a....nnoying judgmental jerk. And of course, that I was innocent, misunderstood and unappreciated.
I chose to believe that, and I chose to let it alter my day...in a less than positive way.
Wow. Assuming can really be bad.
Know what I realized this morning?...maybe you are ahead of me here...I have no idea if she was judging me, or making an assumption about me! She made a comment that I chose to ASSUME was an assumption. So who is the a....nnoying judgmental jerk. That would be, moi.
Once I figured this out, it no longer mattered to me what she said. It might be true. Or not. Maybe if she knew more about me and/or my work she wouldn't have said it...or maybe she would have. Maybe it was a comment about her and her work and not about me really after all. (Gosh, you mean the world doesn't revolve around me?)
I allowed my emotions to be controlled by an imagined slight! I am freed by the knowledge that it is not relevant what she said, or even what she meant by what she said! I can choose to be pissed off or hurt, or I can choose to move forward, quite happily, with my life and my work, in my own way, at my own pace. I have decided to choose the latter!
Oh, and don't get me started on presuming versus assuming!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Labels: Captioning our Lives
I was at an artist's reception last night and had a very interesting conversation with a business owner there. We had some business experience in common and so we talked about the trade for a bit. We talked about how the economy affected the industry we were in and how that, in turn, affected my career, my life, and my art. Our discussion became more about philosophy and life than business.
He asked how being an engineer influenced my sculpting. He asked how losing my job impacted my sculpting (I was laid-off 3 times in 5 years.) We spoke of finding our identity. He said when he is asked "what do you do?" his response is typically, "many, many things. As many as I can." Quite a different response than if posed a similarly worded, but completely different question, "what do you for a living?"
Many of us think and believe these two questions to be the same. We lose sight of who we are. We come to believe we are what we do. Being "Let go", laid-off, down-sized, whatever you want to label it, helped me to realize that I am not what I do. I had bought into the notion that I was a good worker. I was a good employee. I was an engineer. I was a cog in the corporate machine.
Once I was, albeit involuntarily, released of most of those labels I struggled for a bit. I first tried to find a different company where the comfortable labels fit. Then I tried different labels.
I still struggle with labels even while I know that I am not the label that I give myself. And I thank being let go for helping me to learn that lesson.
That being said, I wonder, are labels ever helpful, if not entirely accurate?
Think of a photo album. Snapshots of one's experiences. Even putting all the pictures together does not give the complete story. Not even a fair summary of one's life. They are merely summaries of the times when photos were taken, kept and displayed.
Now, add captions (or labels) to each photo. It still does not create the full biography. It does however give some additional insights to the experience that is seen. Upon viewing a photo of a scene, the viewer may interpret it in numerous ways. An accurate label can assist the viewer in understanding the experience as it happened for the one who owns the album.
Similarly, labels can help us present ourselves so others may know us better. If we write the label carefully, thoughtfully, honestly, purposefully. Think about the caption for the photo of this part of your life. Write it so that people see the real you. Let the label help open you, and them, to the experiences of life, rather than being limited to a tiny fragment.
Do I still use labels? Sure. For me they are shorthand for the parts and pieces that make up the puzzle of my life. By putting them together one gets a summary of what has already happened. They are signposts, showing where I have been. But I can also put them to work to assist me in mapping out where I am and where I am going.
I am grateful for labels, for learning to overcome them. I am grateful for letting them go and for, sometimes, picking them back up again.
He asked how being an engineer influenced my sculpting. He asked how losing my job impacted my sculpting (I was laid-off 3 times in 5 years.) We spoke of finding our identity. He said when he is asked "what do you do?" his response is typically, "many, many things. As many as I can." Quite a different response than if posed a similarly worded, but completely different question, "what do you for a living?"
Many of us think and believe these two questions to be the same. We lose sight of who we are. We come to believe we are what we do. Being "Let go", laid-off, down-sized, whatever you want to label it, helped me to realize that I am not what I do. I had bought into the notion that I was a good worker. I was a good employee. I was an engineer. I was a cog in the corporate machine.
Once I was, albeit involuntarily, released of most of those labels I struggled for a bit. I first tried to find a different company where the comfortable labels fit. Then I tried different labels.
I still struggle with labels even while I know that I am not the label that I give myself. And I thank being let go for helping me to learn that lesson.
That being said, I wonder, are labels ever helpful, if not entirely accurate?
Think of a photo album. Snapshots of one's experiences. Even putting all the pictures together does not give the complete story. Not even a fair summary of one's life. They are merely summaries of the times when photos were taken, kept and displayed.
Now, add captions (or labels) to each photo. It still does not create the full biography. It does however give some additional insights to the experience that is seen. Upon viewing a photo of a scene, the viewer may interpret it in numerous ways. An accurate label can assist the viewer in understanding the experience as it happened for the one who owns the album.
Similarly, labels can help us present ourselves so others may know us better. If we write the label carefully, thoughtfully, honestly, purposefully. Think about the caption for the photo of this part of your life. Write it so that people see the real you. Let the label help open you, and them, to the experiences of life, rather than being limited to a tiny fragment.
Do I still use labels? Sure. For me they are shorthand for the parts and pieces that make up the puzzle of my life. By putting them together one gets a summary of what has already happened. They are signposts, showing where I have been. But I can also put them to work to assist me in mapping out where I am and where I am going.
I am grateful for labels, for learning to overcome them. I am grateful for letting them go and for, sometimes, picking them back up again.
Friday, September 7, 2007
The Secret Comes to Comcast!
The movie "The Secret" is now available on-demand through cable. If you still have not seen it, here's an opportunity!
The movie is still making an impact on people around the world.
I recommend owning a copy. Personally, I like reviewing a chapter or two on a regular basis. It helps me to have my center all day.
"The Secret" is not a watch one time for entertainment type of movie. Nor is it a dry documentary. It is thought provoking. Every time I watch it I see or hear something differently. Good movies and good books are like that. Eternal.
The movie is still making an impact on people around the world.
I recommend owning a copy. Personally, I like reviewing a chapter or two on a regular basis. It helps me to have my center all day.
"The Secret" is not a watch one time for entertainment type of movie. Nor is it a dry documentary. It is thought provoking. Every time I watch it I see or hear something differently. Good movies and good books are like that. Eternal.
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Secret to the Endless Summer
Labor Day is traditionally the end of summer in the US. It doesn't have to be--it is all up to you!
Do you want to have the fun and low key life that "summer" signifies to most of us? If that is what you truly desire then you can have it. The Secret and The Secret Science to Getting Rich program (SGR) can help you achieve that life.
Contrary to the belief that some people put out there--it is not just imagining it. Wishful thinking does not bring the lifestyle that we desire. Nor is it all about money--unless that is what you want your life to be. That is not true wealth as the devotees of SGR see it.
So, what is the secret to the endless summer? Must we follow waves (or anything) around the globe for the right weather? Summer is a state of mind. As such, travel is not required, but can be enjoyed--if that is what you want.
Just like learning math, or (plug in the subject you liked most) the Science to Getting Rich can be learned. Does it take making changes in your life? For most of us, yes. If it doesn't, you are probably already rich. Does it require some effort? Again, yes. But then, so did learning to ride a bike and that turned out pretty cool.
Unlike any subject you learned in school, or any sport you tried, or didn't try for that matter, EVERYONE can learn the Science to Getting Rich. That is part of the secret!
"Endless Summer" is at your fingertips. We keep growing and learning. We set new goals. As we ride one wave and enjoy it to the fullest we are then ready for the next, even bigger one.
Grow with each wave. Learn from the other riders out there in the water with you. Teach the new comers. Honor the explorers who preceded you. And never forget to enjoy the ride.
Do you want to have the fun and low key life that "summer" signifies to most of us? If that is what you truly desire then you can have it. The Secret and The Secret Science to Getting Rich program (SGR) can help you achieve that life.
Contrary to the belief that some people put out there--it is not just imagining it. Wishful thinking does not bring the lifestyle that we desire. Nor is it all about money--unless that is what you want your life to be. That is not true wealth as the devotees of SGR see it.
So, what is the secret to the endless summer? Must we follow waves (or anything) around the globe for the right weather? Summer is a state of mind. As such, travel is not required, but can be enjoyed--if that is what you want.
Just like learning math, or (plug in the subject you liked most) the Science to Getting Rich can be learned. Does it take making changes in your life? For most of us, yes. If it doesn't, you are probably already rich. Does it require some effort? Again, yes. But then, so did learning to ride a bike and that turned out pretty cool.
Unlike any subject you learned in school, or any sport you tried, or didn't try for that matter, EVERYONE can learn the Science to Getting Rich. That is part of the secret!
"Endless Summer" is at your fingertips. We keep growing and learning. We set new goals. As we ride one wave and enjoy it to the fullest we are then ready for the next, even bigger one.
Grow with each wave. Learn from the other riders out there in the water with you. Teach the new comers. Honor the explorers who preceded you. And never forget to enjoy the ride.
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