Letting go

"Man should not consider his material possessions his own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need."

-- Thomas Aquinas

I have, over my life, created quite a bit of artwork. I have given half of it away. It has always seemed the right thing to do. I will barter, but most of the time if a good friend really likes a piece, then they get to take it home. The other half of my work is sitting in flat files and under my bed, or in large boxes. I have of late been trying to send thank you notes that are hand drawn. That is what this series of suns are. Thank you notes to good friends. 

Citrus Sun

Duality Sun

Each one is different. I don't over think them and I don't spend 60 hours on them, but I do try to make them clean and concise. 

***

Recently I had an epiphany about material possessions that is going to allow me to start relieving myself of a few unessential items. Now anyone who has been to my house knows that I have a lot of ... STUFF. Collectables, glass bottles, Chotkies everywhere. A lot of family and sentimental items. Jewelry goes on and on. I collect stuff to use in reuse projects. I am so far behind on projects that it is depressing and that is exactly what it is doing: depressing me. So I am going to start liquidating the collection. I am anticipating freedom. 

Well, OK, so where have I been?

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

Lao Tzu

Flower Sun 15-1

I think that perhaps realizing change is necessary and really acting on it requires a certain type of person. Most of the time we are forced to change by circumstances or events beyond our control. But one of the things this quote addresses is we often end up exactly were we planned to go, but not where we want to go. We end up in places from habit, not from intent. That would be me. A life of habit. Now, however, I am making an effort to live with intent and it is a bit messy. That is one of the things I believe about change: Change is messy. It requires sorting, discarding and reorganizing. Change involves giving away, and letting go. 

So I have been addressing the things that do not work, the things that do, and making some decisions about what I am going to do with the remainder of my life. I had to change direction or I was going to end up where I was heading. I was heading towards not having accomplished a couple of my personal goals. I have decided I would rather be more successful than that. So I am going back to posting the blog once a week, with a scan of what ever artwork I have completed. 

I have a new job that I like, and that I hope I will have until I choose not to work any more. I have friends I like, I live in an amazing place. My animals are healthy, I am more or less healthy myself. Age catches up with us all, lets leave it at that. I have been doing some course work through the local Scientology Mission, and found it to be really helpful in determining ways to change direction. And no it is not a cult. Self-Realization Fellowship is the spiritual and religious avenue I had been looking for. I actually get to do Graphic Design for them in addition to finding peace and joy from the spiritual practice. And  I work in the kitchen on Sundays and for any event we have. Life is good. I just want to tweek the direction a little bit. 

Happy New Year