Displacing... Then Replacing Despair

How sad it makes me to see and read of the tragic events... here in Canada... in Manitoba and Quebec... in the US Mid-West and around the world everywhere. In my first thoughts... I feel helpless in my inability to reach out... given our own current financial precarious situation and time of economic uncertainty.

But then, I look "inside" at the countless blessings and gifts that I currently have in my own life... and those that have continuously dotted my journey. Generosity is something that I grew up with... not just monetary generosity... but spiritual generosity to be shared as well with those we encountered as a family. I realized too... that generosity is a two way street... that being able to receive generous gifts was equally as important as being able to give them. I came to realize as well... that this "two way" perspective embraced one of the basic laws of the Universe:

What goes around ... comes back around.

I watched the second last and final Oprah telecasts... and though I cannot claim to have been an Oprah fan... I was left aghast... and in tears viewing the powerful scene of the a seemingly endless line of lit candles held by male individuals from Morehouse College... all recipients of the generous opportunities to receive an education from Oprah's efforts and contributions. Over 64,000 individuals were directly educated worldwide by her programme of incentives to reduce poverty through educational support. My opinion of "Her"... is deeply changed. I come away in awe of her generosity and vision... and world-changing contributions.

"From a backwoods beginning in Tennessee... to this!" Not the Bravado in reference to her individual wealth per say... but more to the powerhouse potential for change... bec ause of the work of her empire of committed and loyal workers who have joined her in her Quest... and her journey to create a better world for impoverished others with a will to "do better"! There is no greater example in my lifetime to support my own belief in "The Power of One."

I was generously reared by loving parents of very modest and humble beginning... being always taught to believe iun my Self... and that "I" mattered... to "Them"... and to the World! I went out into the world to take that precious gift of Self Worth afforded me by them... with me to share it with others. I chose teaching as my vehicle to accomplish this end in my own way. I am proud to say that "I" have made a difference for a great many individuals with my own Light... in my own small corner. I continue to work towards this end through this blog. I reach out to those of you who care to listen and believe. "We" all need to believe... and to know and truly feel that "We"... matter! Each of "You"... matters to "Me"!

Art is the other gift that I have developed and used towards accomplishing this end... simply because Art, Music, Literature, Poetry and Dance are the social conduits for "connecting" to each other. They know no boundary or frontier... require no special language to understand and enjoy. Each of us can avail our Selves of them in out own unique right... and not be judged.

To quote one of my "Mentors" from my children's childhood years, Mr Fred Rogers:

"The world needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile."

Each day that we go about our separate journeys... we are afforded the unique opportunity... no our RESPONSIBILITY... to reach out to others generously sharing with them... our resources... our time... our good thoughts and our encouragement to strive for their best.

A Smile costs nothing! Neither does a good morning!... I love You!... Thank You! Can I help?... You are welcome to share mine! Get the picture? Simple gifts that cost nothing make the finest blessings... as unexpected.. and small as they may seem to "You"!

My painting offered this morning comes as a result of some "play"... as Mr Roger's referred to " a child's first work"... yesterday in my studio . Using a still life that I picked on my evening walk... acrylics... used in a wild n' crazy... unusual fashion for "Me" - the plein air oil painter! HAHA!! ... I created this bouquet for each of "You"... in gratitude for your many kind and encouraging words and visits to my world!

Life is complicated. Do your best! "You" are worthwhile! So is your Art! Be proud of it... and your Self!

Thank "You"...ALL!

Good Painting!... and Many Blessings!