A Return to Light... As the Winter Solstice Approaches

Much of my personal and painting life revolves around set rituals. It always has. All of my children teasingly call me "the morning man." My habit of rising early each morning is something that I look forward to... for a number of reasons. This habit is a part of who "I" am... and it continues to offer me the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts... a time to sort out... think and to plan my day's activity... without interruption. I consider this time to be meditation... and act of seeking connection to one's spiritual core.

Since moving to Rockport last April, my mornings... usually commencing around five am have been particularly uplifting... given the ever-changing sunrise pageants which have occurred almost daily and without fail to date. No two sunrises have been the same. Usually, I find myself down on the riverside patio or dock to sitting... watching and listening to the sights and sounds... as each dawn arrives. Lately, as the days have grown shorter... and the sunrise arrives later... Deb is "up"... and  has joined with me to enjoy this spectacle... and the to enjoy the  clock work arrival of the winter birds to our feeders... together. Their lives too... are governed by light. This shared ritual is such a great start to our day!

Light is such an important part of my being. It is the essence of my artistic pursuit and affords me emotional and spiritual balance to go out into life... happy... and in peace. I have observed that light governs and directs most life... whether it be human... animal or plant. Watching our recently purchased amaryllis emerge suddenly before our eyes and rocket to over a foot in height and now a bloom... reminds us of the power of the sun's  light and the dependence of all living things upon this source.

There are so many blessings around us that we fail to recognize as such... or to embrace as tools to aid us in our individual searches to find Peace... Purpose and a Personal Perspective of Truth. The Natural World offers so many of these simple blessings. There exist special people whom we meet in our lives, who can help us to shape higher and more realistic goals, through their positive mentoring and advice. There are personally conducted activities such as reading, writing, music and painting which in themselves teach us more about ourselves... and capabilities which we never dreamed we had. "Light"... takes many forms and comes from many sources... if one opens their eyes to... Possibility!

Children are such a source of "Light." Their thirst for knowledge is a constant force. Their search for Truth and adventure is without inhibition or fear of failure. Those sad qualities will be "taught and caught"... mainly and sadly from adults as they journey. I derive great pleasure and hope from watching them learn. My own life force remains high... and open to their exuberance and optimism. We can serve as lighthouses... to encourage empower children in our lives to use their gifts and talents to become "the best... that they can be! Imagine your Self a human source of "Light." Christmas and Winter Solstice together create a meaningful and timely moment to share your own "Light."

Recently, we have born sad witness to seemingly hopeless and absolutely obscene tragedy that has unfolded in what could been in any home town or city in either America, or Canada. Newtown was an "ordinary" haven...we believed... where "the pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness"... was the unalienable right of all citizens and presented itself as a "work in progress." Today... twenty-eight innocents have grotesquely been robbed of their precious and lives full of now... unfulfilled promise... and these prescribed Constitutional rights. It was NOT the doing of one disturbed and twisted "killer... shooter... evil misfit"... acting  alone. Paradoxically... it was all of us in society... who by our silence and our pursuit of material things, allowed one victim himself to point that gun and render unimaginable... unforgivable savagery and endless tragedy.Oh yes... and no one saw it coming?????

Here in Canada, we are currently flirting with the possibility and spectre of this same tragedy occurring in one of our own schools. The current upheaval in our education system... driven by a stand off between provincial government, teacher unions and school boards has removed  both curricular and extra-curricular support for students in both educational panels. Students have undertaken "walkouts" to protest this travesty and disruption to their educational lives... their future... and ironically... our own! Until now, their actions are to be admired and encouraged. They have an unalienable right... to be educated in the best possible way our society can provide. Will that continue to be so?.... I wonder... and worry!

But I refuse to surrender Hope... or to remain quiet! The human mind, when coupled with the will and spirit to overcome can prevail. However, in this particular tragedy... "the gun"... was pointed back at a school.. and its innocents. Within "Me"... and I lived daily in a school where violence was a daily helping... heaped upon innocent children... there returns the rage that almost consumed me ... way back when... and forced me to leave the classroom... and my mission!

I cannot... will not... allow myself to fall back down into that black abyss... for I could never garner the strength to climb back out again. It is a simple act... to set aside gifting... painting... anything else and to email or write to your own government representatives to voice your wish for a change to gun ownership. As well, respond to actively ensure that your child's educational opportunities are maximized. Share your light... it takes but a few moments of time to do so.

Where there exists "Light"... there exists Hope! The "Power of One.... is real. Change begins with each of us... "You" ... in your small corner... and "I" in mine!"

"Let there be .... Light!"
"Let your Light so shine before your fellow men...." We cannot fail to act for our children! They have no one else... or the power really, to do so!

Good Painting to ALL!!!... Shine on!


Here are but four of the many morning sunrises I have experienced....

 

   

Lighthouse in Rustico, Prince Edward Isand - oil on panel 20x24 inches SOLD

This was the subject of an earlier Christmas card of mine. In its initial form... it was a pencil drawing completed on a family vacation to the Maritimes... then morphed into a pen and ink rendering on blue card stock with red colour here and there for accent and silver ink to add sparkle. One hot summer day in Hillsdale, I came across the card as I searched and cleared out files. I was immediately drawn to "have another go" at this subject. It so speaks again... universally... of the warm and comfort of a community... governed by "Light" and Peace.

It might have another go... on a larger scale in the New Year! I know that the current owner of this painting... and many more of my favs won't mind... because he loves lighthouse paintings... and John... "You" always have the "first right of refusal"! Do come and visit... we so enjoyed our suummer visit with Ann and "Special Girl" here in Rockport!

Good Painting to ALL!!