loving art, science and creative kids

Bursting Forth

There is beauty all around when we open our eyes to see.

Acrylic on Canvas/  Wood Frame/ 37” x 31” / $ 599

“Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh, what a Beautiful Day”

Words from the Oklahoma musical ring true when we open our hearts.  Life is sweet and it is ours to relish every moment. This month, let's remember that there is good in the world.  No matter how riled up we get because of politics, violence or economic uncertainty, there are moments of beauty and kindness to embrace and appreciate. No matter how serious the illness or the outcome of the election, no matter how great the loss, the sun will still rise tomorrow, the will earth turn on its axis and two rovers will send signals back from Mars.  November is the month of Thanksgiving. Let’s cherish it and enjoy what is good.

The other day I watched a newborn child and thought how fortunate she was to be welcomed into the arms of loving parents. Warmth, security  and encouragement will most likely be there to help this child prosper. Looking at the tiny body, I imagined the first real smile (not from gas) she will bestow on her caregivers and the bonds that are quickly forming.  I wanted to reach out and feel the soft fuzz of her head, but contented myself with observing her at rest while her perky little mouth occasionally made sucking motions she slept.

Last week, women in my exercise facility opened their hearts and purses to help a locker room attendant. The aide was a courageous Ethiopian immigrant who, along  with her Somalian husband, settled in the U.S. seven years ago. Due to an injured knee, this hard working attendant was unable to work for several months of work, adding to the family's financial burdens. The caring kindness exhibited by these generous donors reminds me of how people in small towns come together to help neighbors. Americans are very benevolent and compassionate people. Their good deeds should be mentioned by the media more often.

Struggling through misfortune is not easy, but if the day’s challenges are met with positiveness and zeal, it is possible to climb over and around obstacles. Not being ashamed or reluctant to ask for help and being available to aid friends and neighbors when called, creates community. It brings people closer together and enables them to get through the rough times and return to a state of balance.

I notice, however, that most people, don’t want to rest in quiet equilibrium. They are impatient and want new experiences. To avoid boredom, they put barriers in their path that shake up their lives.  Having a child, signing up for college, accepting increased work responsibilities, improving athletic abilities, sailing in rough weather, making home a happy place to be, are burdens we choose to embrace. they  stimulate our minds, develop meaning in our lives and add to our wealth. Self-inflicted problems within our control usually add to a sense of well being.  

But what of difficulties not of our own creation. A baby crying for hours can create unbearable headaches. Illness, accidents, job loss, housing evictions and violence build huge fences of fear that have to be scaled. How does one face bullying or terrorism without being permanently scarred? 

It’s certainly not easy . . . but it is doable. Each person has a choice. One can wallow in self-pity or seek help climbing out of the quicksand. Meditation, mindfulness, positive thinking and hard work are learned pursuits that lead back to balance. Counseling, sharing and believing in yourself can make dreams come true.  Remaining active when depressed and accepting small challenges when life feels insurmountable leads to healing and bounce-back. 

I watched my adopted boy, Seth, thrive despite experiencing a debilitating accident. He is a constant reminder of how resilient humans can be. His twenty-eight years have always been difficult. Born into an unstable family, living on the streets for four years, training to be a journeyman industrial painter, surviving a workplace accident and coping as a quadriplegic required him to invent and reinvent himself many times.  Two weeks ago, out of 2,000 injured patients from throughout the country, Seth received a national award for transforming his life so well. He lives independently in a new city, drives a car with hand controls, enjoys go-Kart racing, is on a wheelchair rugby team and volunteers two days a week as a mentor to those worse off than he. Best of all, he has developed friendships. He surrounds himself with those with a positive outlook and stays away from complainers. His cup is always half full.

I invite you to join me in a month-long jump into beauty, joy and thanksgiving. Look around to find good and tap into it as soon as you can,  Enjoy the sunset, feel the rain, study the birds feeding at feeders or flying south in formation and see —really see each snow flake when they start to fall. Remind  yourself that there is beauty even in the midst of sadness, that there are births in the midst of deaths. This is November.  

References:

NASA,(2018) Mars Exploration Rovers. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of technology.  retrieved from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory web site https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/overview/

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