For example, a few years ago, we visited our daughter in Paris and it rained most of the time we were there. That certainly did not keep us from visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or Notre Dame. It didn't stop us from sitting outside at sidewalk cafes. We simply put on our rain gear and ventured out. While we may not have been as giddy as Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain, we definitely did not develop SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
I like what Thomas Merton says about destiny: "Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone--we find it with another." This doesn't mean I can't be happy when I am by myself. In fact, I like to spend most of my time alone. But I think it is important to have real, honest relationships with the people around you.
I recently did a series of paintings titled, "Shady Business," a group of portraits in which the subjects' hidden desires appeared in the reflection of their sunglasses. This prompted me today to consider what I would like to see reflected in my own shades.
I have come to believe that happiness is not a goal in itself. And no one is entitled to happiness. It is not a default setting that we should always be trying to get back to. And when we are not happy, it doesn't mean something is wrong with us.
I guess what I would like to see reflected in my sunglasses is someone smiling because they have interacted with my art.
I decided when we moved that I would take a few weeks off to sort of refocus my art career. It has been three weeks since I made art, and the pressure is starting to build...
So I am vegetating. Taking in information, letting it be for a while, and waiting to see what sprouts. I close with this today:
"To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him."--Buddha