My Symphony

(William Henry Channing, 1810-1884)

To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich;
to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;
to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages,
with an open heart;
to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
await occasions, hurry never.

In a word,
to let the spiritual, unbidden, and unconscious
grow up through the commonplace.

This is to be
my symphony.

(Kind of says it all. - J.)

Listening.

I’ve been wondering lately… as Mom was in the hospital for the last time, I promised her I would always listen to her. But outside of one dream, I really have not “heard” her lately, and it has been troubling me. I’ve talked to her, and asked for help, but nothing. Or so I thought.

There is an acquaintance in my life who has turned…difficult. Without going into detail, let's just say I’ve been generally beside myself with how to deal with it, since this person is connected to an activity that I don’t wish to quit. The person is a Christian, and Galations 6:7 kept rolling through my head – As you sow, so shall you reap. But how to make this difficult person reap what they’re sowing?

Last night I realized how Tired I was of it. How ready I was to just… ignore it. Discussing the situation with a dear friend helped a lot – but I realized that I can’t wear my friends out over this. And today? I’ve come to the realization that the bad feelings are hurting only me. That the passage from Galations applies to ME too – If I sow with anger, I reap heartache.

So. I turn the bad in on itself, do my best to lose my anger toward this person and love them. I can still ignore their words if I need to - but I will do it with the aim of helping me, not to hurt them.

“Where did THIS come from?” I’m wondering. This isn’t like me! I usually hold on to hurts waaay longer than this. It just now hit me, duh, and put a huge smile on my face.
Hi, Mom. Thanks. Love you forever.

In the Art Studio...

All right - for friends who were asking... Here is the studio where I paint on Wednesday mornings... My easel is the one in the window with the small canvas on it!



I started painting in January of 2007, after my sister talked me into taking classes with her. She's a brilliant painter and actually teaches at the studio now, one day a week.


This is my third oil-on-canvas, painted from a photo by Donnie Beauchamp... Finished in March 2009, and the original lives at my Dad's house.











Current work-in-progress, my fourth canvas... Started in March 2009, this photo taken 1/6/10. (I work very very slowly!!!!)






That's it for now - thank you all so much for your interest!!!!

xxxxoooo - Jules