Adversity

A Happy New year to all!



My New year didn't start out so well. I was in the hospital the first part of December of 2008, then I when I returned home, I seemed to catch every bug and flu going around.



I feel much better, though a bit rattled by the whole ordeal. Back at my easel, the doubts of whether I can still paint keep running through my tired head.



Adversity teaches us to be patient. We are not in control of very much of anything. All we can control is how we react to various stimuli. That's about it. We cannot control anything happening outside of ourselves. The realization of how little control we have comes with adversity.



In adverse situations, we just have to let go, and let the universe do its thing. Through adversity, I learned that we are not complete little laptops that can be plugged in and always perform up to a given standard. We are human, and we are frail creatures. Think about it. We need water everyday, several times, and we need a constant intake of nutrients, just to stay alive. We need other humans to help us. We cannot do much by ourselves.



Not meaning to start the New year off with a negative frame of mind, I want to put the positive spin on this. By needing other people, the need goes both ways. Artists need to create art that other people need in order to enjoy. Art, without someone appreciating it, is not really art. And how can something be self-expression, if no one hears it, or sees it? For example, Van Gogh's art was never even considered beautiful until after his death. That is unfortunate for poor Vincent, but we have so much more in the way of getting ourselves out there than he did.



I don't know if anyone out there even reads my stories. Eventually, someone will. I am putting myself out there, because somewhere along the line, someone will connect with what I have to share. If I can positively affect one person, I am happy with my efforts.



Generally, speaking, adversity stinks. But accepting our humanness and limitations can be a very liberating thing. Knowing that we aren't all knowing is freeing. Knowing that we need other people is comforting. And knowing that we will be ill, is knowing that there will be someone to care for us. And expecting that things may go wrong makes the inevitable easier to swallow.



So this year, I start off by embracing my limitations - all the bumps and warts that make me human. Beyond that, I just hope i get the opportunity to paint, and make someone happy. To ask for little is to receive a lot.



Best wishes to all,

Cathy