Spread The Love - Making Connections Part 2

   Last week we we're touching on various subjects, such as what makes you happy? How do you spread the love? Becoming aware, living life consciously and discovering how we want to live. This week, we'll continue in that vein and see where it takes us.

   Last week  I also mentioned that my husband Dave and I have been learning to live by our inner light - a process that has taken a number of years. The good thing is, we have been given the gift of time (even with our busy schedules) to explore our inner potential. I've had several people tell me they are busy enough as it is; they do not have any more free time to "explore their inner selves". Bullshit. If you have the time to check your email 15 times a day, text God knows how many people 50 times a day, and be on Facebook or watch TV for more than an hour each day, you have the time. By exploring our inner potential, we have learned to consult our own inner wisdom and have practiced listening to that "small, still voice" within. This gives our lives meaning; a sense that what we do makes a difference, regardless of how small.

   Dave and I have lived by our values, sought our own truths, and were thought of as crazy by all those who know us. At times, our friends and family do not know what to make of us. We are the opposite of what this world would have us believe - that purchasing goods will make you feel better or make you a better person. Love is the cure for this mental, material sickness. Only when you truly discover who you really are and learn to love yourself, will you be able to love others.

   I love beauty and try to focus how I can bring more of it into our lives. One of the reasons Dave and I moved from Massachusetts to Maine 20 years ago was because of the beauty at the ocean's edge. Besides painting the local scenery, I also envisioned creating a homestead on five acres with our own livestock. Dave was all for the move, however he never truly saw himself as a "farmer" with live animals. Unfortunately, we never really discussed this aspect BEFORE we made the geographical move. When we arrived in Maine, we rented a large Victorian house on 2 acres and the only "livestock" we were allowed were our dog and cat. Granted, I always wanted to live in a Victorian house, but now my scheduling of life (read: expectations) was a little off.

   However, living in a rural community in Mid-Coast Maine gave us the opportunity to investigate living in that town without making the huge financial leap of purchasing a house. It also gave us ample time to explore the entire area and county. After about two years, we realized that the town was a little too small and rural. So we moved to the next town east, rented there for approximately four years, and then purchased an old farmhouse on about an acre of land that needed work. Once there, I came to the realization that I am a flower gardener - not a vegetable gardener. No matter what I did, or how I tried, I just couldn't get any vegetables to grow outdoors. So much for homesteading.

   Changes come about by a moment by moment awareness. Life itself has opened and closed doors on us. We've had to learn, sometimes the hard way, as well as to grow and adapt. Being grateful for what we have in our lives; our health, our family, and our friends. We had to stop drifting along the river of life and ask ourselves some probing questions; How shall we live? What makes us happy? What is the "good" life?

   Inside emptiness comes from not meeting our real needs for self-worth and community. This is why consumerism will never totally satisfy you or any of us. We must discover our passions, be with friends, live in harmony with nature, and get close to a power greater than ourselves and/or God.

   "Each man's life represents a road towards himself." - Herman Hesse

   Living one's passion is the ultimate experience of feeling alive and connected. Confluence: a flowing together - completeness. Not feeling estranged. Be authentic and say, "This is who I am!" Find your passion. When we are all use our creative power, we become generous, joyful, lively, bold compassionate people.

   You'll notice I've once again included my oil painting of the two cows once again this week. Here's part two of the reason why I'm posting this painting. I'm starting a new project - "Adopt A Painting" - these "project" paintings do not have to fed, watered, walked, or be cleaned up after themselves. The don't need medical attention from a doctor or veterinarian. It is the ultimate house guest - they don't make any noise, don't hog the bathroom and/or shower, and after three days, they don't get annoying. All they do is radiate love from your wall. I have numerous paintings I am selling at extremely competitive prices in an effort to drastically reduce inventory before my next studio is built. I am downsizing once again, and these works of art need good homes. Fee free to email me through this blog, or message me via Facebook - just don't spend an hour doing it...

Until next time,
Jill