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The Broad Wings of Time

March 16, 2006

birthdayQuote.jpg
Thank you to my wonderfully supportive friends who sent me Banjo Bunny Birthday e-cards today. When you're friends with an e-card artist, it only seems appropriate to send one of the cards she's created. So I got to watch my Bach e-card 6 times in a row today.

A lot of artists will tell you that really taking a look at their own work can be a painful thing to do. Partly, it's because artists often feel somewhat possessed during the act of creating. Inspiration capitvates us during the heat of the moment, and the thrill and emotion can be quite heady. Problem is, we often come back later on to look at what we've done only to heave a heavy sigh and wonder what the hell we were thinking. We can be our toughest critics. Our worst art abusers.

Well, today I went back and viewed my birthday card through the eyes of a woman who has been practicing lovingkindness meditation for the past 3 weeks. I wrote earlier this month about how buddhists begin this practice by blessing themselves. I think every artist should practice showering themselves with kindness... not only on our birthdays, but every single day. Our best work isn't born out of esteeming ourselves as unworthy or through self-inflicted emotional pain. Artists are gentle souls who have taken up the courageous task of baring their hearts and minds to the world ~ a world which is so eager to judge and misundertand or disregard what we do. Why heap additional coals of judgement on ourselves?

So, I sat down and watched each e-card in its entirety, savoring every moment, but also waiting with anticipation to see what the personalized message from each friend would be. It was wonderful to prepare myself like an untouched canvas and let my own artwork give back to me. I genuinely like my e-cards... yes, indeed I really do.

Artists really only ask the viewer to give them a chance. To be a good art-appreciator, you must do what I did for myself. Step aside from your pre-conceived notions of what "good" art is. Separate yourself from likes and dislikes, and allow the piece to touch you, talk to you, and affect you. Once you learn how to do this, move onto bigger things, such as thinking of people as works of art, and afford them the same courtesy. If we all did this, it would change us on a personal level, and then change the world.

With lovingkindness,
The Birthday Girl

Posted by vincent at March 16, 2006 05:56 PM

Comments

Happy, Happy Birthday Susan!! Hope your day was just as special as you make the world just by being in it. Many wishes for a wonderful year ahead.

Posted by: samtzmom at March 16, 2006 08:20 PM

Once you learn how to do this, move onto bigger things, such as thinking of people as works of art, and afford them the same courtesy.



I love this call to action. I love the entire post.



~Lynn.

Posted by: Lynn at March 19, 2006 01:06 AM

HAPPY GRADUATION INTO A SHINY NEW YEAR, BIRTHDAY GIRL! And thank you for birthing Banjo Bunny, who brings such fun to all of us. Hugs from the Rockies to you!!!

Posted by: Wandering Willow at March 20, 2006 09:47 PM