Blog 7

 The longer I'm here the faster life goes by

The longer I'm around the more I realize the contribution I am making to society and my family diminishes.  I wake at different times and lay in bed thinking, here it is another day, it's going to fly by and I will accomplish probably nothing and then go to bed again only to repeat the same thing the next day.  I use to think retiring was my primary goal, but now realize that goal only leads to lack of contribution.  I realize all the dreams of  places to visit, history discovered, are now just opportunities gone. I am sad that so must has passed and I missed it.

I loved to create art, in many mediums and now I struggle to inspire myself to get inspired to accomplish a single item.  I think about it, I lay awake trying to challenge myself, saying just do it, but another day passes and the blank canvas remains.  I realize these should be my most inspired period so why is it my most difficult?  

Sometimes I just think my time in this existence is near an end and there is opportunity in the next to start over, to improve and correct the weakness of today and it is sort of exciting.  I envoy those who accept without question, that know where they are going, that have faith that God inspires all.  I have passed from a Christian believer to   Buddhist thoughts.  I read from time to time passages which are more logic then a message of faith, the reality is that each in their own way must interpret and decide their own beliefs, the what after theory.

Surprisingly it is the darkest of night which brought question, it is the dark matter, unseen but rich in wonder.  It is the sight of stars, millions, billions of stars and as far as we know a universe we are learning exists but then will not exist.  I have learned that we are the stuff of stars, the microns of space.  If God is all, why would we have thought, we, at least I think, would not have free will, all would be as God would want it to be.  I have so much conflict with the theory of God, I'll just have to think upon it more.

  

 

Today a little rain, but light and wonderful for grass and flower maintence

I have been a little under the weather this  past week and weekend, thank goodness there is no where I have to be until Friday, when the Red Suit comes out of storage and I head off to meet families for a photo session.

This is really something I originally was never going to do, but I want to do a few changes in the house before Christmas and the pay was acceptable.  So off I will be going to a couple of Wal-Marts and a Sears store for 4 hours a day for 7 days.  How, I'll do is to be seen.  I have a cold which is hanging on and I think it is a age thing about recovery  taking as long as it has and I still am not normal yet.  Well as normal as I get these days. 

 

My next blog will tell you and maybe show you a piece of art I have been working on. There is a little story which goes along with the subject, but you'll just have to wait.    Till then be happy.

 

The New Day

I have been a little under the weather this past week and weekend, thank goodness there is no where I have to be until Friday, when the Red Suit comes out of storage and I head off to meet families for a photo session.

 

This is really something I originally was never going to do, but I want to do a few changes in the house before Christmas and the pay was acceptable. So off I will be going to a couple of Wal-Marts and a Sears store for 4 hours a day for 7 days. How, I'll do is to be seen. I have a cold which is hanging on and I think it is a age thing about recovery taking as long as it has and I still am not normal yet. Well as normal as I get these days.

 

My next blog will tell you and maybe show you a piece of art I have been working on. There is a little story which goes along with the subject, but you'll just have to wait.

Till then be happy.

A Buddhist View on Death and Rebirth

I just finished reading; "Buddhist View on Death and Rebirth"

I am trying to assimilate the effect as it relates to me. As I review my life I begin to understand the whys of my existence. I see more clearly the results of my behavior positive and negative. I have an understanding, well at least a tiny amount, of those experiences which I carry in my heart and mind. As I reach the end of this period of existence I am attempting to correct some of the flaws of this go around. I am preparing for my passing in a peaceful manner without fear and excited to discover at what level I will find myself as the future unfolds.

Today I am thinking of the reason for becoming a Santa. I am searching the ego vs. spiritual. Thoughts come to mind of red suits, bells, Christmas stories, my Santa chair and walking stick, are those things, those possessions, the reason? I would like to believe it is truly a spiritual experience. And then it could be a combination of both. That I am imparting a message, that love of each other leads us down the path of happiness, and that the message is not just for children, but all of us, it is our existence in this state.

When I profess my belief in the fundamentals of Buddhism, people wonder of the conflict between Christianity and Buddhism, I have tried to simplify my conclusion, I believe there is not conflict at all, it is all about the compassion and love that Christ had for all. Just as Buddhist believe enlightenment as the destination and Christians seek heaven our harmony exists in the love we should have for all creatures and from that culture we achieve that we search.

When we die, all we have accumulated will cease in our lives, the creative aspects, in my case the art, ceramics and the music enjoyed, will no longer exist to me. These are the things which brought thought and happiness to my life, or I feel they do. It is the spirtiual and creativity of another human. It is of course a possession and I am selfish in that, but it also is the passion of one human to another, it is the effect of touching, observing, understanding what that individual was thinking. How did those hands, those fingers mould the shapes, how did the brush capture a moment of physical and emotional time and how did the composer hear the notes which are joy and sadness, tears and memories. Was it so entangling we missed understanding of it all? None of it will matter when we are gone. And of loved ones, they will also disappear in time and there will be no memory of your coming or going.

I am trying to learn to meditate, not easy. In practice I read that the mind wanders, it is difficult to concentrate on a single issue, that as, originally stated, takes practice. I may never understand my being, but there are opportunities for change till we reach an enlightened state.

 

PEPSI

 

We are fast approaching the Christmas Season

Last week I received a call from Pepsi, they wanted me to visit their IHOP convention and of course I said YES! I really love the interaction between adults as much as children, and I have found many adults who have maintained their youthful approach to life. If you have see the Pepsi commercial where Santa is at a beach party in his Hawaiian red and white hibiscus shirt and light tan shorts, that will give you an idea how I'll look for the occasion. One exception is they want me to wear my red Christmas hat. The event is near the end of next month. I'll let you know how it goes.

This is Fun!

It's amazing when you discover that you have learned something new. I have a great teacher in Randy Ford. I ask the questions and in his inevitable style shows me the way.
After the first time placing one of my selections of art in the blog, I decided I would do it one more time just to make sure I had the process fixed in my mind.
So here goes. In my first publication of the "Oriental Fish" in my previous blog I neglected to place a description, so first things first.
The "Oriental Fish" is a reproduction of an original etching which I hand colored using watercolor and acrylic. It is printed on 13 X 19 Epson Professional Enhanced Matte Paper as are all my reproductions. This paper gives the most lively presentation of color. Each reproduction is hand signed and embossed with the Caso Studios - Atelier Euquinu studio name, which is "Workshop of the Unique" and displays intertwining heron.