A glimpse into the life and thoughts of an artist

The painting begins

Have you thought about your "Future Self" over the past two weeks? If so you are probably aware of the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

Even thinking about this can be uncomfortable. We live in the NOW; the NOW is all we have. As Ram Das so famously wrote in the 70s, "Be Here NOW".

Just beginning and still wet

I agree. And I know that if we have any hope of moving toward our future self, it helps to check in to see if our current actions and choices are ones that will help us get to where we want to go.

Is what I'm doing right now propelling me forward, keeping me in my status quo, or setting me back?

There will be times when our thoughts, words, and deeds move us forward. There will be times when they have no effect, and yes, there will be times when the things we think, say, or do, get us off track.

Many decisions left to be made

There might even be times when we are in "retrograde" (seemingly moving in reverse).

Not to worry. NO matter where we are, any of these times can be perfect. Our awareness of our current position in life and of our aspirations for our future self, is what makes this so.

The crossroad of our current self (CS) and our future self (FS) is where preference meets priority.

In any given choice point, we can ask ourselves what our preference is and what our priority is.

Still deciding next moves

My preference might be to eat that piece of chocolate macadamia nut pie AND my priority is to fit into my jeans!

My preference might be to sleep in, but my priority might be to begin a new painting.

I might rather watch another episode of Downton Abbey, but my priority might be
to write that thank you note I've been meaning to send.

Almost, but not quite...

Sometimes we need the sleep or the down time, so it's not always a clear-cut decision.

The important part is to make a conscious decision and ask the questions: What is my preference and how does it relate to my priorities? Does my preference move me toward my FS? What is more important to me?

Our lives are not those of automatons. We are meant to live our lives fully, preferably in conscious awareness, and joy.

Sometimes going dancing is what is needed. Sometimes a nap is more important. And sometimes starting or finishing a painting is the priority.

Make your decision a conscious one. You will feel better.

The Birth of an Island

The Birth of an Island is now available as matted giclée prints:

8x10 matted print (image size 5x7) = $30  

11x14 matted print (image size 7.5x10.5) = $45  

16x20 matted print (image size 10.5x14.5) = $85  

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Art Fest: Saturday and Sunday, March 29 & 30, 2014

Kapiolani Park from 9am-4pm

and pick up your FREE Postcards

Can't make it to the fair? Send an SASE to me at
PO Box 61707
Honolulu, HI 96839-1707
and I will send two postcards to you!

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Please visit www.artofaloha.com to purchase art for your home or office, for yourself, or as a gift. Art lasts a lifetime. In fact, art can be passed on through generations.

People often find my art because of YOU, mahalo nui loa! Please use the link at the bottom of this page to forward this eZine those you think would appreciate my art or my heart-felt thoughts. Or share by clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn buttons at the top of the page.

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A hui hou, 

 

 

  

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"Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else."  ~Tom Stoppard