Hello, Fellow Art Lover!
You're reading the 1st installment in the Musings of a Joyful Artist Newsletter! Yay!!
These offer a burst of joy, a brief reminiscence of lessons learned, and a touch of beauty from artworks installed and in progress.
JOY
Quote from the beloved Henry David Thoreau
"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour. "
(FREE online book, Walden: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/205/205-h/205-h.htm)
LESSON
Read Time: 2.5 Minutes
Areté
ἀρετή
Pronounced (ah-reh-'tay)
Like all ancient words, this one has many meanings.
It describes a person who is living their most excellent life.
It should be common sense, right?
I mean, who doesn't want this?
Excellence begets excellence.
It's a no-brainer. Except, not.
Unfortunately, I had to be reawakened. I needed to know that I could --I should-- live well.
So, as a reminder to live well, it's tattooed on my body.
Good times.
(More on arete:
https://www.john-uebersax.com/plato/words/arete.htm)
I'm pointing this out to you because I want you to know that your value is high.
It's really really up there.
More than that!
You have more worth
than
you
can
imagine.
That's my point.
I got the tattoo at a time in my life when I was told I held little value.
*I was gaslighted for years*
**not pretty**
The tattoo was a small gesture on my part, but it was a big stand in my life.
Bravery, in fact.
That action declared, "I know I'm supposed to live an excellent life. And, being belittled does not align with my areté philosophy. This tattoo assures that I will never forget that again."
Eventually (insert loooong story), the toxic environment was ended.
Then I more efficiently started forging my most excellent destiny.
This was the start of building better habits...spirit, mind, and body...and relationships...and healing.
Habits of mine --to pursue areté-- included:
1. reading -- a lot, and often--
2. listening to people who pursue integrity
3. filtering out negativity
4. keeping my spiritual walk a pillar
SO 🙌
What is your areté???
How is living your most excellent life manifesting?
Have you had time to review that part of your life?
Or, much worse, do you experience the world telling you can't live with joy and fervor?
I want to hear your story! Let me know.
And remember:
YOU ARE VALUABLE
YOU ARE LOVED
ART
Have you had a chance to volunteer?
It's amazing.
Most people volunteer because they want to give, but they receive far more in return.
In fact, they
-Meet amazing people
-Share a unique experience
-Grow a compassionate heart
Well, the art I am making this week is part of my volunteering for an animal shelter.
To help them raise funds, I periodically donate a pet portrait to their silent auctions.
The woman who won the bid has 2 green-eyed, fluffy black cats named Sophia and Bella.
I'm painting them on a 20 x 20 white piece of paper in medium soft pastels. It's going well and I expect to finish it within 3 weeks. (Oh, I also have a full-time job. Hence, it will take weeks when it should take days.)
You can see some of these paintings in my live YouTube Video. It goes LIVE every Sunday morning at 11:00 am, EDT.
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkqdVgSprIYpQxhSujHofGw)
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, FELLOW ART LOVERS!
Ciao!