Tuesday, December 12, 2023

The 12th thing I learned again in 2023 -- We are always changing



The blue sweatshirt
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 
(I looked through my blog for
a sample of how I painted
when the blog began, and my
colours have changed quite 
a bit.  I still like bright 
colours, but don't use them
in the same way.)

When I saw this post I was intrigued that this is what I've been 
thinking about in the past few days, and it was on my mind at
the same time last year.  I remember teaching my students that
we change all the time, but didn't remember ever 
knowing these
numbers. According to facts from scientificamerican.com

"about 330 billion cells are replaced daily, equivalent to about 1
percent of all of our cells. In 80 to 100 days, 30 trillion will have
been replenished--the equivalent of a new you."

"What does it mean that we are always changing?  In one sense it
 means we have to 
ask people how they're feeling, and what they
 enjoy doing, 
and in another sense it means don't be afraid if you
suddenly 
see the world differently.  It just means that you've changed. 

When I was teaching Positive Psychology I discovered that
so many of our cells renew daily -- this means whether we 
want to our not -- we are changing. (The facts are above, and
they are even more shocking than I remembered.)

Oddly enough people sometimes expect consistency in artists,
who are also supposed to be the most creative people in
the world. So let's be alive, thrive and enjoy each other's
new ideas and new work."

One of the ways we change is by learning, and I feel lucky
that I get to be a teacher, and meet new people from 
different parts of the world, who teach me things all of
the time. Thank you to my students. 

Have a loving your life day.

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Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!