Thank my lucky stars
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(This is a little sketch portrait
illustrating the idea "the best
things in life are free" like the
stars over our schoolhouse in
Nova Scotia. The model doesn't
look certain about the idea.)
came up in my mind. I've mentioned Louise Hay before
and I remember listening years ago to a tape of
hers that cautioned never to envy another's good.
The idea -- and I think it's a sound one -- is that if
someone you know, does well, is happy, gets
rich, gets excellent work, it is almost as if that had
happened to you too. She suggested driving by,
(or walking, or cycling) by beautiful houses, and
looking at things of beauty you want, and saying
"that's for me!, that's for me!"
I live near a very beautiful neighbourhood (and I
thoroughly enjoy my own neighbourhood),
with big trees, grand houses, and wonderful gardens.
I get to drive or walk by those houses every day. And as
Louise says, none of us can really own anything, so
we all own the pleasure in seeing houses or whatever
it is we like.
Of course if you're hungry, or have no shelter, none
of this applies. But if everything is really fine in your
world, envy has no place in it.
But admiration is a wholly different and wonderful
thing. With friends all over the world, in gracious
climates, lovely homes, and who produce
overwhelmingly beautiful art work, I am in a state
of elevated admiration every single day.
My world and work hums with the vibrancy of loving
so much that my friends do and have. That way I enjoy
what pleases them. I can't imagine feeling jealous
of someone because they earn more than I do,
know more than I do, do anything that I don't do.
My feeling is that if I decide to learn something I
will, and the whole world is there to teach me.
If I decide to want a certain lifestyle, I'll go for it.
So I don't mean that I'm so content that I have
no drive. What I do mean, is that I love my
life. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful
experiences, images, videos, even music with
me. You definitely deserve my sincere and
profound admiration.
