Tiny Practices

I don't know about you but sometimes I come across an idea that gives me pause to think. A topic that gets a lot of attention these days is that of instant gratification and how we in the developed world are so accustomed to having quick access to information, responses and material goods that we have diminished our ability to wait.



I'm like that. When I first began writing this blog I had just upgraded to high-speed internet from dial-up. Good-bye Dial-up. My expectations quickly adjusted and now I would be hard pressed to be satisfied with dial-up service. Likewise, it was less than 18 months ago that my husband bought me my first digital camera. I sometimes wonder now how I waited weeks (months sometimes) to have my photos developed.



To counter that tendency I like to find tiny ways to delay gratification. It is helpful to remind myself that most of the world doesn't enjoy even a small fraction of the luxury that I do (housing, food, clean water). About a month ago one of the drain pipes from our kitchen sink developed a leak; we decided we'd fix it the following weekend. As an interim solution we would use our dish basin as usual and just empty it into the laundry room sink. It’s surprising but I'm in no hurry to have that drain pipe fixed, I guess I've just grooved a routine and it seems automatic now. It’s a tiny thing but it is a reminder that many people the world over are hauling water every day in buckets.

I usually make my own whole grain bread and on Monday realized that I'd forgotten to buy more yeast. There was enough to make one small loaf. I knew that loaf would last only a few days but decided to wait until next shopping day to buy more yeast. I have to say I miss the bread more than the kitchen sink. There really isn't a substitute for bread, I checked my muffin, loaf and pancake recipes and they have much more fat and sugar than bread does. So I'm waiting for grocery day. What a small thing, I'm not going hungry and my cupboards are full of food. I think the waiting is good for me, so much of the world goes without, and many people are forced to wait with no certainty of when or where the next meal is coming from. May my tiny practices serve to make me more mindful and generous.

Wishing you a mindful day,

Sandra

Athena Fountain Inspired Painting

This is the third painting in a series that was inspired by ancient statues.  Having two figures made this composition more challenging than the previous paintings.  It was interesting to be self-aware and notice how I was trying to avoid working on the sketching part of the process.  I managed to find chores and make phone calls and then a cup of tea..... anything to avoid beginning.  Recognizing when procrastination is the result of fear can be the key to overcoming it.  I told myself, "Just do a little, put on the collage." 

When that dried I talked myself into "Just put on the background." 

With that done I went to my painting group Tuesday and with no way to avoid it, began to measure and sketch.  Slowly this week I walked myself through to completion.

Athena Fountain
24" x 24 "
Mixed Media

It was a good example of how my thinking can really limit me.  And a reminder that I would be wise to regularly examine the self-limiting inner dialogue that runs willy-nilly through my mind.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you have an inspirational day,

Sandra

Lack of Self-Assurance - An Obstacle to Simplicity?

In my last post I wrote about how much I was enjoying Richard J. Foster's book, Freedom of Simplicity .Now that I have finished the book I am revisiting some of the ideas he presented and mulling them over.



One of the ideas that I caught my attention was that of self-assurance or as Mr. Foster writes "being comfortable in our own skin" and how a lack of self-assurance is a foundational hindrance to living simply. In my own way I touched on this subject in my post Thinking My Way to Simple Living.



When I accept myself as I am, when I am comfortable in solitude and stillness, when I recognize that my natural unadorned self is sufficient, when I have made peace with my past and have faith and trust about tomorrow, then I can come to the place where simplicity is my most natural response.

If however, I feel shame about who I am, my thoughts, my habits, my body, my past, if I feel that I need to compensate for what I am lacking, then true simplicity will be truly elusive. For when I struggle with these issues my natural response may be to hide, adorn, over-consume, pretend, seek prestige, create illusions or hoard.



All of the time, money and energy I spend on maintaining an "acceptable" self keeps me enslaved to the life I have created to protect and project my image both inward and outward; how exhausting, how unsatisfying and how unnecessary.



When I understand that my flaws, imperfections and material possessions do not define me, or even really limit me (God loves to use the weak and insignificant) then I am free from having to hide behind a false self. And that freedom can result in a life of genuine simplicity. If I don't need to impress you with what I drive or what I wear, then I have the freedom to use my time, energy and money to be a conduit for something positive, for sharing my talents, for helping others, for creating a life that is simply amazing and amazing in its simplicity; a life that leaves me feeling comfortable in my own skin.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today,

Wishing you an amazing day,

Sandra

Richard J. Foster's Freedom of Simplicity

Have you ever had that most wonderful of experiences when the perfect book comes into your hands at the perfect time? It’s a blessed occasion when that happens. That is exactly how I feel about Richard J. Foster's book, Freedom of Simplicity. On a Saturday afternoon in January my husband and I had scouted out a used book store in Montreal. It had been a bitterly cold day and the warmth of the small shop was most welcomed. I wasn't in the door five minutes before this slim volume seemed to leap out at me.

I began the book last week and having had the good fortune (or so it seemed) to be bed-ridden with a bad cold over the weekend I was able to read to my heart's content. So smitten am I with Foster's presentation of the topic of simplicity, that I have been both devouring the book's pages and dreading it being finished. He deals with the subject in all of its complexity, building a strong spiritual foundation for the practice and then proceeds to provide counsel on its practical application; all the while fully sensitive and aware of the risks in dealing with the topic. He has shaken up some of my long-held notions causing me to look afresh and to question some of my practices and beliefs.

What is interesting is that I had recently committed myself to a deeper time of prayer and listening to God. I've described it to some as no longer being satisfied with a faded water-colour painting but desiring rather a full colour, vibrant work of art relationship with Jesus. Foster's book speaks to this as well as to the very practical day-to-day application of simplicity.

brightly coloured "rings" of paint from tubes of acrylic paint.

I could so relate to Foster's description of how there was a time when he pushed simplicity of life "indiscriminately" upon people until he realized that simplicity was just another "anxiety-laden burden" on people until they have known first hand God's gracious ability to provide for all their needs.

That I suppose is why some look at simplification and its natural by-product, abundant giving (of money, time, energy), as recklessness. So where does that leave us? Forever divided by a spiritual sea? I wonder. I don't have an answer but I am asking myself a lot of questions.

I haven't finished reading the book yet. It is thought provoking, challenging, exciting and perfectly timed. I love that!

If you have read this or any other of Mr. Foster's books, I'd love to know what you think.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today,

May you enjoy a simple day.

Sandra




   

Ancient Statue Inspiration

Continuing on the theme of painting ancient statues, this week I chose a beautiful statue of a seated woman looking over her shoulder.  It is similar in feel to last week's painting where I allowed the background to play an important role within the form.  Again, it is a mixed media painting (acrylic with newsprint collage).

A New Love
24" x 24" acrylic on gallery canvas

The studio is a fun and rewarding place to be when the inspiration is flowing; hours disappear and everything thing else fades away as I try to find a way to allow the painting to reveal itself, without my getting in the way. 

Thank you for stopping  by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a wonderful day,

Sandra