Because You Do Not Know

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May has been a very exciting month. Between being virtually present in a few events (my pieces and posters), computer class at the Literacy Center of Milford, the painting and sculpting parties in Milford and Monroe, the presentation last week at The Grove in New Haven, serving at church, my daughter’s birthday, our community group, family time, and those quiet times by the pool, I can’t complain. I am thankful that I get to do different things. There is never a dull moment for sure. It also gives me the opportunity to meet new people. I am also thankful for all the people I came in contact this month in person, online, and by phone. It is good to meet people and moreover connect with them, because you do not know how one connection leads to another and to others.

We often believe that crossing paths with someone and eventually developing a connection is coincidence. I disagree with that perspective. I believe there is a reason and purpose for those casual encounters. Sometimes all it takes is a ‘hello’ to make a connection. We don’t know if that hello can open the door for you to be a blessing to someone. Some people need a chance to be heard. Some people are looking for someone to share a word. At times we live so in a rush that we miss those opportunities.

Be aware, pay attention, and stop. Perhaps that is the moment when a new connection will be made. Acknowledge the people around you even if you don’t know them. Smile, start a conversation and let it happen. People are more important than tasks, or work, or the things you think you need to do. Perhaps that connection becomes the business connection you’ve been looking for. Don’t miss the opportunity to turn every day in a new adventure.

June is going to be a great month with a new adventure and more people to meet and connect with. This includes training for my new job, lots of painting and sculpting parties, both open to the public and private. There is also an online presentation I’m participating in Wednesday, June 3rd. I’ll be posting details on the homepage. Please, check it out. Join us at one of our painting and sculpting parties. It would be an honor to have you.


 

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Politeness

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Politeness is one interesting word. According to the dictionary definition it has to do with showing good manners in both behavior and words. It has to do with being courteous, considerate, civil, gentle, and respectful. Being polite requires the practical application of awareness of others. The opposite is the antonyms of the previous description. I understand that the opposite of politeness could be summarized in one word: ‘jerk’. I prefer a more polite definition I used several times before to describe that behavior or type of person if you will: ‘an contemptibly obnoxious person’.

I learned through the years to observe people’s behavior from an analytical standpoint with no intention of judging but to seek understanding. Beyond academic level, naturalization, culture, position, type of job, age, religion, or other social categorizations. I like to see people. Everything else is sometimes an excuse to hide what we really are. In my daily observations I see all kinds of behavior. If you ask me, politeness is like learning to draw, paint, sculpt, learning a sport, playing a musical instrument, or singing. All these things can be learned but not all come naturally to us. You can tell when someone is doing things mechanically because they practice or because it is how it is done in an acceptable manner, but it is not something that flows from that person. Take it from me. I have pictures as a kid with many musical instruments, I went to music lessons, tried to learn how to play the saxophone, the bass, and the guitar, and nothing. I don’t make me tell you about my singing.

How to be polite can be learned, and should be learned. Better yet it should be taught. My family knows that we can’t order food in a restaurant or even a ‘drive-thru’ without the proper acknowledgement of the person serving us at that moment. You say the “good morning”, or whatever applies, followed by “How are you?”, “May I”,”please”, and “thank you”. This is not a script. It needs to flow and it needs to be real with everyone. Sadly our society is lacking the capacity of politeness because each person is focused inwardly and seeking only their own personal satisfaction and selfish desires. That is what flows naturally through many people. I understand that certain traces of personality and insecurities that come with antecedents and social upbringing may play a part in how people relate to one another, but still that is no excuse for not being polite.

Politeness can be learned and should be taught as I mentioned before. In a society where people only love themselves it makes a great difference not only for social health, but for physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Good manners matter. Some people fake it and others follow the rules mechanically trying to let it flow, while others are ‘naturally’ polite. Others rely upon a greater source of ‘power’ to relate to people. As people we have many flaws and fall in the behaviors that satisfy our selfish nature…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-33

Relate Humanly

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I enjoy talking to people even when I don’t know who they are. Someone said that strangers are friends you haven’t met yet, or something like that. It is interesting to observe, and figuratively speaking, read a person through simple conversations. We all have a story and each of our stories are or could be interconnected somehow. As you read this our individual stories crossed paths. Paying the cashier at the grocery store and making a simple gesture of acknowledging that person joins the stories together. A simple ‘good morning’ can make a great difference in the life of a person.

Some people is unconsciously waiting for someone to acknowledge their existence beyond a societal function. Some people is hungry for a kind word to remind them of their value as human beings. Someone out there, unknown or known to you, is expecting for you to get your face away from the cellphone for an opportunity to be really social and to expand your network. Talk to people. Listen to people. Give yourself the chance of an interesting conversation and the possibility of new friendships, or simply the opportunity to relate humanly again.

People build walls to protect themselves from being hurt. The scars from the past pushed them to not trust people, to not let them in. People live hurt and hiding behind those walls. However, with time those walls they built begin to suffocate them, to asphyxiate the soul. Kind words and kind gestures can make a person feel alive again inside. A conversation can be that trojan horse that goes inside the walls, but not for destruction, but for healing. Kindness restores broken lives.

Make Art Accessible

showThe art world seems to be socially stratified as some ‘selected group’ of individuals decide what is art and what is not, who is an artist and who is not. The elitist fame of art is not a new trend. It has been like that for many years not only in art acquisition but in art education. No wonder why it is marginalize from the education system. If people can’t find a practical purpose for art education it will always be the first thing to be cut away when funds are limited. Let’s have something clear, when I speak about ‘education’ I am not talking about formal academic education alone but knowledge. When I speak about practical purpose I am not referring to art as objects you can use but knowledge you can expand to different domains. The problem is that only a ‘selected group’ get to understand the ‘mysteries’ of art like it is something out of this world. Some explanations appear to be in a language from another planet to which some people can’t relate to. The opportunity to reach people gets lost in translation. Even a trip to space begins with training on earth. You don’t take people outside our atmosphere to then teach them how to wear the helmet that would keep them alive.

Yes, art has a language of its own. Yes, art should speak by itself. No, we should not explain a piece of art to people. Yes, there should be a connection between the art piece and the individual for it to be meaningful. However, it requires sensibility and wisdom to help people relate to  what they are feeling and thinking in a tangible way because after all art is about human experience not reserved for the ‘elite’ but for all. Art is an experience to be shared by humanity. We are all born with artistic tendencies but we only grow up to pursue these tendencies and appreciate them when given the chance. It also takes courage to engage people in the creative process and to be creative themselves. Yes, art is not for ‘everyone’ in a sense but who are we pick and choose to whom it is for? Why not letting people decide if art is for them or not?

Do not misunderstand me. I am not talking about giving away our creations for the sake of art. That might just ruin the purpose of making art accessible. People should always pay the fair value for a piece of art. When people have a connection with specific artwork they will find a way to get and that would make them appreciate it more. What I am talking about here is about opening the doors and make art accessible and inviting people to engage in the arts with words and actions they can relate with. If only the ‘elite’ can acquire art pieces, that is fine by me, let it be an opportunity for artists to keep creating. Let us keep what makes it art: the human experience.

Where Your Treasure Is

Photo Dec 08, 9 45 36 PMWhat is your goal? What are you looking for? What is the motivation for what you are doing? What is the most important thing for you to obtain? Why am I asking all these questions?

It is healthy to perform an evaluation of our motives in the things we do and what we want to accomplish. Humans have the capacity to align their behaviors based on their goals and behave accordingly. Our goals are informed by our values and how we measure success in our lives. Those same goals will determine our view in life and how we conduct ourselves with others.

Our society sadly measures a successful life based on money. It only takes one quick look at all those wealthy celebrities who are suffering illnesses, depression, depending on medications and illegal drugs, and even taking their own lives. I might sound like a credit card commercial but indeed there are many things money can’t buy.

I personally believe that relationships are more important than things. I believe that touching other people with my art and when I teach is more important than getting paid (that doesn’t mean I work for free or give away my art). Making  a difference in someone’s life is more important to me than money or recognition. Connections with people are more important to me than selling many pieces of art. Yes, selling art is nice. It is my job, as it is teaching, but money can’t be the focus of what I do.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21