Where Your Treasure Is
What 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
About the Simple Things
You may know by now that yesterday was my 40th birthday. If you didn’t know, you now can join the other 10,000 people I told about it. It was a great quiet day. I guess that is the advantage of having a birthday on a Monday. I didn’t have big party or crowds. I spent the morning getting ready to renew my driver’s license. That involved shaving my face and head, and getting a nice outfit. After getting my license I just went on to make phone calls and draw a little before going to my daughter’s basketball game. The night continued having dinner with my family at a restaurant. Back home we just watched a show and a basketball game with some writing and drawing in between.
Since I told so many people online about my birthday including yesterday’s post and another post a few days ago, I enjoyed the birthday wishes and comments online. I also enjoyed making some people smile and laugh with the pictures of my Superman onesie my family gave me as gift. I had fun today and it was my kind of day. I am all about the simple things. As long as my family is with me that makes it a special day. There is nothing else I would ask for.
Now I can move on to live this new phase of my life. The next two weeks are going to be very busy. Between moving, classes, presentations, parties, and writing time needs to be used wisely. We all have 24 hours a day. The wisdom is to use time wisely and make sure to have a clear sense of priorities. I mentioned before in different occasions that the relationships with the people around are more important than getting things done. One thing can be taken care of without neglecting the other. Often, the simple things in life are the most important things in life.