One of Those Weeks
Have you ever had one of those weeks? You might know what I am talking about here. There are weeks when a lot of things decide to happen together. Last week was one of those weeks for me when so many great things happened together that I am still trying to recount them all. I am so thankful for each one of this blessings. Among all those blessings, I had the opportunity to teach three nights, three different subjects: basic computer skills, painting, and sculpting. Of course, on each one many other teaching opportunities came along. My wife says that no matter what I am doing I find the chance to teach something. I can’t stop myself from teaching something, because I learn through teaching.
Being an educator is a challenge but it is also an amazing blessing. It doesn’t matter what the subject is. In ancient Greece the concept of subjects was technically the concept of branches of practice but it came from the three of knowledge and had to be connected to its trunk and rooted in practical life. Subjects were not isolated concepts. Specializations, so to speak, had a purpose in service. Switching subjects was a continuum. Math and music could be having a discussion together, and philosophy could assist the conversation inviting science to share its point of view while a poet put to rhythmic speech the historical account of the piece of art being created with the brush or under the chisel.
I see knowledge as one unlimited supply of interconnected events, points of views, interpretations, results from experience and experimentation, explanations of our surroundings, assumptions of what we don’t know based on the things we do know, and abstract descriptions of an idea. As I explained to one of the participants: “Everything we see, hear, and say is an abstraction of an idea”. Letters are the abstraction of the idea of a sound that we translate into a symbol, but that sound itself is an abstraction of the idea of that particular sound. Objects are abstractions of ideas producing symbols we get attached to. The object perish, and the symbol changes its value based on time and context, but the idea remains. Sadly, humans attach themselves to so many perishable abstractions instead of taking hold of the idea. Even more so, we often forget to rely on the source of life who put the idea into visual and palpable realization with just speaking.
On that thought, I begin my week still in awe and spiritually refreshed after witnessing how 43 individuals made a profession of faith last night through baptism at City Church. It is such a fulfilling experience to hear each story towards transformation. It is also great to share this experience in community with a bunch of strangers that become family in Christ. This week we just began can be one of those weeks too if only we focus on being thankful, on keeping the faith with patience to see the fulfillment of the promise of God.
April is almost coming to an end but there are still things to do and classes to teach. I continue the computer class at The Literacy Center of Milford, and if you are missing on all the fun of the painting and sculpting parties, we are going to be sculpting at The Grove in New Haven, Friday, April 24. The events for the month of May are listed also so you can RSVP with time. You can also request private sculpting and painting parties, as well as art lessons.
One of the most challenging elements of the sculpting parties is to help people see the human body as a continuous flow of organic shapes. Most people see the human body as 4 planes: side, side, front, and back. You can see the edges joining those 4 sides making them almost independent from each other. I have to repeatedly prompt people to make it organic by eliminating the sharp edges because it needs to flow. Every part of the body has independent significance and we can dedicate a lot of time on each one, but the most important aspect is to make all the separate parts a cohesive unit. It is one body. All the parts make one.
Because You Do Not Know
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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