ARTIST OF LIFE

The artist is not a special kind of man, but every man is a special kind of artist. Ananda Coomaraswamy 1877-1947 Transformation of Nature in Art (1934)

Do you think only famous people like Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci are artists?

PRAISE YOURSELF, FOR YOU ARE AN ARTIST TOO.

Some people build monumental works that are remembered for ever. But how do they sculpture their own lives?

Indeed, life is an art. You are your own sculpturer. You are not separate from the sculpture. Like with all other artists, the sculpture that you make is an expression of your own thoughts - a manifestation in form. You do not see the thoughts. You are limited to see only the forms. However, more important than the forms are, certainly, your thoughts.

If you've thoughts of joy, peace, good health, then, you realize you're surrounded by true abundance which can help you build the greatest work of art - your life.

How do you sculpture your life? Why, for some of us, it is easier to sculpture than others?

Saul Bellow wrote (George Plimpton, Writers at Work, 1967) "I feel that art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos. A stillness which characterizes prayer, too, and the eye of the storm. I think that art has something to do with the arrest of attention in the midst of distraction."

All of us share the need to still our minds. But not all of us are able to achieve such stillness, especially in the midst of turmoil. This is the core of the artistry of life.

Think of your life as a garden. Have you ever tried to cultivate your own garden? Is it easy or difficult? Whether it is indoors or outdoors, you need, at least, planting soil, seeds and water. You need also patience, dedication and concentration. Above all, you need to remove all the blocks that are preventing you from cultivating your garden. Thoughts of fear, hate, anger and even stress, have to be out of the way, for this is the kind of distraction that prevents you from sculpturing your life in a peaceful and loving way.

Extra patience may be necessary. You must try, again and again, to let go of all the thoughts that prevent you from planting your garden. You may wonder where your thoughts come from.

Painful thoughts can come only from your lower self, whereas joyous, and loving thoughts can come only from your Higher Self.

How can you remove the thoughts that you do not want? First you need a point of reference and an image. The point of reference is your heart, the image is the ray of light that exists within you.

It is a privilege to be living at a time when science confirms what mystics, philosophers and others, have been saying all along: Light is everywhere and therefore within you.

Whether you pray to God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, the Sun or, even if you do not pray at all, it is important that you recognize that you've a heart and that you are a beautiful Ray of Light - what you call that Light, it does not matter.

Consequently, bring your awareness to your heart, if possible, place your hand on it. Close your eyes. Remember the light within you. Imagine a beautiful ray, and choose a bright color or, even, a rainbow. Ask to let go of thoughts of fear, anger, stress, etc., that are preventing you from cultivating your garden. Then, just concentrate on your heart and the ray of light. How long you hold on to this concentration is up to you. However, let me assure you that if you achieve an instant of peace, you are already a winner.

Your garden will bloom ete
ally, and so will your trees, plants and bushes. An abundant harvest will follow. Be grateful for who you are, and for your achievements: they will be admired by many that you cannot see or hear.

Now, you know how to become an artist of life.

Article written by:
Odete Martins Bigote
Copyright September 2001