15 plus hours of processing and marinading
A friend of mine stopped by yesterday afternoon and after a lovely visit her parting words to me were… ” you just need to learn to be content.” Now seeing as she is my BFF and has the uncanny ability to ALWAYS speak her mind with me the comment did NOT offend or insult me. It did however inspire me. So after about 15 plus hours of processing and marinading on this I have some thoughts…….
What does it really mean to be content? Is this a subjective definition? Does one really know whether someone else is content or not? And, is contentment something I, personally, strive for?
So, my reference of choice these days is Merriam-Webster so why go else where…
contentment: the state of being satisfied with one’s possessions, status or situation.
As I break this definition down I am left bfeeling reaffirmed. I absolutely am not content nor do I necessarily strive for that particular state of being. I guess I can’t help but think if I ever attained true contentment I would loose my drive and passion for my work, the very thing I exist for, I live and breath for. You see I can’t help but think it is my own discontentment of all that is, where so much of my inspiration comes from. That almost primal hunger to deconstruct all that Is through my own creative process and come out on the other side with a deeper understanding and connection of the human condition.
Isn’t this what really matters? Living fully and completely during the short time we inhibit these bodies? Connecting with and creating more intimate relationships with those around us? Risking our own vulnerability for a deeper more meaningful life experience?
So am I content? F*** no! But do I wake up everyday ready to face my Self and do the work , fight the good fight in order to live more meaningfully, love deeper and connect more fully? I think that is the question we should be asking our selves……even at the risk of our own contentment. xo
Views: 77
Comment
-
Comment by Mary Faith on September 4, 2011 at 12:31am -
I think it is important to be comfortable in your own skin, and to not let your reality overwhelm you or bring you down, but content? Never! I equate that to being stagnant. If we were all content there would be no explorers, no inventors, the end of evolution of all kinds.
-
Comment by Bronwyn Palmer on September 1, 2011 at 5:24pm -
Well said Rich!
-
Comment by RichAnt on September 1, 2011 at 4:13pm -
This is an excellent post. I often have been told this myself. And perhaps at one time or another I was discontent. However what I now realized also is... contentment and complacency are words I think a lot of people get confused. You see one can be content yet strive to achieve a higher level of contentness (If that's even a word). Just as long as you enjoy and savoir the journey. Change what you can change and accept what you cant change w/o bitterness. When you're complacent, on the other hand, you somehow adopt a "good enough" mentality. You become satisfied with mediocrity, possessing no real aspirations to do and be more. That my friend is dangerous and unhealthy behavior. If your fire and passion begins to burn out and you fall into this complacent category then your friend should worry. You seem to me to possess a healthy balance so fight the good fight my friend and carry one.
-
Comment by Bronwyn Palmer on August 31, 2011 at 8:31am
-
I think there is a difference between contentment and wholeheartedness. Wholeheartedness is the thing to strive for. Perhaps what it comes down to is gratitude. I think it is possible to be discontent, but still grateful for what you have even as you strive for something better. Discontentment that is attached to disappointment and bitterness is a whole other kettle of fish -- but I know that you are not talking about that kind.
So continue to fight the good fight Loryn. As you said, the striving is what makes you feel more fully creative and alive. Striving for excellence is not being discontent it is about the search for meaning and beauty.
Your posts always make me think... thanks for that!
-
Comment by Nikko Miladinovich on August 31, 2011 at 5:27am -
Well said. I'll add more once I've had a chance to marinate as well :-)
Badge
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Birthdays Tomorrow
Music
HERE ARE 2 LINKS to TWO of my youtube videos talking and demonstrating about this amazing product:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIc02QBihJQ&feature=share&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zAPZn5TEyM&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg&index=41
So once i have my image printed onto transparency film, I take my Ezscreen silk screen which has been coated in light sensitive emulsion (These sheets come pre-coated so they are ready to use). Place it onto a black board, then place the transparency image on top (this part needs to be done in a dark room with no direct sunlight). I take it outside and expose it for 1 minute and 40 seconds (but time varies depending on time of day and strength of sunlight). After i have exposed the image i place it into a tub of water for around 5 - 8 minutes. Then i rinse the screen out under fast running water until the unexposed area (the black) washes away. I then expose the screen to the sun for a further 20mins to completely harden the light sensitive emulsion.
And this is the completed screen ready for printing. I simply use an old credit card to spread the ink over the screen making sure i do one complete full stroke across the screen (holding the credit card at a 45 degree angle). I immediately wash the screen out under fast flowing water and pat dry. I use fabric screen printing ink which washes out in water (which makes the process easy).
I love this product, their website is http://ezscreenprint.com/ (for full instructions and details on how to purchase this awesome product).
© 2013 Created by Greef.
You need to be a member of Loving Mixed Media to add comments!
Join Loving Mixed Media