Things to ponder……

It’s the weekend and I have a suggestion of a few things to think about (ponder)!  Before we get started let me say something.  I write the pilgrim’s Chronicles in hopes that it helps someone.  First it helps me, I daily, try to write about the things that are on my heart, that God is speaking to me about, or that interest me, and I hope interest you!  I am sure that everything I choose to share is not of interest to everyone who reads my blog, and that’s o.k.  We are not all in the same place, have the exact same interests or are dealing with the same problems, so if it doesn’t apply, it doesn’t apply!  I think this will apply to all of us though!

I’m still absorbing the wonderful book by Chris Orwig,  The Creative Fight, it is a deep read, that requires some thought and introspection, but very valuable to help open your creative eyes and heart. The book can be bought on Amazon and as a Kindle book.  I HIGHLY Recommend it!!

In one chapter Chris deals with the issue of dealing with critiques of your work, (and I might add, your life). He shares some very valuable thoughts on just how to deal with both good and not so good critiques.

He says, “You can’t listen to every comment with equal weight.  As an artist, the goal isn’t to be liked by all.  You have to choose where you’re going to stand and then shine your light.  Complying with every critical word will make your head spin.  As Ann Lamott  put it,”   “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”   With your feet firmly planted, you have to decide what to shine and where to stand.

That is a very important thought and one worth seriously considering.  What are you shining and where are you standing.  My goal is to stand on the solid ground of my Heavenly Father’s Truth.  I attempt to Shine His love and Grace to all who can see it.  Is the light in my lighthouse always clearly visible?  No, sadly some times the fog of my self interest, or ego, or confusion dim the light.  However the light must remain on, firing a beam through the fog, because the fog will lift, and then the light will be clear again, it must remain on even in the dark times.

Chris has exercises at the end of each chapter and at the end of this one he says that we should look to only a few people to get our help.  People we trust completely and we know they will help us out of concern for us, not their own self interest.  He challenges us to make a list of the five people we know we can trust, and whose opinion really matters to us, and that we can turn to for  help.  It took a lot of soul searching to complete my list.  My first person was easy, my wife and love of my life, Sherelene, second, Jim Haverstock, a man whose opinion, thoughts and council I always consider deeply and count on.   Then Jack Graham who I respect and admire deeply both as a photographer, workshop leader, but most as a friend and man I admire.  Then my daughter Catherine who has always been there for me, and who I know will tell me the truth, but gently, and lastly my late father, who was always my father and my friend.  Of course I can take anything to my Heavenly Father and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I challenge you to make your list of five.  Five people you trust. because you know they have your best interest at heart and are not just your friend because of what you can do for them!  Five people you know really love you and are always pulling for you.

Alright, the next thing!  Sherelene has been needing an office and she wouldn’t set foot in the one we were supposed to share because, let’s put it kindly, you could barely walk through my mess.  It depressed her to even come in my office!  So for several days we have been cleaning out and reorganizing, it is almost finished, and now I know what color the carpet is!!!  Something really interesting has taken place during this cathartic project.  I came to realize just how much junk I’ve acquired and how owning anything, even junk, requires your attention, maintaining  it, storing it, protecting it, changing the batteries, all that stuff can rule your life!!!!  So I’m doing something about it!  So far we have carried 16, 24 Gallon Contractor bags out to the garbage!  I already feel sooooo relieved, and I have two more rooms to do, the Darkroom (which now is a massive storage room) and what used to be a projection room, also a storage area, too much stuff!!!!!

I’m going to simplify my work area, and I will be able to do my work with a clear head!  I have long been a proponent of having your gear simple, your approach simple, your compositions simple, now I am going to make my work area simple, well simpler anway!

Blessings,

the pilgrim