Enjoying the Moment

Could anything be more enjoyable than being with wonderfully artistic and accomplished friends at a great opening reception? On the left, Arena Art Group friend Paul Brandwein, a ceramic sculptor, and on the right, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra violist Melissa Matson and her husband John. Melissa is a talented surface designer as well.

The reception at the Arts & Cultural Council on Friday evening went well, with much appreciated support from family and friends and lots of interest in my work from people in the community that were new to me.  Three of the hanging Pages pieces behind us in this image may have a new home soon.

As a bonus to this lovely weekend, the summer issue of Canandaigua Magazine arrived in my mailbox with a five-page feature article profiling me and my art. Since it is only available locally, I’ve created a pdf file of the complete article; when I figure out how to post it to my blog and website, you’ll be able to read it.

Serendipitously, a writing challenge arrived in my inbox this morning from Jonathan Mead with this writing prompt:

Come Alive by Jonathan Mead

Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? Take them off your To Do list and add them to a To Stop list. Resolve to only do what makes you come alive.

Bonus: How can your goals improve the present and not keep you in a perpetual “always something better” spiral?

I’d have to say my response to Jonathan’s question is a resounding “yes.” If I had a week left to live, I would live my life as I am living it now, filled with loving, supportive family members, stimulating interactions with artistic friends and the salty-sweet joys of creating.