I have had a quote & image by my desk for over decade - God with a cartoon bubble asking: Did you draw today?
That is what is expected of me. And a quote :
That is what is expected of me. And a quote :
With persistence & determination my art & faith have gotten stronger & better over time. I paint for pleasure, I use to want to impress others now I paint to impress my creator. I've learned you can't please everyone & some people will not like you or your work no matter what you do. All lessons in life. Some people look for excuses to dislike others and make excuses, choosing everything from skin color to body size, the language you speak, even the way you dress to dislike you. I myself was judgemental when younger, time & wisdom made me realize it's all part of the journey- as we walk each other home. We all know people who are intentionally cruel but we don't always understand why - we also all know others who raise each other up, no matter the differences. I'm grateful for all but especially thankful for humans who try to help each other. Thankfully, I know several. Once I understood - I have one judge, life got easier, better - even JOYFUL.
I saw a post (on a podcast) where someone compared Cannabis to Meth - this is irresponsible imo - Meth kills & quickly & terribly from what I understand. Is there no responsibility ever, for one to admit they have any control in the choices they make - if only at the beginning? I know I had difficulties with alcohol when younger (an alcoholic in my 20's no doubts) but I understood & made choices to stop drinking as it was destroying my life. I WAS in CONTROL of the choices I made & of what I put into my own body. No one forced booze down my throat. Now - in the age of information at our fingertips, I'm confident many know the dangers of all addictions. Addicted to food = obesity, addicted to opiates = death, addicted to alcohol = destruction & death... in most cases. To compare cannabis to Meth? I've never known anyone (& I've met several thousands over the years) that have ever stated this. This is irresponsible - Cannabis & meth are NOT the same, don't fool yourself. We are aware of addictions & side effects. If you struggle - realize it, admit it and choose to try harder, before your addiction becomes your disease. Make choices, before your drug of choice becomes your addiction & possible death.
Do you not agree we are responsible for choices we make?
Then we should be able to continue to make choices as to what we put int our bodies. If you have been following this blog- for over a decade, I've not put "medications" into my body because of side effects. When this 'Twitch' first started it was a tiny tingle in my eye from time to time - the first thing Dr.s did was take me off of my medications - COLD turkey. It progressed to a life altering, chronic pain where I am zapped by my own brain hundreds of times a day, it effected my speech, the way I eat, smile, the way I read & even watch TV & communicate with family & friends, - to the point I self isolated long ago as interacting with others became difficult watching them, watch me in pain. I tired brain surgery - the most extreme solution I could think of and it was not a solution (I am grateful Dr.s tried) & grateful for the choice.
I choose NOW not to put man made medicines in my body & have made this choice for a long time - ask my Dr.s.
They assured me - they understood. I hope they still do. Choice.
It is God that has kept me here. God and art.
I spent years praying for death (especially after the surgery that did not work) and I'm ashamed of that (between me & God), but I did not understand. Now, Im grateful for the lesson. I know it's still a choice. I could choose to medicate (I've been told I would be given for whatever I asked) with pills or alcohol or food. I can choose to be miserable and mean or I can choose to find joy and forgive and create - this is my choice. I choose everyday by painting, to be better.
I choose joy. At some point we should admit it's our choices that have us where we are. Isn't it?
It's still about choice.
Above all else, I choose God. The only choice that continually raises me UP & keeps me seeing the beauty surrounding me.
Another post I found on Instagram:
I saw a post (on a podcast) where someone compared Cannabis to Meth - this is irresponsible imo - Meth kills & quickly & terribly from what I understand. Is there no responsibility ever, for one to admit they have any control in the choices they make - if only at the beginning? I know I had difficulties with alcohol when younger (an alcoholic in my 20's no doubts) but I understood & made choices to stop drinking as it was destroying my life. I WAS in CONTROL of the choices I made & of what I put into my own body. No one forced booze down my throat. Now - in the age of information at our fingertips, I'm confident many know the dangers of all addictions. Addicted to food = obesity, addicted to opiates = death, addicted to alcohol = destruction & death... in most cases. To compare cannabis to Meth? I've never known anyone (& I've met several thousands over the years) that have ever stated this. This is irresponsible - Cannabis & meth are NOT the same, don't fool yourself. We are aware of addictions & side effects. If you struggle - realize it, admit it and choose to try harder, before your addiction becomes your disease. Make choices, before your drug of choice becomes your addiction & possible death.
Do you not agree we are responsible for choices we make?
Then we should be able to continue to make choices as to what we put int our bodies. If you have been following this blog- for over a decade, I've not put "medications" into my body because of side effects. When this 'Twitch' first started it was a tiny tingle in my eye from time to time - the first thing Dr.s did was take me off of my medications - COLD turkey. It progressed to a life altering, chronic pain where I am zapped by my own brain hundreds of times a day, it effected my speech, the way I eat, smile, the way I read & even watch TV & communicate with family & friends, - to the point I self isolated long ago as interacting with others became difficult watching them, watch me in pain. I tired brain surgery - the most extreme solution I could think of and it was not a solution (I am grateful Dr.s tried) & grateful for the choice.
I choose NOW not to put man made medicines in my body & have made this choice for a long time - ask my Dr.s.
They assured me - they understood. I hope they still do. Choice.
It is God that has kept me here. God and art.
I spent years praying for death (especially after the surgery that did not work) and I'm ashamed of that (between me & God), but I did not understand. Now, Im grateful for the lesson. I know it's still a choice. I could choose to medicate (I've been told I would be given for whatever I asked) with pills or alcohol or food. I can choose to be miserable and mean or I can choose to find joy and forgive and create - this is my choice. I choose everyday by painting, to be better.
I choose joy. At some point we should admit it's our choices that have us where we are. Isn't it?
It's still about choice.
Above all else, I choose God. The only choice that continually raises me UP & keeps me seeing the beauty surrounding me.
Another post I found on Instagram:
