Wendy Ervin Fine Art
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Grace brings contentment

12/21/2013

2 Comments

 
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I love Yogi Tea…there's a tea for every predicament and I have a couple faves that I drink daily. On the flip side of the label are brief words of wisdom and this particular one caught my eye one morning: "Grace brings contentment." Oh, Yogi (tea), you are so right and in those 3 words there is a world of wisdom! I think I understand what contentment means…at least I know what it feels like: relaxed, peaceful, happy enough, ok with the rest. But "grace"? Do I really know "grace"? 

What a silky, smooth word it is, sliding off the tongue like lotion. One syllable containing a universe of meaning. Not the same as "mercy", but a sister of "forgiveness." Grace knows the score, but doesn't keep it; views the ugly, but sees beauty, finds goodness. Grace, from my finite side of it, seems Eternal and reaches into my limits and lifts me up and out. It elevates the meaning of contentment from satisfaction to something else, something higher. Can everything be redeemed by Grace? 

If I want to become a better artist, I must have grace with myself. Ego likes to fuss at grace and strains at being teachable and flexible. Grace says keep trying, keep moving forward. Maybe grace has a sense of humor and can laugh at botched attempts. "Look at that," she says, "What WERE you thinking?!" but with freedom, not blame, and fresh eyes to see the next step. I feel that it is A-ok to fall a little bit in love with my paintings, even when they are messy and works-in-progress; grace makes room for that even while pressing me onward toward excellence. It's freedom to fail, because failure isn't the last word with Grace.

I hope for all ya'll (all you all) this Christmas season…GRACE... that brings contentment, freedom, joy. 

Blessings!!!

2 Comments
Betty
12/22/2013 02:28:40 am

I get posts from a site called Inward&Outward, and when I read your blog I went back and copied December 20th's submission. It echoes the heart of your entry, and here it is:
Peace
Do you think peace requires an end to war
Or tigers eating only vegetables?

Does peace require an absence from your boss, your spouse, yourself?
Do you think peace will come some other place than here?
Some other time than now?
In some other heart than yours?
Peace is this moment without judgement.
That is all.

This moment in the heart-space where everything that is, is welcome.

Peace is this moment without thinking that it should be some other way
That you should feel some other thing
That your life should unfold according to your plans.

Peace is this moment without judgement.

This moment in the heart-space where everything that is, is
welcome.

Dorothy Hunt

Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your heart. And thank you Dorothy Hunt whoever and where ever you are. My heart sings with you both.

Reply
Wendy
12/24/2013 06:26:26 am

Wow, Betty! That knocked my socks off! I love it when someone is able to articulate in plain English the wisdom we so desperately need. Thanks for sharing. I endeavor to apply it!

Reply



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    Hello! My name is Wendy and I am passionate about oil painting! Whether in the studio or out in Mother Nature, I get lost in the experience of capturing on canvas the moment and the feel of what I am painting. I pour my love and energy into every single piece of artwork and I hope it shows! This blog is a place where I can use words to talk about art, painting, life, faith, things that make me laugh, and things that inspire. I love every response, so don't be shy about leaving a comment...

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