Gratitude, or Happy Dependance Day!

Fireworks boomed all around us. Beginning yesterday afternoon long into the night. Perplexed and a little miffed, I wondered what people were celebrating in these times of pestilence and needless loss. My mind--that ever critical Virgo mind--set about trying to understand this place that feels so foreign to me now. Where did compassion, overcoming obstacles together, solidarity and doing the right thing go?
Maybe you feel this way. Maybe not. I'm not here to proselytize. This is a blog about my journey of joy through the practice of the Zentangle Method. And although it might feel good to get some of my opinions and questions off my chest, there are other places for that.
But that yearning for better times persists on this Independance Day, and I think that I can, through my practice, find some clarity and direction.
What is the first step of the Zentangle Method?
Gratitude and appreciation.
And the last step?
Appreciation.
These are the alpha and omega. I try to be grateful in all things, at all times. For physical beauty in nature. For the tools I use in my daily life. For the love of my family and friends. For my journey thus far.
Recently, as I sit down to draw, I've started to take a moment to be mindful and grateful for the tools I use--pen, pencil, tortillon, paper--and for the people who brought them to my table. This is an extension of expressing gratitude before you eat. I turn my heart to all those who brought my food, even my artistic nourishment, to my table. And then I think of their families and offer a wish for them to have food and nourishment on their tables, and love in their hearts.
We are so dependent on others, in so many ways. Self-sufficiency, which can be noble in itself, can only go so far. Especially now, when we depend on others for our physical health and protection. I want to be grateful for this newfound DEPENDANCE on others. I hereby declare DEPENDANCE DAY, and it is every day, to celebrate our connection. And I invite you, in your Zentangle practice, to celebrate with me.

 

Birthday card for my dear sister, Renni

PS: Independance or independence? Looks like both are accepted. I've deliberately chosen "-dance", in the hope that my gratitude will leap and fly like Baryshnikov.