IN THE MIDST OF WINTER,
I FOUND THERE WAS WITHIN ME
AN INVINCIBLE SUMMER.
AND THAT MAKES ME HAPPY.
FOR IT SAYS THAT
NO MATTER HOW HARD
THE WORLD PUSHES AGAINST ME,
WITHIN ME THERE’S SOMETHING STRONGER…SOMETHING BETTER,
PUSHING RIGHT BACK.
---ALBERT CAMUS
CONFESSION
Well, here it is, nearly the end to the Summer Season. AND…most of us are surrounding by the mists of turmoil, confusion, and the pandemic currently surrounding the entirety of our Planet.
This shared “disaster” has certainly had its effect upon each and every one of us.
For many, it has instigated a downward spiral into a bleak form of economy…causing a fear of losing nearly everything for which one has worked all of his/her Life to achieve.
For innumerable businesses, both large and small, it has brought about total disaster…forcing owners to declare bankruptcy, and close their shops forever.
Every aspect of our Lives has changed.
To counteract this depressing vision, I have attempted for more than six months to compose, and share through the aspects of social media, daily messages of Inspiration…my DANDELION MESSAGES…which promote Peace, Love, and Hope across all the Nations of our Planet. To say that my messages have been successful, would be somewhat of an understatement. At this time, they reach many, many more than over 100,000 folks in every country, and in every situation. The daily response is, indeed, breath-taking.
BUT…has their effect touched “home” with their author? Is there some “underlying” reason why he pursues such a venture?
WELL…
AS most folks know, the Summer of 2018 presented Life changes beyond immediate comprehension to the message author. Everything, and I DO mean EVERYTHING, changed! For a lonnng time, every action posed a physical challenge. Things which previously were the threshold of his Existence became thrust into the furthest reaches of his Being. Needless to say, his Carousel Carving became a “thing of the Past,” something which he could never again physically pursue.
To this end, his studio became a “catch-all” for every piece of effluvia in his and his wife’s Life…sort of a “garbage dumping” spot.
In fact, the first floor walls of his carving studio were STILL unfinished…insulated, but never completed…a condition which came into effect all the way back in 2006! He was just too busy previously to finish the inside. Now, he simply no longer cared.
The Carousel Lion which he began years previously, still was only half-finished. Moreover, he had placed its parts locked within a trailer on the property. He hadn’t unlocked that trailer since the Autumn prior to his physical disasters. Again, now he simply did not care.
Gradually, his Life began to undergo further developments, both good and not so good. But, he continued to push forward…in most areas, except his Art.
He saw no reason to continue to create his Artwork…AND, he convinced himself that he Just didn’t have the time to work on Art!
WOW!!! All this from a guy who spent days, weeks, and years convincing innumerable folks that Creativity was the “key” to a healthy immune system …and a healthy Spirit.
BUT THEN…
A few weeks ago, he and his wife received terrible Life-altering news in the middle of one night…news which would forever impact every aspect of their Existence.
Two days after receiving this news, he, in an effort to hide his emotionality, this guy, for some unknown reason, decided to unlock the door to their studio/barn.
After entering, he switched-on the overhead light, and cast brightness into the darkened chaos. AND… after a few moments, he unfolded a small stepladder, and sat upon its top rung.
Through the stacks of boxes and collections of “junk,” he saw, still attached with a thumb pin to one of the studs of the unfinished walls a photo taken of him years before.
The photo showed him from the back working upon his carving of a Carousel horse…a replica of one of the original animals from the Conneaut Lake Park Carousel machine. Accompanying the photo was an article written by a reporter of one of our regional newspapers.
The article described what he was carving, and indicated that when completed, his Carousel horse would grace the halls of our regional cancer center. AND IT DID!
While on exhibit, it encouraged many individuals to brush aside their worries and create their own works of Art…which, upon completion, would also be exhibited within the center.
After what seemed like an Eternity, he arose from his ladder-seat, gazed with a clear-eyed Vision across the entirety of his carving studio. As he did so, he felt the embarrassment of his NOT-CARING flood his Heart…
But, as his Vision truly cleared; his Spirit and personal determination once again, whispered into his Being.
TWO WEEKS LATER
The studio walls are completed. The interior is cleared of all its debris. The carving areas are nearly ready to accept the sections of the Carousel Lion..which, although at this moment, are still locked within the trailer, but are roaring every more loudly to him every day. SOON, MY FRIEND, SOON!
WHAT’S THE “CATCH?”
The words of the author and poet, ALBERT CAMUS, hold the “key” to Existence.
Despite all the turmoil, and disaster with which one faces and experiences, HOPE NEVER DIES!
It lies within each one of us…
“NO MATTER HOW HARD THE WORLD PUSHES AGAINST ME, WITHIN ME THERE’S SOMETHING STRONGER…SOMETHING BETTER, PUSHING RIGHT BACK.”
The Dandelion NEVER perishes…as I have often indicated, and as I MORE than believe.
MAY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR EVERY DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE, PEACE, AND HOPE!
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