Questioning Leadership

The more I read about WWII and watch other historical shows, the more I’m understanding that no matter what you call it – socialism, communism, fascism, Nazism, bolshevism, etc. – it’s all very similar. (These days I’m not even sure where democracy falls with that. Today’s democracy isn’t what I always thought it was.) These leaders all proclaim their intent of providing and caring for THEIR countries, but their true intent is the same. The ONLY people who prosper are the powerful leaders, the wealthy elite and their cronies. (And in this country, that includes big business/pharma.)

 All these programs and such sound good on paper. Charismatic leaders and speakers make pretty promises to convince the public they care about their people. It’s easy to listen to all those ideals and if the speaker is good, the general public is sucked into believing their schemes. (Almost like being hypnotized. We want good. We want to believe it’s possible. We want to believe our leaders care about us. So, when they promise us the moon, we believe.)

But, if you look back through the history of civilizations, the repetition can be seen. Times, circumstances, technologies, and countries may change, but the similarity in the leadership is interesting. What does that say about anyone in power and the human race?

Look at what many leaders have done to THEIR people before they move on to taking over people in other countries.

People need to start looking at the real intent behind the good-sounding promises. What can these politicians really accomplish with all their promises? What will they be ALLOWED to accomplish? The only accomplishment they really seem to care about is in how many votes they can get. How many promises actually come to fruition once they get elected?

Maybe one of the things when listening to candidates is to consider if what they promise can really happen.

I heard about a joke a few weeks ago. Basically, it was about sports people wearing logos of the businesses that support them and how Biden should wear such a coat. I think ALL politicians should wear jackets or lab-type coats with patches showing all the corporations who pay for their campaigns – which will also show the public where the votes of the candidates will go.

These days, I truly believe politicians only care about their constituents until they get elected. It doesn’t matter to them if they’re telling the truth or not. They’re only saying what they think will get votes.

Once in office, it’s all about power and playing in the big leagues. What can they do to become wealthier, support their corporate sponsors, et al. How to play the political game. Their constituents and general public get left by the wayside.

Reading art articles and how-to books

"Falling on a Calm River," 11 x 19 pastel 
Original reference photo courtesy Tara Holdner

The creative writing muses were at war with one another in my head this morning. Multiple topics were vying for attention. It was driving me crazy. Which topic to I write about first? All seemed to be shouting for attention.

Unfortunately, with so many interruptions, I’m just now getting to it four hours later, although some of the thoughts started last night. So, let me get my thoughts together and stir those muses again.

The night before, I had finished the Pastel Journal with reading Lisa Regopoulos’ article. I am impressed and have actually met her a couple times in person. Last night, I read more in Elizabeth Mowry’s book, “Landscape Painting in Pastel.” Her paintings don’t all speak to me because they tend to be too, what I call blurry, (which the proper term is loose.) But I know a lot of artists paint in that style. For me, I don’t get it. I prefer more realistic lines. Still, I admire and respect both these ladies.

There are many interesting tips and suggestions which might help me. However, I found myself getting a little confused with some of the explanations on how the artists work. Reading doesn’t give all the nuances of what a class would give. And, of course, they’re always promoting taking classes. But I don’t want to take classes.  I don’t want to leave the house, nor will I participate in an online class. (Past group classes haven’t always worked for me because I am adamant about not doing what everyone else does.)

I’ll also admit, sometimes when reading, I’m just in a hurry to get through the text. Part of it is because I am adamant about not doing exactly what other artists are doing. I have taken notes occasionally, but then I never review them. So, I am wondering… what can I do to remember suggestions that interest me?

If I don’t stop reading to take notes, often what I read slips away. Hmmm, maybe I need to read articles many times – like when learning in school and having to study. Maybe multiple readings of the sections that call to me will make them sink in. Rereading could help me fully comprehend what’s being said.

Perhaps I could better copy the suggestions I like to make easily readable printed pages which I can review often. With that, I could also look up terms I don’t fully understand. (Not going to an art school, I am missing some of the basics. Yeah, I’ve picked up techniques and such along the way, but the lack of basics sometimes haunts me.)

For instance, after all this time, I’m still somewhat confused on values… shades of light and dark. A lot of emphasis is placed on values. I feel I’m missing something in my understanding of this topic.

Then, too, here is another time-consuming aspect to take me away from actual painting and writing. But I feel I lose so many good points by not paying better attention to other artists. Then, too, wouldn’t some of those tips help me be a better painter? Not to be like them, but just to strengthen my own talent and style.

  

Being Overcome with Worry

Bright sunlight speckles foliage up the hill across the dark brook; pale yellow on the thick covering of dark green leaves. The foliage currently hides homes on the next road over.

Fallen branches along the brook reach long, bony fingers along the shoreline and onto rocks. Two different fingered branches look to be clasping a big rock as if trying to hold it out of the water. A big piece of log is wedged in the crevice of a massive boulder in the middle of the brook. Every once in a while, a shimmer in the water catches my eye as a bit of sunlight slips through the trees.

I’ve been struggling the past couple of years. I can blame some on the “plandemic” and the constant barrage of bad news, but other life issues have seemed to escalate lately, too. Rising costs, home maintenance, an old body wearing out, etc., seem to compound issues into emotional massive crash and burns.

The Sept. 2 “Sunday Coffee” email from Eric Rhoads on “Worry About Worry” was very meaningful. What? Does he know who I am and what I’ve been emotionally going through? No, it’s not just about me. Many people experience the same things; maybe not exactly the same scenarios, but the similarities show we are not so all alone.

I enjoy Rhoads’ insight and his topics often hit home. I love how he writes – he always starts with wonderful descriptions of the beauty around him. Then he continues into the main body of the current subject. His comments are always on point and helpful. Plus, he often includes personal story to further show how he also experiences some of these issues and how he overcomes them.

Rhoads said, “… experts say depression is often driven by the perfection that others appear to be living.”

That’s what I think, even though I’ve never said it so clearly. And this is one of the reasons I insist on writing about real life, personal life… not telling a fairy tale or only talking about all the wonderful things that happen. I truly believe it’s important to talk about all aspects of life. We shouldn’t have to hide who we are and are experiencing for fear of making someone else uncomfortable.

That said, care does need to be taken with who we admit things to. We can’t admit some topics to just anybody in conversation, but writing speaks to some allowing others to ignore it if it doesn’t apply to them.

Rhoads also said, “If we allow worry and fear to consume us, we make life harder.”

This is something I’m working on as I’ve fallen into that hole. This is also a reason why I can’t listen to mainstream media news. It’s all depressing and leads me to believe there is no help for the country. Lately, it seems the news only has the negative. If I’m not careful, I succumb to only seeing the world as a negative place and there being no hope for mankind.

Then I read about people taking road trips and seeing beautiful places around the country. See, it isn’t all bad news. There are wonderful things out there. It’s sad that I’ve chosen not to go on any more adventures.

It’s almost kind of funny. After daring to go on a solo driving trip in 2013, doing another in 2015, then one to a wedding in Wichita in 2016, I thought I would continue doing a lot of travel and writing travel books. It was so wonderful and fun seeing parts of the country and sites I’d never visited before.

What happened? Why did I stop going places?

It started because of fear. As much as I loved driving, there were moments of intense fear. Traveling alone doesn’t give you anyone to rely on. I’m uncomfortable in heavy traffic and city areas are not comfortable. Sometimes I wasn’t sure what lane I was supposed to be in.

However, the beauty and joy of the sights seen were sometimes breathtaking. Acres of rolling farmlands, incredible heights of mountain ranges with jaw-dropping scenery, crossing rivers over spectacular bridges, and finding spur-of-the-moment places to visit added to the adventure made the journeys unforgettable.

Unfortunately, I gave in to the fear, the stories of violence, road rage, and more. There are the expenses, too, which have risen out of control. Even if I wanted to visit other states, these days, besides being afraid, I don’t feel I can afford to travel anymore. Oh, well. Guess I’ll just concentrate on my art. It works for me.