Take Back Your Life!

I can see from my own life how we tame our young, how we de-wild them so they are willing to sit in a chair for most of their lives. In a way, we break the young like we break a wild horse. We don’t throw a saddle on their backs. Instead we throw a chair on it and then turn them over. If someone told you as a young child that you’d spend most of your young adult and adult life in a chair, would you willingly go along with that?

I’m thankful that I spent a good chunk of my youth pretty free. Those days have somewhat dried up for today’s kids, but I believe it’s going to swing back. Everything swings back on the pendulum of “this is how you do it.”

Did you know Polaroids have made a comeback? They have a freedom to see and touch and hold the picture immediately that digital does not. I love old pictures of relatives and have them all around my home. The sepia that comes from aging looks beautiful to me. How do you do that with digital when it’s the reclamation and degradation of the photo that makes it look so lovely? I think film will be coming back strong as well. Once the power of wildness trickles up to the experts that folks listen to – and, ironically, they tend to be behind the “what’s next curve,” which makes the whole notion of expertdom rather comical at times.

That said, I’m getting myself more into the wilderness as much as possible. Physically and mentally. I’m going where I haven’t been before with my painting, writing, storytelling, cable show, emotions, eating, living. Everything!

We are caged with our own permission – for the most part. And then willingly do it to others, even though we know on some level we hate it ourselves. Once I decided to unlock my own cage – (I had the key) I started to venture out  more. After being in there for awhile, it starts to feel safe and scary to leave. But I kept putting my toe out farther and farther until I just walked out.

God that felt good!

I refuse to go back in there, even though folks try to entice me back in all the time. Sometimes nicely, sometimes not-so-nicely. No thanks, I’ll take my chances in the wilds of life.

How about you? Are you feeling wild, wanting to feel wild, or terrified of being wild?

Thanks,

G.

p.s. some upcoming “wild” classes

Time & Date: Wednesday, August 20th, 9:30 to noon.
Place: Cheryl’s Cohen’s Mosaics Studio, 360 Woodland Road, Holliston
Cost: $59 for new folks / $54 for returning folks/seniors over 65
Atmosphere: Fun, congenial, liberating

All supplies included. Just sign up and show up! Light snacks provided.

Please check out the link below! I’d love for you to join me and set your wild self free! Wild Painting!

Times & Length: Begins Monday, September 15th for 5 weeks.