An unfinished work of art...
Greetings everyone! I have missed writing my blog and today I am anxious to share some personal things with you.
Last July 7th, I had a small but significant life changing event. On the way home from the coast where I had been painting, I had what we call a 'minor stroke' or TIA.
A hospital neurologist in Birmingham spent a generous amount of time with me.
We discussed how life slowly gets on an elevated plane of speed where we get caught up into thinking we are more efficient if we accept responsibility for the failure of the world and convince ourselves that we can straighten it all out by neglecting our own life and health (happiness!!) and just work harder and longer to get it done.
This is usually a woman thing, but not limited to just women.
I left the hospital 3 days later with a wonderful feeling that I had just been given a new lease on life.
I began my new life with a commitment to live better, for myself, my family and God.
Looking back from the top of the Boston Lighthouse...
Getting away from life sometimes gives us a better view of it all.
Later that next week, my aunt shared with me a program of meditation being used to help the soldiers returning from the Middle East. Not only is it doing wonders for them, but has been proven to improve our health, bring a wonderful level of peace and make life as Jesus tried to teach his followers:
Be Still and Know
I have read more than a dozen books on the subject and have found that I am painting better than ever with my new "mindfulness." I was asked to paint a special work for our newly renovated sanctuary at Livingston Chapel Methodist in Crane Hill. I spent 8 FULL weeks working on it and to my delight, I was as enthused in the last week as I was in the first week! This was an amazing feeling.
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| Tell Me The Stories of Jesus |
Normally, a large work has a half way point where I wish it would hurry up and be done.
Not this one!!
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| Enlightenment |
So what have I learned from my lesson on living?
The answer is.... things I wish I had learned a long time ago!!!
I look forward to sharing my new discoveries with everyone! Even if you are not an artist, you can find a new life with greater peace, joy and creativity. Life is forever young if we have purpose.
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| Little lamb from "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus" |
I established my reputation as an American Lighthouse artist with "Pride of Biloxi"
Today I did the under-painting of rough color for what will probably be "Pride of Biloxi VII"
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| An unfinished work of art....my life and my art. |
I feel as if I am at the top of the Boston lighthouse and looking back at my world. The sky is blue. The day is new and I am filled with inspiration.
I would love to share what I have learned with everyone. If it is meant to be, it will happen!
I am no longer 'managing life,' but instead living it to the fullness of its own purpose.
Magnolias Forever,
Donna Peters
ps:
Thank you to my dear friend Mary O'Neal who has encouraged me to continue my blog!!
Love you back Mary!!!
Donna Peters, artist
e-mail: donnapeters@donnapeters.com
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