Lately, I’ve been overwhelmed by all the input available to me to read, digest and potentially put into practice. When the Kindle came out I was overjoyed that I no longer had to feel guilt for the stacks of unfinished books. I could download onto the Kindle, out of sight, out of mind. If I still don’t read them, they are not physically present to remind me of that. Despite being a visual learner I seem to think I need to read everything in order to learn..crazy!
So why in the past few months have I bought 3 hardcover books, which now languish around the house all with maybe a read chapter or two? Right now there are four magazines and three books on the kitchen table for me to read. One of the books has been there since January!
Beyond the hardcopy books and the Kindle books are all the emails I get with stuff I need to read. Then there are the links to wisdom all over social media. How does one read all this stuff, let alone remember it and have a life? I am finding myself overwhelmed by just too much knowledge. And yet I feel if I don’t read it, or don’t follow it, I am going to become some sort of ignorant dolt.
The irony in this is I am now finishing #12 in the collaborative series. This piece is about my quitting college, which was a big tragedy in my parents’ eyes; yet for me the smartest move I’d made to date. Perhaps this ‘need’ to digest every thing I can get my hands on is a hangover from that time. If I read everything I can keep up with the college graduates, many of whom have not opened a book since!
Years ago I had a healer who told me she never watched the news nor read a newspaper. I thought WOW! And now I get it. For to read some of this stuff, particularly now in another election year, mostly just makes me angry. Why am I doing that to myself? You can call it ignorant if you want, but I think abstaining from it may really the key to sanity. And yes, I do vote, and in fact already have.
My intuitive wisdom continues to awaken me to the fact that I am experiencing artistic and spiritual growth by simply making art, doing the work and being true to myself. Ah “permission” to just let all that other stuff be. How liberating!
Upheaval 2
Today’s image is of my work Upheaval 2 which is currently in the Zeitgeist exhibit at the Petaluma Arts Center (until July 10). This juried exhibit captures the times through art. My work is based on the challenges of a family member with dementia. First it was my parent and now two others have been afflicted so it is a subject with which I have become quite familiar. I was pretty dazzled to see they installed this work on an orange wall. It’s the little things that bring me joy!
Wow, your work on that orange wall is just glowing! I really like the whole piece, and especially the uneven edges.
I totally agree with you about the “too much input” thing. The thing I find is that, with all the electronic information available, I am unable to sit long enough to read a book, something I used to enjoy. Always needing to have a little handwork going on is also partly to blame 🙂
I don’t have a TV, and don’t watch news, which I thoroughly recommend. I have NPR on in the car, and I keep up with enough that way. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts this morning!