Observations

I was wondering if you have ever noticed that you change as you grow older?  Not in like years, or anything like that but I am talking about your tastes.  Some of the food you were able to eat before are not even on the menu because either you don’t like them, or they don’t agree with you any more.

Some weeks ago I bought a painting from Leanne Hughes which was called Happy and it is on the wall next to my comfortable chair where I sit and do my work and relax and sometimes even nap or sleep.  Anyway, I was looking up at it and the stunning colours and beauty and abandon of JOY on the painting thrills my heart with tremendous satisfaction and pleasure.  It’s a touch of the outside right next to me that I can look at and admire.  Also, as it’s so beautiful it is so satisfying.

Now I know that I love colour - well, always have, but I always thought I liked paler coloured ones that gave you a definite sense of place - you know, something traditional and giving a sense of place.  And something that was really, well, nondescript I think you’d say.

Well, HAPPY is a wonderful expression of joy and gladness and relief, so it’s perfect being next to me.  And it’s big enough to cover some smudges on the wall that were annoying me with their presence.  I can look at that while I am working and it helps me so much.  There’s hardly any light colours in it - the flowers are mostly bright and cheerful.  Not a painting I would have chosen years ago.

When we moved here, Johnathan had the ONE red wall in the house.  The only other place that was decorated was the living room with a “feature” wall and pale blue paint on the other walls.  So it’s surprised me that I love these kind of painting and artwork now but that’s ok.

But you know what?  I was thinking maybe we change over the years as changes in our life occur.  We stop liking some things and enjoy others.  That’s not important.  What I believe IS important is living peacefully with others and loving and sharing and helping others.  In life, there is always a give and take.  And we need to be mindful of that in our dealings with ourselves and our immediate family and our wider circle and strangers.

I didn’t think I was going to write today, but, as you can see, the painting has stolen my heart and means more than I realised.  A picture doesn’t just tell a thousand words, there’s an ongoing story that goes with it.