Time for a Change?

Searching? A scene from the Owl House, Nieu Bethesda.

Funny thing about life is that change is scary to most people. Funny because change is a constant fact of life. We should be comfortable with change since that is the way the big picture works. Farmers know this. The seasons and occasional extreme weather patterns are just that - patterns. Farmers who cannot live with these patterns will sell up. I do not know much about farming so let me use art and business as an example.

For the past year or so I have been told and have read this too, that the economy is at its worst ever. No matter how low those interest rates drop people are just not buying. Art sales are at the lowest ever and have you seen the petrol price? (Did I mention that I have stopped reading newspapers).

Looking back over this period I have realised something. What we think of as disturbing change is merely a pattern repeating itself. It is very difficult for there to be real change. If it was easy we would be changing things, but we remain mostly passive. Pushed around by these patterns, confused and fearful. This is a choice we make for ourselves and conveniently blame it on others or circumstances beyond our control.

Have you seen those big shoals of fish that move like big clouds billowing in and out. Changing shape all the time to avoid trouble. This pattern of behavior is a defence mechanism to confuse predators. When there are thousands of fish together what does it matter if a thousand or two get gobbled up. The majority may still survive. Thing is - dolphins know this and they will whittle that shoal of fish down to a handful and those fish still cannot change their pattern of thinking. Fortunately we can change our pattern of thinking.

I have noticed that in quiet months my  thinking falls into a self-fulfilling pattern. It is the economy and things are just down. Look at everyone else going through the same problem. Truth is the universe does not care what mode of thinking I use. It just gives me more of what I think about. If I lose focus completely and scramble in panic mode I may kid myself by saying that I am putting a plan of action together. All I get in return is more confusion and doomsayers confirming my doubts.

I caught myself in this pattern recently and recognised it for what it was. Taking a step back and cutting off the stream of negative energy I simply took my place in front of the easel and started creating again. Literally within a day I had fresh positive ideas and collectors visiting my studio. 
The lesson learnt was that the patterns I choose to fall in with are just that - a choice. Will I make the mistake again? Sure - I am human after all.
What I can say is that as an artist the creativity needed to paint is also needed in every aspect of my life. If we can accept change and adapt by taking the opportunities that change creates then we are living actively. Positive or negative patterns are just that - we choose the pattern by our thoughts and actions or inaction.

So embrace positive change and act on the opportunities that the universe presents to you. Chances are you have already thought of several positive actions or ideas while reading this blog.
See how effortlessly it works?