Thursday, January 7, 2010


A Worthy Goal


The final hours of a blustery decade were packing their bags to depart, no doubt grumbling over the poor visibility this night was providing, for an exaggerated fog had descended, to embroider the streets with swirls and swells of grey. It seemed somehow fitting that this decade of trouble should be forced to slip away in the mist, denied the grandstanding departure a clear, star-filled night would afford.


Just behind the glowing windows of our favourite neighborhood cafe, we four friends sat enjoying our final meal of the year, cozy, warm, talking, laughing, saying yes to dessert. Naturally, as round most tables on this night, the talk eventually arrived at thoughts of plans, dreams and resolutions for the baby new year right upon us. We thought at first it might be diverting to choose goals for one another. This was entertaining for a while, but when the conversation gathered up ideas of square-dancing and monster-truck rallies, we knew the plan was doomed.


Later as we walked through the fog, my friend, the painter, told me her chief goal for the year was to endeavour to find her “true voice” in her art, to discover and interpret the genuine essence of herself. As I considered this later that night, I thought, should not that be the goal of everyone, artist or writer ... butcher, baker, candlestick maker? To resolve never to have one’s sleeve tugged by what others may do, nor be ensnared by the trends of the day? To be, not a mimic nor an echo, but a clear crisp voice of authenticity in a murky world of performers, those frantic to do what the others do, to think what the others think, to look like the others look.


Each of us, I believe, has been bequeathed by the heavens our very own colour palette with which to paint the canvas of our life. How sad if we spend our time here on earth longing for the reds and browns used by someone else and never notice the magnificent blues and greens that are ours.

Authenticity.

A most worthy goal for any year.


39 comments:

  1. Bravo! It's time to stop living on the surface of life and delve a little. look up a little. See what your space is all about.
    Cindee

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  2. You have this one completely correct!

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  3. Very wise words, my friend! We need to catch up soon. Happy New Year to you and the Songwriter and of course, Edward and Apple!

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  4. A most poignant post here Pamela. One to give great thought to. I sometimes am pushed toward red when I should be making a path toward blue. ...but if you gotta be blue...be bright blue!

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  5. A most worthy goal indeed. I am so cheered by this post. No more tugged sleeves...no more palettes that are not truly my own. Yes, this suits me fine!

    Thank you for all these thoughtful inspiring words...

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  6. Your post rings so true to me as a woman and mother, artist and designer. To be authentic, not to fall for common ways, to stand up for ones believes or the lack of it, to hang in with difficult desicions, to feel the way in the dark and not to give up the sense of beeing true to oneself.
    A mighty goal indeed!
    Thank you for reminding me!
    And a happy New Year to you and the songwriter and the lovely dog companions!

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  7. Wonderfully authentic! I think that is the key to happiness. Embrace quirks, errors and find beauty in a new palette.
    pve

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  8. Well said, Pamela! For me it would be blues and yellows:)

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  9. Love this post Pamela. I think countries have their own palettes also, one only has to think of Tuscanny, or the mottled green and greys of Scotland/Ireland,the marigold yellows,pinks and fuschia colours of India and Mexico, and here in Australia, the bright ochres and sage green,and brightest of blue skies. How wonderful and exciting it is to travel and dabble and play with these palettes until we return to our familiar"authentic" colour scheme of our country of origin, some choosing to eventually "change palettes".When are you booking your next trip to the Scotland we both know and love? I'd go tomorrow if I could!! xx

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  10. Jump in and follow your passion!One of a kind authentic selves! That is why I paint Art is my passion, my escape, my extreme excitement! I always hope it will make a difference in others lives!

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  11. Hear ye, hear ye, Pamela of the House of Edward has made a declaration to which we should all aspire!

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  12. I think that, as we get older this philosophy falls into place. I truly know my colours and am happy with them, Pamela. XXXX

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  13. Eloquently expressed and food for thought.
    I believe a little self-reflection is in order...

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  14. Yes, I am also one of the fortunates. I found myself to be a good fit and I see no reason to change.

    A wonderful philosophy, nicely expressed. Thank you.

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  15. You are absolutely right about being authentic and true to yourself. Happy New Year!

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  16. Beautiful as is everything you share.

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  17. You make me realize that even this late in life and withour knowing it myself, I had after all made a resulution.
    A Michaelangelo or Monet I know I am not up to, but even it it is but an occasional Arija I will be satisfied.

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  18. So true...your true colors are shining through your words..always:)

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  19. So true, Pamela, so true. But sometimes I fear some of us have spent so long looking at and wishing for other people's reds and browns that we've totally lost sight of our own greens and blues. This is definitely something to aspire to, though.

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  20. We have a new addition. Her name is Phoebe Mac Kay. I think that Wallace is going to be her best friend and big brother.

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  21. Oh! I love the journey of this post-- thank you thank you! It's easy to see the truth in it; another thing (for myself at least) to see the vision/quest come to fruition, though our purpose is to at the very least, be in the process, yes?

    My sister has been doing a sort of revolving "bookclub" based on a book about just this very thing; finding your creative spiritual personal expression- how to move through the obstacles and distill the purity of your own indwelling creative voice.

    Now I'm doubly inspired! (and wish I could remember the name of the book to share!)

    Beautifully, the w.v. is "mierstro" close enough to maestro !

    xo

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  22. What a fun and cozy New Years Eve with friends! I enjoyed your descriptions – so evocative. I loved the painting metaphor: so true and beautiful. One of your best posts! Happy New Year!

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  23. you are so right pamela.....so much of life is mundane...I will strive to be different!!!

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  24. If authenticity can be paired with enjoyment than I think that is the key, for no matter what the quest if it is not enjoyed to its conclusion than all was for not.
    Susan

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  25. Most beautifully and authentically said.
    I'm reminded of the line "Tis the gift to be free, tis the gift to come down where you ought to be" from the Quaker hymn, Simple Gifts, one of my favourites.

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  26. Just found your blog. You have lovely writing!

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  27. What a wonderfully inspiring post, thank you . Wishing you a New Year filled with Happiness,Love, Good Health, and Wealth. Lindax

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  28. I wonder why it is that many of us find it so hard to dance to our tune? Thankfully some do and the world is a better place for it! Leigh

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  29. Carl Jung, "Our lives are about getting the outside to match the inside."

    1st read that over a decade ago. Still endeavoring to achieve it.

    Ha. 1st thing I did after reading it was clear out closets. Loads/loads to Goodwill.

    You are the perfect example of being oneself. Attracting so many with your words. Words from your soul.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  30. And you, dear Pamela already possess that true voice of authenticity. I hope that this year you put all your lovely and enchanting thoughts on paper, and write a book to share with the entire world.

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  31. Hello P&E,

    Being oneself ought to be easy but emulating someone else might offer a (false) sense of security - far simpler than putting onself 'out there' to be pointed at, poked and prodded! Rather like a room; sticking with magnolia means one can't make a mistake!

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  32. This is such a timely piece of writing for me to read today as I try to plan out the year ahead which is going to be full of major changes for me. It always seems such a major challenge to not get caught up in the pressures of our consumer, status society and be who we were meant to be which may be at odds with cultural pressures.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughtful words which have given me wise advice for the new year.

    Gillian

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  33. Authenticity! Yes!
    How well you express the feelings of my heart.

    A Blessed and Healthy New Year!

    xox

    Isabel

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  34. hellooo dearie,
    because your bog in so beautiful...
    i have tagged you for an award,

    xx

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  35. Exquisite! Thank you for this....

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  36. I agree - authenticity is so important. It's struck me more and more as I get older.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!