ART: Henri Matisse

Dance ii (1910) by Henri Matisse 

Henri Émile Benoît Matisse: 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but is known primarily as a painter.[1] Matisse is commonly regarded, along with Pablo Picasso, as one of the artists who best helped to define the revolutionary developments in the visual arts throughout the opening decades of the twentieth century, responsible for significant developments in painting and sculpture. (Wikipedia)

AOM Meditations: 092018

by Henri Matisse

Thanks to our Friend for sending us this beautiful art

~*~

“As our appreciation of happiness in relationship increases, we take notice of the things that tend to take us away from this feeling. One major catalyst taking us away is the need to be right. An opinion that is taken too seriously sets up conditions that must be met first before you can be happy. In relationships, this might sound like 'You must agree with or see my point of view in order for me to love and respect you.' In a more positive feeling state, this attitude would seem silly or harmful. We can disagree, even on important issues, and still love one another - when our own thought systems no longer have control over our lives and we see the innocence in our divergent points of view. 

The need to be right stems from an unhealthy relationship to your own thoughts. Do you believe your thoughts are representative of reality and need to be defended, or do you realize that realities are seen through different eyes? Your answer to this question will determine, to a large extent, your ability to remain in a positive feeling state. 

Everyone I know, who has put positive feeling above being right on their priority list has come to see that differences of opinion will take care of themselves.”

~Richard Carlson

(You Can Be Happy No Matter What)

AOM Meditations: 033018

by Henri Matisse

Thanks to our Friend for sending us this beautiful art

~*~

"All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with:  that I am nobody but myself."

~Ralph Ellison

~*~

"Be yourself and only yourself.

Be careful what you allow

into your body and into your space.

Even the food you put into your body

is crucial to your well-being

and to your sense of Self.

Take care of yourself.

Do not allow anything outside of you

to contaminate you.

Whatever you read affects you.

The television programs you watch,

the movies you see

and the music you listen to

have a profound impact on you.

Be discriminating.

Be discerning.

But do not be judgmental.

If you live a refined life,

you will become more refined.

Choose your friends wisely.

Do not allow others to get caught up

inside you or attached to you.

And don't you become caught up with

or attached to others.

You must be yourself and only yourself

If you are to know the truth of who you are."

~Leonard Jacobson

AOM Meditations: 121917

Dance II (1910) by Henri Matisse

Thanks to a Friend for sending us this beautiful art

~*~

4 Steps to Facing Your Fears

By Jesse Jacobs

(Source)

"Fear is sticky, like glue. The initial emotion of fear may only last a few minutes, but if we let it linger, it can get stuck in our system for days, months, or even a lifetime.

The sensation of fear is effective if it protects us from real threats. The fight-or-flight reaction has helped humans escape life-threatening dangers over the millennium. But in this era of thinking, creating, and problem solving, our fears are usually unfounded. And when fear sticks in our system, it becomes a toxic influence on our choices, emotions, and actions.

Here are a few tips for getting fear out of your system:

1. Label it.

The first step is to simply notice your fear. As soon as you feel that tightness in your chest, just say, “I’m feeling afraid.” By labeling the fear, you separate the feeling from who you are. It is just a sensation.

2. Accept it.

Once you notice your fear, don’t judge yourself for feeling this way. You’re human; to feel fear is part of our DNA. Instead, be proud of it–if you’re feeling fear, you’re likely pushing your comfort zone and fighting the good fight. Let the feeling flow through you.

3. Let it go.

This is the hardest part, because a part of our mind feels safer clinging to the fear. It feels productive, and we worry that if we let go of the fear, it’ll sneak up and catch us off-guard.

But there’s a difference between being aware of your risks and clinging to fear. Let your fear go, and like a passing rain shower it will soon dissipate.

4. Focus on the present.

Most people dwell on future outcomes that will probably never happen, or past failures that don’t define who we are. We can avoid useless fear by instead focusing on the present.

How do you get present? By stopping right here and now, and taking a breath. As soon as you feel that knot in your stomach, stop everything you’re doing and just sit with it. Turn off your phone, step away from your computer, and take three breaths. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

In that pause, you can let the fear run its course. And once the storm has passed, you’ll move on, stronger and better equipped to face life’s challenges."