I’m a creative, experienced, multi-purpose artist and art director
who can take projects start to finish in a variety of styles.

Good designs sell –
my designs sell out!

Friday, October 18, 2013

"Entangled"

I had a dream once, or maybe it was a meditation… whatever you call it, I was thinking about my place in the world and the “why” of the universe when I saw a pattern in my mind of criss-crossing lines with points of light at certain intersections.


Never let it be said that I can’t quote a Republican once in a while, and I actually thought I was quoting Hillary Clinton (which annoyed me almost as much), but no, it was Papa Bush.  Politics aside, I understood my vision to be the idea that I served a purpose in the universe.  I was a point of light, and I saw the connections between others.  It all made sense to me for a moment.

Sometimes I remember the vividness of this vision when I think about the threads of lives weaving in and out like invisible spider webs.  People I‘ve forgotten resurface after decades and tell me I did something that meant something to them.  I’m glad I didn’t know it at the time or I might’ve done things differently, or been so wrapped up in possible unintended consequences that I might never have done anything at all in my life.

I know I’ve surprised other people too when I’ve told them they had a lasting impact on my life.  One of the really wonderful things about the internet is that it lets us find people we thought were lost to us forever.  We can reach across time and distance to say “Thanks” and “I love you.”  We don’t say those things often enough.

When I’ve talked to lost friends via internet, I discovered those old connections still mean something to me.  I’m not really sure what to do about that other than an occasional “Hey, how ya doin’?”, but the connections matter.

If nothing else, maybe part of these kinds of entanglements is that once in a while I send out my best wishes to these people.  They don’t know it, but I honestly wish them success and happiness.  I’ve done this a long time, and then found out other people have done the same for me.  The thought is unexpected, but it also sustains me sometimes.

It’s not like the way some people try to pray me into thinking/doing what they believe is right.  It’s an open hearted feeling.  I think I’m at my best when I’m in that kind of mental/emotional space.  Wouldn’t it be nice if all wishes and intents and relationships were so simple?

“Entangled” is often a negative word, like you’ve gotten your foot stuck in a bear trap or weeds or someone else’s significant other, but the soul strands of spider webs are something I see as a positive.  All these connections to people make me feel like I have a place in the universe, that my existence matters.  It gives me motivation to tell others, “You matter too.  If my life has meaning, you helped create that meaning.”

Which is much better than my alternate, depressive thought, “You’re born alone. You die alone.”  Yeah, I’d much rather be “entangled”.

16 comments:

  1. Oh my. Add a little point of bright light to your illustration. Because you just lit up my old brain a little bit. Thanks Linda!

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I saw the small version of your art, I thought it was a beautiful night scene on the ocean. When I read your blog and saw the larger version, I saw the networking of sparkles. I am glad to say that you are one of the sparklies in my life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely post on the positive spin on 'entanglement.' I do tend to think of that word negatively, but you've nicely reminded me that, basically, it means 'connected.' It reminds me of Dane Rudhyar's quote, "When you don't follow your nature, there is a hole in the universe where you were supposed to be." Perfect illustration for your post too, Linda...shine on, my dear!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great thoughts to ponder! We never know how our actions might affect others. Even the smallest things can be significant. Very nice illustration - worth a thousand words!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're all my points of light I love the quote Susan. Thanks everybody!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hitler and Bush in consecutive weeks?
    Is this Ann Coulter's blog in disguise?

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOL Well, at least I didn't quote Bush Jr?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Another thoughtful, provocative post. The cool blue illo seems particularly appropriate to this train of thought.......

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your entangled couldn't be more different than mine. Yours is so deep and mine so disgusting. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yours is fun Sharon. Maybe I need to lighten up sometimes? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing wrong with deep and meaningful, Linda :)

      Delete
  11. Linda, you should be writing books, novels, whatever. I always like your illustrations, but I LOVE your stories and thoughtfulness.

    ReplyDelete
  12. When I started this blog, I thought the writing was incidental and it was going to be all about the art. Funny how things work out sometimes. Writing has been such a pleasure for me, and I really get a kick when something I've thought strikes a chord for someone else. Thanks for reading!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The first words that entered my mind after reading this... "That's deep."

    As much as I love my alone/contemplative time, people are my biggest joy and interest. I'm going to accept your statement, "You matter," and send it back to you. :)
    I'm also going on fb today and say hello to a past co-worked who had a liver transplant and is having some difficulties recovering. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete