Drawing this morning when a voice spoke to me. As I rubbed the eraser across an unneeded line the voice spoke, “It is the same in life”. I continued with my sketch thinking about this comment. The same in life? I thought. Erasing? The voice said “yes”, “the letting go of the unneeded elements”. “As you move through life you pick up many things along the way from relationships and habits to material objects” “Each thing connects to your life” the voice said. “Similar to your drawing you need these things to anchor the next line, the next step, into the next stage of your development and experience”.
Of course I thought! Not only do the removal of lines reveal the intended beauty or subject, they also bring clarity, even discovery! Little thought is paid and there is even an excitement while drawing and removing stray lines to see your vision. So should it be with life. As we gather things along the way we should understand their impermanence, not in a disrespectful, selfish, or consuming way but in reverence and appreciation knowing that each piece is helping to create the whole. The issue is with attachment and the abilty to let go, welcoming change, clearer vision, and a deeper understanding of who this person is that you have the pleasure of being. Letting these lines go and clearing the page of life of all the unnecessary fragments and clutter allows for clarity.
I then thought, what lines, what fragments of my life should be let go of? How do I know? The voice said “Step back”. Step Back? Ive heard that before, my art instructor use to tell me that a lot! “Eddie step back from your work!” “your getting too focused on that one area”.
How do I step back from a life I’m in was the next obvious question. “You do it all the time Eddie” said the now seemingly resident voice in my head. “You use to be really good at it when you were a young man!” it continued.
Just as making it a point to step back from your work allows clearer vision and perspective so does making time to meditate and be thankful for the many wonderful things and moments in your life. With consistent practice your vision becomes clearer, the mind more still and a sense of knowing is unveiled.
Maybe it’s not stepping back so much as its stepping in, in regards to life. The important thing is to not carry it all, to allow the beauty that is your life to radiate unmuted.
Edward Donato