Starry Night…..

Take time for what brings nourishment to your soul.  In so doing, you will discover that you have accomplished more in a day with an attitude of gratitude and a smile in your soul.  Whatever consumes your mind, controls your life.

What do you think is the most recognized painting in the history of Western art? If you said “Starry Night” oil on canvas by Vincent Van Gogh, you are correct! I have always had a fascination for this masterpiece. I decided to recreate Starry Night with acrylic on canvas, something I had wanted to do since High School.  Some 20 years later, I finally dug out my paints and brushes, set up my art easel, and started filling a large white canvas with the colors from Starry Night.

Every hour I worked on the painting, I cleared my mind of all thoughts other than the choice of colors and the movement of each brushstroke.  Months of work, hours by lamplight late at night, layers of paint, and thousands of brush strokes later, my work was complete. I felt a whole new connection to the original masterpiece, my mind often wandering to the life of Van Gogh as I worked each color into the canvas.  I was satisfied with the completion of my own masterpiece, and of the therapy that each brush stroke provided for my own busy mind.  Realizing all the more, how the original work of art was a work of art therapy for the mind of Van Gogh as well.

A daily dose of therapeutic massage for the mind is so important to sustaining a healthy life style.  Painting, listening to classical music, long walks on a sunny day, star gazing on a cold, clear night, a hand written letter to a friend, visiting with an elderly relative, resting on a beach listening to the ocean tide, or hiking into the mountains and listening to nature.  These are just a few of the many activities we all would benefit from throughout our week.  All marvelous, artful, soothing, self-therapy, ways of slowing down the mind in a fast paced, media crazed society.  Stopping life long enough to breathe. To allow the mind to slow its’ whirling pace from the circles that often leave chaos in its’ wake, often discovering that we are back to where we started.

Take time for what brings nourishment to your soul.  In so doing, you will discover that you have accomplished more in a day with an attitude of gratitude and a smile in your soul.  Whatever consumes your mind, controls your life.  

Some other daily practices that help improve overall health:  

• Reduce stress levels by practicing mindfulness meditation.
• Get your blood pumping through exercise.
• Engage in mental stimulation.
• Nourish your body and brain with balanced nutrition and plenty of water.
• Stay positively connected to yourself and other by socializing.

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.”  Etty Hillesum