Tag Archives: change

Oct29

The Open Road … Where, exactly, is it taking you?

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I have written before about my love of roads in paintings. Simply put, I love roads. The road less traveled. Where the road may lead. The metaphorical representation of a journey. Memories of childhood road trips.

IMG_5509But the road has become even more important to me as time marches on. On the lighter side, I love adventure. I love going places and experiencing new things. Learning and growing from these experiences. I like how the changing of your backdrop (location) lets you examine yourself in a new light. The continual lessons of the road. But it is the inner journey that has become even more important to me and the metaphor of the road within. The outward journeys are as much about the inward journey as anything.

Life is one long journey and yet altogether too short. Who we are on that road? Who do we choose to surround ourselves with? Who will we love? What will we choose to stand for?  We all have our own choices of how we will view the world.

IMG_0424I believe in the words of Joseph Campbell: “You bring your own meaning to life; that is the meaning of life.” For me, that means time in nature and with my dog, with my beloved husband and cherished parents, friends and family.

It also involves a love of work. Work, I feel, is what we do in life to give back, and giving back is intrinsically woven into my meaning of life. My meaning comes from sharing my love of art, art as a language that gives voice to the voiceless, as an escape and as sheer, pure joy. Art saved me, not because I was in trouble but because I needed this language to fully communicate, and I know art can save others — if only in the appreciation of it, the joy of it. And so this is my road. And it’s the road I paint again and again.

This road becomes more precious, more dear as I get older, as life happens to me, and what is important is elevated.

Where will the road take you? What does it mean for you? I’d love your thoughts in the comments below! As for me, I shall keep traveling along, enjoying each moment as best as I can, ever, ever aware of the journey!

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Jan22

Ethiopia, Day 12: Beautiful, Inside and Out

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I’m without words again. So filled that my heart literally feels expanded, my soul fed.

It’s awkward for me when people thank me for the time I spend here because I can’t share with them this feeling of how much more I get than give.

day12-1Each year, the feeling grows, the connections with my friends strengthen and my commitment to education deepens.

Sponsorship is a way to make change happen. Eight years ago, when I first came to Ethiopia single, in school, trying to make my art career take off while doing hair part time, I knew I still had $21 a month to give to make a small difference in a child’s life.

Tonight, I spent time with that child I sponsored then and still do. She is 13 now, and her English is now good enough to communicate mostly without a translator.

day12-2We went to an arcade and had dinner together. She is fifth in her class out of 73. She’s beautiful, inside and out. Her smile says it all. My smile is a response.

That’s all. That’s all I have for words, and I feel that is all I need.

Blessings to all,
Stephanie

Interested in supporting education in Ethiopia? Click here to donate, or “like” my Facebook page to see daily featured SSA items, 100% of proceeds from which will go to Ethiopia Reads!