The Magic Change Purse

"It is essential... that discipline should not be practiced like a rule imposed on oneself from the outside, but that it becomes an expression of one's own will; that it is felt as pleasant, and that one slowly accustoms oneself to a kind of behavior which one would eventually miss, if one stopped practicing it."
~~ Eric Fromm

I have this little, woven change purse that I carry around. Didn't cost much, don't think about it much. Just a vehicle for carrying around change. No big thing.

The other day, I brought it out to put out money for a tip and someone said, "ah, the magic change purse. No matter how little money there is, that little change purse always seems to have just a little bit more."

Its all a matter of perception, I suppose. There's me who knows just how finite the funds are and then there's everyone else -- who only sees that little bit extra I manage to coax out when its needed. And who am I to contradict their perception? Especially since that perception brings with it a feeling of financial security. Not a bad thing at all, I think.

And what does this have to do with the quote?

Well, I've been thinking about creative recovery and how to move myself in the direction I need to go but more about that later. Discipline as an expression of my will is one of the concepts that goes along with that.

EDM Challenge #2: Draw a Lamp

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. (Sir Francis Bacon)

He whose face gives no light, shall never become a star. (William Blake)

This the light that hangs on the bedroom wall next to my bed just above the nightstand. Took two months to get this hung on the wall mostly because there were other things that needed doing first.

Reading by the harsh glare of the overhead light, knowing that I'd have to get up and turn it out (all the way across the room), just didn't work for me. So maybe I'm a touch lazy?

What's on the nightstand at the moment? International Artist, which just arrived a day or two ago featuring one of my absolute favorite artists. Eldest (his parents are publishers). And a little brown teddy bear named Peanut that my daughter gave me as a birthday present.

Trying to Hear

Stopping at third base adds no more to the score than striking out.~~ E. Joseph Cossman

My son started climbing at the age of two. Playgrounds. Walls. Whatever was at hand. My husband found a place, I think it was Boy Scout Headquarters in Philadelphia, where there was a low, wide rock wall that encircled the property.  Joshua would walk the entire wall while holding onto my husband's hand. 

I think Joshua defined determination. He wanted it, he went after it. My husband was there to watch over him, make sure that he learned the right (safe) way to do whatever he planned to try next ... but he always got to try.  To reach.

Teachers come from many places and lately, it seems as though the universe is trying to give me a message. Wanting isn't enough. Trying haphazardly won't do it. Make a plan. Stick to it. Determination. Discipline.  So, even though I've already done EDM #1, here it is again. My ears are open and I'm trying to hear the message, universe. Keep talking!