Anisette Studio

I am always thinking about life, the world and what it has become. Nothing happens overnight_____. And then I think of how I might affect it, how anyone can affect the way things are, other people____ What does it take to change life up?

After Thomas died in 2020, I made promises to myself and I am keeping those promises. I thought about how to change things up. What would it take? “Well, it would mean being and doing different things!” That became, “What kind of things would I change?” This did not necessarily mean I had to stack up the pros and cons of who I had been. It was more about behaviors and examining them with fresh eyes. For example, I have been an artist and a writer for a long time. This means a lot of sitting and staying inside especially to write. This was something I could change. If I put exercise such as walking on trails or streets, going camping, doing things with friends and family. Then I would be more active and involved in the world in new ways. If I put this first then change would happen. I also started reaching out to others. I have joined two groups, a meditation group and an American Mah Jong group. It has made a huge difference! There is still plenty of time to write and do art in. New ideas are happening, new ventures with my art, and I am a part of a new tribe, one with friends. The world has become richer!

I decided to add color into my life. Color affects us. I also decided to wear clothes differently, bolder and fun. Never mind saving clothes and never wear them. With a touch of simple make up and earrings I am dressed for my day. I am not going to be concerned with my body, like I was when younger. At 71? Come on! It is what it is. Take care of the skin is what one needs to do through what you eat, rose water spray keeps brown spots at bay and firms the skin. It is natural. Simple. What one eats is important, however. What can this food do for me?

Meditation means finding one’s self. It changes you. It changes you if you come to believe that coming from the heart, and higher self is the way to go.

Being a writer and poet I have been in my head a lot! I thought someone who writes about love, anger___ all the range of who people are____ understanding____ Understanding means thinking. However, when this is practiced all the time your brain never shuts up. The brain works by filing experiences____ one’s thoughts away so that it can be used later. When you write poems your recalling feelings and the body remembers what happened you can identify with. The bottom line is letting go of thoughts. Give the brain a break from its chemical reactions. Be present in silence and simply be with self. This is very different. And so I am very happy to have my brain “Shut up! The brain is a message center, the whole body is a part of each thought we have. There are very good teachers out there. Mediation is more than chanting. It is simple. Sitting quiet with one’s eyes closed and hearing the world around you. let it talk to you. Talk with the God of your choice or to the self. Be a part of nature and feel the invisible roots coming from you that ground you. Feel the connections. They will come with patience.

Being an artist or writer means zoning out and mentally feeling, and this means thinking too. LOL However, at some point you change and become a part of what you do. Creating art is like creating a puzzle. You understand what you want to convey, you know how you respond, and so others will respond similar but according to their own experiences. People will look closely and see how you did the art. An artist’s skills are to draw people into the work they are creating. It is the same with writing. A good book draws you in and sticks in your memories. You use the thoughts you read in your personal life. I think, “Wow! that was well said!” Thinking is not a bad thing to do. But being quiet with the mind is important too.

I decided to give meditation a shot too so I would finish letting go of the things that crop up, that cause hurt when I am reminded of things from the past. As I said the mind recalls not only what was said and done, but too how one felt. The difference is how happy I feel inside, after years of not feeling happy. It was like having a dark cloud over my head, a weight that felt heavy on me. As these things are felt and released, I am lighter in my soul. I don’t want to end my years from birth to rebirth and bring along the past. I want to experience new things next time around.

I want to be happy despite the way things are in the world. I want to be an example of change. I want to love life and the people in it. This is how I can affect the world around me. I can connect with people, earth, animals, plants, trees____ Being a part and having a sense of belonging mean going where all of these things are. I need to use all my senses without deadening them. It is worth the risk of becoming.

Knowing who we are gives us strength. It is impowering. Just stepping into being different without looking behind. What matters is how you are one step at a time going forward. It’s a personal journey.

Best wishes! May love and laughter fill you day! If you don’t find it ___create it! Begin with a smile! Find the good of being alive. This does not mean you have less compassion for what feels so wrong. So much is wrong these days. It is showing hope and we need hope, we need change one person at a time.

Pejj Nunes