26. February 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

“Every grain of experience is food for the greedy, growing soul of the artist”.  This is a quote by a British author, Anthony Burgess.

 I don’t know about you, dear readers, but I’m bone tired. Yet, this artist/writer is greedy to learn more, do more, and continue to grow. I wonder if this is unique with artists. We never reach a point where we’re totally satisfied with our knowledge of the painting  or writing process. We always think we can do better and chronically search for new ways of doing things. Our heads are full of images, words, subject matter, and new ways to bring our thoughts to fruition. My latest book, a memoir, is about to be tossed out to the world, and I should feel energized. Instead, I’m mentally tired and emotionally ambivalant about how it will be perceived. But, like Hemingway, “my aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way”.  Tonight, I will shut down the computer in my brain, get a refreshing night’s sleep, and with the morning sunrise rise to accomplish the tasks of another day.

The state of our world is no doubt another reason for my present and hopefully temporary frame of mind. We’re bombarded with depressing news reports of world wide unrest, natural catastrophies, stories of children being abused and often killed, and seemingly few authority figures doing anything about it. Perhaps we’ve all become too complacent, too accepting of every kind of behavior known to man. It is unrealistic to think we, as individuals, can change the world stage. However, we can start a ripple in the stream within our own families and communities by playing a bit part in the world drama, while encouraging the stars to give us their best performance.

Thank you for allowing me to bare my soul to some degree and always remember, the thoughts and feelings of the moment will disappear because change is inevitable and more often than not, change is a good thing.  

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21. February 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Do you take your friendships seriously, cherishing the part they play in your life? Have you thought how you’d feel if some strangers voice answered your eventual call?

I waited, carelessly, and this week, I lost a friend of many years. The news was shocking and I realized I wasn’t ready to let her go. A year or more had gone by since we’d seen each other. She lived a thousand miles away, but was that an excuse for the lack of contact?

Our last meeting was in my home town. I had moved away and she had stayed. We met for lunch and immediately the years disappeared as we quickly picked up where we had left off. The wonderful feeling of connectedness sprang up from the basement where it had been placed for safe keeping. We talked, laughed, reminded each other of the many moments of craziness in our past, talked of our spouses and how lucky we were to have found them, and how neither of us felt whole after having lost them. My friend and I lost track of time and only after many cups of coffee, and the waiters preparing for the early bird diners did we reluctantly look at our watches. The years had fallen away and we had once again been young adults dealing with infatuations, jobs, bosses, and the peculiarities of those with whom we had daily contact. It was good to look back and laugh at life’s absurdities, so important at the time, but now seeming so trivial. Our adult lives had taken different paths but memories of those years had traveled the same highway, hand in hand.

During our luncheon, my friend informed me that when she died she wanted a New Orleans Jazz funeral with a band playing the song, When the Saints Go Marching In. Her daughter informed me by phone that her wishes would be carried out on Tuesday. I won’t be there when she is laid to rest, but I will think of her and perhaps play an Al Hirt or Pete Fountain CD in her honor.  I will also have a box of tissues handy.

Friends, new and old, are crucial to a life of happiness and fulfillment. Our friends are not always perfect, but neither are we, but we love and support each other anyway. One has to reach out the hand of friendship in order to establish close and lasting relationships. Others may be too shy or intimidated by the persona we put forth to make the first move. We must take the high road and offer that first smile, or lend an ear to their concerns. It could be the beginning of a lifelong association, if we’re lucky, that will bring smiles when the wiles of youth become a thing of our past.

Contact your friends often; they may be your most valuable asset and your best recipe for happiness. Don’t put it off, like I did; there may not be another chance to hear that voice or share another precious moment as you travel down memory lane. Nurture the friendships you now have and invite new ones into your fold. They need you as much as you need them.

Until next time, here’s to friendships without regrets.

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1. February 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Ah! February, a time when our fancies turn to thoughts of Love. Let’s make a promise to each other, wherever we are in cyberspace, to allow ourselves to love each other this February. Surely we can do this for one month. We may find it brings such happiness, we’ll continue throughout the year.

 Kahlil Gibran said LOVE “is to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; to rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s estasy; to return home at eventide with gratitude; and then sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.” Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it?

 There are too many interpretations of the word to list here; it’s quicker to list what love isn’t: hate, disgust, comtempt, repulsion, loathe, detest. At the highest level, love is a synonym of God. If we can erase these negative words from our vocabulary, as well as our psyche, then we are capable of great love. Whether romantic love, familial love, love of nature, love of friends, etc., we are blessed to be able to have these feelings. Not only will we live longer (hate is much more draining than love) but our lives will be filled with joy regardless of our situations. Love may not move mountains but it can help us climb the highest peaks and return safely to a valley of contentment.

Plan ahead for this Valentine’s Day instead of rushing by a flower stand at the last moment, or picking up a box of chocolates from the drug store on your way home.  Those of you fortunate enough to have a significant other, think of what attracted you in the first place. Put aside the petty grievances and think of him/her with tenderness and respect - even if they are less than perfect. An unexpected kiss on the cheek or a simple “I understand” can sometimes level that mountain of hurt or disillusionment. If something happens to either of you, it will be the small, kind and loving things you will remember most.

I think you will all agree that most of the turmoil, unrest, fighting and destruction in the world is due to hate and dislike for others who have different passions than our own. This is often also true in disfunctional families; a lack of consideration for the feelings of others, a lack of respect for our differences and opinions, a disrespect for authority, or a need to feel superior and always right. 

“I love you” are powerful words - to give or receive. However, they are just words unless they are backed up by action. Allow yourself to show those around you that you love them, do it with kindness and sincerity, and it will be returned beyond your wildest dream.

 If you haven’t already done so, read my books; they’re all about LOVE.

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