MINDING THE GAP

Not too long ago, I went on a long walk with a stranger.

He was someone new, and I was excited to get to know him, so I asked a lot of questions.

He told me about his parents. His friends. How he fell off his path. His recovery. He cried, and I hugged him.

For a time we walked in silence and, after a while, I asked him one more question.

“Is there anything you’d like to know about me?”

He looked at me with confusion.  He was so baffled by the question he actually stopped walking.

“Not really,” he said.

That was our first and last walk.

• • •

This interaction was shocking for me because, as most of you know, I’m a connector.

I find other people endlessly fascinating, and I ask a lot of questions when I’m interested in someone or something.

But I like to have an exchange.

And I’m *really* missing the exchange these days.

I hunger for intimate conversation,  and I miss sitting across from and looking into another person’s eyes.

One of the ways that I share myself is by sharing my art, and the lack of festivals this year has been really tough.

Since COVID started, I’ve been making art in isolation.

To show you who I am.

So you can tell me who you are.

So we can have that exchange.

Sometimes the lack of exchange feels a little like when that guy — that stranger — had nothing to ask me.

To me, that response felt a lot like: ‘I don’t care about you.’

I am truly having to dig deep to mind that gap and ignore that stupid, stupid voice.

‘Cuz I *know* folks care about me, whether or not they buy my artwork.

• • •

If you are so inclined, please check out my latest offerings on my website. I’ve got new magnets, and I’m offering gift cards this year, including some cool bundles for the upcoming holidays — and I’m going to make some cute ornaments, too.  So stay tuned!

PS: My ZOOM ART CLASSES are going well, so if you’d like a private class or you’d prefer to work in a group, drop me a line or leave a comment & I’ll send you the details. I’d love to connect with you in this way.

• • •

What are you doing to stay mentally strong during these confusing times?