One simple daily habit to help you recharge
Divine Cosmos Diptych
23.5 ct gold leaf, egg tempera, true gesso on birch plywood
33.5x21 cm each
Do you know how sometimes you are looking for a moment of peace and quiet? a moment to ground yourself and focus your thoughts on your current activities or environment? a moment to de-stress, take a deep breath and breath calmness?
I'm finding that I need these moments of stillness more than ever before. I easily get distracted and find my self disconnected and stressed.
Over the years, I developed some techniques to keep me in the present moment and bring me back to focus, ways to deal with stresses of daily life. People call that mindfulness. I see that as praying and re-focusing my thoughts and connecting with God again. It's being mindful of the moment, myself and God.
Some of the ways that helped me and hopefully will inspire you too are:
Getting creative by doing things by hand like painting, cooking, knitting, journaling ...
Going for a walk in nature
Looking at art that you connect with emotionally in a gallery, museum or your own home collection
Creating a peaceful space of beauty in your home has become more important these days as we live in a hectic, distracted digital age where we are continuously dealing with stresses, distractions and daily demands.
I like to call that space 'Selah' Space. It's a space to pause, connect and pray. A space to find your true-self and God again.
I have the two paintings that are in the picture above in my dining room. So whenever I sit down to eat, I intentionally look at the paintings, say a prayer and sometimes light a candle and then sit down and eat. It's a small ritual to bring to my mind the moment I'm in.
It helps me to focus and connect again with my self and God. The gold, marks, circle shape and colours of blues, veils of greens, deep burgundy gives me a sense of light and joy. As I contemplate the painting, I receive the beauty of nature through the natural materials and the magical light that comes from genuine gold. I feel refreshed and peaceful.
I was so happy that I wasn't the only one who looks at the paintings every day and experience what I did. Here's what one of my collectors said about his recent purchase:
'Between raising teenagers and the demanding structured work schedule of a banker, I myself find solace in those paintings. Not a day goes by that I don’t find myself intently staring at the paintings and disconnecting from the world around me.' Ramez
So, what is one way you find solace and peace?
Have you tried art? If not, next time stand infront of a painting you love and try meditating for a few minutes.
Let me know if you’d like to learn simple techniques I use to meditate on a painting.
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