Focus

the HEART of the Matter

Hi Friends!

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday!

How can these both be on the same day?

Although I do not have a liturgical background—I have given Lent some thought, and I am trying to follow my own advice from my last letter. I am choosing to give up unnecessary distractions. It’s a hard one. However, I began to think about real goals to FOCUS on things that matter:

subjects I want to learn more about

a new language

a painter, author, poet, writer,

music or dance

a new skill

Give yourself time and permission to pause - like those new iris rhizomes in my garden – time to be dormant.

What is even more relevant – FOCUS as verb can mean (according to Merriam-Webster)

• to concentrate

• to adjust the focus

• to bring into focus or the light

The Latin word focus meant “hearth, fireplace.” In the scientific Latin of the 17th century, the word is used to refer to the point at which rays of light refracted by a lens converge.

Synonyms of the noun  focus include

Heart, epicenter, nexus, core, nexus, locus

So I did get to the HEART of the matter.  This Valentine’s – Lent I am choosing to put into focus those practices that are a priority.  I will attempt to be more aware of distracted activities-useless scrolling on my phone, allowing one link to keep leading down another rabbit hole.  And, yes, sometimes these activities can lead to creative learning…but I want to use time wisely this spring. I completed two writing challenge for January  (including Substack posts) and almost completed the yoga challenge.  I am beginning a Zoom French course next month and will prepare for that. Family, painting and healthy habits are priorities.

How about for you??

What are your intentions for spring? 

By serendipity – today a favorite podcaster, James Bryan Smith of Things Above Podcast, shared a Two Minute Morning practice. In a journal or phone notes, answer these questions each morning.  Just think about them and see what surfaces.

               What do I need to get rid of?

               What am I grateful for?

               What do I need to focus on today?

I hope you enjoy today! ~ Valentines Day!  As I used to tell my students, almost everyone enjoys a Valentine’s Day greeting: friends, grandmothers, aunts, mothers and the sweet neighbor who makes you hot cocoa!  So share the love!

Four images from Valentine’s Days past: Heart shaped rock in Joshua Tree National Park (yes,I pumped the pink color!), decades ago in my art class - I am on the right, 3 d “paper dolls” my mom painted and created during her high school years.

And to help you share the LOVE, you can download for FREE 4 of my Valentine’s Day cards as PDFs! Coloring Pages - JANIS COMMENTZ California Painter

Put yourself in a great mood - music by Josh Vietti (the Hip-Hop Violinist) on Pandora or your favorite source!  https://www.instagram.com/joshvietti/

Remember, “In our life there is a single color, as on an artist palette which provides the meaning of life and Art. It is the color of love.” ~Marc Chagall

Inspired by all of you,

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