Today is President's Day here in the United States. Yesterday was Valentine's Day and tomorrow will be Mardi Gras, followed by Ash Wednesday and Lent. The closeness of these holidays to each other makes me reflect on what we as people tend to celebrate and value. During these three celebrations the themes of patriotic glory and love and the cornucopia of physical pleasures in life are the driving themes. But under the current circumstances, Mardi Gras will be a very virtual celebration for most who habitually participate in carnivals and other Fat Tuesday activities. Mardi Gras is considered the culmination of Christmas time feasting and Epiphany, Three Kings Day, when the Magi's visited baby Jesus, and is followed by Lent, a time of fasting. Mardi Gras is a Christian celebration that likely has its origins in pagan traditions, most likely in Saturnalia, which is also likely the origin of Christmas. I hope that those who celebrate will not throw all caution in the wind and will not overlook the threat of COVID-19 again. I personally must admit that I have always been fascinated by New Orleans and its culture and hope to visit one of these days, but not necessarily during the Mardi Gras festivities.
I admit that I personally am very tired of all the restrictions and have a serious case of cabin fever, but I understand that it is important to be careful and stay protected. So, I stay indoors most of the time, except for short trips to grocery stores and other necessities that cannot be handled via deliveries. I so very much hope that we will get this virus under control rather sooner than later. I am doing everything I know to make this happen and I hope you as well are taking this threat seriously. Like they say, we are all in this together. This experience could be a huge lesson and awakening on how everything on this planet comes around and goes around and how nothing is truly separate from the rest and how we are all existentially
truly connected to each other and everything on Planet Earth. What happens to one, happens to all. It really does, even if we do not recognize this consciously. This pandemic is an opportunity to grow in empathy and compassion. This is an opportunity to make this world a better more humane place for all. I hope we will let the suffering open our hearts instead of choosing to build walls and close doors. So many wrongs have become obvious and this is an opportunity to start healing that which has been ailing us for a very long time.
Okay. Back to my everyday. Today I got a delivery of some art supplies I had ordered and I look forward to doing some painting soon. Lately I have been doing mainly digital mixed media art and design, so, getting my hands a little "dirty" is something I actually look forward to. Yes, tactile experiences are important to me!
Wishing you all a great day today and every day! May all of you get to do something you truly enjoy and also stay safe!!! I have chosen my mixed media art, My Harlequins, to illustrate this blog. If you click on the image, you can see more about this piece at FAA/Pixels.