Is it Still Possible to Love your Enemies or Must we Live in Fear?

(This is a composite of how I'm going to start my next painting "Stir Fry." Stay Tuned!)

In the 70s, I was working as a freelance writer. After completing several packages of four scripts each, I was contracted for another project. This time it was about families, featuring cultural diversity which was a hot topic in those days.

Mid-way between, I discovered that the real purpose of “diversity" was not “inclusiveness” of those who were different from us, but a means of cramming everyone into the same old box for governmental control. The uniqueness of each culture and the beautiful characteristics of each race was intended to be camouflaged, distorted, and white-washed. The intent of the producer was “to make everyone the same and thus equal.

Except for outward appearances, the differences between races and cultures was blurred rather than appreciated and celebrated. The control police love this. If they had their “druthers,” they’d want everyone to think, act and look alike; and, of course, all vote for the same party.

Needless to say, my treatment and approach for the script was far different from the one they had in mind. You could say we had a falling out.

Today, division and hatred is even greater than before. I guess this diversity thing didn’t quite work out the way they had expected. Our leaders want to lump others into racial and cultural groups to incite us into class warfare. Too bad they didn’t celebrate our uniqueness as I had originally suggested.

Now people tend to generalize and polarize using language and behavior: “All blacks are alike. All whites are supremacists. Italian’s are dishonest. All Hispanics are in gangs,” etc. Well, you get the picture. The blame game players and the hateful are trying to divide and conquer us. If we’d appreciated and explored our differences, even delighted in them, this wouldn’t be happening.

And to compound the fears that have already been instilled in us, another national crisis. Terrorism has struck again. The perpetrators seemed normal. They dressed like you and me. They had jobs, a baby, they blended in. They fit in with the politically correct speak.

The problem is Islamic Terrorists don’t think like us. Their religious texts encourage violence and murder against “the infidel” and those who don’t conform to their beliefs. These particular Jihadists were building pipe-bombs in their garage and stocking up on ammunition and assault rifles.

While they worked and played, and lived their normal lives, they were planning to terrorize and murder unarmed men, women, and innocent children. Many of whom were disabled. And all this mayhem was planned and executed in the name of their God, Allah.

That this could happen in America, a Bastion of freedom where people of all races, cultures and religions have lived together and played together for hundreds of years is unconscionable! Diversity is a good thing if people welcome the chance to get to know others in their schools and neighborhoods in order to celebrate their roots. But if we simply divide up and go into battle our differences encourage hatred and that becomes a dangerous thing.

Peace on earth sounds wonderful at this time of year, but only people working together for the common good can experience it. As the Christmas Season approaches, let us “love our neighbors and pray for our enemies.” Let us reach out in peace and fellowship, but also know in whom we can trust.

For those whose hearts are filled with hatred, “pray for those who despitefully use you.” We must recognize both the enemy within and without.

Fear is so widespread in our world today that we need a greater effort by everyone to “watch and pray” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” For those who mock prayer and condemn all people of faith, it is your right to do so.

As a Christian I’ve stood by and watched Muslim children in schools and universities given private rooms to pray while Christians have been denied meeting rooms or other accommodations.

I’ve seen cities close off streets so that Muslims might pray according to their beliefs, but at the same time watched my Christian brothers and sisters denied private areas in school because of their own beliefs and holiday celebrations.

Recently the Attorney General came out and declared that any hate speech against Muslims because of the latest Terrorist attacks would not be tolerated and there would be repercussions. 

Well, Miss Lynch, Christians have stood by and watched newspapers make fun of their beliefs and their prayers, and note that the actions of a few have been made the brunt of jokes and condemnation. May I remind you that our precious Constitution protects the rights of Christians, too?

We are constantly reminded not to blame law-abiding Muslims for the actions of Islamic Terrorists. Christian’s ask the same consideration: that the majority not be blamed for the actions of a few bad apples.

Roll with the Punches and Come out Fighting

"A Joyful Heart" 9 x 12 Pastel

Stuff happens! Calamity is waiting in the wings – it’s a given. The only thing we can’t determine is when. My most recent scrape happened with an innocent and perhaps ignorant download of a so-called “preview” of Microsoft Windows 8.

That decision cost me $300 in Tech Support, and a loss of all of my programs, many that were near and dear to my heart. I still have an icon on my desktop called “removed programs.” I can’t restore them, and so they remain as a testimony to a download gone bad.

"Broken Hearted" 9 x 12 pastel

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Windows 8 speed and functionality on the web. What I didn’t like was that it devoured, consumed, and completely took over my computer. My backup didn’t even work and I lost precious photos and files. When I called Microsoft, they said the download may not have been theirs (it worked well?). The only remedy: re-install Windows 7 or purchase Windows 8 and move on.

In my book, that’s blackmail. If you have to sell product by corrupting unsuspecting “previewer’s” current systems, you’re either desperate or dishonest. In either case, I received no help or assistance from Microsoft and “recovering” my computer to its original manufacturer’s state has cost me precious time, money and valuable material.

"Raccoons at Sunrise" 16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

In the middle of the crisis, I was amazed that I didn't fall apart. I think I would have several years ago. In this case, I just plugged along day after day, putting one foot in front of the other, handling one crisis at a time.

What’s the difference; maturity perhaps? A solid marriage and my inner faith in God? The realization that it’s “out of my hands?” All of the above, I suppose. When the world is in chaos around us, knowing that “this too shall pass” never hurts and allows us to be at peace when everything else is in turmoil.

Yes, Stuff happens and when circumstances are out of our control we must “let go” and wait patiently for things to resolve themselves. There’s no point in “losing it” or giving in to fear, anger, or our inner child. Life goes on and we must pick ourselves up and try again.

Thank you for waiting patiently while I try to fix these problems. My blog has been late and my painting time has suffered. But life marches on and so will I.

Ever had a Broken Heart; is it Physical or Imaginary?

NEW PAINTING "Prayer Circles" acrylic 18x24 canvas

Down through the ages, writers and artists have tried to describe the pain one feels when a heart is broken by sadness, abuse, or neglect. A tale told in our community was “Cipher in the Snow.” A story about a young boy who had been kicked around from foster home to foster home, had trouble in school, and was labeled as a zero – a nothing by teachers and peers!

The child collapsed in the snow not having the strength to board a school bus. No causes could be found for his demise. The author of the story said the boy simply “died of a broken heart.” There are many people like that in our homes and communities. People who do not receive the love they so badly deserve and need. Our Nation, our world cries out for this kind of love, but it seems to be missing.

"India Rising--Prince of Thieves" mixed media on 16x20 canvas

Some people treat their dogs better than they do the people in their lives. Some people also mistreat their pets. The world is dying for lack of love. There is more selfishness and self-hatred than love; more violence and lashing out.

I saw a person I once loved for the first time after many, many years. Changes of age and personality made it almost impossible to recognize him. But when I saw his profile, I knew. This was the person I had loved, the person who could turn his back on me so easily; who ignored me and neglected even to kiss me goodnight or to say goodbye when he left in the morning; a non-communicative spouse who spoke only to criticize or berate.

When that moment of recognition came, I felt a stabbing pain in my upper heart followed by the swift squeezing of a fist in the lower chamber. What it was I did not know. A heart attack, I wondered? Immediately I felt like crying, and had to leave the people around me. All the pain and suffering of the years we had spent together and the trauma thereafter came back to me. Later I surmised that I had experienced a broken heart. I never realized it could be so physical, so painful!

"India Rising--the Found" mixed media on 18x24 canvas

I labeled my blog: “AnfinsenArt -- my Brush with God,” because God is love. I want my paintings and my artwork to reveal the love that God feels for all his people, even those who may not believe in Him or who act contrary to His will.

Some people may think I’m a kook! Well, let them. I prefer to see the good in all cultures, races, and people. I choose to elevate the people I paint and see them as God sees them. We are all imperfect. We all have faults. If we could unlock the good that is in most of us, we would find the secret to world peace and personal contentment.

"Fish Market" -- acrylic 18x24 canvas

Call me a cock-eyed optimist if you will; my paintings will continue to reflect this optimism, this love of God, this benevolent higher power that is full of compassion and grace. Would to God we had more of this love in our world!

Stan Prokopenko Part 2 of drawing the head

Time -- Illusive Thief that Sucks the Life Out of Life

Insett Kirke -- Norway

I’ve written about time before, or the lack thereof; how it gets away from us, pushes us, stresses us out, and strangles the life out of us. Recently, I experienced a different phenomenon. A time warp, perhaps, where time literally seemed to stand still.

I had several appointments that day and knew that planning was essential to pull it off. I got up early, allowing plenty of time for my toilette and the time it would take to travel to my first appointment. In the end, I had an hour to spare. I retrieved important e-mail and checked my blogs. Thirty minutes left, amazing.

Eager to arrive on time, I set the timer on the stove to be sure distractions wouldn’t delay my “best laid plans.” Then I read. I luxuriated on my leather sofa and read. Each time I looked at my wrist watch it seemed that time was holding back, just for me. The adage “a watched pot never boils” was true!

I was reminded that with God “one day is like a thousand years” from an eternal perspective. This brief experience had made me reflective. So this is what it’s like to have an eternity of time? Each moment becomes precious and fully lived without escaping into nothingness. I wanted this experience to last forever. I felt in control.

I read another two pages and then the timer went off with a loud bleating beep, beep, beep. My usual response when this happens is to call: “Coming Mother,” a hearkening back to my belligerent childhood and the rebelliousness of youth.

The rest of the day was pretty much swallowed up with errands and appointments, but I did notice that in between there were moments of supreme calm when I could snatch some reverie and soul searching. When you are “clock watching,” it’s amazing how many pages you can read in a few minutes, how many miles your mind can travel into imagination and escape to creative realms where seconds seem like hours.

Personality Sketch

Next time you feel like you don’t have time to study, to read or to paint, turn yourself into a clock watcher and see how it slows down your life. After all, time is a man made thing and we are eternal beings who balk at control and the pacing of our lives.

“Your sacred space is
where you can find yourself
again and again.” Joseph Campbell

Of course, planning ahead helps. So does organization. But in those “in between” moments you really are in control. What will you do with those found minutes and seconds? Will you waste them or discount them as being too little to late?

“One great thing about growing old
is that nothing
is going to lead to anything.
Everything is of the moment.” Joseph Campbell

We only have one life to live. Throw out negative thinking. Refuse its entrance into your brain. Dwell on what you can do right now, in this precious moment. Live!

Yesterday is already gone. Dismiss it from your mind, and move on. Tomorrow and its blessings or problems are unknown. Live in the moment. View your life as eternal and treat yourself with the utmost respect. We humans are as fragile as butterflies. We come and go in a whisper. Cherish each moment!

“To live in a sacred space
is to live in a symbolic environment
where spiritual life is possible,
where everything around you
speaks of exaltation of the spirit.” Joseph Campbell