As you know, I love to paint rocks and put them around downtown Waukesha for people to find and enjoy. I have placed four rocks today.
I put this rock by a tree near the picture that gave me the idea for this rock. Of course the mural is MUCH better than my rock.
I found the idea for this rock on Pinterest. It makes me think of how we humans need to be loved and cared for. I placed this one on a bridge called love bridge.
This is the message that I want to tell all of the people who are struggling in this world and community. Don’t give up. Sure take a break for a while but come back and keep studying and practicing. I hide this one at Cutler park by the library since learning new knowledge or skills can be done at the library.
This rock was smeared when I put the protective coating on it. I put this one at Youman’s park near the nursing home.
These didn’t come out as good. So, I picked some random places to put them.
Please feel free to look for them today (7/15, Saturday).
I have always struggled with an aversion to taking risks. I talked to my boss about a pay raise for the first time in my 50 year life this year. I mistakenly focused on my financial desires rather than how my work benefits my employer. But, I am proud that I even had the guts to broach the subject. So, these quotes are mostly for me. Yet, I know that what I struggle with is similar to the struggle of others.
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Muhammad Ali
Ali (1942-2016) is an American boxer who took a stand against the Vietnam War. I suspect I will regret not having tried to live my dreams when I die if I don’t take risks once and a while.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out just how far one can go.” TS Eliot (1888-1965)
This quote reminds me of a conversation when I was in university. He pointed out that I could try out acting more confident without actually going to the point of yelling it from a roof top. For those of us who get scared anytime that we request something from an authority figure, it is unlikely for us to go too far.
“Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.” Roy Bennett
Roy T Bennett is an American author and speaker. All of us can fall into the trap of trying to please others such as our parents, spouses or role models. Then, we can lose what we want to do with our lives and time. I think a balance between a person’s dreams and his/her responsibilities is hard to find.
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo
“My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them.” Ruth Westheimer
Sometimes the news makes me want to stay in bed all day. No reading about another mass shooting. No listening to politicians arguing or lying. Just peaceful solitude. But, I have to come out of my tiny apartment and go to work.
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky
I finished listening to a book titled Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness . It reminded me that just as an athlete builds muscle by pushing themselves and resting, a person learns in a similar way. I read some of my old writing from 2010 and 2011.
The two Lenten devotionals that I wrote for my church.
I was disappointed to see that my writing hasn’t improved that much in a little over ten years. So, I have decided to find ways to stretch myself. Here is some of those attempts.
On my rock painting, I found some new ideas on Pinterest. If you want creative ideas, Pinterest is a great place to get them. My two completed works are not as beautiful as the ideas but they are my first attempt.
As you can see, the top rock got smudged when I sprayed it with the protective spray. They are both a rock painting idea that I will try again.
I will continue to study Spanish using Duolingo and reading/listening to books that are interesting and challenging for me.
As for my writing, I have not thought of any ideas to stretch myself. Do you have anything that you want to see on this blog?
