"Am I Aware?"

For a couple years now I have been thinking about the idea of presence. It's so easy to get lost in this world. Get lost in the screen, get lost in the every day tasks, get lost in people, get lost in just things. And so I have been focusing on being aware of where I am, aware of what I feel, aware of my existence. 

I've been reading this book recently, Shift Happens. There is a chapter about being present. At the end it said to occasionally ask yourself, "Am I aware?" And when you ask yourself this question, then you become aware. I have been practicing this. I'll look up from my screen and think, "Am I aware right now?" Then I will just feel my presence. I will feel my aliveness. I will connect with the nature of my being. It's a good feeling. I enjoy my being and my life.

One of my favorite paintings is this one called Enso. I painted it with the words grace and peace in mind. When I prepared to paint these Eagle Rays, I would watch videos of them to study them. I would end up crying because of their beauty and grace. They just touch my soul in a way I can't explain. They make me feel present and alive.

Painting makes me feel present and alive.