Mr. Fox by Erwin A. Thompson

This darling fox (a genuine slice of Americana) whittled by ninety-something Erwin A. Thompson arrived in my mailbox the other day, a gift thoughtfully arranged by his daughter, Janet Riehl—the karma burner behind Riel Life: Village Wisdom for the 21st Century. 

I had told Janet that Erwin’s whittles of animals reminded me of native american fetishes—charms with magical powers.

Janet and her father work together on projects, including a major 4-disc boxed CD set called Sightlines: A Family Love Story in Poetry & Music.

If you’re up for a poignant trek into the heartland, then you can find out more about remarkable Erwin, how he came to whittle his little treasures, and about gratitude. Click on this link and learn.

Buddha Among the Lotus Flowers

Truth is ironically a volatile word. Wars have been fought over it since the beginning. Then, there is the search for truth; but whose truth?

Instead of seeking “the” truth. Better to search for “a” truth, and you’ll be in good balance. My journey has been about finding a truth, and I did. I discovered that art and soul are the same thing. And “the” truth is simply God in whatever form the Great Creator appears to you. The Lord of all that is does not need people to launch crusades on his/her behalf.

So, one truth leads to another, which are the same steps to finding one’s dharma, or purpose in life—as the Buddha himself did in going from a prince to being a great sage. Do not get bogged down in dogma. An artist that succumbs is destined to always second-guessing herself—which is self-induced torment, not fulfilling dharma.

Be Someone (portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi)

I was listening to Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. It’s a beautiful singing poem about being someone, making a difference, escaping and saving yourself from a mindless environment.

So, this song tells the story and a purpose of art, and that is to be someone. Feel the truth of it for yourself; don’t look for raised hands to mold you into a life of rote.

We all have learned something today, to paraphrase the great Buddha.