Did you know that everything in life has a beginning? It might sound completely obvious, even juvenile to say that, but as I begin to type my very first blog post, I’m reminded by one of my favorite spiritual thinkers, and what he said – “If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” Gandhi
My name is Karl-Jürgen and I’m genuinely excited to share with you each week, thoughts about the artwork I’ve created, the feelings and emotions they evoke within me, and hopefully affect a little change for good in our world – it’s being true to myself that is driving this blog. Ok, ready…set…GO!
When I received my doctorate in education and a few years before, a masters in theology, both in my 20s, I honestly had many more questions at the end about what life is all about. Honestly, you’d think, that getting a degree from a university and then getting that first amazing job (for me being a teacher), would teach you a few things, providing everything you need in your toolbox of life! What I’ve learned, however, is that I have even more questions than I ever received answers.
“Cultivate Curiosity. If you really want to grow in your lifetime, learn to be as inquisitive as a child. Curious people are never bored, and for them life becomes an unending study of joy.” Tony Robbins
I think it’s wonderful to begin this exploration, in our New Year – no where near over our global pandemic and most people struggling in some way. My Dublin, Irish mother taught me to live life with a “cup half full” attitude and even though so many have died, so many suffer due to COVID-19, our world seems so polarized one way or the other, even with all that and so much more, I firmly believe that goodness will win, healing is happening, and truth will set us free – notice my Biblical reference there – I just couldn’t help it.
A little over two year ago, I began realizing that I can create art. I KNOW RIGHT – go figure, that as I turn 54 next month, I’ve found a joy and passion that is not only fun but truly rewarding, affecting small but poignant changes in the lives of others.
Having visited so many museums around the world, and being the kind of person that can spend hours absorbing the history, and the ideas behind the art, I truly never spent any time on a side of me that was pretty much dormant. ‘Liars Listen to the Wind’ like many of my pieces shares the internal struggle with the truth, which I know all too well! I suspect, that most people do too – and this blog will explore how we can “un-pack” that a little, accept who we truly are, and live a life that is open, honest and giving wholeheartedly and completely. I’m very excited to begin, hope you are too, and together let’s make our world even more special than it is today!
Helen Keller said, “I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and just because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Helen Keller
Surmounting Reality 