Art has the amazing ability to tap into our emotions. It can take us on a journey of great heights and tremendous depths. It has the ability to bring tears to our eyes or make us laugh out loud. Some work has the power to enlighten our human experience. Art might cause a visceral reaction. Even if a piece does not particularly resonate with us, it is eliciting a response none the less. However, if you are not experiencing such emotions while viewing art....WHY NOT? Could it be that you are not truly "present"? Being present requires us to set aside the distractions in our life and devoting our attention to a given person, place, or thing. It is easy in our world to allow distractions to rob us of these deep felt emotional responses to art. Put away your phone. Clear your mind of all those things that are vying for your attention. Be present with the art. Allow your self to think and feel deeply in response to the work that is in front of you. Don't allow your mind to wander. Be present.
There is so much happening in our world right now. It can be incredibly overwhelming. We don't know what to think. We don't know what to feel. We don't know what to do. Some respond by shutting down. Others might compartmentalize. While some will micromanage areas of their life in order to feel like they have some semblance of control. We embrace the distractions instead of being present. The Bible really gives us an amazing response to such a time as this. When others are happy....be happy with them! When they are sad...share their sorrow. Work together. Don't act like you know it all or have it all together! When I read these verses from Romans 12:15-16...it lets me know I don't have to have all the answers. I just need to be present. I need to have an open heart & an open mind. I need to trust God. I think we will truly be amazing what God can do in and through us if we just make ourselves available....with a loving and humble heart. BE PRESENT!
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