For much of his life Rees lived nearby and used the bays and inlets viewed from the park frequently as an inspiration for his landscapes. I often walk to this park as it is one of my favourite spots.
Lloyd was a true seeker of light. His paintings, especially in the last twenty years of his life when his eyesight was fading, were filled with light and washed colours. The memorial plaque at Northwood records one of his beliefs, "If you look for light you find it."
The quest for light has always been important to me. Mine is not a search for literal light - more, the search for direction, a message, a cleaning away of uncertainty and the recognition of inner spirit and authenticity.
Occasionally, life seems to be a chasm - a pit I slip and slide into. There is sometimes a sense of overwhelming darkness and no light ahead. What I have learned is that there is always light, I'm just not looking for it in the right place. I am probably searching for it straight ahead, the most obvious place to look when, if I would only glance to my right or left, I would glimpse its radiance.
That special light can come from any direction. A chance remark, a line in a magazine which starts me thinking, the sound of children playing, the words of a song, a comment overheard on the bus - all and any can give insight and a way through. When times are tough I have now learnt to keep my ears and heart open.
Whenever everyday problems overwhelm us, it is a relief when we see a solution, when we know what to do, when we understand the reason for something and the lessons contained within it.
The light is always there......we just need to look in a different direction.
Lloyd Rees painting Northwood Point, Sydney Harbour, 1978
8 comments:
loved your post dear ,especially last two paras ,i think light has lot to do with age as inner light raises alongwith growing age,
in youth we see everything packed in the warp of our attitude but byt he time fog reduces and then we come to the age of light and wisdom when everything can be seen so clear ,i think this inner light get us close to the truth ,which is undeniable but still so deeply beautiful and certain ,
have a blessed day
It is a beautiful painting and thanks for this inspiring post Peggy
Great post. "...a relief when we see a solution, when we know what to do..." So very true.
I have recently learned that this solution, knowing what to do, inner motivation doesn't happen for everyone. We probably all fall into dark places due to various unwanted events and such during our lives. Unfortunately too many fall too often and lose their ability to pick themselves up and move on.
@baili Thanks for stopping by and leaving such an enlightened comment.
The beauty of aging is often life becomes more and more bright and the reason for everything appears more clear.
@Christine - It is a gorgeous painting, as so many of Lloyd Rees painting are. Thanks for your kind comments Christine, you are a wonderful friend.
@Bill - To look for the light has taken me on a long long journey. A journey to take a deeper look at myself, which was pretty scary, but I survived and now I am thriving.
Thanks for your insights my friend, always great to hear from you.
Another inspiring post, Peggy - you are such a gifted person. More power to your keyboard!
My dear friend Mike - you are very kind!
It is interesting that you have mentioned keyboard, as it got me thinking about the past and the future. In the past you would have written "more power to your pen" and in the future "more power to your voice" as the keyboard will be obsolete.
It is scary how time is passing so quickly, but at the same time I am thoroughly enjoying the ride.
Great post Peggy. It is indeed hard to see the light sometimes as there is a lot of darkness. You are the light though and you conquer the darkness by being the light. You always shine and have made this world a better place.
I love the painting with it beautiful colours and special light Take care
Hello dear Marja
Conquering our darkness, I think is the most difficult thing we have to overcome in this life and we are the only ones that can change our lives.
After hitting rock bottom, I knew that I had to believe in myself wholeheartedly to move forward in my life. I made it a mission to tell myself every day that I am beautiful, strong, confident, and powerful. Even if I did not completely believe it, I knew I had to “fake it until I make it,” and so I did.
Marianne Williamson said it so well!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?”
Your light is immensely strong and it is a great privilege to call you my friend Marja.
Keep shining. xxxxxx
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