I entertained my calligraphy pens again recently, old friends that seemed glad to see me. The remit: to create a well-lettered presentation of this quotation by the Dalai Lama: Love and compassion are the pillars of world peace.
It seems so simple. Everyone would like to agree with it, and yet, it seems elusive in our world far too often.
I pick up my pen, whether a Speedball C-2 and some smooth translucent paper, or a favorite black fine point gel pen and some lined paper, and seek refuge in words. What can words do? Maybe very little. Or maybe a lot. They are my tools. They are portable and they go everywhere with me. And if I don’t always use them as I should, it is because my tongue, which would otherwise be quick and sharp, is stilled by love and compassion. I don’t want to add to the discord and misery in the world. So I write, and I try to keep this belief in mind.
How to represent it all in a photo? I brought out the pens I used to create the calligraphy. In the dawning light of a full moon day, I posed my work. A sunbeam helpfully illuminated, quite literally, my majuscule L.
This artwork is my contribution to the 2020 Heart to Heart caleandar. This will be my 24th year to participate. If you would like to see some of my past creations, this link will bring up artwork from other years.
May you find love and compassion in your heart, for all beings, even those you don’t understand or whose fear may be leading them to behave in ways you don’t like or don’t agree with. That is the challenge of our modern times, and you might find that someone from across the aisle is also looking for the same things in their life that you are. For the same sky covers us all.
“May you find love and compassion in your heart, for all beings, even those you don’t understand or whose fear may be leading them to behave in ways you don’t like or don’t agree with. ”
LOVE this. Thank you 🙂
Thank you Cari. Asking generous questions across the aisle is a real need.
Thank you for this beautiful message, Cari. So needed during these days. ♥️
Was thinking of the Irish scribes in the scriptorium saving what could be saved of culture during the Dark Ages. And there you are doing the same kind of thing. And then! A shaft of light illuminating the letters. Illumination twice over!
Oh my, Cari. You are a treasure and an illuminator in every aspect of being. Thank you, thank you, thank you!