Dar's Two Sense

Getting Lost in the Element

I stood back, careful not to disturb her. Mesmerized, I watched as she lovingly created the *angel.* She took items - simple everyday things I'd probably throw away - and molded them into her 'picture' of a perfect angel. Every item had a designated place within the making. She pulled. Tugged. Stretched. Manipulated. Added the final touches. Placed a bow, tugged again. Then, she gently placed it on the table for all to admire. She had created a masterpiece - from nothing. She was lost in the moment - in her element - where time had no influence.

I, too, was lost, and had forgotten why I'd stopped in there. I could have spent hours watching this artist in action. Later, she spoke with me. Others had recognized her knack for creating gifts from nothing. They had even suggested she should have her own craft shop. I wholeheartedly agreed.

"The *image* comes to me," she said, "and I have to hurry off and create it before I lose my visual. The ideas just pop into my head, and I have to create them!"

How is it, I wonder, that the majority of the population aren't doing the thing that causes them to lose themselves in the moment. Have they given up finding that *special talent*, that thing in their life that makes their heart beat just a bit faster?

What is it in your life that causes you to *lose* yourself, even if only for a short while? That thing which brings you peace -- that says, "I'm lost in my element, right where I need to be!"

If only I had the time ...

It's something we've all said, isn't it?

And yet, we have the same amount of time we had as kids. I don't remember wishing for more *time.* Seems like there was always just the right amount available. (Well, except when I was reading a Nancy Drew mystery ... The house shut down at 10 pm and we all had to go to bed. But - did you know - if you tilt the curtain just right, you can read from the streetlight, lol.)

We've got gadgets and gizmos now that weren't conceived 20-30 years ago. They're supposed to make life easier. I suppose some of them actually do, too. Some are simply rip-offs designed to make us part with our hard-earned money.

If all these things help us find more time, though, why is it we're still searching for more of this elusive prize?

Is it because we're older (and move more slowly?)
We have more responsibilities now, that take up our precious time, perhaps?
Do we have more options/choices of things to occupy us that we didn't have as kids?

Or is it simply Rat Race-itis? (inflammation of the Rat Race gland) We just gotta keep busy, so of course we never have time to do it all?

Hmmm...