The life balance

Recently I have been a little worried that work will forever be my master. I am self employed and am currently running two businesses. One is more successful than the other but they both are doing ok and they need each other to survive at the moment. In time the plan is that I will have only one business but I have this overlap at the moment that I am trying to manage. It is taking up a lot of my time. Too much I think. In my last couple of journals I have touched on the fragility of ones existence and the temporary nature of life. Through the experiences and hardships being suffered by friends of mine I keep being brought back to the same thought which is that there must be more to life than work. To end my days looking back on a life of toil and work would be the saddest thing. That is how the British Government wants you to think. The only way they measure you is by how much work you do and how much tax you pay. Well I'm looking to measure my life in other ways. In things you can't measure. 
I guess happiness is my goal. Don't misunderstand me though, I am not an unhappy guy. Sure I could be happier but I also know I have much to be thankful for. I have times where I lose sight of that as I'm sure we all do. I have more reason to be happy than many people I know and yet I still find myself wanting what I haven't got. (And I don't always even know what that is, I just want more from my life). Well the search for this elusive condition goes on but I fear it is not tangible and is an inner state that you will find yourself in one day and finally feel at peace with both yourself and the world around you. I fear I just have a restless soul that will never be satisfied but I determine to enjoy life as much as I can in the ways that I have found I can. I know I won't be happy every day and I know there are times in every day when I won't be happy but there are times in every day when you can smile and laugh. These are the moments to savor. The rest is just life. I want the magic that makes these little moments. I want more magic in my life. There you have it. Having talked it through with you I end up wanting magic in my life.....in my pictures......in my head. I just need some wizard training then
I just want to say again, this place dA, for all it's failings and faults is still my place of refuge from day to day life. Recently I have met a whole new bunch of new people through other friends or just by chance or through other journals and features. The amount of creativity out there is mind blowing and the enthusiasm of artists to create is inspiring. You all inspire me anyway. One thing I have noticed, not that it matters, is the age range of my friends here spans the generations. Many young people just beginning on their journey and others who have years of creativity and experience to share. It is wonderful. A real slice of artistic life. I take my hat off to all of you. You are amazing people and I love you all.  

And so I am going away next Saturday for two weeks. I'm going to take my camera to two of my favourite places. The Isle Of Skye and Northumberland. This will be the first two week holiday I have had since I was a kid. In fact I think I only had one of them when I was a kid so it will be only my second one. I am looking forward to it. I am hoping that while I am on Skye some magic comes my way. It feels like the place I should be so I will let it work it's irresistible charms on me. I will be among the mountains of Skye and the ruined castles and coast of Northumberland. I will be back soon enough and I'm sure I will be staying in touch while I'm away. 

"He who first met the Highlands swelling blue
Will love each peak that shows a kindred hue,
Hail in each crag a friend's familiar face,
And clasp the mountain in his mind's embrace."     Lord Byron

So, what have I been looking at lately? Well here we go then. Here is a selection from my favourites from the last couple of months. A real cross section from some lovely, talented, enthusiastic and inspiring people. Please enjoy them and if you see something you like please take a moment to let the artist know. I'm sure they would appreciate hearing from you.

                      


                    

                                

                                

                

                  

                      
                   

                                   

              The Whole World Is Out To Get YouThe Whole World Is Out to Get You
There is something very wrong with you.
I don't know, but I think you are too
ugly to be by my side.
There is something very wrong with you.
I'm not sure, but I think you are too
stupid to be my friend.
There is something very wrong with you.
I'm guessing, but I think you are too
poor to be my guest.
There is something very wrong with you.
I can tell... I can tell that you are too
clumsy to amount to anything.
There is something very wrong with you.
And I can never figure out
why people seem to like you better
than they do me.
There is something very wrong with them.
All of them!
10/26/2015
KD
It's not me, it's you!              

                       

                                     

                        

                    

                

                                     

                          

                  

                             

                 

                    

               

                

                   

            

                   

               

                                

                 

I hope you enjoyed that. It turned into quite a big feature as I find I am watching more and more people. Thank you all for being part of my life and sharing your amazing art with me and everyone else. Don't ever stop creating, making and enjoying your art in whatever form it comes. It keeps you alive. I know it keeps me alive. 
Spread the love make someone smile today and make sure you smile too

thank you

Lawrence