Respect and Contempt

Hope you have noticed this past week or so, I have been attempting to draw my faces more stylistically, more spontaneous, less formal. Let me know how you like them.

Amity is the respectful Muse. She respects your time, your space, your intelligence, your home, your beliefs, your spouse, your children, and she also respects herself. Respect is to hold one in esteem or honor. Contempt is to dishonor another or have disapproval tinged with disgust.

I was challenged when I read in Mary Pipher 's "Writing to Change the World" that therapists can only succeed in helping people whom they respect. They do not have to like their client, but they must respect them. Respect helps us relax around each other enough to become comfortable.

On the other hand lack of respect breeds contempt. Mary states, "Contempt always shows and it is always mutual or eventually becomes mutual. Contempt produces defensiveness and fear which can poison a relationship."

Lack of respect can cause us to build walls around ourselves. Have you built walls around yourself or your art? Do you fear lack of respect as an artist or, even worse, do you lack respect for your own art?

Today's aMUSEment - Ask someone you respect to give you honest feedback on your creations. Respect is mutual usually, so don't be afraid to put your creativity out there. If you desire success as an artist 'before' you die, you have to put it out there. Or you choose to leave this world without ever revealing the unique work of your hands. Put it out there, if you don't like what you hear you can always scurry back within!

U Be Creative Today!

PS - Happy Birthday Pat