Real Hang Ups

I would rather have a house without furniture than a home without art. Fortunately, with the constant stream of bodies that flows throughout the place, we do have furniture. However, it is the collection of artwork on the walls that carry the day. There is something inspiring, uplifting and joyful in art that a a sofa cannot exude.

I remember reading about a woman who was clinically depressed and spiraling downward in her gloomy, chaotic and disorganized home.  Unable to function and barely dragging through the day, she was compelled to seek counseling. The doctor gave her a simple exercise. No matter how messy the house and how overwhelming the surroundings, he advised her to clear away one little spot just big enough to accommodate a vase of fresh flowers which she already had growing in her yard.  Grasping for any type of relief, she committed herself to the task.  He didn’t ask any more from her for a few weeks, encouraging her to continue the simple ritual of maintaining the spot and keeping the vase filled with fresh flowers.

As time passed, the singular focus of doing so created a a calm respite amid the storm. It gave her energy, hope and  just the boost she needed to recognize that she could move forward.

And where am I going with this?  Without question, flowers are Nature’s pure joy. But very close to it, the presence of artwork created by someone I care about lifts my spirits and reminds me of how much it means to have a connection to that individual.

Here is one cherished watercolor done by my niece, framed and on display as you walk through our front door.  There are a zillion artists who do a zillion desert scenes, but this one is my favorite. It is a smile-maker. This is the artwork of a happy kid.  No doubt about it.

By Monica , age 8    (1992)   5″ x 8″

If someone you love drew or painted something for you and it is gathering dust, dig it up. Frame and hang. If you can’t do that, just pin it up with thumb tacks. No furniture required.