Death, not a cheery subject I know, but it's been around for me a lot recently.

An acquaintance of mine died recently in an accident while taking time out in the desert.

My mother went to Spain to teach English and yesterday had a serious asthma attack and is now in intensive care. It's not the first time I've seen in there.

Then the other day I found out a woman I met on a train to San Fran who worked in adult films died from a brain aneurysm. We were the same age.

It's brought back memories for me of times I thought I might die. Any way you look at it, we're all heading there.

So what am I going to do with my time (I don't know how much time), that is really meaningful? How can I make the world a little bit better, people a little more happy, or able to deal with the harsh parts of life?

The first time I saw my Mum go into a psychiatric ward was when I was 12, the same time my step-father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. I started to read books by the Dalai Lama to try and make sense of things, and found a meditation teacher at 18. I studied Psychology and Criminology at University. I was still left with a lot of questions, doubts, and fears.

So I studied more, experienced more of life, started to attend long meditation retreats, trying not to push the questions away, but allow them to ripen over time, ripen towards fruits.

And I suppose they did . . . but I'm still left with this question. What can I really do to help?

I don't think there are any easy answers, but today I have spare time, so I'm going to spend it with this question, and see what comes forward.

Hope you're all well,

Rich

Woke at 5am, and got to watercolours with Lana Del Rey, this one's for Moxi

If you haven't heard of Melody Gardot, here's an absolutely beautiful song by her, lay back, and enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qphknagXqA&feature=fvwrel&fb_source=message

I've decided to move for the day into technicolour, and so spent time with the incredible Mr. Van Gough, figuring some of his vision may rub off onto me if I relate to him.

I had lots of fun today. After starting Weschler's book on David Hockey, and hearing Hockney's perspective on photography, I had to get outside into a local nature park and snap a few collages.

I think I got mild sun stroke, but it was worth it. Original 16 x 25"

A while ago I wrote and article about embodied meditation and am sharing it here as I feel it gives something of a new perspective, though I'll let y'all be the judge for yourselves

http://www.under35project.com/submissions/embodied-meditation/

I love drawing and have a lot of free time at the moment as I'm the primary carer for a relative (and so can't leave the house much). If you'd like me to draw you, I'd love to hear from you.

Rich

p.s. check profile for pics in charcoal

I just saw this video and it really touched my heart. A young woman, facing really difficult circumstances, really enjoying life <3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17658468