24-324 Practicality

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MotD 24-324 Practicality — after. textured abstract background with muted colors of blue, beige, peach, blue, and bolder colors of white, yellow, blue, and gold. on top in black ink is an outline of a flower-like mandala that is partially on the paper. The center is in the center at the top of the paper. each petal has different outlined areas. the center outlines a large metallic gold ‘blob’.
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Practicality

“the quality of being suitable for a particular occasion or use”

When I was halfway through earning a degree in keyboards (piano) at a prominent music school in Boston, my dad hit me with this question: “what are you going to do with this degree?” Surprised, I replied “play piano/keyboards, of course”. To which he asked “where are you going to play?” My reply “wherever I can”.

After this exchange, my dad declared that he would only support my schooling if I get a practical degree. To him “playing piano” wasn’t practical … his belief being that “you can’t make a living as an artist/musician/etc”. At that time, I was too young (emotionally) to know how to stand up to him. So I caved and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education.

I hurt. I felt defeated. As a grown, now, I get it…I get where he was coming from. He grew up during the depression and scarcity…which he never got over. For the longest time afterwards, most of my decisions were based on the practicality question. I let myself miss out on a few things because of it. A lot of it I worked out through therapy. At least now, I allow my soul’s desire be part of the process along with practicality.

Do I regret my music “major” change? Part of me does. And yet another part of me sees how this has played out some 50 years later…lessons learned on so many levels.

Essentially today’s MotD reminds us that there’s a time and a place for being practical … after all we live in a 3d human existence that has certain requirements and responsibilities. At the same time though, we’re challenged to honor our soul’s desire by giving it a seat at the decision-making table along with our practical self.

How about you? Is practicality a core value for you?

BTW…here’s what it looked like to begin with …

MotD 24-324 Practicality — before. textured abstract background with muted colors of blue, beige, peach, blue, and bolder colors of white, yellow, blue, and gold.

joyfully,

Maureen
The Mandala Lady

🌟 creating mandalas, inspiring peace

About the 2024 Mandalas of the Day

Each day I will create and post a mandala inspired by one of 366 “value” words chosen randomly. The objective being to discover for myself which ones would best represent my core values…and by doing so, I hope it inspires you to determine your own.

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Published by The Mandala Lady

My Mission: connecting with our Inner Light in delightful, inspiring ways For me, creating mandalas is more than just coloring pretty patterns in a circle. I do it because my spiritual evolution and creativity require it of me. My mandala designs come about within an active meditative state, connected with my higher self, my spiritual guides and nature spirits. Together, we bring into form, mandala art the allows me to re-connect with my own inner peace and joy, letting me explore and expand my own creative spirit to however far and in whatever direction I want to take it. As part of my own spiritual journey, I encourage, and hopefully inspire, others to explore their own creativity, to help them re-connect with their own inner peace and joy. As a means to that end, I make all of my mandalas available for people to color. Why should I have all the fun?

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