Michael Hughey
I call it ‘Unfinished Business’.
It was an inexpensive painting, presumably designed to complement the drapes, rugs and sofas in one’s home.
I wasn’t looking for a wall hanging, but it appealed to me. I carefully placed it in my shopping cart alongside the gallon of milk, some clothes hangers, and a probably-not-needed-but-stylish lamp that turns itself on when you touch the base.
I could imagine that the artist, having applied those dozen or so rollers of paint, had simply shrugged, thinking “Alright, that’s good enough”. Or maybe it was a more purposeful statement.
Whenever I look at the painting, even casually, it reminds me of the many bits of my own unfinished business:
- Writing articles
- Visiting websites
- Watching movies
- Reading books
- Straightening rooms
- Taking courses
- Changing the car’s oil
But not all my unfinished business involves possessions or entertainment:
- Getting out into fresh air every day
- Noticing the beautiful things nature has provided
- Watching more closely what I’m cooking and eating
- Spending more time exercising and less time sitting at the desk
- Cultivating the inner voice
And there are probably even more important elements of unfinished business:
- Being kind to others, even when disagreeing with them (particularly when disagreeing with them).
- Speaking less, listening more
- Using encouraging words with young people…and old people…OK, with everybody.
- Helping other people and not taking any credit
- Feeding the good wolf and not the bad wolf
This list could easily be many-fold longer, but I’m thinking that we all get the point. I have loads of unfinished business that needs attention. My guess is that we all do.
I like having this on my wall to help me remember.
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Forty-Three Newsletter • Number 515 • March 2022
Oxford Friends Meeting
43 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LW
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