#artandtexture

Deuteronomy 32

"a glitter's glitter"

acrylic and ink mono-print, in black & white and inverted contrast, captured images.

by Anthony Stanton

"drift wood" ... from London's Tower

acrylic and ink mono-print, in black & white and inverted contrast, captured image.

by Anthony Stanton

"the reef and the rouge wave"

acrylic and ink mono-print, in black and white and inverted contrast captured images.

by Anthony Stanton

I do not think the goal is to fully “solve” that complexity. For me, it is more about noticing it, accepting it, and maintaining a good attitude while moving through it.

Over the course of life, one of my ongoing challenges has been maintaining a good attitude regardless of circumstances, and I have had opportunities to practice that.

Most of us have inconsistencies in how we think or act, and those can be influenced by fear or self-interest. When we take time to understand our fears, set them aside, and respond more calmly, it becomes easier to accept what comes. In that space, humility often follows, and with humility comes gratitude, because we begin to notice things we might otherwise miss.

As we grow—much like the rings of a tree—we move through different “ranges” in life. Events occur every day that are not planned or predictable. Some people try to anticipate every outcome and manage probabilities to control life, but that approach can feel disconnected from lived experience.

Everything grows from the center and expands outward. In my view, there is an inherent irony in being human: we can be both the source of challenges and the source of solutions. It is not necessarily about spending a lifetime searching for answers or explaining every problem. It is about recognizing that a solution may already be present, and that accepting it can lead to a different level of understanding.

We all carry emotions, and they are naturally reactive. The difference is in how we respond to them. If we can maintain a good attitude and avoid being driven by fear, I believe we are better able to move through what is in front of us.

As I am writing this, I paused for a moment—my dog is at the window, and a dove just landed on the handrail. Hearing that familiar call felt like a simple but meaningful reminder to slow down and notice what is around us.

Fear can keep us from doing many things. In addition, reacting from anger or heightened emotion often pulls us away from what life may be offering. The opportunities available to us can be far greater than we expect, but we tend to receive them gradually, in proportion to what we are willing to accept. With practice, that process becomes easier—and more compelling.

To me, humility—like patience—is a form of acceptance. That is not the same as surrendering or giving up. It is choosing to remain open, allowing yourself to grow and expand your range. The understanding that comes from that willingness can be significant.

It is also difficult to explain this in a way that someone can immediately understand from words alone. It tends to be something you learn through experience. Each of us has the ability to do that, but it requires a willingness to accept without fear and without reacting emotionally. Over time, we may find we can accept what once felt impossible.

That is what acceptance means to me, along with maintaining a good attitude as we continue to grow. I believe people can develop substantially over time, and what we can do and achieve in a lifetime may be greater than we often assume.

I do not think life repeats itself, and I do not think history repeats itself in a literal sense. It can appear that way because human nature often repeats familiar patterns. We may start out focused on our own needs, and over time we tend to move in one of two directions: either we remain aggravated and self-focused, or we face our shortcomings and learn from them. That learning is how we develop the understanding we are meant to gain, and how we become more mindful of those who are still working through the same process.

In that sense, education is lifelong, even though life itself is not very long. The ongoing challenge is to practice patience and maintain a good attitude as we learn acceptance.

I will add one more thought: I am genuinely curious about you, and I often wonder whether that curiosity is mutual. I do not mean that in the sense of offering each other reassurance or positive affirmations. I mean it more as a real interest in understanding how another person sees things.

I also think humor matters. When communication is difficult, humor can be one of the most reliable ways to reconnect and keep the conversation human. In a broader sense, staying connected—through curiosity, honesty, and even humor—feels like part of what helps us avoid becoming disconnected or diminished. For me, that brings the focus back to acceptance: not denying complexity, but meeting it with openness instead of fear.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Respectfully,

"communication beidge"

acrylic and ink mono-print, in black & white and inverted contrast, captured image.

by Anthony Stanton

from... "first rock skipped"

acrylic and ink mono-print, in black & white and inverted contrast, captured image.

by Anthony Stanton

"Dawn to Rising in Destiny"

acrylic and ink mono-print, in black & white and inverted contrast, captured images.

by Anthony Stanton