Have you ever wished for all the time in the world to do what you really love? Or maybe at least thought about what it would be like to be able to devote 7/8ths of your day to your passion rather than 1/16th? I know I have. Just imagining it brings a smile to my face. Think of it, a world with no deadlines, no 8 hours of nighttime that you have to spend in bed sleeping, no people bothering you with their problems or busy schedules. A world where you can relax, listen to music, edit photos all day long, read without interruption - all while sipping on a warm cup of fresh home-brewed coffee. Sounds like heaven-on-earth doesn't it?
But think now if you were confined to such a place, forced without a choice to do the things you love day-in-and-day-out, kept to yourself without interruption and no interaction with the outside world. Suddenly this world takes on a whole new meaning. Heaven-on-earth sounds more like a life-sentence in solitary confinement. How can this be? Wouldn't it make sense that if we got what we wanted (all the time to ourselves to accomplish our personal goals) that we would be perfectly happy? Yet I think we overlook the purpose of living and the reason for life itself. For this life is not about living for ourselves, but rather it's about living for others.
Though we may often see people as a burden or obstacle that stands in our way of success, our perspective is terribly skewed. Maybe we need to redefine what true success is. Success (and true happiness) is not about attaining wealth, fame, or everything you ever wanted. True success is found in the brief moments when one life touches another, when a small act of kindness affects and changes the lives of others for the better, when truth is shared and hearts are rejuvenated. This is the calling of the gospel, this is the true purpose of life. And though we may think that possessing all that we desire will bring us true happiness, we are deceived - life-time solitude in paradise really is misery.
The last man on earth was truly a wretched soul; for what is paradise when you have no one to share it with?
This image was a great challenge for me. I started piecing together the different elements about a week ago, but it took a while to get the perspectives straight (I'm still not sure I did it perfectly, but it's good enough for me). I've been visualizing the room for quite a while, and I think I got pretty close to what I was imagining. It sort-of conveys the idea of constant day-time and continual summer, while also painting a darker picture of confinement and solitude. My desk and chair were elements I added to give a little more context to the story, for though I love being at my desk and working on projects, I'm sure I would begin to loathe such a position if forced to stay there for eternity. Good thing these locations remain a reality only in my head.
