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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Draw

Every now and then something simple and familiar makes itself known in a new and fresh way. I look at it in amazement and wonder why I never saw it that way, or in this case, why I never appreciated it in this way.

Particularly when it's a simple insight that probably many others have seen, when the "aha" hits, it's both humbling and exhilarating.

This morning I was reading Charles Hugh Smith's An Unconventional Guide to Investing in Troubled Times in which Charles quotes legendary trader Ed Seykota, "Whatever you put your mind to, whatever you expect, be it positive or negative, you tend to draw into your life."

This is not a particularly new thought. But what struck me was Ed's use of "draw."

Zentangle's slogan is "Anything is possible, one stroke at a time." And not to get all "pop psychology" on you, but you "draw" each stroke one at a time and Ed's use of "draw" as attract offered a wonderful (and obvious) parallel to that.

I looked up "draw" on The Free Dictionary. Here are a few of their slightly edited definitions for "draw."
  • Cause to come by attracting; attract
  • Move after or toward one by applying continuous force; draw the chair closer to the table
  • Move in a given direction or to a given position, as by leading: The teacher drew the children into the room to see the decorations.
  • Move or pull so as to cover or uncover something: draw the curtains.
  • Cause to flow forth: a pump drawing water
  • Take in (air, for example); inhale.
  • Take or pull out: drew out a wallet.
  • Extract or take for one's own use: draw strength from one's friends.
  • Take in from a given group, type, or region: draw clients from all levels of society.
  • Bring about deliberately; provoke: draw enemy fire; draw a penalty on an opponent.
  • Evoke a response; elicit: a performance that drew cheers
  • Earn; gain: deposits that draw interest
  • Use (a check, for example) when paying.
  • Receive on a regular basis or at a specified time: draw a pension.
  • Take or receive by chance: draw lots.
  • To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.
  • Pull back the string of (a bow).
  • Stretch taut.
  • Flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.
  • Shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.
  • Inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.
  • Make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.
  • Formulate or devise from evidence or data at hand: draw a comparison.
  • Compose or write out in legal format: draw a deed.
  • Use or call upon part of a fund or supply: drawing on an account; drew from the experience of fellow workers.
Wow!

There are many more examples and definitions of "draw" on that page but I didn't include them all. I had to "draw the line" somewhere.

This all just goes to underscore our personal ideas, that life really is an artform, and that everyone is an artist.

Everyone draws.


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7 comments:

Carole Ohl said...

I love this train of thought and its conclusion, or maybe more appropriately, its open invitation. YES! "Life is an artform and everyone is an artist."

Margaret Bremner, Artist said...

"Everyone draws." Lovely! And true.
Interesting how any meaning of the word "draw" involves movement, change, transformation.

--Margaret

Lois Heinani Stokes said...

As we turn our Zentangle tile to appreciate it in a different way ~ we discover new insights ~ awareness ~ and connections. Your post on the meanings of the word draw has reminded me of this.

Tricia, CZT said...

... and yesterday, the 'draw(er) pull' was the topic of interest as Maria drew on it. Hmmmmmmmmmm........

Carole Ohl said...

Nice one, Tricia!

Zentangle said...

Funny, 'cause we (meaning locals) say the word "draw" when we are referring to a drawer....as in "go get a pencil, I think it's in the junk draw in the kitchen" !!! m

Quillingmama said...

Can't help but think I want to is idea the next time sombody tells me that they can't draw. By using the word can't they block themslf from having a chnce to try. Maybe if they see they haven't concidered all the possibilities for the word draw maybe they can open their mind and try again without judging the outcome before they even put pen to paper!