Yin and Birds – Digital Artwork by Renae McCollum 2016

This artwork represents how I’m trying to see the world. My world, and all of yours. A place full of balance, freedom, peace and justice. It’s hard to imagine it though, and even harder to believe in it. I realize it’s just a dream, but perhaps a dream we all have in common? I can only hope.

Deep down I have to trust that all of humanity is rooted in the same desire to live in harmony with one another. We are all just a bunch of living, breathing organisms sharing the same resources and creating systems to “deal” with our surroundings. My hope one day is that we collectively can find a way to live respectfully and peacefully with each other AND with our own planet – to stop exploiting and abusing each other and our natural resources. It’s more than tolerance, more than acceptance, but real support, understanding, and unity. We have so much more in common than we realize…but I know it’s hard at the moment.

As for now, I can only keep the hope alive through art and music and kindness.

Perhaps Curtis Mayfield’s song “Move On Up” is the best thing for everyone to listen to right now. Such a gem 🙂 We’ll Move On Up…Enjoy!

Hush now child, and don’t you cry
Your folks might understand you, by and by
Move on up, toward your destination
You may find from time to time
Complication

Bight your lip, and take a trip
Though there may be wet road ahead
And you cannot slip
So move on up for peace will find
Into the steeple of beautiful people
Where there’s only one kind

So hush now child, and don’t you cry
Your folks might understand you, by and by
Move on up, and keep on wishing
Remember your dream is your only scheme
So keep on pushing

Take nothing less, than the second best
Do not obey, you must keep your say
You can past the test
Just move on up, to a greater day
With just a little faith
If you put your mind to it you can surely do it