"What would you rather have?"

"What would you rather be?"

"What would you rather do?"

"What would you rather give?"

These are four of my favourite friends, but I don't always remember to listen to them.

Our Molly at Moodscope has challenged me in a brilliant way on a couple of occasions now... called me out from a position of perceptive insight that I believe is one of her gifts.

Last week, I shared openly how I had felt more suicidal than I can remember, and how difficult it was for friends to know what to say or do to ease the pain of that moment. Truth is that whilst I'd prefer not to continue with the current pattern life seems locked in, I'd much rather have something else. Unconsciousness or even death would ease the pain and would be a welcome escape, but I'd rather have a life to the full.

When we focus on what we don't like about now, it is all too easy to feel overwhelmed, depressed, hopeless, and develop a desire to escape at any cost. The four friends I have as questions shift the attention, as Millie was talking about last week too.

I wonder what your answers would be to the four questions?

What would you rather have/be/do/give?

I've just attended an Art event with Bridport Open Studios. Chatting with the Artists I met was exciting and energising. I've always been drawn more towards creative art than towards business, and I wonder if I've created trouble and unhappiness for myself by not being, doing, and giving in the way I'd prefer.

I'd rather be an Artist, mixing with other Artists, and living in an Artistic enclave like Bridport. Abraham Maslow, one of the leaders of Motivational Thinking, suggests that whatever we could be, we must be.

Could it be that much of our unhappiness emerges from knowing we're not being true to our heart's desires? If I could stop what I'm doing now and survive as an artist, I'd choose that freedom in a heartbeat.

How about you? Who are you really? Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? How do you want to give back to the world of which we are so much a connected part?

What would you rather have/be/do/give?

Lex

A Moodscope member.