December Newsletter
Whilst on holiday, I’ve been monitoring how and when I get irritated. And having nailed it down, I’ve found that nearly all the time it’s because something that seems obvious to me, another simply doesn’t understand.
Take map reading, for example. A subject associated with many couple’s arguments (which the magnificent Sally SatNav has gone a long way to solving, thank heavens!). I become irritated when something as simple as this for me to comprehend, my beautiful wife seems incapable of… or, in my eyes, unwilling to learn.
I think this is one of the most common routes to disagreement and then anger in relationships; something that’s seemingly so obvious to one, another of equal intelligence just cannot grasp. So we just assume they don’t want to, or can’t be bothered, which increases the tension.
We all have things we’re good at. If someone else isn’t as good as us at something, does that make him or her stupid or less capable? They certainly have things we don’t understand as easily, too.
Taking the time to first listen to their point-of–view, is the key, rather than forcing them to see everything through our own limited perspective. Then, in a calm and unprovocative way, try to help them understand ours, even when we may feel frustrated.
Great negotiators and businessmen and women have this ability and I find it a charming and alluring quality. They take the time to listen to me before empowering me with their knowledge without being patronising, and I (and I’m sure they, too) feel much better for the interaction afterwards.
In a world of growing differences, I believe these are skills we need more than any other and I would even go as far to say it’s something we should consider teaching in school. The world would be a much better place if we could take the time to first listen and try to understand one another before teaching the other our viewpoints in a calm, generous manner…
…and if I could just get to grips with it, it wouldn’t ‘arf help with arguments in our rental car, too!
So what’s been happening this month whilst I’ve been swanning it up in the US? Well, for one, the discount period of 20% off during my holiday has seen a whole batch of lovely work sold. Ben Taffinder, Mike Hindle, Ann Kelly and Jenny Aitken have all sold pieces, so if there’s something that takes your fancy, the 20% discount period is still running until I’m home on 10th December. Grab yourself a Xmas bargain, why don’tcha?
And on the subject of Christmas, we have an exciting Christmas exhibition for everyone. On 28th December from 6.30 we’ll be opening our doors to our really exciting ‘Winter in Cornwall’ exhibition. Most of our artists will be producing just one piece under that title and the exhibition will run from evening of 28th December until early January.
On the opening evening there’ll be a right old knees up. Simon Stallard’s Hidden Hut team will be doing some fun Christmas snacks out in the street and we’ll have mulled wine and fun, fun, fun! Many of our artists will be coming, too. Even the smashin’ Claire Henley’s coming down from Stratford… what a star… and the mega talented Ilric Sheltand as well, to name but a couple!
So why not drop everything and join us. All the exhibition pieces will go live on the website through this link, so those who can’t make it, can see and buy the pieces online from the same date (we spoil you!).
I’ll send another reminder about the exhibition later in the month and news of a few additions I’m expecting from the smashin’ Stephen Higton and aforementioned Mike Hindle, who are restocking us after some incredible sales.
For now, though, I’m back on the road with Susanne from Santa Barbara to San Diego, so wish me luck. Karma Buddha, Karma Buddha…!
Mark
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November Newsletter
A wonderful lady who is a great fan of the gallery, came in with two friends the other afternoon. What makes her so special to me is her extraordinary zest for life and enthusiasm for all she sees, despite the ills that are reducing her body to incapacity.
People like her, despite the pain they are enduring and the life-threatening illnesses they’re battling with, who can still radiate warmth and light with every sense of their being, are both enlightening and humbling to me… read more.