MICHELLE LOUIS
  • Home
    • Paintings >
      • Elemental Series
      • Verge Series
      • Oh Yes Series
      • Of Land and Sky Series
      • Earthscape Series
      • Blue Series
      • Trailblazer Series
      • Invisible Trails Series
      • Yin Sides Series
      • Geometric Series
  • Contact/Shop
  • Meet Michelle
  • Blog

"Hello, Hello, Hello"

10/24/2017

12 Comments

 
Picture
"Daylight, (Connected)" (sold) 44"x 61" acrylic on canvas. ©2017 Michelle Louis
    A couple of miles into my morning wander and I'd been jolted from solitude several times to practice what used to be considered common courtesy - “Hello.”  Hikers are a generally a friendly lot, so "hello" can morph into an actual conversation- what's blooming, the sorry state of public lands under current political leaders, or an extra moment to scratch a furry companion behind the ear. I've chatted with folks whose ancestors used to live on the lands I was walking, hunters out scouting game trails, and kids whose curiosity was infectious. I've never left these encounters without a genuine good feeling.
    So when did it become okay to pass by another human without a greeting, essentially pretending they're not there? I'm not talking about bustling streets where greeting every passerby is impossible. I've noticed people starting to take on big city behavior out in the woods. I don't like it and here is my rule- you don't get to pass by me on the trail without a greeting. Don't even get me going on people wearing earbuds or talking on their phone. You're still going to get my attention, like it or not. (And by the way, you're missing an incredible symphony of soul-soothing wild sounds and interactions.)
    Paying attention to others in small ways, like saying "hello," matters. It's an affirmation. It signals respect. It takes time, and sometimes, courage. Paying attention requires a willingness to be open and to learn something new. It is non-judgmental. Paying attention to ourselves, our surroundings, and each other, is a foundation of healthy being, and indeed, a healthy society.
    So please don't think walking by your fellow humans without a greeting is normal.  For most of us, in many circumstances, it's not. It's a symptom of “dis-ease," disconnection, and distraction.
    Civility, courtesy, grace, even “good-breeding,” call it what you will. Please pay attention  to  others  along  your  path.  Kindly  acknowledge  them.  A  simple  “hello”
will do.

For more of the paintings I've been working on, click here.

Picture
Happy autumn from the trail! ©2017 Michelle Louis
12 Comments

    Author

    Artist and naturalist Michelle Louis has a vigorous curiosity about the natural world. Her abstract landscape paintings cultivate connection to the lands she explores.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    ©2022 Michelle Louis All rights reserved. Content and images are property of the artist.

    Categories
    art, nature, painting, artist, wisconsin, naturalist, hiking, walking, studio, blog

    All

    RSS Feed


  • Home
    • Paintings >
      • Elemental Series
      • Verge Series
      • Oh Yes Series
      • Of Land and Sky Series
      • Earthscape Series
      • Blue Series
      • Trailblazer Series
      • Invisible Trails Series
      • Yin Sides Series
      • Geometric Series
  • Contact/Shop
  • Meet Michelle
  • Blog