Rectangles

The Rothko Chapel

I stare at my laptop screen more than I gaze into the eyes of my beloved. I suppose that makes my laptop, in a warped way, next of kin.  It makes sense, then, to be a little more intentional about what I see. 

The Rothko Chapel, in Houston, Texas, has become my new desktop screen inspiration.  It is one of the most peaceful spaces I have ever inhabited.  On the walls are several huge Mark Rothko canvases.  Visitors can sit and contemplate their lives among black rectangles. I know it may look grim but trust me, the experience is uplifting in its simplicity. 

In contrast, there is nothing simple or contemplative about my laptop screen. There are always ten or fifteen documents and several applications open, all competing for space and my attention. 

My rectangular screen mimics the  physical clutter of my everyday life.  My internet browser only adds to the clutter. I created a customized Google window that provides the headlines for CNBC, New York Times, NPR, and Reuters. My senses attempt to connect with these headlines each time I see them whether I read the articles or not. 

While I seek union with the world around me, too much union can be trouble. It is time to say goodbye to the clutter and  the constant access. It is time for my laptop screen to mimic the experience of the Rothko canvas with its still, puffy rectangles.