As I was reading Sandra Magsamen's Living Artfully this morning I was struck by her account of being labeled the artist in the family while her twin sister was considered the writer. She recalls how they both loved each of these things but because her parents considered her the artist in the family her sister stopped painting. Likewise because her sister was considered the writer Sandra stopped writing. I wondered how labels effect us and if you had been known for something that you did well as a child. How was it encouraged or not encouraged? Did you secretly long to be considered good at something else?
"While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die, whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness."
~Gilda Radner (comedian)
Lately I have been feeling a bit anxious but unable to articulate why. Yesterday I decided to "go to the basement". Going to the basement meant facing the endless walls of boxes that have haunted me since the move from the "magical cottage" in March. I didn't realize how much having these boxes hanging over my head was effecting me. When I was packing to move I knew that there were things that I was holding onto that would take me some time to let go of. Yesterday became a day of "letting go" followed by an overwhelming sense of relief.
What started out as an hour "in the basement" ended up being the whole day, but was worth it for my peace of mind. Although there are still boxes to go though they are all labeled and organized, therefore making it easier for future editing. As I thought about all of the things that I was holding onto I wondered how much they held me back in other areas of my life. Letting go of the clutter in the basement has created a new energy within the house and myself, therefore making room for energy in other areas of my life where I would like more of my focus to be. Maybe there is something cluttering your life and not allowing you to focus your energy where you would like?
Tina and I have been going out sketching as a way to explore our "place" and learn about where we live. Some of you have seen her website but in case you haven't here is a link to our "conversation" for the semester. http://www.tinahirsig.com/Conversations/Conversations.html
As I have started to draw from life more frequently I find that I am building a relationship to the things around me in a way that I don't think that I have before. I notice the details and beauty in the ordinary and feel humbled and grounded as I build a closer relationship to the world around me. My mind also wanders and I am reminded of things long forgotten. Tiny acorns that have fallen along my pathway in the woods bring back memories of my childhood and making "acorn pies" with my best childhood friend, Sheri. There have also been a few places that have I have felt a deep, unexplainable peace or energy when I was there. (I just realized that in fact, I did know where I could go to get away from the "chatter" that I described in Tuesdays post). As I think about all of this I wondered if there were any places that you have connected to or have found inspiring in some way. Do places inspire creativity?
This is an exerpt from Kent Nurburg's, Simple Truths:
"Nature is the clearest source of solitude. The greatness of nature can overwhelm the insignificant chatter by which we measure most of our days. If you have the wisdom and courage to go to nature alone, the larger rhythms, the eternal hum, will make itself known all the sooner. When you have found it, it will always be there for you. The peace without will become the peace within, and you will be able to return to it in your heart wherever you find yourself."
Kent Nurburg is relecting on solitude and loneliness. I spend a lot of time with myself and often find that "chatter" that he describes overwhelms me. This is when I know that I NEED to go for a walk at Bluff Point. These walks ground me and I feel those "larger rhythms" and "eternal hum" that he talks about. I wondered if anyone else did too? I am not sure that I have completely found it within myself as I still get anxious about a lot of things. On my walks this week I am going to be more aware of what I am feeling and see if I can bring myself to a sense of peace during those times when I am unable to go out into nature and the "chatter" won't stop swarming around in my head. I was wondering if anyone else had this incessant chatter swarming around in their heads?
Have you ever had a mentor? If so, what did you learn from them? If not, what would you like to learn from one?
This quote is hanging in my studio and something that I think about often. I was wondering what you thought about it.....
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't be insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not in some of us it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. "
~Marianne Williamson
These gorgeous photographs were taken by my friend Cheryl who is new to "the garden". She wrote a little bit about them below and is looking for feedback. Enjoy!
I have been thinking about the similar reading some of us are doing and thought that it might be nice to share our thoughts, ideas or anything that we find interesting about the books, or articles we are reading. It will be a place that we can come back and add to in much the same way I hope the "balance" post will be. Feel free to discuss books, ask questions, or leave suggestions. I believe that we are a wealth of knowledge and can learn, grow and open our minds to new things by sharing with each other. Never underestimate how important you are. You don't have to write a big annotation or anything, just be yourself and share whatever you find interesting.
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and then go do it. Because what the world needs are people who come ALIVE."
~Howard Thurman
What makes you come alive?
This is another beautiful photo of Liz's. I was thinking that each week we could post something that you might want to share. It could be anything, a photograph, a poem, story, a picture of your studio, etc...anything that you feel like sharing. You can either upload it yourself or email it to me and I will post it. It has been so wonderful staying in touch with all of you and seeing how we all are so supportive of each other. Thanks for sharing!
I am from the colors of the earth
Where the soft brown garden earth brings forth a rainbow of colors
The shades of green that sway on the tops of tall trees
The rays of golden yellow that bounce off the trees making paths to follow on the forest floor.
The brown and black feathers that dress the wild turkeys
The delicate white spots that hide the baby fawns in the spring of the year.
I am from the colors of nature
The brilliant green and red on the body of a tiny hummingbird
The striking black and white of a woodpecker tapping his beak against a tree
The magnificent red that catches your eyes as a male cardinal flies to the top of the old apple tree
The dark brown velvet that covers the new antlers as a male deer grows up.
I am from the colors of families
The soft pink of babies toes
The blue of blue jeans as my children grew up
The color of team uniforms as the seasons change
The color of prom gowns and tuxes
The pastel colors of weddings
I am from the favorite colors of grandchildren
I am from the colors of emotions
Love, happiness, sadness, peace, desire, fear,
anger, triumph and hope.
~Martha Smith
I have been thinking a lot about "perfectionism" and what that means. Because you are all such good writers I think that I have been overthinking and censoring my entries. Believe it or not, I have a whole bunch of them that I haven't posted because of this thing called "perfectionism". I wonder if I will be interesting enough or if anyone will care what I have to say. Should I share my work? What will people think of these ideas? Am I asking too many questions? (ha!) etc... etc... the list goes on. I wondered if anyone else felt the same way or found themselves to be perfectionists in other aspects of their lives?
"Don't make money your goal, You can only become truly accomplished doing something you love. Pursue things you love doing and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."
~Maya Angelou
What would pursue if you never had to worry about money?
In an effort to be more organized and mindful of everyone's time I am going to use "the gentle movement" post as a place for a quick "check in". This could be to post your goals for the week, ask for help with an idea, let others know what forward movements you have made (people really are inspired by you!), offer inspiration, ask for help or give feedback if people have asked for it (it might be good to ask for what kind of feedback you are needing).
This is a place to celebrate each other and appreciate where we are in our lives. Maybe some weeks, you are so busy you just want to drop in and say "hello, I'm still alive but I am too busy this week to do anything," or that "I am in a total rut and can't get out of my own way." Often we are too hard on ourselves and nobody should feel bad if they have weeks or times when they feel like they can't "move". This is when we need each other the most and can support each other with kindness, empathy, non-judgement and love. I know how difficult it can be to put yourself "out there" and want you to know that you will always have someone "nurturing and watering your garden" when you need it.
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