(my studio right now)
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
-Rumi,
*one of my fave poems!
So many times we try to pretend as if there is no messiness to life. We hide it or push it away...messy thoughts and emotions. Sometimes we compulsively clean our houses to hide the messiness that lives inside of us...Sometimes we shrug it off and go through the motions. But it takes so much energy to do this-don't you think? It's so much better to just lay it all out and process it and get to the other side. It's part of being human. Lately...life over here has been very ...well,
messy! Tara and I have had a bit of the flu bug, a major migraine headache snuck up on me this evening and we are in the
really messy process of figuring out our move to Ca! Plus I have been feeling the start of ...
burnout! Yikes! But in the midst of all of this whirlwind, I see the gifts of this whole process ...I am slowing down a little, leaving dishes in the sink and the laundry undone. Going to bed a little early and taking hot baths. Lighting candles and turning off the noise.
(detail of painting above)
Most of all...
I am letting my heart speak. It is telling me to step back, slow down and take a deep breath. To lay bare my anger and sadness and joy and vulnerability...write it down, paint it out, speak it out. And I am listening to my heart more and more these days. Vulnerability feels so good! It strengthens me in all my weak places...How about you...
are you listening to your heart? What is it telling you?
A few blogs I am loving right now:
*
Kelly Kilmer -juicy, luscious journal pages chock full of techniques, tips and inspiration. Plus she offers so many amazing journal e-courses..I would sign up for one right this second if I had the time. Am certainly going to bookmark it for later.
*Alyson B. Stanfield's blog on everything
creative biz related. I mentioned it the other day but it bears repeating-
head over there!*
Art Propelled -if you haven't discovered this blog yet...it is stunning! Artist Robyn Gordon's carvings are elegant, graceful and mysterious...her work speaks of the secrets of Africa. I love visiting this blog...there is always something to learn and Robyn's art and pics are breathtaking...
see for yourself!