Yes, hiding is totally tempting. In fact, I’ve tried it, too. There is no lack of things in our world that sane, compassionate people would love to ignore. People like us!
Sadly, it doesn’t really help!
Oh, a nap is good. Another romp through the land of Princess Diaries, even. (Try it!) Eventually, though, those of us who want our Littles to have a world to inherit have to make our way back to the actual world. Here’s a quote that helps me:
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
-James Baldwin
I’ve been experimenting with a way to make going forward, despite current events, feel a bit more encouraging than traumatic. And, yes… creating is involved!
One of my IC® sisters, Amber Kuileimailani Bonnici, led a workshop for the New Year with a way to do just that. I’ve done it before, and enjoyed it. I’ve taught it. Sometimes, though, context does, indeed, shift things and this was one of those times for me.
This particular adventure has to do with folding heavy watercolor paper into an accordian-like book and, for me at least, imagining old things in new ways.
I suspect everyone who tries this experiences it differently. In my mind, it’s a lot like quilting. The scrappy kind. Bits of old treasures and new hopes brought into a relationship intended to create a path forward.
My first challenge, in this moment, was folding the paper. The second was sending the inherited perfectionist who still lurks within me on a play date, elsewhere! (Waiting for something that could be perfect, in the context of this moment, feels a whole lot like giving up!)
I began, as you probably guessed, with a bit of practice in the art of book illumination. (It’s big fun!) And, yes… the Winged Eye Wisdom reference is utterly intentional!
Then, I dreamed a map. A map of next right things!
There is, indeed, more to go. More dreaming. More claiming. The claiming part feels really important just now! And, I’ve decided not to force it faster than I’m ready. You see, I LOVE that there’s more!
ps… If you could actually read the page with the orange writing, way down near the bottom, you might notice a quote from Leo McGarry on The West Wing. “I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out!” Stay tuned… I have, and I do!
pps… now would be a great time to engage the pop-up thingy at the beginning and sign up for the mailing list. Big things, soon!!!
I love how you
use creativity to find a path forward. I’m currently in a resting phase after a full week of the flu. Hugs!
Thank you, dear Gwen, for reading and hearing! Rest on, Sister. Consider a few dots when you feel up to it. And I’m sending you virtual soup! (Put a whole new batch in my freezer last week!) Hugs!!!
Love a quote from West Wing. The Mister says we have seen it three times. I don’t recognize any of it.
Keeping my hope alive by hanging medallions on my oak tree. Some will need freshening up come spring. Painting a Madonna on bark. Posting her in the garden as guardian of all.
Ahhh… dear Fran! I have pretty much all 7 seasons of West Wing memorized! It’s always been good stories. Now it feels like hope! (Madam Secretary, too!)
Please, Sister, keep keeping your hope alive. Love to see your Madonna on bark!!! I may have a personal question to ask you in a couple of weeks, if I may. Have to fill in a couple blanks, first. Sending huge hugs!!!
Wow, this is so good! I needed to be reminded of this and hear it. Yes to more excitement and less fear-fantasizing.
Thank you, dear Julie! I suspect it’s going to take a whole bunch of us!!! Onward… <3