Just between us, my head and my heart are spinning with the learning. And with the (figurative) leaping!
It might be helpful, dear heart, to imagine this missive as a word-quilt, patched together out of bits and pieces longing to be comfort.
Let’s start with the photo…
A journal prompt for my Temple painting adventure suggested that we go out into our neighborhoods and notice a tree which called to us. A connecting with our root system sort of thing…
As you may recall, I spent Wednesday in a deeply familiar neighborhood known as the Columbia Theological Seminary campus, surrounded by deep, deep roots, some very welcome newness, and considerable practice extrovert-ing!
Just as I was heading home, I encountered this tree. This tree I’ve undoubtedly passed hundreds of times and never really noticed. It was too dark at that point, for good photos, so I went back today.
What you’re seeing, above, is what I suspect virtually everybody sees as they come out of the parking lot behind the library, headed for whatever’s next on their list. I, however, glimpsed it from another perspective… from the side street, headed up the hill.
What I caught, out of the corner of my eye, was this…
And the first thing that popped into my artist brain was hippo! As in, hippopotamus!!!
Do you see her???
I hurried home and – because I’ve spent some time hanging with an indigenous mama named Maria – I looked up hippo spirit animal. Here’s what I read…
The Hippopotamus Spirit brings wisdom, healing, and imagination, and links the human world to the Divine. Your Spirit Hippopotamus can help you eliminate and clarify negative emotions and aid you in finding your true path.
Really! And trust me when I tell you, that was a message I was happy to receive… non-canonical though it may be.
You see, my new adventure, known as Oh, I See… Consciously! began on Thursday.
A great group of curious, adventurous people. New notions of – you know – Filters!
And, by the time we finished day one, a bit more possibility… a bit more wisdom, healing, and imagination set free in the world!
Then, I went back to the easel!
This #work-in-progress has chosen an official title… Guardians of Fierce Compassion… then, now, always!
Just between us, the painting has been slow going. Probably because there’s a whole lot going on!
Also, because I’m simultaneously creating and claiming myself. And my path.
Canvas. Brush. Paint. Inspiration. Courage… Newness!
(And, yes, the bear will be back before too long… she’s a Guardian, too!)
For now, a bit more time with my journal and Joan Baez!
And a question… What might the hippo be whispering to you??? Really!
It’s easy to leave a comment, below… or email me! suesvoice@gmail.com
ps… CTS has been here, in Decatur for very nearly 100 years. Don’t you just hope that tree’s been there, growing in wisdom, healing, and imagination, all that time?
pps… need some art to inspire you? There’s lots at FierceArtWithHeart… and a special offer. Just use the code HIPPO at checkout to save 15% on all items over $45! (Why $45??? So leggings are included, too!) And hurry. This offer expires on Sunday, 2/18 at midnight EST!