Wednesday, July 25, 2012

When Enough's Enough

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As I sit and meditate I have moments of being mindful/staying present in the moment. Glimpses. I feel within myself a spaciousness that allows me to observe without reacting. I can observe what is happening right now without wishing it were different. I can enjoy the pleasant without trying to grasp onto it as I know it will change. I can accept the unpleasant without being fearful that it’ll never end, because it will. These moments are enough to sustain me.
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Enough. These few words are enough.
If not these words, this breath.
If not this breath, this sitting here.
This opening to the life
we have refused
again and again
until now.
Until now

David Whyte, Where Many Rivers Meet
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Taking off those red shoes.....

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photograph from Suitcase in Berlin
The Red Shoes by Anne Sexton
I stand in the ring
In the dead city
And tie on the red shoes…
They are not mine.
They are my mother’s.
Her mother’s before.
Handed down like an heirloom
But hidden like shameful letters.
The house and the street where they belong
Are hidden and all the women, too,
Are hidden…
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doll from Modicum
All those girls
Who wore the red shoes,
Each boarded a train that would not stop.
Stations flew by like suitors and would not stop.
They all danced like trout on the hook
They were played with.
They tore off their ears like safety pins.
Their arms fell off them and became hats
Their heads rolled off and sang down the street.
And their feet---oh God, their feet in the market place---
Their feet, those two beetles, ran from the corner
And then danced forth as if they were proud.
Surely, people exclaimed,
Surely they are mechanical. Otherwise…But the feet went on.
The feet could not stop.
They were wound up like a cobra that sees you.
They were elastic pulling itself in two.
They were islands during an earthquake.
They were ships colliding and going down.
Never mind you and me.
They could not listen.
They could not stop.
What they did was the death dance.
What they did would do them in...
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mixed media print from Animal Fancy
Excerpt from Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarisa Pinkola Estes -
The great healer carries wisdom, goodness, knowing, caregiving, and all the other things associated with a healer. So, it is good to be generous and kind and helpful like the great healer archetype. But only to a point. Beyond that, it exerts a hindering influence on our lives. The “heal everything, fix everything” compulsion is a major entrapment….While archetypes may emanate through us for short periods of time….nobody can emanate an archetype continuously….they are ideals not achievable by humans, and not meant to be….one must learn to say “Halt” and “Stop the music,” and of course mean it. So those who are tired, temporarily sick of the world, who are afraid to take time off, afraid to stop, wake up already! Lay a blanket over the banging gong that cries for you to infinitely help this, help that, help this other thing. It will be there to uncover again, if you wish it so, when you come back.
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sculpture from Adrien Art
If we do not go home (soul home) when it is time, we lose our focus….I advocate using those methods that require no props, no special location, and that can be accomplished as easily in a minute as in a day. This means using one’s mind to summon the soul-self. In a state of solitude we can assess on a continuing basis: habitat, work, creative life, family, mate, children, mother/father, sexuality, spiritual life, and so on. The measurement used in assessment is simple: What needs less? And: What needs more? Over time, as you practice, you will find yourself designing your own queries to soul. Sometimes you may have only one question. Other times you maybe have none whatsoever and just wish to rest on the rock near the soul, breathing together.

Such wisdom! I'm getting better at taking off those red shoes. Resting. Breathing. How about you?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Frida's Birthday Giveaway

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In honor of Frida Kahlo's birthday (6 July 1907) let's celebrate with some lovely artwork, video footage of Frida and a giveaway! I've pondered why I'm drawn to Frida's story and to her work. For me it's as if she epitomises the essence of all of us - both the light and the dark sides.  Like all of us Frida had moments of magnificence. Like all of us she had moments of wretchedness. Todos somos uno.
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The artpieces above come from members of the Frida Kahlo Fans Team at Etsy. From l to r, top to bottom, the Etsy shops featured are 1. Eclectic Nesting 2. My Art Place 3. Jenny Clay 4. Notha Mas 5. Rancho Romantico 6. Olivia by Design 7. I C Colors 8. Annas Dreams By Lillian 9. Rococo Barocco 10. My September Moon 11. Dana Perea Bloede 12. Mexi Soul

I was stoked to find this video footage of Frida. Just go to around 2min21sec and videos start. See our girl 'in the flesh' so to speak. And below are some beautiful private photographs.
Now for the giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post and you'll go into the draw to win this canvas bag with one of my images printed onto it.  It's light so I'm happy to post worldwide. I'll publish the winner on 16 July (just updated from 13th as I'll be away on retreat for a few days).
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Feliz Cumpleanos Frida!
WINNER - the Random Number Generated was number 1 making Yvonne our winner. Congrats girl. I'll be in touch to get your postal details. Thanks to all who entered.