From Somewhere at Some Point

We all start from somewhere at some point.

When I first retired, I made this from the name plate that had hung outside my office door. I was interested then, and am still learning about collage. I like the idea that if we try, we can see the 'other-than-usual' use for scraps of all kinds, and then make them into something that speaks to us. 

From Somewhere at Some Point

In the majority of the pieces I've made in last several months, I've included word and text in different fonts and ways, and this has definitely helped fulfill my writer's needs. It's challenging at times to fill a page with your feelings, but a word or two are usually within reach. (Tweet This)

But when using these words, I also like to tell a story, to make a statement of some sort. Sometimes only in a subtle way for those who are looking for it. Other times in a bold way that you can't miss it.

This was She. When I started.

Well as you can see,  She was pretty but flat, I was tired by then, of propping up people, and doing my best to motivate. Trying with words which too frequently fell on deaf ears. The message I needed to give in my own way had been buried by years of pretending by then. And She reflected that.

But, She still managed to stand tall, and since then she has moved towards embracing the colours and the celebration that she was ready for. And She continued to learn through collage.

She learned that with our growth and experiences, we are able to add more layers, we gain dimension, we are better equipped to make the statement that is ours to give.   

And then, lockdown.

When each new day brings a challenge of how to fill our time. Do we really want to learn a new skill, or would we rather drift away in the moments until the next tv show starts, or find a new binge-worthy murder mystery, or sit on the balcony and watch what the neighbours are doing through their open blinds. 

 

I arise in the morning torn between a desire 

From Somewhere at Some Point

to improve (or save) the world 

and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. 

This makes it hard to plan the day.

 E.B. White

 

I would like to say that creating has become easier, but each day I still need to make an effort.

Because as any of us know, we can't get better if we don't try. We can't learn if we don't fail. We can't create anything new if we let the old remain. (Tweet This)

So after many months of ignoring her as she stared back at me, I saw that She needed a change, I started to see that I could do more. 

Then one day...

She heard more words, She understood that maps make imaginary lines, She imagined her life and brought her dreams into the day. So did I. So can you. (Tweet This)

The message I needed to give in my own way had been buried by years of pretending by then. (Tweet This)

Stay well, stay kind.

 

 

These are the basic supplies I used to take She 'From Somewhere at Some Point'. Have fun with your next creation, whatever it might be!

Can You Wait to Get Up in the Morning?

 We could hardly wait to get up in the morning.
Wilbur Wright

 

Let's admit it, we probably don't all feel like the Wright brothers at this moment. In the last year we've all experienced a loss of some kind. Some a little easier to handle, many quite difficult. Many dreams and ambitions put on hold.

From lost friendships, to losing a steady income, to everything in-between. Each disappointment has caused us to re-think who we are, what we want to contribute, where we are heading.

Each zoom call, each email tells us a story of what people are experiencing around us. Netflix dramas are downright scary, many filled with deceit few with laughter. Some of us are craving the Hallmark movie because it is sweetly predictable. We are often underwhelmed with honesty and truth these days. 

So recently, when I encountered a youtube that I regularly follow where she shared her vulnerability of burn-out, my heart surrendered.

As a fellow creator, with a thousand ideas but only 24 hours each day, holding the responsibility of satisfying her public and her family, she told us in her video how she was doing/drowning.

Can You Wait?

Tell me, do you honestly tell anyone how you're doing? It is okay to be sad, directionless, uncomfortable. It is okay to step back and admit it. And this woman did all that in her video. 

She opened the door to honesty. She was real. She cried. She encouraged others to seek help.

It is the nature of despair that we want to hide. Regardless of who we are, we are all hiding something. (Tweet This) Fear of the expectations of our family, fear of time running out, fear of what we have invested with no or limited outcome. We are tired.

It can paralyze us. But if this fear also gives us the invitation to re-invent ourselves, to re-think our previous choices, gives us the courage to share with others who might be feeling the same, how much hope and comfort could it bring to us all?

Climbing that wall to understanding that our pain is not ours alone takes utmost courage. That others feel it too right now, knowing that we can turn to those on the other side of this experience. Is that not a gift?

Can You Wait?

In the last few weeks, I have heard from people whom I had lost contact with over the last few years. What struck me each time, was how open we have been. How we've shared our feelings of our past memories, asked important questions that showed how much we cared, and opened the door as my youtube lady did.

We stop pretending when we choose our community. For support, for understanding, and also for talking nonsense. (Tweet This)

As our time apart slowly comes to an end, let's not forget what we learned. Perhaps we can create a brighter world, with real hugs, all based on our new more open hearts.

Our fear of today is also our invitation to make a change. (Tweet This)

Stay well, stay kind.

 

 

Forgotten?

Today May 9

I have used this bike as any true Canadian to measure our recent (long) winter! It was locked up and stayed, through the falling leaves, the first scattering of snowflakes, buried to the handlebars and then today.

A bike, locked and forgotten. Getting a little rusty along the spokes. Showing some wear, but still there.

What’s the story? Could a person really forget where they’ve left it? Did they lose the key? Did they just want a new one?

March

And of course this makes me wonder…what might I have forgotten? What have you forgotten?

This year is almost half over. What were our goals six months ago? What dreams did we have in January? What plans have we forgotten and discarded? Have we worked at unlocking what has held us back? Do we need to find a new goal?

A bike that I see most mornings keeps reminding me of the passing of time. (Tweet This)

Have we worked at unlocking what has held us back? (Tweet This)