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Why we create:Maya Angelou reflections

Lately Maya Angelou has often been finding her way into my awareness. She was a firecracker of a person, with compassion, spunk, strong values and a clear voice for uplifting others through struggle. I appreciate her thoughts on why we CREATE in the world- as a tool for sharing our dreams, questions, passion, and process of living. I find that no matter what kind of background someone has with the arts, when a person spends a few moments with colour, words, music; any material they can interact with- some sort of transformation happens. It might be an inner shift that person feels, a brightening of their eyes, a  re-discovered sense of possibility, or playfulness in themselves they had forgotten about. In the simple act of creating and sharing, we are inspired to move towards something good.

'We write for the same reason that we walk, talk, climb mountains or swim the oceans- because we can. We have some impulse within us that makes us wan to explain ourselves to other human beings. That's why we paint, that's why we dare to love someone-because we have the impulse to explain who we are'  -Maya Angelou

Freedom

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Exploring the world

I was inspired while reading Paris Letters recently, which re-connected me with how much I love exploring other cultures around the world. The smell of dinner wafting up the street, choices of different local wines, encountering live music in the streets, seeing the way families interact with eachother, the eyes of children that mirror something about the place you are in. Mmm! I enjoy this kind of immersion in a land that is not my own, yet where my heart is open to feeling the spirit, the resonance, the pace and particular character. 'We must find places to explore in this world, but also places to rest'.  -Janice MacLeod    Yes, it is certainly life-giving to go on marvelous adventures that bring a different spark to our souls; yet when we are not out there exploring are we able to relax into everyday life where we are, at home? I have several favourite places in my neighbourhood that I go to for a mini holiday of sorts. Places where I can sit and breathe, take in the beauty of nature around me, and pause from needing to recall any schedules or task lists.

What are some of your favourite places to explore around the world? In your city?

 

Forgiveness says the lily

IMG_20140717_135827Tiger Lilies Always earth holds another

forgiveness at its center:

and tiger lilies splinter

 

cold air for their own colors,

like teeth or smooth young shoulders,

or the ears that tradewinds bother.

-Jonathan Aldrich

Tiger lilies are intricate in their center, in the way they stand upright and brightly coloured for so long before suddenly their dropping centre piece down. A bold letting go.  Dark purple fuzzy plant stuff everywhere- wow!

For me this image of  a tiger lily conjures a beautiful concept of the boldness involved in forgiveness: The mental reach it can take to let go of a careless word or action from someone you hold dear; the wildly courageous act of being in close connection with others, where we take the risk of being wounded, disappointed, or misunderstood.

Sometimes holding a posture of graceful letting go shows strength of heart.