Looking inside

Quest. Inquire. Embrace. When watching a movie recently I was inspired by the main character's wisdom about journeying inside onself:

"Look not outside for the things you want. Look inside for what you have not yet unpacked" - from An Englishman in New York.  This notion of seeking to  more fully unpack the aspects of one's inner life strikes a chord for me. I am interested in the different angles from which one might explore their own opinions, values, dreams, questions. Entire days, weeks, years could be spent looking into the rich inner world of one person.  I am learning to become more mindful of what stirs my curiosity, what lights up my sense of joy, what avenues of questioning about life I might want to delve further into.  Of course it is very human that we seek new experiences and compelling, beautiful moments- they bring even more vibrancy to life and awaken us in marvelous ways! Yet can  we also carve out a space to simply embrace and appreciate what we do have in our everyday life, and to foster a kind of contentment around the ordinary-yet-spectacular things? To notice the Beauty of the Mundane. This is a concept that captures my attention!

How are you nurturing your inner journey? Do you write in a journal, send expressive letters to a good friend, play music, go for walks and ponder, paint a canvas, sit with a cup of tea and reflect, cook to revive your spirit......

A little inspiration to keep looking inside, however you may start the process.

What is an Expressive Art session?

You might be asking "What happens during an  Expressive Art session?"  Counseling with a unique twist. A holistic view of how the mind-body connection plays out in people's lives. The way I work is a blending of: Conversation about what is important to you. That might include something that has you feeling 'stuck' or lacking energy; conflict with your partner; or a health condition you're  doing your best to cope with. Encourgaement and tools to make discoveries that lead to positive life changes. For example, we might explore how carrying a lot of responsibility around can be approached in a different way.  Support for seeing a new perspective, or viewing life through fresh eyes.

How can this make a difference?  Presence * Conversation * Encouragement * Emotional Tools * Inspiration *  The gentle, attentive presence of someone who believes you can grow as a person is often uplifting to the spirits. 

With a supportive presence, Karyn encourages people to encounter fuller self-awareness, and to connect with themselves in meaningful ways.

 Notice your strengths. Honour your questions. You are worth it!  I look forward to interacting with you.

One of the best things you can do when the world is storming around you is to pause   -Mitch Thrower

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

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

Tiger 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.