- Published on
"Be the Small Sun You Are" - mixed media on paper, 14" x 10" Available here and at Artfinder.
Ooooh these abstracted sprites have the run of the studio, splashing about in florescent paint and now playing in the geli prints to choose their own outfits. I'm merely an innocent bystander. :)
This piece inspired by Mark Nepo again. This time a chapter on Heart and Path. Here's the first aha...a quote Nepo shares from Carlos Castaneda:
"Any path is only a path, and there is no affront to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you...Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think is necessary, then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question...Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use."
A good litmus test when one is faced with a fork in the road. But I think the key here is asking yourself alone.
Ooooh these abstracted sprites have the run of the studio, splashing about in florescent paint and now playing in the geli prints to choose their own outfits. I'm merely an innocent bystander. :)
This piece inspired by Mark Nepo again. This time a chapter on Heart and Path. Here's the first aha...a quote Nepo shares from Carlos Castaneda:
"Any path is only a path, and there is no affront to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you...Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think is necessary, then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question...Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use."
A good litmus test when one is faced with a fork in the road. But I think the key here is asking yourself alone.
Too many times we muddy the waters of our own intuition by soliciting the opinions of others (and sometimes many others) before we make a choice. But asking yourself by yourself forces you to feel the weight of the decision and how your heart receives each option.
My sister gives me similar advice - to "try on" a decision as if it were a done deal and see how it feels. Sometimes the mere fact of doing that will give me a sense of relief, or alternately a sense of dread. Those feelings are exquisite little guideposts for which way to go (or not to go).
Nepo encourages us to uncover the language of our hearts in addition to our common language with others. Not to help others understand us, but to help us be ourselves - "to help you be you, to be the small sun you are." The heart will then communicate with our gifts, conducting them as they were an orchestra, and guide us on our way. I like the thought of that.
Wherever you path takes you today, be the small sun you are. Shine on, little sun, shine on.
My sister gives me similar advice - to "try on" a decision as if it were a done deal and see how it feels. Sometimes the mere fact of doing that will give me a sense of relief, or alternately a sense of dread. Those feelings are exquisite little guideposts for which way to go (or not to go).
Nepo encourages us to uncover the language of our hearts in addition to our common language with others. Not to help others understand us, but to help us be ourselves - "to help you be you, to be the small sun you are." The heart will then communicate with our gifts, conducting them as they were an orchestra, and guide us on our way. I like the thought of that.
Wherever you path takes you today, be the small sun you are. Shine on, little sun, shine on.
12 Comments
Great post I think of this as internal course corrections. My path has been ever evolving and refining for years. From the outside it may look scattered and unplanned, but that is only because others who view it are not on the same path.
Carl! That is a wonderful way to put it...we are all on different paths. Who cares how it looks to others? But you are another small sun in the world, shining your gifts onto the planet. :)
Beautifully written. Yes - listen to your inner voice. J LYTLE.
Oooooh Jeremy!!! Thanks, friend. I know you do this. And you are a small sun shining in the world!
Jen, thanks for shining your light over here to where the day is gray, cool, and gloomy and the small sun that I am seems to be leaving my internal path feeling ill lit! Love your post and love that these abstracted sprites have the run of your studio, romping around and catching you in their swirl!
Dotty! Thank you lovely creative lady! Wishing you a day filled with a sunny inner path and a romp or two. xo
Lovely post, lovley work :)
Sheila! Thank you, dear one!!!! xoxoxo
I so love your posts. Thank you for the quote from Nepo! (Have to get to reading him) What comes to mind is "Dancing Matilda" just popped into my head. No doubt that your inner child has taken over your studio! YAY
Dancing Matilda! I am giggling over that, Carol. :) Yep, the inner child is ruling the roost. Hooligans are running amok!
Let them take over! They'll disappear sooner then you think!
DONE! I surrender! ha ha!
