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Holding Opposites

10/10/2019

9 Comments

 
Picture
Holding Opposites

"Holding Opposites" - mixed media on 300 lb watercolor paper, 15 x 15.  Available here and at Artfinder.

Sometimes I just have to stop, take a breath and say whoa.  When wrestling with life (who is a slippery, strong sparring partner, by the way) I am just giddy when a friend, a book or a bit of wisdom drops into my lap just like the universe was listening in on my whispered thoughts.  And, of course, it is. :)

This week it was a worn and heavily underlined book loaned to me by an artist friend.  The Five Things We Cannot Change and the Happiness We Find By Embracing Them, by David Richo.  From the first page, it was my life in print and some very profound (if challenging) wisdom for, well, NOT controlling it. 
In a chapter called "Everything Changes and Ends" (ACK!  Stop showing me my life!) there is instruction for a two-handed practice in which you hold your fear in one hand and your commitment to no longer act in a fear-based way in the other.  As in a Buddhist practice, you sit in your fear and breathe into it (not denying or pushing away) and then, simultaneously have awareness that you can handle whatever it is and get through it without becoming devastated.    Richo says "One hand is serenely mindful; one is courageously working.  When I hold both realities this way, I am agreeable to things as they are, and I am doing all I can to change them for the better as well."  Relinquishing control and still doing your best.  Saying "yes" to things as they are and holding hope they will be better.  Reality plus hope = serenity and courage.  

So I am practicing this holding of opposites in my thrice-daily walks (thank you, Wonder Mike, for keeping me moving).  And I am watching the fear fall away as the self-empowerment grows.  Yes to all the things.  Yes to all the hope.  Leaving a trail of cast-off control urges in the gutter with all the pretty red and yellow leaves.
9 Comments
Dotty Seiter link
10/10/2019 11:26:53 am

I am giddy! Thank you for being that friend, Jen, who drops this art and this wisdom into my lap today just like the universe was listening in on my whispered thoughts. And, of course, it was/is.

Reply
jen
10/10/2019 11:31:52 am

Dotty! OMG! Synchronicity abounds.....just yesterday, my friend and I took nearly the exact same photo from opposite ends of town. Something is in the air! So happy this resonated with you, my dear friend. xo

Reply
Stan Kurth link
10/10/2019 11:39:05 am

Excellent painting, Jen. I love it because it grabs my attention and holds my interest, and you know why.

"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do."
Georgia O'Keeffe

Reply
jen
10/10/2019 11:40:59 am

STAN! Thank you!! And for the workshops and wisdom that change my art forever. The quote - so perfect for this day. xo

Reply
Carl Stoveland
10/10/2019 12:34:53 pm

What a great post and the image is stunning. You have also added a book I must add to my kindle. It sounds like a great read even if it forces me to do some work on myself. Thanks as always for sharing your work and thoughts with us.

Carl.

Reply
jen
10/10/2019 01:55:09 pm

Thank you, Carl! It is a great (if challenging) book. I wish I could put it down and stop challenging myself...but I can't! It is so good!!!

Reply
Carl Stoveland
10/10/2019 02:29:51 pm

I’m sure I’ll enjoy. Even the challenging parts. I let you know after I read it.

Caro
10/10/2019 02:06:31 pm

A true Buddha!

Reply
jen
10/10/2019 02:16:01 pm

Ooooooh! Now why didn't I see that? :)

Reply



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