Her face lit up when we shared a moment-in-time today.
She, in her mid 70’s, was looking at summer tops and slacks.
She was wearing beige slacks, beige top and black jacket with black purse and black shoes.
The clothing she was looking at? Black sweater, beige slacks, black top.
I could “see” her in lovely pastels but all she was looking at was … black, beige and more of the same.
I quietly asked “What do you think of this colour?”
Her reply – “So lovely for you, dear. But not for me.”
She had given me an opening – and so I gently asked – “Why not?”
Her reply – “I’m old.”
I picked up two pastel blouses – lilac and peach – and asked her to come with me to the mirror. I think she thought I was going to try them on and wanted her opinion. She was half right. I wanted her opinion … but not for me – for her.
I tucked them under her chin and she smiled – and looked at me and said “I’m too old.” And then she looked again. And smiled.
We chatted a bit. She confided that she hated wearing black and beige, but those were what old people wore and she didn’t want to have people think she was trying to be young again.
And then, after she held up the coloured shirts a few more times and could see they brought colour to her face and (maybe it was my imagination, but she stood straighter when they were under her chin), before I knew it, she had purchased them both. As she went out the store with a lovely, big smile on her face wearing the peach-coloured shirt, she said “A difference – you have made a difference.”
Nawww, it wasn’t me – it was her. For in that moment, she decided to wear colour and enjoy her life … every moment of life. And yes, I’m *sure* she was walking straighter as she walked out of the store. Those colours really suited her.
She took a risk – and made a difference.
<update: The story is true. The photo is not of the woman in the story but permission has been granted to use the photo for this story by a lovely septuagenarian (75 years young!) woman who loves colour – and life!>
It’s spring in many parts of the world and both flowers and weeds are growing in abundance.
Mother Nature provides a challenge – which do we allow to grow most in our mind, in our heart, in our soul? Flowers (seeds) or weeds?
Thanks to the birds who deposited the seed-treasures this spring, there are lovely columbines growing in the garden, Mother Nature provides a wonderful challenge for soul-reflection.
Our mind is like a garden and our thoughts are the seeds. We can grow flowers or we can grow weeds
Do we allow seeds to grow flowers in our mind, heart, soul, in our words, thoughts about others/about ourselves. Or do we allow weeds to grow in our thoughts about others/ourselves?
As his wife, I’m claiming “bragging rights” today about Hans.
When our local paper learned of his recent two-page feature article in the March edition of the national magazine “More Of Our Canada”, they sent a delightful young man, Paul Brian to interview Hans. While we knew that Paul’s article about Hans would appear in the March 23 “Citizen” paper, here in the Cowichan Valley, we had no idea his photo would be on the front page … but it is (!)
While the actual article (a couple of informational-errors but what-the-heck <g>) is inside the paper on page 16 it and the “More of Our Canada” feature article about him are early birthday presents for my artist-husband. 🙂
walking on the boardwalk of life
i wonder “where am i”
is the road ahead straight or curved or
narrow or up a hill or in a valley
or like a circular staircase
it really doesn’t matter because this is
the road we are on
and if we come to a junction
where two roads converge
we will make a choice
and it will be the correct road
the right road
for us at that time
it will be a road where we will learn and grow
and cry and rejoice and forgive and be forgiven
and be hurt and be happy and grieve
and laugh and wonder – again –
“where am i”
for in the wondering
there are new opportunities
and in time we will recognize that
we are where we need to be
at that moment
The Season of Wonder brings the wonder of magic the wonder of gratitude the wonder of peace and joy, love and hope. May we all enjoy the Season of Advent the Season of Wonder.
I’ve been reading Soulistry for five days now, and I am only on the second page. I think this little book is bigger than it looks! I have read many good books on creativity, inspiration and spirituality, but this one is different. It’s a guide, but not a how-to book of activities and projects. Journaling is strongly suggested, but not required. The format is simple: a quote (journal prompt) followed by questions to ponder.
A myriad of topics from aging to mystery to God are touched upon. The book can be read in a day, or it might take a year to get through it. Every prompt with its set of questions stands on its own. I would suggest that the reader become familiar with the back of the book which contains the epilogue and the appendices before reading and working with the prompts and questions.
June Maffin knows that a good teacher does not give students answers, but instead poses questions that will lead the students to the answers.
Personally, I find journaling to be a powerful tool as a prelude to doing art especially if it incorporates calligraphy. The quotes (prompts) and Soul-Questions of Soulistry become a vehicle for transforming the written word into a visual concept. Journaling facilitates the transformation with deep personal meaning.
So, the journaling becomes imagery, a sketchbook. Soul + Artistry = Soulistry. (Amazon review)
Unlike far too many books on spiritual matters, “Souistry” offers all comers a cordial and restorative way into the exploration and care of the interior life.
www.phyllistickle.com Phyllis Tickle is the founding editor of the Religion Department of PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and was Academic Dean to the Memphis College of Art before entering full time into writing and publishing.
June Maffin delivers what the subtitle of her book promises, “Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality”.
Starting with the invention of a new word “SOULISTRY,” she guides her readers through the creation of a journal and lets them find their own “answers within”. She brings to the writing of this book an impressive educational background (ordained Anglican priest, PhD in pastoral theology among others) and a wide range of experience. However, the impact of an illness she suffered and the process of her healing became the primary impulse for writing this spiritual autobiography. Her approach combines spirituality and creativity.
The structure of the book offers a step-by-step guide to spiritual journaling. It is complex, yet easy to follow. The main and most important step is to move through the Journal Prompts and their Soul-Questions. This step is the crux and the purpose of the book.
The 86 Journal Prompts are inspirational quotations from extraordinary people from different centuries. Among those represented are priests (Herbert O’Driscoll), writers (Mark Twain), poets (Rainer Maria Rilke), philosophers (Lao Tzu), mystics (Julian of Norwich), monks (Thich Nhat Hanh), artists (Michelangelo), as well as proverbs. Some of the quotations and their authors are well known, others less so. All of them prompt a thought provoking response. Each quotation has a title such as Mystery, Faith, Happiness, Peace Within. The following Chinese proverb prompts the feeling of happiness. “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”
Each Journal Prompt is accompanied by Soul-Questions. Together they are meant to stimulate the reader’s spiritual response and awareness. The title Happiness, for example, with its Chinese proverb prompt is followed by these Soulistry Soul-Questions: * Do “being happy” and “being joyful” have the same meaning for you?
* If not, what is the difference?
* What contributes to your happiness?
* In your Soulistry Journal, reflect on a time in your life when you were happy. What was the occasion/circumstance? How did you feel?
* How can helping another bring happiness to the helper?
* What can you do to “help someone else” on a regular basis?
* Are there individuals, or community/environmental/political/religious organizations you might help? Journal who they might be and how you might be able to offer to help them.
In Dr. Maffin’s own words her book will encourage the readers to connect more intimately with their spirituality and offer new ways to nurture their spirit. In the Epilogue she asks the last question: “ Who are you?” Having journaled through the prompts and questions, the answer(s) may surprise the reader.
The remaining parts of the book provide biographies of the quotation authors, listing of the prompts and soul-question titles, the Soulistry story and Soulistry retreats and workshops.
Dr. Maffin’s book is useful even for those who are not able to journal. It can be used at any time, any place, on any page at any prompt and it will immediately lead the reader to a moment of spiritual calm.
SOULISTRY should be kept as a guide for contemplation. And that is where the value of this slender volume lies.
Hana Komorous, Librarian, Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC
