The first time I heard someone look at something I had created and say “June, you are an artist,” I was taken aback. An artist? No, not me. I can’t draw or paint or do calligraphy or sculpt or quilt or … I just play. And then it dawned on me … just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is artistry / creativity.
But for many years, I denied that anything I had made was creative or artistic. Each time someone made a positive comment on a handmade card they’d received from me or a painting I’d done or a book I’d made, I mumbled something along the lines of “oh, I’m not an artist. I just like to play” and never uttered a “thank you” to the person for their kind comment.
And then one day, I heard my husband deny his artistic talent to someone who had just admired his work at an art show. I was shocked. Hans was an artist! His sketches, paintings, and calligraphy had sold; he and his artwork had been featured in national magazines and art shows; his work was proudly displayed by many in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia. That evening, I asked him why he was so negative about his work and didn’t thank the person for their comment. His reply echoed my thoughts about my own work … “I’m not very good, compared to …”
Ahhh, there was the key – comparison.
Calligrapher Peter Thornton often says “When you look at your neighbour’s work, you see it for what it is. When you look at your own work, you see it for what it isn’t.” Why do we do that? Why do we see the value of our effort and work in comparison with the work of others and not for their own intrinsic worth?
There will always be people who do what we do, only better. There will always be people who are ahead of us on the learning curve – who we admire and want to emulate. But that doesn’t mean our efforts, our work, is of any less value.
That evening, as Hans and I talked about the way we both denied that we were creative/artistic, we agreed to not compare our work with others and try to see ourselves as artists. I’d been a school teacher (variety of subjects) for decades and loved seeing the light come on when a student “got it” – whatever the subject. After that evening, I found myself consciously encouraging Soulistry workshop students to see themselves as artists, not to compare their work with someone else. I hoped that seeing themselves in such a way would make a difference.
When a student wrote and reminded me of the import role of encouragement (of one another – of ourselves), I realized that I’d taken the conversation my husband and I had had, very seriously. The student wrote: “I want to thank you. I drove on a stormy day in October to attend your ‘Picasso Portraits’ class. During that class you quietly said to me, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not an artist.” I so needed that comment at that time. I was questioning why I was “wasting” my time making art and asking myself what the heck I was going to do with all that so-called art that I was generating. I held your comment in my mind. Repeated it to myself often, when needed. And yesterday I sold my first painting!!! I entered a piece on a whim, and it sold on the first day. I am encouraged to continue making art. Because it makes me happy.”
She is an artist! Not because she sold one of her pieces, but because making art makes her “happy.”
I believe that expressing our creativity, our artistry, deepens our spirituality. That deep belief was the inspiration for the birth of *Soulistry* – the workshops, then the book, then the blog, the website, and the Facebook page. And, and it’s why the Soulistry book has a sub-title: “Artistry of the Soul,” for I believe that every person can be an artist.
Whether we are a flower arranger, sculptor, writer, painter, paper artist, surgeon, chef, book-maker, musician, fabric designer, singer, sew-er, cartoonist, dancer, poet, graphic designer, woodworker, gardener, knitter, card-maker, tangler, inventor, jewellery-maker, calligrapher, hair stylist, miniaturist, blogger, weaver, quilter, car builder, beadmaker, etc. … whether we sell our work, win awards, are ‘the best’ in our field, isn’t the issue. When we create, we make a spiritual connection – we are nourishing our spirit – having fun – challenging the synapses in our brain -learning something new – exploring our playful nature – experiencing a sense of happiness and indefinable joy.
Many years ago, at the end of a Soulistry retreat where retreatants created several projects, each was presented with a certificate with their name and the letters C.S.A. – Creative Spirituality Artist – and encouraged to add those letters after their name. 🙂
I like that – not because I made it up <g> – but because it speaks to an understanding of who I am when I create … an understanding of who I believe we all are, when we create.
We are creative artists connecting to spirit aka “Creative Spirituality Artists”. May we all be Creative Spirituality Artists with openness, with abandon, with play and with joy!
Yom Hashoah begins this night at sundown. It is a time for Jews and all of the world to pay respect to those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule – millions of people: gypsies, gays, clergy, ordinary citizens, Jewish people, many of whom had no idea they had Jewish heritage.
Yom Hashoah is a time we remember other moments of terror suffering, past and present too because as Rabbi Michael Lerner reminded us, the task at this moment in history is to “remind ourselves that we are inextricably bound to each other and to everyone on the planet.
Will we will ever truly remember, learn from the past and ask the “when” questions? Questions like … if changes in gun laws don’t happen now … when? … if hatred for ‘the other’ doesn’t end now … when? … if immoral laws aren’t changed by new leadership now … when? … if political leaders lie, steal, are corrupt aren’t voted out of office now, …when? … if children are not given the opportunity for a well-rounded education taught by competent, professional, respected teachers who are well paid now … when? … if those who are addicted aren’t treated as valued human beings who need professional help and are given that help, now … when?
IF NOT NOW … W H E N?
Rom Hashoah is not just a time to remember all who have died in holocausts of the past – but those who are in similar situations now around the world.
It is time to ask the “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” question and expect answers that are honest, compassionate, respectful and helpful.
I wish you H A P P Y E A S T E R! and send you a gift: an invitation to explore and work with “Soul-Questions.”
Out of a global atmosphere of fear, anxiety, loneliness, alienation of spirit and continual reminders of the emergency situation in many countries because of climate change, political haranguing, personal stress, a growing concern for emotional, mental and spiritual well-being is growing. Many are finding themselves stressed – uncertain about the future for themselves, their families, democracy, the world. And so, not surprisingly, a growing awareness of the importance of balance – physically, intellectually and spiritually and “listening” to the Voice-Within is becoming an integral way of healing – bringing calm to individuals.
Through a series of over “Soul-Questions” based on 80 inspirational quotations from ordinary and extraordinary people around the world living in different centuries, Soul-Questions offer an opportunity to … know oneself more deeply … reflect on a multitude of issues … embrace life in new ways … ask “what do I believe about …” and in doing so, reduction in stress can emerge. In the process of responding to the Soul-Questions, a deepening of spiritual awareness can encourage the reader on a unique journey of self-discovery.
From the book “Soulistry-Artisty of the Soul: Creative Ways to Nourish Your Spirituality”) the Soul-Questions are, according to Dr. Larry Dossey a method of “finding the silence and attention that a healthy soul requires.”
Some keep their responses to the Soul-Questions in a personal and private Journal; some use them as a jumping-off point for discussion with others who are responding to the questions as well; and some simply quietly reflect on the questions at various times in their life.
You are welcome to join Soul-Questions on Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/soulquestions) – remember to scroll down through earlier postings and “stay tuned” as I’ll be adding more Soul-Questions in the coming weeks/months. You are welcome to contact me for information about purchasing the actual book. And, you can find the Soul-Questions here on the Soulistry website by clicking “Soul-Questions” at the top of the website main page or by going here: https://soulistry.com/soul-questions-blog-posts
Easter has many symbols and themes. One such theme is that of ‘new growth’. Whether you observe Easter for religious reasons or not, may the fifty days of Easter be a time of new beginnings and may Soul-Questions be an oasis of new self-growth, self-discovery, self-understanding and healing – bringing a bit of relief from personal/global stress. H A P P Y E A S T E R!!
I saw children shooting hoops, a crocus, snowbells, daffodils, an art gallery on ZOOM, dishes that needed to be washed, a mom with a smile, pushing her little one in a stroller, a cashier wearing a mask, weeds growing in the yard, colour on leaves, on cars, on clothing, in the sky, words on a page in a book, a face looking back at me in the mirror reminding me of Mom, strawberry leaves poking their heads above the straw, a grocery reminder list, a rainbow,
When I opened my eyes that morning, I expected to see awe and wonder. I wasn’t disappointed.
They, and joy and gratitude appeared … in the ordinary and the spectacular … above and below and behind and around.
What I saw when I took this photo of a rainbow, was breath-taking. Rainbows always take away my breath for a moment.
But other things take away my breath … like the possibilities which abound each and every day by looking and seeing, by being grateful, and looking beyond the obvious.
Downloading my photos another breathtaking moment … as I saw what was a double rainbow because when I took the photo, I didn’t see the double rainbow.
Maybe this was a gentle reminder of what may appear when we consider ‘beyond the obvious’ in what we see and what we hear in what we believe and even what we think we see, hear, believe.
Sometimes the learning, the lesson, the spiritual growth is obvious. Sometimes the learning, the lesson, the spiritual growth is “beyond the obvious.”
It’s not unusual to feel “down” about the future of this world. It’s not unusual to not be able to feel joy. It’s not unusual to want to curl up with a book in bed or binge on tv shows that take one’s mind away from war, climate change, health issues, murder, addiction/homelessness/poverty in our own town/city, etc..
If that’s you, or someone you know, it might help to ask Four Questions asked by healers in many shamanic societies –
When did you stop dancing?
When did you stop singing?
When did you stop being enchanted by stories?
When did you stop being comforted by the sweet terrain of silence?
The questions are simple … and profound … because –
When it comes to dancing … by ourselves or with a partner, dancing is a way that our body and mind communicate with the other and bring about an integration of body and soul.
When it comes to singing … endorphins are released when we sing, reducing stress in our mind, body, and spirit. And besides, it’s fun.
When it comes to “being enchanted by stories” … important lessons in life can be learned and our imagination can soar and a brief respite from life’s difficult situations can become part of our experience.
And when it comes to being comforted by the sweet terrain of silence … perhaps turning off the news for a few days and listening to the songs of the birds, the rustle of the wind, the flutter of butterfly wings will help cultivate a deep sense of peace within.
Perhaps one way to cope in difficult times is to ask the Four Questions of ourselves?
Then wait, listen for the answers deep within, and if the answers reflect answers that are more like ‘never, infrequently,’ perhaps do something to change one, more, all of our answers to the questions so they become ‘sometimes, often, regularly’?
Tomorrow, February 14th is going to be an unusual day for those who like to mark Valentine’s Day and for whom Ash Wednesday is part of their faith. This year, they both occur on the same day!
Around the world, people will gather to receive the ashes on their forehead and hear the words “Dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return” on what is known as Ash Wednesday – the first day of what is known as the Season of Lent.Those words are certainly not anyone favourite words, but they represent a truth which is important to remember from time to time – our own mortality. Ash Wednesday every year, is a sober reminder that we are mortal – not immortal. Acknowledging our humanity, our vulnerability, our mortality, helps us to live more fully.
Do we need to be a Christian to do that? No. Do we need to have experienced an Ash Wednesday service before? No. Do we need to be connected to a church to do that? No. All we need to do is accept our mortality, allow the ashes to be a sign – an outward symbol of what is hoped would happen internally and a commitment to be the best we can be – that we recognize that our mortal life is a gift, and commit ourselves (with the help of the Holy One if that is part of our belief), to use the rest of our mortal life to the very best of our ability.
Side bar – interestingly, the imposition of ashes, is not just a Christian tradition. It was an ancient Jewish tradition and was a public sign of an individual’s repentance. By the seventh century, the Christian church adopted it as part of the Church’s Lenten preparation before the Season of Easter.
The ‘imposition of ashes’ can take various forms: sprinkle ashes into the palm of one’s own or a family member’s hand and apply it to the forehead; use a cotton Qtip, dipped into the ashes and placed on the forehead. Some groups/congregations give members dirt, seed and water instead of ashes, acknowledging that from the dust of the world, new hope springs.
Some churches encourage people to mark their hearts with the sign of a heart (or the Cross) as an outward and visible sign of their intention to turn their heart to God and experience God’s unconditional love and forgiveness in a new way, saying the words “Dust I am and to dust I shall return.” Whatever way each of us chooses to observe Ash Wednesday, may we enter with humility and gratitude.
This year, Valentine’s Day is also happening tomorrow on February 14th. It is a day where people talk about love and try to express love by giving flowers/heart-shaped cards, chocolates. But could there be more? Could something more happen on this duo-day of emotion?
This year on Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day, could we love our families sufficiently that we have the “I don’t want to have this discussion with you, but it’s time” conversation with them? You know the conversation … it’s about the reality of our death.
Could we talk about the inevitability of death in general and about our own death in particular … talk about how we hope we would die (most of us want to be home, go to sleep and not wake up); talk about the “What if’s” (what if we don’t die at home in our sleep? what if we are riddled with pain? what if we face a future of permanent care in an institution etc); talk about, what would we want to have with us if we find ourselves in institutional care or are receiving palliative care in a facility or at home and even our view about MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying).
Such a talk would not only be for ourselves, but for our loved ones, so that should something terrible happen, should “it” – or the illness get to a level where institutionalization, palliative care etc. need to be addressed and our families have to make decisions on our behalf, they will be doing so in accordance with our wishes.
But if we don’t have “the conversation” with our adult children/partner/best friend – whoever – they will be at a loss and their confusion about ‘what to do’ will be added to the fear, anxiety, grief they feel when they get “the phone call/text/email.”
I have sat by the bedside over the years of countless people who did not have any such conversation with their loved ones because they “didn’t want to worry them,” “didn’t want to upset them”, “stress them”. So, they did not have that conversation. When “it” happened, their family members, dealing with a wide variety of emotions, were faced with a parent/partner/loved one dealing with a stroke/untreatable illness/inoperable results from a vehicle accident, would tell me how much they wish they knew what their loved one would want them to do at such a time.
So in keeping with the theme of Valentine’s Day “love” and the theme of Ash Wednesday’s “mortality”, let’s have that difficult conversation – for them.
Let’s sit down for a serious conversation and begin in your own words. For me, with my adult son, it was along these lines — “This is a difficult subject and I want to talk about it with you.” I wasn’t seriously ill; I wasn’t facing a traumatic event; no “reason” to have such a discussion at that time other than I loved him enough to talk about the eventuality of my death and let him know my wishes.
So I told him where my Will was, told him about the specifics of my wishes (duly signed and witnessed via a Representation Agreement – in some places it is Living Will); spoke to him about which of the three levels of DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) I would want if faced with such a situation; we spoke of ‘service’ should I die and that would be his decision at the time – no “must have” a service; mentioned where I would want my cremains to rest; what funeral home had my pre-paid plan; showed him where I kept paperwork about lawyer / house / car / insurance / banking / computer / social media / income tax info / etc.; gave him a list (if I had to go into permanent institutional care), of things which I thought might help my transition. And, I put some of that (esp. the DNR info) in an envelope on the front door of my fridge as that is the only place First Responders go to check such information.
Such a talk would not be an easy discussion, by any stretch of the imagination. But it is one that we all need to have. And have that conversation now – while we are able to make our wishes known.
Don’t wait. Do it on Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday this year. Then it will have been done, and you can be at peace, knowing that you will be helping your loved ones at a time when they must deal with the reality of the serious illness/death of someone they dearly love – you.
