art – XOXOX Art Studio

Rinnie Orr June 27, 2020

Meditations for divided times, Musings art, co-creator, collaborative conversation partners, conclusion, covid, Deep spirited friends, discernment, gratitude, hope, intention, isolation, planting the seeds, service, serving others, vision

“Planting the Seeds: A Conclusion…for now anyway….

Image by Anrita1705 from Pixabay

Dear fellow journeyers,

Thank you for following the Planting the Seeds blog series. As of this post, I am wrapping up and bringing this blog series to an end.

I appreciate that you’ve been journeying with me the past few months, through Covid, isolation and quarantine, grief, loss, rallies for justice and black lives, financial and health insecurities and so much more.

I haven’t been writing the past couple weeks, as I’ve been in major discernment to determine where I’m being led in my life and career right now – making major decisions about where my energy and focus should be. Truthfully, I have been holding my breath since May 15. I feel I am finally able to let go and can now step into a new mid-life career for myself that feels right.

While I do the work to embrace my new career path, I find that I am also given a vision for my artistic life as well.

When I started my blog last year, it was my intention to write mostly on the intersection of art and spirituality. As I finish up the Planting the Seeds series, I am going to be shifting my blogging once more to my original focus. I am working with a web designer and hope to soon reveal a new XOXOX art website – with more art, more blogging, and more ways I can be of service to the world as an artist.

It’s my hope that I will be teaching art classes to help people find their visual voice, overcome the inner critic and the criticisms from other people, fear of showing their art and more. I am dreaming of some fairly big projects. I’m taking baby steps right of planning and visioning right now. So…please stay tuned.

Also, for many of us, Covid has been a disruptor. I will not be alone in rebuilding community once this is over and we can move into community again. I hope to be on the front lines of community building – helping others, as well, who are searching for connection and authentic community. I will offer myself as a co-creator and collaborative conversation partner to any and all who are desiring a new path forward toward creation of a new world as we move tentatively into community with one another again.

During the early days of the covid quarantine, I felt like I was on sabbatical. Through grace I given the time to read, focus and ground myself in foundational ideals around leadership and community building. I learned so much and am determined that the time spent in study will not be in vain by taking that work into community again.

I hope you will continue to journey with me.

One last thing – the past few weeks have been some of the most difficult I’ve ever experienced, but my faith and hope were sustained through the prayers, efforts and support of many deep spirited friends and family members. I love you all so much and just wanted to publicly share my gratitude. You know who you are. Words can’t express, so here’s a video for you. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If you like what you read, consider helping me grow my audience by subscribing to the blog, as well as sharing on your social media. Also, let me know what you think, by posting a reply to the article. Your engagement helps me to know who my audience is and how my messages can serve you. Peace and blessing, and thank you for journeying with me!

Stay connected! Stay strong! If you are in need of prayer or anything else I can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Blessings and peace to you.

Rinnie Orr April 15, 2020

Hospitality as Spiritual Practice, Meditations for divided times, Musings, Uncategorized art, church, community building, house church, love garment, paradoxical times, pjs and sweatpants, prayer, prayer request, saturday night live, stay-at-home, sustain our faith, wear love, work clothes, zoom calls

“Wearing Love”

Image by klimImage by congerdesign from Pixabay

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
~Colossians 3:12-14 The Message (MSG)

“Wear love”, says the Apostle Paul, to the faithful in the letter to Colossians. “Wear love…never be without it.”

PJs and Sweatpants

Many of us are working from home these days. Unless we are on a Zoom call, we may be working in our PJs or sweat pants. You’ve seen the clever jokes on the internet or maybe the most recent Saturday Night Live at home show – where one of the Zoom conference callers says “Be honest, who’s wearing pants?!”

Have you even rifled through your wardrobe recently? Do you even remember your good work clothes? I don’t. I confess, I’m mostly wearing my t-shirts and shorts these days. I live alone, so mostly no one sees me much, except for those Zoom calls.

As we enter the Easter season, post resurrection, we realize that we do indeed live in paradoxical times. The early Apostles traveled all over, sharing Christ teachings and the story of his death and resurrection with small pockets of people wherever they went. The early church was born through house churches and through community building. Much of the writings of Paul and the Apostles were instructions to the early church on how to live in community.

Today, unless we are on the front lines as essential workers, we live under “stay-at-home” admonitions. We are isolated from the very communities that sustain our faith. How do we love each other and be in community, if we cannot see each other and worship together as a community or church? Also, what are the “Love Garments” are we to wear, when most of us are simply finding comfort in PJ’s and sweatpants?

In our quest to feel connected to God and to one another in these tense and trying days, we all show up in our own, very unique Love Garments. These will take various forms for each of us. I want to share how prayer has become my “Love Garment” the past few weeks. I also invite you to share your own expressive garments, as we are all getting through the isolation and quarantine together.

Prayer – My “Love Garment“

**HOLY GRAPES** – **Weekly solo worship and prayers**

I miss my church – the community in which I grow in love of God and fellowship – and the joyful communion we share. I miss Sunday mornings together in worship – I miss the collective spirit of connecting to God together in community.

However, I’m not giving up on Sundays and seeking connection to God. Along with the online worship experiences created and shared by our pastors, I carve out time to continue the worship experience alone, in nature. I reflect on scripture, read spiritual literature, and simply pray.

I’ve created an art piece – a simply cross. Weekly I make time to paint the prayers of my community into the cross and background of the painting. Weekly, I paint another layer of color over the cross and background. The cross now has been repainted several times over in layers of paint. This is not a finished art project. I will continue to add prayers, paint and layers to this painting until we are out of quarantine and back in community.

Share Your “Love Garments”

I’d love to hear from you what your Love Garments look like these days. Feel free to share in the comment section below. Also, if you have specific prayer requests, let me know. I will add you to my weekly “Holy Grape” prayers and to my “Simply Pray” painting.

Many blessings and much love, dear people!

Be safe!

XOXOX

~~Friends, do not let yourselves become too isolated during this time. Reach out and continue to connect as much as you can. Fear, anxiety and isolation can take it’s toll. Stay strong. Stay connected. Need prayers – drop me a line.~~

Rinnie Orr February 12, 2020

Art Studio, New Art, The Artistic Process, The Beatitudes, Tips from XOXOX Art Studio art, art as spiritual process, balance, breath, joy, messy-mind, michael franti, yoga, yoga with adriene

XOXOX Tip: Get the inside right! A strategy for a messy mind

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” Matthew 5:8, The Message (MSG)

The Messy-Mind

You want to paint. The canvases are primed. Your brushes are calling out to you. You sit down at your art table. You are ready…but your mind is not. It’s been a stress-filled day. Work was a little crazy. You had that confrontation you were trying to avoid. Stress is swirling in your mind, and the inner critic takes this opportunity to say mean things to you like “You aren’t good enough.” “You are a fake.” “Why do you bother, no one is really interested in your art.” You feel that your mind is a mess, and you are having a difficult time connecting to your art.

Do you know these thoughts? I do. You have claimed the name “artist” for yourself, years after you first starting dabbling with paint. You’ve had some success, have begun showing your work, but you aren’t able to be a full-time artist. You still have to work, pay the bills, get health insurance, etc…Your work life often seems to intrude in your artistic life. (Wouldn’t it be great if it were the other way around!)

As an artist, the balance between our creative inner world and our everyday working world is weighted toward the latter. Sometimes there’s no balance at all. You want to create, to do art, and you don’t have the energy or time. And if art is part of your spiritual practice – if you create to feel closer to the Universal Spirit – the imbalance can feel particularly draining as you are not connecting with the greatest energy of all – God.

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

How do we put the inner world right, so we can feel that balance, and feel the presence of God in our artist process?

On my best days as an artist – I lose myself (and time) completely. The Spirit, the creative process and my art are as One. When the connection is strong, I feel comforted by the Spirit within and around me. Being an intuitive painter, I sense a deeper movement within helping me create. The painting begins to take shape and I feel great joy in the process.

On my worst days, when all the negative inner thoughts intrude and I’m hesitant to put my brush into the paints and onto the canvas, I feel a disconnect within myself. There is no flow. Those are days that are particularly trying and maybe I shouldn’t try to paint after spending the day working on a project that seemed futile. Or maybe I shouldn’t try to paint after having that unfortunate conversation with that particular person who has a habit of ruining my day. (Can you relate? You know who I’m talking about? You have that person in your life as well?) Whatever the reason, the creative well seems to be dry. There’s a dis-connect and the creative spirit isn’t manifesting.

If you have been reading my blog, you will have seen my article “Happy Accidents” – and you will know that I’m a messy painter. That’s where I like my messiness to manifest – on the canvas. Not in my mind!

When the messy-mind erupts, and the negativity of the outside world takes it’s toll withing, and that pesky inner critic interferes with my energies and my flow – I know that things aren’t right. I want to feel God and the spirit, but I’m sitting in front of a blank canvas. What should I do?

Let the process heal your mind!

I want to share a process I’ve been working with in order to get out of the messy-mind state. This has been working for me, and I hope by sharing it might help others struggling through the same issues.

First, I “remember the breath” – a mantra I hear from all the yoga teachers I follow. As I begin to take deep and intentional breaths, I simply ask myself “What do I need?” In most cases, 9 out of 10, I turn to the healing music of Michael Franti. His music is about love, living, and caring. I find him soothing and turn on videos to play while painting.

As the music plays, I use oil pastels and begin writing all the crazy words that come to my mind. If I’m stuck on the words, I just start alphabetically until I’m free flowing. When the canvas is full of words and colors, then I spill fluid paints on the canvas, take a sponge and palette knife and just spread the paint around until form and shape begin to form on the canvas. Then I let it dry. I did this one recently. When I feel I’m in a happier mind-state, I will go back to the canvas, and work on it until something happens.

This simple process helps me get my messy-mind straightened out. It provides release from the inner energies that hold me back from creating.

Most recently, I followed this same process, but instead of Michael Franti, I turned on Yoga with Adriene and did a yoga video before turning to art. Her lesson that day really resonated with me. “Take what you need – let the rest go.” When I was done with the yoga lesson, I wrote out words on my canvas which was ready to go. Using black and white paint, I covered up the words and then looked for shadows that I filled with pearl and gold iridescent paint. I ended up with a tree. I filled in shadows with green paint and added some orange and red. I let this sit for a few days, and went back to it when I was in a different mood. I added a lot of colors, scraping the colors in and out of the painting with a palette knife.

The end result “Ghost Tree” my newest offering. “Ghost Tree” began in time of distress and became a work I was able to lose myself in and connect once more with that deeper Spirit within.

No matter what kind of art you do…or whatever you endeavor to do…know that when the messy-mind sets in there are endless tricks and strategies to use to move from that state of mind to a more peaceful state. Art is a spiritual practice for me, but you can use many, many methods passed down from spiritual seekers through many millennium. After all, spiritual practice is all about clearing our minds so we can see God in everything we do, and in all we encounter. And in these divisive times, we all have to have clear minds in order to combat the forces that divide us (more about this later!)

Until next time, journey on…know you are not alone! Live fiercely! Be brave! Be love and be loving! And most of all…be kind! We desperately need ALL the kindness we can give in today’s fiercely divided world!

Peace to you, dear ones, and God bless!

XOXOX

Rinnie Orr January 29, 2020

Art Studio, Musings, New Art, The Artistic Process art, art as spiritual process, be brave, be intentional, finding your voice, gaining confidence', journey on, naming art, or not, trust, trust your truth, trust your voice

“A Celebration of Violet”: Gaining Confidence in Your Own Artistic Process

Preface:
If you are a student of the creative arts, chances are you have encountered an art instructor or two who seem to have all the answers. If you are a beginning artist, struggling to find your own artistic process and visual voice, perhaps you have been discouraged by a teacher or mentor that you follow or find inspiring. Seasoned artists sometimes forget the struggles of a less experienced beginner and make disparaging comments or suggestions that stifle expression rather than encourage it.

In a recent class, at the Art of the Carolinas, I had a painting workshop with a fairly well-known, popular artist. He’s privileged to be a full-time artist, with a full-time marketing manager. He produces fun, engaging Youtube videos, teaches art all over the world, and has quite a following. I was excited to be a part of the class, having watched his videos for a couple years. I even had him sign my paint palette for me. Yet, as he shared his own artistic process, he also made light of and trivialized the artistic process of a few of the students in the class.

Recently, in “Shine Your God-Colors” I wrote a meditation on a certain exchange I witnessed from him and another student in the class. This blog post is an extension of that meditation, touching on a couple more of his art “absolutes.” While I respect his own artistic process, confidence in my own process has given me voice to encourage you to “DO YOU!” When you take a class or instruction from a teacher – trust what works for you – take what you need and leave behind what you don’t.

1. “A Celebration of Violet“

“You should always begin a painting with a theme or concept. Know the title before you even begin to choose your colors. Paint until your theme begins to manifest on the canvas. Don’t approach your canvas until you have your theme.”

When people ask me about my process, I have to say it’s experiential and intuitive. I never approach a painting or art project with a theme, a concept, or even an inkling of what will be produced. I work messily – welcoming mistakes and “happy accidents” – I let the art reveal itself to me. When I have tried to create based on theme or concept, I never seem able to accomplish what I set out to do. A case in point, I recently titled a new project “A Celebration of Violet before I touched brush to the canvas:”

I know what you are thinking, right? What? Where’s the violet, and all those vibrant purples? If I had stuck with “A Celebration of Violet,” I’d feel disappointed and dismayed at my work. Now, I have to find a new title as I finish up these pieces. Any suggestions?

Whereas, I celebrate intentionality in many aspects of my life – work, relationships, spiritual practice, yoga – in art I have to let go and just be. AND…just let it be. Naming a painting before it even begins and takes shape is impossible for the intuitive artist. Art as spiritual practice must flow from the individual and can’t be streamlined into a simple process. You – the artist – must dive deep within your soul. You allow yourself to lose time and forget all about the world. You float as if in a dream, experiencing your art as if time has no meaning. All else in the world melts away and you are at one with your hands, the colors, the canvas, the textures, and the shapes. Totally engaged in the process.

Trust in yourself – trust in your voice – trust in your truth – and don’t let naysayers and absolutists define what your own artistic process and experience.

2. Claiming and Naming Your Art

“Never take a photo of your artwork and put it on Facebook asking your friends and family to name it for you. I hate that. That annoys me.“

“Conjuctio” – A recent wall-hanging named by an dear friend, Art R.

I asked. I posted on Facebook “Happy Monday. I am needing a name for this wall-hanging. Suggestions?” I heard from many friends, old and new, distant and close. I loved seeing the art piece through their eyes and perspectives. I couldn’t have thought up better names myself. Again, this was a art piece that came together with play and experimentation, and I think it’s perfectly acceptable to ask others to be a part of the process. You might be surprised at who participates in the process.

My buddy – Art R. – we go way back. We studied together at Chicago Theological Seminary, and we took many classes together on spiritual work and spiritual practice. I was delighted and had a big smile to get his title suggestion, a touch of Carl Jung, and a reminder of a life I lived so many years ago:

Conjunctio: “The alchemists often referred to the Conjunction as the ‘Marriage of the Sun and Moon,’ which symbolized the two opposing ways of knowing or experiencing the world. Solar consciousness is intellectual and relies on rational thought; lunar consciousness is feeling based and taps into non-rational sources of information like psychic impressions and intuition. After this Marriage of the Mind, the initiate experiences an increase in intuitive insight and the birth of Intelligence of the Heart. This newly found faculty produces a sense of reality superior to either thought or feeling alone.”

“I love you, Art, my dear friend! And miss you! Thank you for being a part of my life back then and for gracing my life now. While time and space provide distance, the Spirit still holds! Blessings my friend! Grace upon you.”

Title your art in whatever way you want. Be intentional. Work with a concept or theme from the beginning. Or not. Be you – celebrate your process – let go – be brave – and journey on, dear artist, friend, and fellow journeyer.

With Love and Joy,

XOXOX

Rinnie Orr January 22, 2020

Musings, Tips from XOXOX Art Studio art, artistic life, balance, being, caring, eating well, exercise, inner jackass, loving, managing house, rest, social life, spiritual practice, work, writing and studying, yoga

Finding Balance (and Rest)

Yesterday, I was asked “Did you paint this weekend?” by a couple of older, white male friends of mine. When I answered “No, I didn’t,” I was met with disapproving looks from both of them. I said “Guys, please don’t look at me like that. I did yoga. I studied and did a bit of writing. Wrote and published some of my photo haikus. I cleaned my house, did lots of laundry. I socialized with friends a bit, and played some board games.”

What I didn’t say was “And I rested!”

They still looked at me with a bit of playful disappointment, and laughed a little, but I felt the tension. They now define me as an artist, a painter, and that’s how I should be spending my time. I don’t know about you, but I feel very busy, all the time – with work, exercise, eating well, managing house, social life, artistic life, writing and studying, caring, loving, being, and spiritual practice. I want to paint, I want to create, and when I’m not doing that I feel as if I’m letting myself down a bit too.

But last weekend, I went to bed the first night exhausted. When I woke up the next morning, I played the day in my head – yoga, study, art, work on writing project and website – these were all the things I wanted to do. Yet, when I actually got out of bed and started my day, all I wanted to do was rest.

It’s difficult for me to find balance and give attention to all the important aspects of my life. I have lately been struck by the realization about how much pressure I put on myself to always be working. The idea of rest seems to me antithetical to the rest of my life. When I find myself at rest, my inner critic “jackass” often describes me as being “lazy”, “slothful”, “good-for-nothing.” “I’m just wanting to watch a movie,” I argue with myself “why is that so bad?”

I was doing yoga a couple weeks ago, and the yoga teacher says “Let’s move into child’s pose and rest.” After a few breaths, she says “We rest so we can move on.”

“We rest so we can move on.”

Perhaps rest is really the key to finding and keeping balance in our life. Giving ourselves permission to rest, to simply watch a movie on a cold winter’s day, is okay. We don’t have to be in motion ALL THE FRIGGIN’ TIME! We can let ourselves rest by really listening to what our body and soul needs. When we rest, we are giving ourselves permission to take a break from the busyness, to slow down, to breath a bit. When we do come back up for air and re-immerse ourselves in the never-ceasing flow of our day-to-day life, we can move a bit more gracefully, less jittery, and a little less frantically.

So, dearest readers, take it easy on yourselves! Let yourself rest when you need to rest, and don’t feel guilty about it. Don’t let the inner critic “jackass” give you gruff. Let the rest come, let it refresh you, so that you can find true balance in all your endeavors.

With love,

XOXOX

Rinnie Orr January 15, 2020

Musings, The Artistic Process accidents, Antigua, art, authentic self, God, Guatemala, hospitality, inspiration, joy, Nicaragua, spiritual practice, yoga

“Happy Accidents”

It’s a warm morning, like most of our mornings in Durham this winter. (I’m still not getting around to wearing my sweaters or my coat. I’m kinda wishing we could have a couple cold snowy days.) My friend Lee and I meet up for a cup of coffee at the cafe, to talk about art and other things. I’m trying to start up my own small art business, not sure where I’m going yet, but know I want to teach art classes, as well as sell my own art. Lee is an art librarian at Duke, and has purchased two of my paintings. He’s very supportive of my artistic development. So I’m not surprised at all when he asks me a very deep, personal question – “Where do you find inspiration?”

I start talking about my own artistic process, that often my paintings are full of “mistakes, and how I don’t paint them out. I work around the mistakes, and in some cases intentionally leaving them in the painting. I’m not sure why, but I’m not into painting with precision or attempting to create a perfect painting. I like the ‘messy-ness’ of the finished product when there’s colors and textures that don’t seem to belong, yet are readily visible. I’m not sure what that says about me as artist. Maybe it will become clear some day, but right now, I’m okay not having an answer.

Lee says, “Why call them ‘mistakes’, why not say ‘happy accidents?'” I say “I can work with that” and we move on to talk about other things. It’s not until later though, that I realize that I avoided the question about inspiration. Where DO I find inspiration?

Three weeks later, I’m still pondering the question and wrestling with an answer. Do I talk about how I find inspiration through deep, meaningful conversation with friends? …through reading literature that transports me to another place and time, and leaves me pensive and thoughtful when I return to my own couch? …through a walk in the woods on a cloudy morning and encounter a duck-filled pond? …through my travels to Guatemala and Nicaragua with the team in solidarity with LBGTQIA+ organizations in Central America? All these things leave deep lingering impressions on me long after the conversation, book, events are over and done. In what ways are these experiences inspiring and how do they inform my artistic process?

Or do I ponder about how I find inspiration in my daily spiritual practices of yoga, art and hospitality? How yoga and breath-work aids me in turning inward to finding and experience a deeper more authentic self? How art balances body and mind into the moment, and all I become is my hands playing with color and texture? How a practice of hospitality helps me to see God manifest in all who come across my path?

When I sit down to answer this question of inspiration, there are too many things in my life where I can point and say “that’s inspiring to my heart and soul.” But perhaps, somewhere though, the real answer lies in those “happy accidents” – those unplanned moments that take us by surprise and leave us with stories to revisit over and over again.

It was circumstance, bad luck and an unhappy accident that led our team to Nicaragua without our fearless leader, David, who wasn’t allowed into the country. We all had to stand up and find our way without David’s leadership, and I got the task of managing the expenses, making the trips to the hardware stores, and keeping us within the budget. Yet, even through the bad luck of the experience, our team became very close, carried out the mission with grace, and it was one of the greatest experiences I ever had.

Another “happy accidents” was in Antigua, Guatemala. I was ill from all the smog in Guatemala City, so I stayed behind that morning (close to the hotel), while the team went hiking up a volcano. Robb stayed behind with me, and we walked around the city marveling at the architecture and ruins and more, when we discovered the most lovely museum I’ve ever been in. Nestled in seven interlocking buildings, in and around gardens, was amazing art that thrilled and excited my soul.

So, it’s not really a real answer to Lee’s question, but rather an intention to be open to and be aware of – as I work, grow, play, do art, yoga, talk with friends, and continue living my daily life – those “happy accidents” all around that give shape, texture, and color into my life.

With love and gratitude….my beautiful friends! Peace!

Rinnie Orr January 1, 2020

Musings, Seasonal Musings art, boardgames, hospitality, literature, love, study, yoga

My New Year “Intentions” (in no particular order)

This year I intend to read one book a month that’s not a mystery/suspense/thriller – I want to read books by authors that tell stories of people outside the white straight middle-class America experience. This January, I’m starting with “The Water Dancer”, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Feel free to make suggestions!

To establish a daily yoga practice. I have my strap, blocks, yoga mats, bolsters and several YouTube yoga teachers. This morning I did this new year’s yoga practice, with Allie – The Journey Junkie.

More art – create a space for others to share in the joy of art, art supplies, creating beauty every day that lifts up, lights up, and opens up the heart/mind/soul to joyful/colorful/soulful self-expression.

More study and writing – I’m working my way through several books to better inform and discern my current callings: to build community, to cultivate beauty and care for creativity, to continue developing and giving voice to a deep, powerful, transformational spiritual practice of hospitality. To see the face of God in all people I meet and come into contact with.

Make space to play some board games I’ve picked up and haven’t gotten to play yet. If you see any you want to play, send me a message.

And last, but not least, to celebrate and support you, my dearest friends. To celebrate your successes, your joy, your light! To support you in times of struggle, times of need, times of discernment. You are my Light! You are my inspiration! Keep shining! Keep loving! Keep living!

Many blessings for a wonderful new year! new decade! I lift my wine glass to you ! Cheers and Happy New Year!

Rinnie Orr December 27, 2019

Art Studio, New Art art, color, meditation, new art, painting, play and experiment, studio, XOXOX

Presenting my “XOXOX” studio

People often ask “Where do you paint?”

So…here’s some pics of my home studio. XOXOX art takes place in my kitchen – half my kitchen area has been transformed into my art studio.

I experience an exciting thrill when I’m in my studio, staring at a blank canvas. I’m not an artist that often knows what I will be painting – I don’t usually have a plan for the paint or the canvas. I simply play and experiment. Creating art is almost a pure meditative experience for me. My mind clears, and I am in the moment. Not quite pure mindfulness, but close.

I play, and all the rest follows. I trust my intuition and let myself go.

Want to join me sometime? Private art classes will be available in 2020! Hope you will come paint with me.

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Rinnie Orr December 10, 2019

Musings, Seasonal Musings art, be gracious, be kind, beauty, culture care, facts, feed our souls, goodness, hope, joy, light, peace, poem, reclaim beauty, seek justice, transformation, truth, walk humbly

Advent & Christmas musings 2019

Christmas Morning musing:

There is Light
There is Peace
We have been gifted a Light-bearer
A Peace-maker
A teacher:
“Be kind
Be gracious
Seek justice
Walk humbly
Seek beauty and truth
Be love and love with joy!”

Weekly Advent musing, December 18:
Makoto Fukimura, in his book Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for our Common Life, writes, “A culture that downplays the pursuit of beauty also loses its appetite for truth and goodness.” Think about that a minute with me. In the current cultural, political landscape where is truth and goodness? Why’s it so difficult to navigate the facts? Why are pundits and politicians on all sides yelling at each other and berating others continuously on our news shows and our Facebook feeds? Why are the arts constantly under funded and under acted? Where are the heart-warming, beautiful stories of hope and transformation? Where are images of beauty to feed our souls, to light the cold dark nights? Want to try something with me? Something radical, yet ancient? Do you want to reclaim “beauty” with me? Turn off the news shows. Take a walk to a gallery or favorite museum. Find a local theater and see a play. Go to the ballet. Get out and enjoy the arts, wherever you may be. Draw a picture! Paint an abstract! Write a story or a poem! Stand up to the petty (yes, it’s just really petty) darkness and bring light, art and beauty into the world. Let’s be a joyful noise and reclaim the truth and goodness we all want. I know you want it as much as I.

Weekly Advent musing December 10:
This past week of Advent has been a really challenging one for me. Do you ever wonder why when things go badly, they do so on many levels, not just one thing at a time? Last night, it felt too much…and I cocooned instead of studying or creating or even escaping through tv. I simply cocooned. The words of a good friend came to me this morning, “You are a strong woman. You can do hard.” Knowing there is someone out there who believes in me helps. I can do hard. You also can do hard.You are not alone. Even though we face different challenges and struggles, we walk our journeys together. If you need a friend, reach out to someone you know and trust. If you feel totally alone, reach out to me. I’m here for you. Advent is a time of waiting and hope. Joy is right around the corner. Hope is not too far away. Be patient, my lovelies! Peace to you!

Weekly Advent musing, December 3:
This morning I read reflections from artist, writer Makoto Fujimura from his book “Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life”. He questions, “Do we need beauty in our lives? How do we cultivate and care for our souls? And how do these questions apply to our larger culture?” While I don’t have all the answers, I think we need to take small steps to feeding our souls by living an authentic and kind lifestyle which takes courage and bravery in a culture of divisions, anger and hate. I’m attempting to reclaim beauty for myself a little everyday through art and study. In this season of Advent, may you find some moments of beauty and peace in your daily journey. May your day be blessed with love my darling friends and family!