Winter in Maine is strong. Frigid. Rugged. The snow is up to my knees in most places, up to my thighs and even my belly in the drifts. Life is dirty and real. Reduced to what matters. Staying warm, eating well, keeping sane and productive, but most of all being present with the ones I love. Embracing harsh Winter leads to thriving. Fighting it leads to unhappiness. As it is with many things. Acceptance is key.
The starkness of the outdoors invites the eye to linger on finer details set against its frosty backdrop. I take notice of the houseplants in the windows — the lines on the leaves, the sheens or lack thereof, the folds, imperfections. Colors more vibrant against the white.
We recently had tree work done, which has changed the exterior and interior landscape of our home, flooding it with bright, warm light which is welcome and comforting in these darker months. It invites basking, a floaty, silky feeling, and cheer. And another bonus… To enjoy the sky we no longer have to look up. We can look out! At the endless shapes, textures and couplings of cloud formations, the rich purples, pinks and orange hues of sunset, and the extensive map of stars made highly visible by the pure black night of a rural location.
A black and white photo from my archives caught my attention — taken at a gallery exhibit in Kansas City this past September. Photo by the lovely Angie Johnson (fellow exhibitor). A man studying my framed photograph. I’m drawn to the position of his hand, held behind his back. I wonder what he is thinking.
Thank you H, my love. I couldn’t resist a snapshot of your card and some shape play…
Daily tasks: Feeding the soul with nutritious experience. Feeding the body with healthy food and drink. Staying in tune with positive vibrations and energies. Being a seeker of Gratitude. It is a magnet for miracles.
Intricate patterns invite meditation. Allow your eye to follow a path made of bare branches. It is soothing and centering.
As of late, I have been inspired by…
- This unconventional dance piece performed by Sergei Polunin, former principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. Your heart will leap when he does. I like to imagine I am inside his body as he dances. It is exhilarating.
- And if his performance moved you, you will be interested in Sergei’s thinking on perception and following one’s instincts — where his own perception of himself and his art, and the listening to his heart matter more than external opinions and forces. Such inspiration for creative types.
- The botanical body art of Alice Carrier.
XO