Mother's Day

Yesterday was such a special day! I love my brilliant and splendid son unimaginably! Courtesy of abstract expressionism, here’s his name:

Dripping In Gold

After seeing the ladybugs, I did not heed the advice of my friend and buy a lottery ticket. However, I think it’s time to sit with this acrylic painting and absorb my “dripping in gold” interpretation as set-ups for manifestation and alliance with abundance.

Ladybugs

In the early AM a couple of weeks ago on the beach at Tennessee Valley, there was a large rock covered with them. My friend said they bring good luck and told me to go buy a lottery ticket! Soon after, my son showed me photos of ladybugs that were on his window sills. Enthralled, he spoke of them as friends. I suggested we look up ladybug symbolism and meaning. From www.worldbirds.com, “When you encounter the ladybug spirit animal at any point, you can be sure that positive transformations are on the way. You can trust this humble creature to brighten even the gloomiest of days and brighten your outlook on life should you come across it. The symbolism represents the time of the fruition of your dreams and wishes.” I’m totally ready, and I know he is too!

This morning as I was moving art propped up against a wall, I saw a ladybug crawling on my concrete floor. In the 7 years of living in this loft, this is a first sighting. It did indeed automatically brighten up my day!

And, one just happens to be in this claybord painting entitled “Crown''.

Pink Duct Tape

This morning I heard a co-host on a program speak about being in an ultra orthodox Jewish sect for 43 years and leaving it. She married at 19 and had 4 children. She said she was told that, “To be a good woman, you have to be obedient and quiet, and you’re not supposed to study the laws that actually govern your life, you have to do what your husband says, and your purpose in life is solely to be a wife and a mother.” She’s just written a book, and her picture is on the cover with a strip of silver duct tape across her mouth.

I’m reminded of my “Be A Good Girl” artwork based on similar principles. This piece has a plethora of words such as be quiet, be silent, shh, shut your mouth, hush up, put a sock in it, etc., written in cursive and graphite overlaying 4 strips of pink duct tape.

Be A Good Girl

Even though I’ve posted about this before, the message is still prevalent. Recently another HOA member had her loft damaged when a major pipe broke. Needless to say, the plumbing fix was complex in this old building. Rightly so and very concerned, she ever-so-politely requested that the manager and plumbing company get appropriate permits. Given that the standard practice for this vendor was to do work without permits, there was hesitancy. Although feeling bad about asserting herself, undeterred. she persisted with her request and one was obtained. After the plumbers did the work, the next step was to schedule an inspector’s visit. Cheering her on, I encouraged her to be onsite with the inspector and ask questions. When she told the manager she would be there, he asked that she not make too much trouble and keep focused on the repairs. When she texted me this I responded with, “I have a series of artwork on “Be A Good Girl”. He is asking you to comply with that instead of respecting that you are a homeowner and addressing you as such. This will be your opportunity to ask the questions you need and want to ask. Don’t let him or any of the others intimidate you!” Turns out the plumbers rerouted the new pipe incorrectly, the work did not pass inspection and had to be redone. Such corroboration for her to speak up! I fully support her rejoicing in following what she knew to be true and taking care of herself and her property.

Insights

This lifetime is offering so many extraordinary opportunities to evolve, learn and grow as a soul in a body!! Four months ago a close relative became ill again and, again, while preparing to provide whatever support was necessary, I found myself saying, well, I guess he has to go to a deeper level of healing with this. And then it struck like lightning that I guess I have to go to a deeper level of healing too. Previously I had been so focused on his recovery, clearing my schedule to be completely open and available, and suspending my creative aspirations. In essence, just doing whatever it took for damage control and to get through it. I decided at that moment of epiphany of my own healing, to ask myself the questions, how can I use this to inspire me and how about being in unconditional love? A fundamental requirement was to stay present and connected to myself through whatever iteration the illness presented without judgement and resistance, be open to and trust the revealing of deeper understanding, and act from that. Of course, being human, it wasn’t possible to be perfect with this. I must say, though, that I did really well and feel very proud of myself for each of the many moments I was present in this mindfulness. The Be Here Now mantra helped along with Just Is.

Previously, I had gotten stuck in thinking my life and progress stopped at these junctures. I learned this was fallacious thinking that caused unnecessary, additional suffering. Although paints and writing were not calling to me, I know my creativity was and is intact with the creative force in quiet activation.

Horses And Border Patrol

Unquestionably, what happened recently is a depiction of pain, suffering, and mistreatment of the Haitians and, I want to add, horses. In the mean “herding” of these vulnerable people, at one point in a video I observed a horse’s head yanked so high up with his mouth wide open from the strangling metal bit and his eyes visibly in distress.

Bits are mechanisms designed to inflict pain to make the horse obey humans’ commands. However, there are many types that add varying degrees of pressure depending upon usage. Some cause minimal discomfort and are low-impact and others cause severe pain and possible damage. All the way around, this is disturbing and not a welcoming scene.