I've been working on Rita's "Gift from the Sea" which appealed to me for so many reasons but mainly because I love Anne Morrow Lindbergh's essays on reflection; on how she felt that she was the only woman who felt a desire to create in a space that was all her own, her need to get things in order, to simplify, and to focus on the specific things that mattered to her and to let go of the rest. Her time away from her family was not selfish but rather selfless, as she was able to contribute as a mother and member of a community once she had filled her own well. I once read:
"If you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal.
A canal spreads abroad water as it receives it,
but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing,
and thus without loss to itself it shares its superabundant water."
Bernard of Clairvaux, Celtic Monk
I wanted to use Anne's words, to use the colour blue which is my personal favorite and grants me a sense of tranquility, and to capture the sense of serenity that nature provides.
Wonderful inspiration and a beautiful glimpse. I love the concept of the well!
ReplyDeleteOh how true Veronica...to fill our own vessels full is the only way we may give back to the world...the world needs us to be full, happy and joyful...your post gave me a bit of that reassurance...it isn't selfish, but self-loving to fill ourselves with the things that fill our hearts with joy...
ReplyDeleteI love your post and image of your work in Rita's book...Can't wait till I see it for myself in my hands. The layers of words and the colour blue is so soothing. Thanks for posting your work here.
Supria
Veronica,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post within Rita's Gifts of the Sea book. Love your blue sea color and especially the life preservers -honesty, strength and imagine- all anchors for us in life. Hope at some point, we'll be able to see all of the pages in everyone's books!
I love your thoughts, especially how you describe what the color blue means to you... how it "captures the sense of tranquility that nature provides" Lovely peek at your work too... Roxanne
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