Needed: Word Bridges
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bits and pieces – a work in progress
Do you ever have days when you are trying to make connections in your head, but can’t quite get there? All that wants to seem to come out of you is visual, but the words all seem to belong to others? I have several things which I have read lately that seem to want to be connected in some way, however I just do not have the “bridge words” to bring them together. Let me share them with you, because quite possibly you are supposed to be the one to make the sense! Here goes:
This morning as I was reading the blog, Mind the Gap, I was struck by this passage on morality and question:
These codes are fluid in so many ways, variable by so many factors–geography, economics, age, religion. More than most groups, artists seem to flow between them, ferreting out their fundamentals and illustrating how communities of people apply them to their lives. And if we’re going to count on this creative class of people to do the exploring and the feeling for those who can’t or won’t go there for themselves but yet go buy tickets to see what those artists have discovered, is it hypocritical to then chastise those same artists for bad behavior (as long as it’s of the legal kind)?
I hope you will read this whole post because there is a great deal to it and he poses some excellent points. Then these two quotes decided this was the day to show themselves in my email:
Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is
taking the risk to be alive.. the risk to be alive and express
what we really are.
::: Don Miguel Ruiz :::
You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle
of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
::: Paulo Coelho :::
After that, I decided to make myself a cup of tea and this was on the tea bag tag:
Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself. – Chinese Proverb
Well, the list of things kind of goes on from here, but these are the things I have floating around in my head trying to bridge the gaps between them.
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It is important to love what you do, because in that way you will do the best job possible
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What makes people fear challenges?
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It is so hard for us to listen to our own hearts, because the world often tells us not to do that! Again, that ego gets in the way!
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This is a big responsibility for teachers, but isn’t it all about helping the student search their own heart and not be afraid of what they find? Or is that a fear of teachers, too?
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Why does my brain have to get in the way so much?
It is important to love what you do, because in that way you will do the best job possible
What makes people fear challenges?
It is so hard for us to listen to our own hearts, because the world often tells us not to do that! Again, that ego gets in the way!
This is a big responsibility for teachers, but isn’t it all about helping the student search their own heart and not be afraid of what they find? Or is that a fear of teachers, too?
Why does my brain have to get in the way so much?
So do you have the bridge words which might bind these seeminly random thoughts? My brain would sure appreciate some quiet!
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There are 23 Comments to "Needed: Word Bridges"
Sounds to me like the universe is trying to tell you something!
Have you been considering a dramatic change, or mulling over a new idea, or unconsciously wishing you could do something different or new?
Each of those quotes is great advice for anyone. All together like that makes it seem like there’s something you should be doing, haha!
Challenges can be very scary. Not only is there the risk that you could fail, there’s the risk that you could succeed. If you fail, you have your own disappointment and the disappointment of others to deal with. If you succeed, what do you do next? What will people expect of you? Will you be able to live up to those expectations? That can be very intimidating!
Then again, if we shy away from any challenge, we’ll never get anywhere… I guess it’s a risk we have to take.
I love the first quote and how it suggests that as artists, we don’t always have to play by everyone else’s rules! It’s just a matter of having the courage to do what it is we want to do, despite how other people might judge us for it.
Hello Miranda,
My life is full of dramatic changes all the time. I know you are new to reading here, but we are constantly on the move due to my husbands work (I am 51 and the last time I counted I think I was up to 28 moves in my life, but more have probably happened since then). The idea thing keep me churning as I am always dealing with my head taking me down all kinds of idea roads. In other words, I don’t fear failing…I actually feel that not getting up and dusting yourself off after falling is the failure. Another way I see it is being an opportunity.
I am one of those people who looks for challenges to stare down…and I have been given my fair share of them. What I know is that when they come along, they just need to be dealt with or they will keep tapping you on the shoulder! Risk is good.
I think I actually love to make connections between things which are not typically connected and this one had/has me stumped. I probably just need to sleep on it a bit or paint it out, then the words will come. At the moment, though, I am a little tied up with getting to the studio. Ah well, life will unfold the way it needs to unfold.
I love that idea of not playing by everyone’s rules, too. Artists tend to be quite courageous people, in general. Sometimes it just doesn’t come across that way, because they also know the power of grace. I think you will like that post where that particular quote came from…the story is an interesting one which takes a bit of a diffferent twist than I have used it here!
Thanks Miranda! I always appreciate your insights here…you have so many wonderful things to share!
I love what you say: “Why does my brain have to get in the way so much.” Makes me chuckle. My brain sure does that. I read the article and feel that what he says is so complex my little brain can’t take it in. I do think there are those who are brave enough to explore into realms most men fear to go, in every art/craft/field. And then we want to see what they have discovered. For example scientists who invented the atom bomb. And then the powers that be wanted to see what was discovered. and then, by experience, we saw the horror. And so who do we condemn, the scientists who invented, the politicians or whomever who used the invention? Those of us who watched and were curious but didnt know the true repercussions and who now condemn the bomb usage if not invention.
Well this is getting off track and I didnt mean to say this, it just came out. But I just dont think these things are black and white and/or easily verbalized.
I DO think you will work out the connections via your art and hands rather than your brain. Or maybe both interplaying at the same time.
I do think its important to love what I do. However, I am not sure that the fact that I will do the best job possible follows. for me, “best” is a 4 letter word. I just do what I do. Others can label it good, better, best but at least in the visual realms I don’t label my own work althoug sometimes there are things I do that I dont like.
I rarely fear artistic challenges. I do fear some other life challenges that many folks just flow into with ease. So sometimes I can plunge into things, other times i am encased in fear. which means to me, fear of change, rocking the boat, fear of the unknown.
I have a hard time sometimes listening to my own heart, but I place the “blame” entirely on myself, rather than the world. I create my own confusion usually with my brain/words, and drowned out the message my heart is trying to tell me.
the best kind of teaching to my mind is one that presents the materials whatever they might be and then stands back and allows the student to explore, experiement and discover.
Be well Kim. As always a thoughtful post. Oh, loved the photo of the one orange among the apples.
Kim, I didn’t realize you moved so much! So you’re constantly in a state of change and newness. You have a great attitude towards challenges! One we can all learn from!
“Why does my brain have to get in the way so much.”
I also really enjoyed this comment, haha! It sums up most of my problems very nicely. If I didn’t think about things so much, I could probably get a lot more done!
Dear Kim,
Isn’t it strange when one reads a posting, one automatically relates it to one’s own existence. If we are to grow as artists and people, we need to take risks and go with opportunities, walk through those doors that open to us. I have a quote from a James Blunt song on my studio wall, “Taken a chance, out on a dance to the moon.”
I hope you get back into your studio soon.
Here’s a quote from Annie’s blog. “Cease trying to work everything out with your minds, it will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be a Revelation. ” Eileen Caddy
Hi Suki,
I think you explained this very well and your example of the scientist and the bomb was spot on. I love how you can do that with that HUGE brain of yours. You also like to make connections which are not normally considered and that is way cool, in my opinion.
You know, we homeschooled our children and that is just the approach we took, too. We always introduced them to a subject and then moved out of the way. I find it amazing to consider what the human naturally desires to learn. Many schools do not believe that is true.
You know, sometimes there is a fine line between intuition and fear!
I love Eileen Caddy’s work. Oh, I find that to be completely true! Isn’t life wonderful?
Thank you so much, Suki, your insights are absolutely amazing and so helpful, as well.
Miranda, there is no way you could have known about all of this moving. I find it almost refreshing, at times. On the other hand, it can be more exhausting than one can imagine! It is okay.
True for me is that I have to keep my brain out of the way, because it will stop me every time!
Thanks for coming back here, Miranda. I so appreciate all you have to share. I just adore these conversations.
Hi Dianne!
You are so right, taking advantages of these challenges make us so much stronger. I love your quote so much – great one for the studio wall!
Kim, thanks for sharing these quotes here, which are all treasures and help us along in case of hesitation (angst:). The word which came to my mind after reading your post and also the comments. Then I was looking for a quote by Goethe on fear, and instead found the title of a movie by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, a German, very independant filmmaker, and the title is “Angst essen Sehle auf” . It is sort of “pigin” German, “Fear eats soul up”.
Now where does that fear of taking challenges come from? I guess from experiences we made very early in our lives and later too, at least that is how it would work for me. This not only concerns decision I have to make concerning the organization of my life but also emotional challenges which drive my work, my artmaking.
Everything is connected. If I am in fear of risk of failure, of loosing approbation (love), of material loss, will I have the”right mind” and the courage to do what I feel I have to do? Can I as an artist take the chance and paint this and what will I do with the outcome? Do I mind if people like the way I presented my challenges and fears to them?
The only thing to quiet my own mind is to persevere, to go on creating and trying to find out what wants to come out, what wants to be lived and then combine it with what is possible.
Now my brain is tired from trying to think so coordinatedly, LOL, thanks for the energy Kim!
Andrea
This is a great saying, Andrea! “Fear eats soul up” – and it sure does! I really like this and think it is true, at least for me.
I think fear is totally learned. So much of the western world is about black and white and not any grey area to speak of! Think about taking tests (in the US anyway) it is all about answering the question. In many schools, there is very little about giving your opinion. If you think about that, when one is asked for their opinion if they know or not, they are afraid of being wrong! Do you know what I mean?
I think, as an artist, it seems so much fear is based on your work being liked or not and that is probably based on the old issue of “will it sell?” You know? I think when we can let go of those things the better art comes out or at least let them go for some time, so we can connect with the better art.
I think you are right, to keep on going. You told me once, you are an artist so make a mark! I have never forgotten that wise advise.
Now is the time to rest! Your creativity demands it!
Thanks Andrea for your wonderful insights!
Before I read all these great “connections” in the comment section.
Teachers
“the teacher points to the moon, but if the student looks at the teachers hand he will never see the moon.” – Chinese Proverb paraphrased.
Doors
I am also fasinated with doors. When I used to live at the Piano Factory in Boston they encouraged everyone to paint their own door. What would you paint on your door?
Very soon I am going to be putting a door on my quilt that I am working on …see my blog….It is going to be called FEAR….because as long as I let FEAR keep me from opening the door I am stuck out side…and it is not a hospitable place to be…as you will see.
When Quilting Arts Magazine had a challenge Doorway to the Imagination…I made mine the senses…smell, hearing touch…these all led up to the door and on the door was an eye and under the eye was a paisley tear…it had been through sorrow that I had reached my doorway…and gone through to a futuristic science fiction embroidery on the other side. It was all black and I think it fooled their cameras because they made anew rule not to make your art work black….it didn’t get published.
Well artist need to have a wall to work off their shell…like a cicada. Some become attached to the criticism, their voices in their head of authority figures, Religious hypocrisy, or other contradictions that the artist dares to shine a light on and expose from a different angle. Those are the real artist compared to just people that make craft…in my opinion. People that just make craft are remaining safe but they are not going to break through the shell and spread their wings and fly.
It is a cross to bear and only those that are willing to bear a cross will save their souls….or life.
“You know, we homeschooled our children and that is just the approach we took, too. We always introduced them to a subject and then moved out of the way. I find it amazing to consider what the human naturally desires to learn. Many schools do not believe that is true.
You know, sometimes there is a fine line between intuition and fear!”
I also home schooled my children, moved around almost every year crisis crossing the country about 10 or more times.
I think the first place we are taught fear is in school. We are taught the answers and then asked the questions. Then we fear getting the answer wrong…but the people that wrote the text books rarely fear this as they are so emphatic that they are right…which many if they were we wouldn’t have to print more text books with the right answers in them.
We also unschooled our children believing that interest in a subject was more powerful that test. and more motivating that “grades”.
“as an artist, it seems so much fear is based on your work being liked or not”
I think the fear is that it our art is a part of our likes and dislikes and thus a part of the soul…now we put our soul on the chopping block for people to hack up and to pick apart and perhaps most likely to misunderstand us…or to see the sides we wish weren’t there. For our soul is both the light and the dark. And if something has really been said it has been said through us and it is that that bleeds.
“Without realizing it, one might come to see boredom as the root of all evil, and the artist who can deliver us from dullness as a kind of priest who brings us absolution through beauty and transcendence through self-forgetting.”
I have been thinking about this boredom and wondered if that is not what school teaches best. I mean it is boring to have facts placed in our head in abstract ways that have not apparent meaning except in the “future”. To have our time and thoughts broken up by bells. To have our interest disregarded for the goals of authority, the priest of schools that cannot be question or reproofed just as in midevil times.In the mean time video game, cartoons, advertising can easily attract our children, because they have not learned how to manage their time, minds, creativity, …they have had that managed for them…even to the point of getting doctors to prescribe pills to control behavior….of the brightest kids in my opinion…that do not do well in boring settings….thus the need to dope them.
How do children learn…I think one day the historians will look back on this with a very grim report.
Thank you so much for not only visiting me, but for sharing these lovely insights. I love the idea of contemplating what you would paint on your door. I am not sure, but will be exploring that question in more depth as the weeks go by.
That is interesting about the rule about not making your art work black. So many people use black in their art because it is a powerful emotive tool! Mmmm…
The analogy of the cicada is great. I like the idea of working off my shell to get to the real part of me. I believe that and it takes a great deal of work. I feel the most challenging things in life are the most rewarding and I suppose this business of stepping away from the safety zone is one of those challenges, because I feel as though I am learning to fly.
Thanks for sharing these great insights!
It is interesting to consider being taught fear in school. In some cases that is true, but I also think parents have or can be a great factor in teaching fear. If a parent is fearful, I am sure a child will learn it quickly.
I think there can be a fine line between intuition and fear, but when you know yourself well and trust yourself the intuition comes naturally. You have to be able to go to that core of your being, though.
Interest is far more motivational that grades. I know my adult children now have a need to satisfy themselves rather than meet the parameters set up by others. They have proven to be wonderful academics to this point, I might add.
We all have our messages. Some of us have to share them because that is why we are here. Others of us have to keep them silent because we are fearful of the judges. I think those who have chosen to keep them silent have come across far too many who hammer away because they cannot just accept we all have our place in our own ways.
You have given voice to the experience of many. Education, sadly, is more about business than the expansion of minds.
Keep whirling, dervish. The words will blend together, like tea leaves, steeped. Then slow down, sit down, and sip.
I think you are right. It is a matter of taking the time to allow it all to steep and blend itself together. You always have wise words to share! Thank You!
People fear challenges due to the threshold they set up for themselves anything over that becomes too big and would stretch them too far… however if a major challenge is broken down in to smaller “bits” and you work your way up to a challenge then you have some hope of getting there and making it happen.
Just my two cents!
Or I think maybe more than 2 cents, Steve! Breaking down the challenges into do-able steps clearly helps. For me, the great challenge is translating what is in my head into an understandable language!
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing here.