Today is the One Year Anniversary ofJobie leaving his fur suit and putting on his
sparkle suit; we are referring to it as
Jobie's Feast Day.
Listening to: This video is so dreamy that you can almost miss how wonderful the song is.
Bliss: I am grateful for the sun. I am grateful for the warming temperatures. I am grateful for the house full of healthy animals. I am grateful to have even known Jobie. Send some prayers today toward Lisa and her small family, who just lost a fur-suited loved one.
The third secret our book club is exploring in 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women is about following wherever your fascinations lead you and taking risks.
To me this chapter is really about the disconnect between heart and head.
We live in a culture that prizes the thoughts of the mind over the inclinations and callings of the heart. That is a fact. Art and music are fast being removed from our schools, and if you dare go to college to study anything creative, people ask you what you're going to do with "that."
And as I talked about last Friday, if you don't have a "normal" job, it confuses people, who wonder what you do with your time, how you'll ever pay for your retirement.
As if creative and happy people ever "retire!"
By the time we are anywhere from six to ten years old, our parents start watching for our talents, monitoring where we are compared to other children, even asking us what our favorite subjects are, hoping it's something like math or computers that could eventually lead to money and comfort and ease.
Having a creative life is not about money and comfort and ease but about living fully and in the moment and jumping off the occasional cliff.
It is about listening to the wisdom of your heart and ignoring the constant chatter of your brain -- an overrated organ if ever there was one!
I used to tell people that if you cut off my body, my head would never notice. I lived in my head. I barely noticed I had arms and legs, much less an intuitive heart.
Kundalini yoga has done a lot for me in terms of reconnecting me to those "lower" regions that turn out to be "higher" after all.
For me, that has been my biggest risk, my hardest challenge, my most fascinating work -- recovering that heart. And I'm still at it.
Every time I sit down to write, my brain starts yelling at me about everything else that would be more worthwhile. My brain starts listing reasons a "real job" would be better; it entices me like my own personal Satan. Look, it says, look at the riches I have to offer; you could have the world, if you would just forsake your heart.
Too often still, my brain wins out. I get up from my chair and do something more practical.
Poor heart.
Heart, who knows everything that is good and right and beautiful and worthy. Heart, who knows exactly what would make me a complete human. Heart, who has all the answers.
Only from the Heart
Can you touch the Sky.
-- Rumi
Can you touch the Sky.
-- Rumi
30 comments:
I love the photo (laughing) what a face! As if, "Hey, I'm trying to bathe here, and you're taking a picture!" Cats as no other can give you a "look".
Oh what a personality that Jobie must have had. Sitting in a chair just like a king.
Annie Lamott talks about how she used to not be able to write unless all the dishes were done - the practical! And then a switch flipped after alot of time, and now she says (always tongue in cheek that Annie) that she can't write unless there's a pile of dishes in the sink now.
So there's hope that the day is coming, and soon, when we won't be tempted to pop away from our writing desks to go do something practical and useful ... because as you would say, there's nothing more practical or useful than bringing truth and beauty into the world.
Beautiful post! It's interesting you mention a "normal" job. I had a "normal" job in a big corporate office, wore suits and heels, lunched with "the boys." In my 20's it defined me. I was my job. I went and got an MBA to really solidify my credentials. Then...a few years later, I woke up! I was miserable. I felt empty and drained. The money was nice, but meant nothing...because I used it to fill the hole of emptiness. Thankfully, something inside me screamed...Enough!!! I took a risk and quit my job.
Today, I am in a place that is vastly different. My photography takes me deep into my spirit and I find my true bliss there. Often people ask..."what do you do?" I like to reply that I am living. That always gets some strange looks...lol.
BTW...love that photo of Jobie! Enjoy his feast day :)
What a wonderful love letter to your heart of passion ~ have a fabulous week!
Did you write this for me? I feel like you did.
Thanks. I'm about to print out this post--and glue your words in my journal--and I'm going to tape the photo of Jobie to my art day-by-day calander on my desk---I'll join you in the feast of such a regal feline!
Peace & Love.
Oh wow! You have no idea how grateful I am that you wrote this post!
You've said everything that's in my heart and yet can't quite put into the right words!!
You've brought up every one of my gremlins about "real jobs" and people's reactions, etc.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post - it resonates with me so much. Thank You!
lol- I'm serious - I may print it out and stick it on my forehead!!
And beautiful little Jobie looks almost identical to my Yin-Yang.
How amazing you are for having Jobie's Feast Day! What a great idea. You've given me a loving idea to make my hatchling's grief a little easier to get through... soon, our 16 year old "Harlem" furbaby will soon be going to the spirit world.
xo
This was a great post one that really resonated with me, especially working in the education field. There's so much research that supports that arts is the way to go...arts provide a certain excitement and vibrancy that students need in general.
I've worked in fields that haven't valued us "artsy folks" but I'm glad I have since moved on...
Being creative is such a wonderful, positive outlet for me. I don't know what I'd do without it.
This was so very beautiful. For awhile I use to let others define me, but never again.
My heart and mind are reconnected and they are introducing me to bliss. :)
Thank you! I'd never thought to label it as a "personal satan" but it's true! When i sit down to write or doodle ideas for workshops my brain won't butt out! Awesome insight--thank you for sharing it with us. :)
Much Joy, Many Blissings~*
Molly
Beautiful post. Sometimes I am bothered by the reactions I get when people ask what I do. I am a SAHM, a blogger and own a business-working from home. I still am bothered by the "Will you go back to a real job when your kids are older?"
I liked the fact that you addressed the "real job" issue.
This was really a great post to read. Thank you.
Recovering your heart - that is so beautiful. I too have reawakened out of a brain-dominated journey - what you've written here really resonates with me.
I have had a *normal* job for over 20 years and now is the time I listen to my Heart and I thank you for this beautiful post!~
It's all about LEAPING isn't it??
Kim H
http://kimssoulcollagecards.blogspot.com/
For Karley, SAHM, who says:
"I still am bothered by the "Will you go back to a real job when your kids are older?"
I was a SAHD until it was time to no longer be so.
Here are a few kind words from Stacia Tauscher:
“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.”
~~~ Stacia Tauscher quote
I add THIS to Stacia:
"YOU, Karley, are a child, today and tomorrow. And you are SOMEONE.....today and tomorrow".
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For Christine....
"As if creative and happy people ever "retire!"
These are the only people worth knowing in life.
One of my long term friends had a CEO Executive father. He was glum and always muttered.
I once told him he should not be Matt the father; he should be Matt Mutter.
(He smiled at the truth).
The mother, Mary, was a free soul in days when mom's were not. A Pacifist and Quaker, she was one of those Mom's Against the Vietnam War protesters in Washington, long before it was fashionable.
Fighting for Social Justice was her passion.
Smiling NEVER left her face. It was her natural state. We shared a summer in upper New York State mountains and laughed til our stomachs hurt.
She liked to get in Matt's Cadillac in the evening alone with me,...telling me it was time for us to "enjoy the splendid blue hour". This was the hour when the sky deepened in blue, but you could easily see the mountains outlined all around in varying shades of blue as the sun gave way to night.
She would pull over at the freeway entrance each night and stop. Slowly, she put the convertible top down.
Then, she pulled out a Tiparillo cigar and would light it like Franklin Roosevelt clenching it in her teeth. She would beam a smile at me and say "Ready Big Guy?"
(I was maybe 17).
The moment I nodded "yes", she floored the Cadillac and my head snapped into the back seat.
The speedometer meant nothing to her; our hair flew toward the trunk, and the mountains softly applauded their approval as we sped up and down the road. She was free as a bird in flight.
Over decades we got together and she always started with "Tell me of your day TODAY, laddie", sit down like Katherine Hepburn and straighten her long skirt, and look at me as if there was not another soul on Earth to hear.
Her kidneys finally failed and she had dialysis daily.
Her name came up and a kidney match for her was found. In the late 90's, I was still called "laddie", warned to stay away from wayward women, smiled at continually, learned a lifetime of having fresh cut flowers on the tables everywhere, everyday, and then this:
"I took my name off the list today laddie. There is a young woman who matches too. I have had a marvelous life. Now she can too".
I have known my friend 40 years. Been a few years since I saw him.
I have known his mom 35 years til she died. One of the last times I saw her before she died, she was sitting alone at the pool outside fully dressed, but splashing her bare feet in the water edge....smiling.
I often, often, often, miss HER, more than my friend.
"As if creative and happy people ever "retire!"
Mary was my first thought when I read that line.
She still makes me smile!
And there is a woman approaching 30, who is creative and happy these days, because she carries a kidney meant for Mary, but given away as a gift of love to a stranger.
As I spoke to Mary of my day, any day, she would sit and listen with the look on her face just like your Jobie in the chair in the picture.
Oh that chattering Monkey Brain!@$^@%$@ :)
I'm glad that you mentioned Kundalini and reconnecting our heads with our hearts and our bodies. I may have to give that a try!
You put your finger on it EXACTLY, that tug of war between heart and head. Its like you were listening to the chattering in *my* head.
And your post is yet another reminder of how I need to get back into yoga practice again. Get me out of my head and into my body and the here and now.
Thanks for this.
Having a creative life is not about money and comfort and ease but about living fully and in the moment and jumping off the occasional cliff.
This statement is so true. Sadly, too many people let their heads rule over their hearts. I am learning to lead more with my heart.
Jobie was a beautiful cat ~
What a beautiful thing to say, the sparkle suit. Jobie looks like a cat with a fabulous personality. I love the pic.
I agree, we are supposed to think with our heads, at least that's what society wants us to do. I had never done that until now and I realize just how dangerous it is not to listen to our hearts.
Nova Scotia has lots of beauty, just not in my neighbourhood. As a pedestrian who isn't allowed to drive, that's my whole world. I hope that there is a purpose to my being here and that I survive it and get to move soon more enlightened and more of a BC tree hugger than ever before, LOL.
"If you cut off my head, my body wouldn't notice..."
Absolutely
Profound.
Indeed, how many of us live inside our heads? I know I have. In fact, most of the pain and obstacles in my life have originated from there. Yet, so has the beauty.
I am going to ponder on your post for a long time. Thank you. :)
The heart is the key. Where the heck is that OFF switch for the brain, anyway. Man, I hate it when I can't find it.
Peace~
Dawn
I miss my fur-suited cat too! His name was Dylan, after Bob. That cat had so much personality.
What a wonderful post. And such an adorable photograph of dear Jobie!
Thank you for sending prayers my way. I am learning so much from my heart through all of this.
I hear you, beautiful lady.
You remind me of 2 of my favourite quotes:
"The furthest journey of life is from one's head to one's heart." (I forget who said it)
and
what Patch Adams said:
"The most revolutionary thing a person can do in this life is to BE HAPPY."
The more I think about those, feel them, internalize them, the more ecstatic and at peace I feel. What a blessed place to be.
BLISS ON....!!!!
How regal Jobie looks perched upon his throne.
Reading your blog is like daily medicine for my soul. I can't tell you how often I feel as if you are writing just for me. Today is no exception.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
As always I enjoyed your words and your Cat photograph is really great.
:-)
Your Jobie was almost the spitting image of my old cat Friskie. He could totally give that kind of look too. Love the idea of him leaving his fur suit and putting on his sparkle suit. It is a comforting way to look at it.
"Every time I sit down to write, my brain starts yelling at me about everything else that would be more worthwhile."
I know just what you mean by that. I always think that the practical has to be taken care of first, before I get to play. Which is why taking an entire day and setting it aside for writing work is such a foreign and risky feeling for me. It feels just as indulgent as splurging on impractical shoes that I can't afford. But, we'll see how it goes. Maybe with things like this, practice will help me become accustomed to it so that it becomes easier to set aside that time for myself.
My heart is so grateful that you are so connected to your own. Thank you for your wonderful words and for not letting your brain talk you out of writing them.
Oh and that video was so fun!
"It is about listening to the wisdom of your heart and ignoring the constant chatter of your brain"
I love, love, love it...
It's a battle isn't it??!
Your beautiful post really spoke to me, thankyou xx
You are wise. Ms. BlissChick. A thoughtful and insight filled post. Thank you.
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