"For a long time, for years, I have carried in my mind the excruciating image of plants, bulbs, in a cellar, trying to grow without light, putting out white shoots that will inevitably wither."
(Journal of a Solitude, p. 57)
I love this image! I think it so accurately describes what can happen to us mommies when we don't take a little bit of time to do something that nourishes our spirits. We have little white shoots of inspiration, energy, passion or creativity and because we don't take time to nourish those, they just wither and we feel lifeless and drained.
Take some time! Get a babysitter, ask a friend to trade babysitting, determine to spend one naptime this week doing something just for you.
For me, if I can force myself to walk into the office/art room and just sit at the art desk, I can usually summon the energy to work on a project. Once that happens, it is self-sustaining because the creative process takes me out of my "I am too tired from chasing the kids" mentality and into a different place mentally. The hard part is getting up and actually making it into the art room. I always feel "too tired to be creative" and like I "have" to take a nap. Once in a while, I sit down at the desk and have no inspiration and the tiredness doesn't go away- in that case, I DO go take a nap because that is obviously what my body needs that day.
Don't let your shoots wither!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
"It is Harder for Women"
Another quote from Journal of a Solitude:
p 56
"It is harder for women, perhaps to be 'one-pointed,' much harder for them to clear space around whatever it is they want to do beyond household chores and family life. Their lives are fragmented... the cry not so much for a 'a room of one's own' as time of one's own. Conflict become acute, whatever it may be about, when there is no margin left on any day in which to try at least to resolve it."
I do want to be single-minded about the things that are important in my life. And I have noticed that I am a much better mommy, more focused, more joyful, more able to be 'one-pointed,' when I have just a bit of time for creativity, for something that nourishes my spirit. Take time, ladies! You need it. Your family needs you at your best.
p 56
"It is harder for women, perhaps to be 'one-pointed,' much harder for them to clear space around whatever it is they want to do beyond household chores and family life. Their lives are fragmented... the cry not so much for a 'a room of one's own' as time of one's own. Conflict become acute, whatever it may be about, when there is no margin left on any day in which to try at least to resolve it."
I do want to be single-minded about the things that are important in my life. And I have noticed that I am a much better mommy, more focused, more joyful, more able to be 'one-pointed,' when I have just a bit of time for creativity, for something that nourishes my spirit. Take time, ladies! You need it. Your family needs you at your best.
Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton
Read an interesting book over the weekend while I was sick in bed. It's called Journal of a Solitude. I don't agree with everything philosophically that she says and I bet if I knew more about the author, I would disagree even more. That said, this book, as a stand alone, has some great thoughts about solitude and pace of life that I whole-heartedly agree with.
p15
"Machines do things very quickly and outside the natural rhythm of life, and we are indignant if a car doesn't start at the first try. So the few things that we do still do, such as cooking,...knitting, gardening, anything at all that cannot be hurried, have a particular value."
From my own life, I would add reading whole books, making art and paper scrapbooking! Find something that cannot be hurried and determine to invest some of your time into it. Something restful for your brain, away from mommy-land if you are in that all-consuming season.
p15
"Machines do things very quickly and outside the natural rhythm of life, and we are indignant if a car doesn't start at the first try. So the few things that we do still do, such as cooking,...knitting, gardening, anything at all that cannot be hurried, have a particular value."
From my own life, I would add reading whole books, making art and paper scrapbooking! Find something that cannot be hurried and determine to invest some of your time into it. Something restful for your brain, away from mommy-land if you are in that all-consuming season.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sabrina Ward Harrison
Sabrina Ward Harrison is an interesting and inspiring collage artist. (Thanks, Trish!)
Sabrina has a couple books which are basically publications of her art journals. Really thought-provoking.
"We are all carrying so many things in our life and inside ourselves. Often it feels there is no place to put them down. Where do you place the questions you carry?"
Where do I place my questions? With God, in my journal, in my art, with my counselor, with my husband, with my mom, with my best friends. I am blessed to have so many options. I pray you find places to lay down your questions as well.
Sabrina has a couple books which are basically publications of her art journals. Really thought-provoking.
"We are all carrying so many things in our life and inside ourselves. Often it feels there is no place to put them down. Where do you place the questions you carry?"
Where do I place my questions? With God, in my journal, in my art, with my counselor, with my husband, with my mom, with my best friends. I am blessed to have so many options. I pray you find places to lay down your questions as well.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Child's Story Bible by Vos
I love the Child's Story Bible by Vos. It's a book I would never pick up because it looks so old-school and well...kind of dumb. And if you look in it, there are very few pictures. My view of a children's Bible is that it should have pictures. Well, after many people highly recommended it, I purchased it and began reading it every morning with the kids. It is very well done. Scripture is accurate and thorough and it is more complete than any children's story bible I've ever seen.
After each morning's reading, I ask the kids what they learned. My two-year-old usually says, "Jesus," as this is the correct answer to any question. :)
Last week, after we read the account of creation. I asked my five-year-old what he learned.
"God made the world." (pronounced "weld")
"What did he make it out of, Josh? Dirt or..?"
"No." Silently thinks for a bit. "He made it with noise."
WOW! He was able to interpret the fact that God SPOKE the earth into being and put it in terms he understood. I was so encouraged about our daily readings!!!
Now, don't go getting all discouraged if you aren't reading the Bible with your kids. Start small, read whatever story books you do have about Jesus, tell them your favorite stories, remind them that God created that beautiful sunset outside. I have only recently been able to institute more regular readings because my children can feed themselves their breakfasts (no more highchairs or sippy cups!) and I can read to them while they inhale their outmeal. It's been great for me too because, honestly, I am not that regular at reading my own Bible. It is so encouraging to read the stories of Jesus and be reminded of the simple yet profound truths through the eyes of my children.
"He made it with noise."
After each morning's reading, I ask the kids what they learned. My two-year-old usually says, "Jesus," as this is the correct answer to any question. :)
Last week, after we read the account of creation. I asked my five-year-old what he learned.
"God made the world." (pronounced "weld")
"What did he make it out of, Josh? Dirt or..?"
"No." Silently thinks for a bit. "He made it with noise."
WOW! He was able to interpret the fact that God SPOKE the earth into being and put it in terms he understood. I was so encouraged about our daily readings!!!
Now, don't go getting all discouraged if you aren't reading the Bible with your kids. Start small, read whatever story books you do have about Jesus, tell them your favorite stories, remind them that God created that beautiful sunset outside. I have only recently been able to institute more regular readings because my children can feed themselves their breakfasts (no more highchairs or sippy cups!) and I can read to them while they inhale their outmeal. It's been great for me too because, honestly, I am not that regular at reading my own Bible. It is so encouraging to read the stories of Jesus and be reminded of the simple yet profound truths through the eyes of my children.
"He made it with noise."
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tending the Heart of Virtue
Sorry for the long delay.
I recently read a book called "Tending the Heart of Virtue" about how fairy tales such as the original pinocchio and narnia help our children learn about good and evil. Neat book. I enjoyed it.
"Mere instruction in morality is not sufficient to nurture the virtues. It might even backfire, especially when the presentation is heavily exhortative and the pupil's will is coerced. Instead a compelling vision of the goodness of goodness itself needs to be presented in a way that is attractive and stirs the imagination." (pg. 20)
I love the idea of a "compelling vision of the goodness of goodness itself." I want to present that to my children through living books, my example (sinful though it is), stories and heroes. Read your children a good book today!
I recently read a book called "Tending the Heart of Virtue" about how fairy tales such as the original pinocchio and narnia help our children learn about good and evil. Neat book. I enjoyed it.
"Mere instruction in morality is not sufficient to nurture the virtues. It might even backfire, especially when the presentation is heavily exhortative and the pupil's will is coerced. Instead a compelling vision of the goodness of goodness itself needs to be presented in a way that is attractive and stirs the imagination." (pg. 20)
I love the idea of a "compelling vision of the goodness of goodness itself." I want to present that to my children through living books, my example (sinful though it is), stories and heroes. Read your children a good book today!
