“I’ve weathered some storms” … a mandala tribute to life.
There are only a handful of boxes left to unpack in my new studio … today I unpacked ones with mandalas in them. This one, which started the day under a different name, became the focus of my attention. Suddenly, this piece which has been in my space for quite awhile, wanted more. More attention, more embellishment, more meaning. After I finished the additional work on it, I let it sit beside me, waiting to have its new name emerge.
Every time I glanced down, I saw the colours of the garden at the end of winter. I thought about how many storms nature must survive. I thought about all that we weather in our lives, and how incredibly resilient we really are most times.
So, in a time when I feel very much in flux about a lot of things, I look to nature to help me weather what is happening in my world, and in the world in general. I am reminded it does not worry itself with the future, it very much lives in the now. In every moment, nature keeps growing and changing, adapting and adjusting. I am afraid we humans are not really very well-versed in that. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn!
For the first time in a long time, I am able to enjoy a view of the garden from my new studio, and I feel especailly blessed that I get to watch it emerge into spring. It feels as though every moment I look out, something is new. The nature outside my window is a testament to hopeful. It is inspiring me to take small actions and know that all of those actions combined will create change.
Some of the silliest things make me happy …
This big move of ours has produced a good deal of packing materials, and after we moved in, we realized there were a few things we needed to buy … which came with more packaging. I am not sure many people get as excited as I do about good, efficient, simple packaging … but I tell you, things like these crazy, simple, reinforced corner pieces made my day. These are not the sort of thing you throw out … they are keepers in my world, for sure! Anything that is so sturdy should certainly be used more than once!
And while I was unpacking, I came across a shoe box that we didn’t seem to need anymore. As I went to break it down, I noticed how brilliantly it was designed. No glue, no tape, no staples, just folds and tabs. It was so well thought out, I put it back together and decided to keep it.
I really appreciate good design and pieces that lend themselves easily to be used again and again. I even envisioned a whole store of used packing materials where people could come and package up their parcels with just the right materials, and save them from having to be recycled. What a great savings this would be for small business!
Remember the 3 R’s … Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
The new studio continues to morph into a comfortable working environment.
A sure sign that it’s a good space is that the little grey muse finds this her favourite space in the whole house. Yes, it is grey cat approved.
In this space I have started the creation of an altar to all things not digital. I was going to do this at our old house, so to be able to do it here is a lovely feeling. There is more to add, but this is where it has started.
photo by Wendy Morisseau
My mantra for this week has been this:
KEEP WRITING + EXPLORING
STAY OPEN + CURIOUS
MAINTAIN JOY + WONDER
I wish this for you also!
~sarah
I love the non-digital altar and of course, observing the resilience of Nature (and Nature can observe the resilience of you).
love that … Nature can observe the resilience of me … fabulous! Thank you!
Hey Sweet Sarah,
I still have those heavy ‘paper-fiber’ corners ( shaped like pyramids) that were originally packing material from some thing your Dad ordered on Kirkland. They have gone from Guelph to Mississauga to Oakville and now back to Rockwood in a great loop. I use them for what I call ‘stand-offs’ in my studio. I think of you every time I use them.
Yes, you are one person who really understands “using things for unintended purposes!” I am sure I learned it from you!
I’ve downloaded this month’s wallpaper; it’s my least favourite of your mandala cards so I thought I’d better stare at it for a while and try to reconcile myself to it 🙂
Your studio and analog altar look great!
You seem to be settling into your space well, Sarah – that’s so wonderful.
Looking forward to seeing it 🙂
I am curious … least favourite mandala for message or design? God for you to take the plunge to reconcile yourself with it!!!!