Authenticity

Occasionally, I free write to "get it all out there." This may not be the most well-written post but it's genuine:

Authentic. The word reverberates, crashes into my shielded existence, this story that I portray as me. Authenticity sets you apart from the masked ones and yet transforms you into a reflection of what they all seem to know is their very self.

Authenticity is scary; it's sometimes painful. Open me up, make me a the still stream reflecting tree tops and sky. Break me apart, and let the pain and suffering, joy and passion pour out in puddles around our feet until someone whispers a knowing, 'yes.' Write what you know, brave soul.Explore your inner-world and draw it out into words. Coax it from hiding and fear into the glaring sun. Writers cannot be fearful creatures. We must learn to separate our true selves from the storyline so we can expose depths without trepidation.

The real truth is in the transformative possibilities of those experiences, how they change us and those around us, how they make us grow or fall. The story ebbs, only feeling endures...what surrounds us, overwhelms us, creates us. We are left standing, one outstretched arm in grasping, another withdrawn, door ajar, insides gapingly exposed. Finally, there is no difference in craving or aversion, only love remains, thrusting us forward into the arms of Other, into heart of Same.

Art
Creativity
Spirit
Love
Water
Compassion
Laughter
Trees
Silence
Pain
Thank you
Stillness
Breath
Joy
Path
Yes.

17 Inspiring Words

At the beginning of the month I wrote a list of 17 words. My hope was to visit these words in the month of November during my Nablomopo month of posts. It would not be surprising if all of these words, being regulars to my vocabulary, have showed up in the past 20 days, but making an intention to write posts inspired by each word seems like a fabulous idea!

If you haven't visited My Woods in a while, make sure to go read why I'm thankful for my recent post deficit in the Nablomopo 30 posts in 30 days challenge. Then come back and check up on the word posts...hmmn....word posts. That is a great topic idea for a word-lovers and artist-type people.

what one can be...

A musician must make music,
an artist must paint,
a poet must write,
if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.
What one can be,
one must be.
~Abraham Maslow~

Defining Moments

There came a moment in the middle of the song
when he suddenly felt every heartbeat in the room
& after that he never forgot
he was part of something much bigger.
~Brian Andreas, Trusting Soul

Have you ever had a defining moment...one that effected you so deeply that your whole perspective and way of experiencing the world was turned upside down?

I'm thinking about this question today.

My Story

She stood at the sink so long that her hands were silky smooth, just as Palmolive promised. But the river's current had washed the spoons away. Come with me said the current. And she did.
~R

The Story People

The Story People

Just for fun, go check out artist Brian Andreas and the Story People. Make sure you browse through the stories under StoryLand on the right. They will make you smile.
Then try creating something yourself. It doesn't have to be long or deep or award winning, just authentic and fun. I love this! I'll post mine soon :)

How has art moved you?

Why do we ask, “What is the way?”
For there are as many ways
as there are stars in the firmament. ~Gunilla Norris

A few days ago I opened a new book by Gunilla Norris, Simple Ways Towards the Sacred. I was stilled by these first words and found myself repeating them in slow, hushed breaths. How can words, in an unsuspecting instant, reach in and grip your core? And why did these words hold such sway in me? I felt melted and poured into those firmamental stars, spread over a thousand light-years. How can it be? The depths of human sentiment... how art does move us, does stir us, connect us.

Art is the essence
of human soul
laid bare
in longing
for....

How would you finish this statement?

How has art moved you? Have you ever had a moment like this either creating art or experiencing someone else's artwork?

I would love to read your thoughts.