One of my pursuits in living here in New Mexico has entailed learning more about the Diné (Navajo) culture.
I came across this blessing today which from my understanding is often traditionally sung during the process of weaving, in reference to Spider Woman, who is said to have first woven the universe and taught the Diné to spread the “Beauty Way” by creating beauty in their own life and thus encompassing the balance of mind, body and soul.
It is also a part of the story that when Spider Woman discovered her abilities and after showing Spider Man, he created tools for her with which to weave out of the Juniper tree (read more here).
A fact that seems even more meaningful to me due to my own fascination and interest in Juniper trees that primarily began sometime last year.
(I don’t fully know why this feels meaningful exactly, other than the fact that I always take note when more than one interest seem to intersect with another…)
The more I learn about this beautiful culture, the more I feel it has to teach us in so many ways.
I thought I would share the blessing here with you today. I got chills reading it and cannot imagine how beautiful it must be in it’s original native tongue.
Art
Inviting You Deeper
in Art
my life is saturated with art.
not just my own, but others.
i am constantly moved to great depths in short amounts of time by the words and images and sounds i come across. i am trying to listen more intently and pay closer attention to the things that move me in just that way.
there is something there worth meditating on and exploring further.
i have been wanting to share more of these sources of inspiration, and so you might see more of these sorts of posts popping up here on the online journal as time goes on.
(i am also going to practice saying less and letting things just speak for themselves. so i won’t say anything else on this idea for now…)
today’s inspiration was this poem by David Whyte, shared with me by a friend.
the book that this piece is from is now on my reading list.
Artists In Film | The Cowboy Prince in New Orleans
in Art, Photography, Travel
Charlie Umhau and i used to be neighbors back when we both lived in Richmond, Virginia.
it was a while before i realized the jovial wild-haired being, who always greeted me on the sidewalk with a grin and a wave, was the same one on Instagram commenting on and resonating with my wild and creative musings (and here is just one of the many examples of how the internet has brought the most remarkable people into my physical world).
though we really only had the opportunity to become friends and hang out for a short time before he moved to New Orleans, there was an instantaneous connection in our conversations and ways of viewing and loving the world.
from our common ideas on rewilding, our mutual experience of feeling a little-bit different than everyone else around us, to answering the call of leading and living a life counter to what our society told us to live.
For One Who Is Exhausted, a Blessing
in Art
the following words are by John O' Donohue from this article which quotes a piece from his book: To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings.
i came across them at the beginning of the year while listening to Krista Tippett's podcast On Being and they've stuck with me ever since.
there is both a soothing and invigorating quality about these words. i have yet to read any of O' Donohue's books, but i can assure you that several are now on my book list.
I Dwell In Possibility
in Art
i read this poem recently, and it's theme is quite prevalent for me right now.
by which i mean, there is so much possibility swirling around these days and i am filled with anticipation in the witnessing and acknowledging of it