what if we
carried within us the
compassion
to
regard
each persons highest and best good
as significant as our own?
when i am teaching i use the words "what if?" as a simple and accessible way to keep the doors of creativity open. when judgment creeps into our thinking many possibilities in the creative process are clouded. our fear can step up to center stage and diminish clarity, direction, even joy. suddenly we are in the throws of self doubt, comparisons, ridicule, and snap! that divine place of timelessness, that perfect state of being, the oneness of creation disappears and we are back in our clumsy bodies wondering how to ever navigate our way back "home".
to teach the mind a new dialog, one that opens us to possibility is a simple practice. i refer to it as "the great what if"...in the pursuit of art it is a directive dialog, "what if" i place this here, change the colour? scale, pattern? each idea generates observation, intimacy, connection, fosters fascination with the materials at hand. keeps one present. it is as simple as choosing to use effective soul satisfying thoughts instead of self defeating ones.
when one heart, one world began i decided to take the journey. so many people participated, 1,088 to be precise, representing 40 different countries. i loved the idea of traversing beyond continents, beliefs, politics and the endless ways we measure our differences, to celebrate humanity. i loved the symbol of one heart, one world. and i secretly wished we were all leaving prayers for peace on every post, encircling this world over and over in a tapestry of inclusiveness and compassion.
so i offered a sacred heart as my gift. my prayer flag, my altar of candles, my hope for one heart. one world. the chance to remember that we are all inextricably bound to each other. the ability to carry each others highest and best good in our hearts, thoughts and actions. compassion, replacing old thought patterns that separate with ideals and thoughts that generate intimacy, connection, fascination, wonder. hum." the great what if?
and the recipient of my sacred heart,
the mangolicious
stephanie!!!
