Landscape - Journal


I drew the above, starting with eyes closed, after a very full week and needing to relax. I'm hoping that the ideas of change and 'going with the flow' are conveyed. Despite the 'clearly not strictly representational style', somehow I don't mind looking at this picture. It seems to align with everyday life at the moment, in which I have a sense of internal stability amidst drama.

I don't know if this is related, but recently I've discovered a new interest in noticing and even interacting with people that I don't know. As a massive introvert this is a somewhat surprising development. This morning at the shops, I sat down next to a reasonably senior lady and we shared a short exchange. I felt a warmth in the interaction. I headed off upon receiving an email from Mum and ventured to say, "I hope you have a nice day." She seemed pleased. About half an hour later, I returned with Mum and the lady was still sitting in the same place. I said, "are you okay?" She said, "yes, I'm waiting for three people, I got here early. There's nothing wrong" or something similar. Later still, I saw her sitting in Coffee Club with four friends so I felt even more reassured. There is a meditation in Headspace that involves moving thoughts from people we know to strangers so this might be related. 

Now I'm struck by the realisation that the two themes - inner stability and connectedness - are in fact closely related. I can't think of a better encapsulation of this than "Gaelic Blessing":

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you
Deep peace of Christ to you.


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