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| (Image of Shaman from National Geographic)
Recently, one of my friends sent this quote with
a book reading announcement for the author Chinua Achebe: "One of the
truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised." It
resonated with me so much that I had to grab it and use it in my email
signature. Throughout my life integrity
has been a unifying theme. It is a
motivator, a consideration, guiding force and inspiration. Integrity is about
being true to your self—being authentic.
It is why I chose to become a writer and an artist. It has also kept me from doing some things
and encouraged me to quit doing some other things I have been fully immersed in.
About a month ago someone said something to me
that was so rude, fundamentally destructive, hurtful and unexpected that it
pierced me. Shaman know we are (at least
most of us) punctured by a variety of wholes inflicted on the journey of the
life passage. This one whole got me to
thinking. Your soul is something you
come into this world with and it is the only thing with which you will leave. Would I allow someone to say something so
negative and destructive that it could pierce and injure my personal sense of
identity, even if allowing them to say those sorts of things enabled me to make
money? The answer is a resounding no.
Integrity and sense of self are wrapped around my soul. When one of the
elements in that trilogy takes a hit, they all suffer. Internal suffering leads
to illness whether it shows itself as being spiritual, psychological or
physical. No person, whatever their position, should have the power to make us
sick in any way.
I have closed what was seemingly a promising and
exciting chapter in my life. It is
always sad when closure comes but typically it is for the best. Changes are
frightening but they can also be exciting.
I look forward to seeing what the universe has in store next. As a writer, I know that there are many new,
promising and exciting chapters just waiting to be written. Now I have the
positive space and nurturing environment needed to write them.
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Gran Bwa is a lwa that helps you connect to ancestral roots or the spiritual home of Vodou. A friend of mine, who is an expert on Haitian Vodou, who has spent a lot of time in Haiti with the artists there, told me I had painted Gran Bwa when I made this spontaneous work out of walnut ink and sumi-ink on handmade paper. I had considered this painting a self-portrait. She now holds this piece in her private collection: Quite a few people are afraid of Vodou but it is an awe-inspiring tradition of bringing together plant energy with divinity, spiritual and personal energy. My friend who is very involved with Vodou, especially the art that surrounds it, is from European ancestry. She is light in spirit and bubbly, with a close relationship to nature and her garden. Vodou affirms the relationships between cycles of life, trees of knowledge and spirit. The Vodou vision of lwa , understands them as the intelligence of energy present in humans, nature and thoughts. Mysteries ca
I can relate to this post in so many ways... thanks so much, I needed to read it this morning, all my life I´ve been dealing with this issue, with my need to keep my integrity and -as you- I have the feeling that I am opening a gateway to a new -much more promising- chapter.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this post in so many ways... thanks so much, I needed to read it this morning, all my life I´ve been dealing with this issue, with my need to keep my integrity and -as you- I have the feeling that I am opening a gateway to a new -much more promising- chapter.
ReplyDeleteZena, I'm so glad you found this post then this morning. Glad also you can relate. The artistic process can seem very solitary at times. Thank goodness for blogs! Closure is always difficult but it is also true that we have to close out on the old sometimes to make way for what is new!
ReplyDeleteGood for you and many happy wishes for you to come ~ Inspiring post ~ ^_^ ~ Let Go, Let Be and Attitude of Gratitude have become my mantras for this year ~ practicing everyday and you reminded me again ~ thanks ^_^
ReplyDeleteA Creative Harbor: You're so welcome. I love your mantras. Will try to incorporate them into my life.
ReplyDelete"One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised." Love the quote, but it reminds of Congress and what they all believe Integrity is apparently. LOL Best wishes on your new book. Post to WC the pitch for it when you have it done. I'd love to see it.
ReplyDeleteDelores, hmmmm, I hadn't thought of Congress but I can sort of see what you mean. I'll be happy to post to Writer's Circle when the book is completed. I'm getting there. Planning on working on it all day today!
ReplyDelete