Life’s Layers
I made this last weekend during my Encaustic collage workshop. Sandwiching papers, silk organza and spray paint between layers of encaustic wax.
Life is a complicated thing – when some things are revealed others are hidden. We are never in a place where we can see, feel, know, understand it all. I am no exception, the future is unclear, the past is up for interpretation, and NOW, well now can seem like so much fog – tangible and real but not meant to be held or contained. In an effort to be more in the now I’ve taken on a few personal challenges. These are tidbits of advice gleaned from a facebook posts here and podcast there – no guru formula – just my own way of sorting my priorities – my own daily check list of things to make my life more grounded in today, to keep my body, mind and soul healthy. Last fall my husband and I started an early morning exercise regime that I have been mostly faithful to along with some diet changes. Those have been good for my body and now I’m ready to take my daily commitment to the next layer- mind and soul. I’m trying to make a meditation practice happen, a friend was visiting recently and asked if I walked that labyrinth here at the Ranch regularly- the answer was no but then I thought why not? So last week after exercising I walked over and took my shoes off and slowly walked to the center and out again- aware of the path on my bare feet, the breeze, the birds it was lovely, a simple passage to NOW. My other new daily resolution is to commit a random act of kindness at least once a day. These are simple things, holding a door, offering to take someones shopping cart to the holding pen in the parking lot, holding a women’s bike while she wrestles her child into the baby seat …. what ever it might be it forces me to be aware of the moment to be enough in the now to respond to what is around me and to offer the simple kindness of noticing, helping.
Here is my little list that I am trying to do most days:
- Exercise
- Eat right (you know what I mean)
- Get enough sleep
- Meditate
- Commit at least one random act of kindness a day
That’s it- seems simple enough right? Let me know what’s working for you!
Detail of layers
carol Jones
Beautifully written Lisa…thanks for sharing this. The encaustic pieces look great.
Madeline Sosnowski
Thanks for the list Lisa.. I also am adding to mine an awareness of when someone does a simple kindness for me ! Also to be aware of everyday little things that my husband does for me that I tend to take for granted after so many years of marriage,
lisathorpeartist
I am glad you reminded us to knowledge the little kindness’s other direct to us and especially those closest to us.
Pamela
Lisa, I can see you being kind as I type! I also have a list that includes smiling a large friendly smile to someone known or unknown to me. I have found that it is one of lifes little pleasures, and the return smiles aren’t to shabby either.