Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with exploring the concepts of pronoia (the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower us with blessings), quiety (serenity) and peace – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply delightful-to-me words.
Y is for…
Yagiment is a Scottish word meaning state of excitement. It also refers to a state of agitation.
Excitement and agitation are often thought of as positive and negative states respectively, but physiologically they can resemble one another quite closely.
I’m experiencing yagiment at the moment as I’m shifting and exploring new things in my work.
One practice I’ve been working with for years that I find quite helpful especially in times of change, is listening for some quote, some fragment of poetry, some lines of wisdom that really call to me for deep contemplation and consideration. I spend days, sometimes weeks listening and really delving in. And then I create a piece of art or a talisman or something tangible as a reflection of that contemplation – a touchstone of where my soul has led me.
I really love the practice as it feels both like a deep listening and then a co-creative effort – dancing with the energy I’ve been immersed in and finding an expression for it.
In this initial agitation/excitement over how my work is evolving and what exactly that might look like in its unfolding, I’ve come across five quotes that have pinged me really deeply in my heart. These feel like the guideposts I’m meant to consider on this journey. And that in itself feels exciting, because rather than working and focusing with one quote or poem, this feels like I’m setting up a much larger, much more nuanced container.
These are the quotes/the admonitions/the invitations I’m drawn to work with now. I’m naming them
The Call:
“I’m restless. Things are calling me away.
My hair is being pulled by the stars again.”
— Anaïs Nin
The Listening:
“Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time.
Let it be. Unto us, much is given.
We just have to be open for business.”
– Anne Lamott
The Decision:
“She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky.”
― Monique Duval
The Embodying:
“The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.”
–Barbara Kingsolver
The Path:
“Stay close to any sounds that make you glad you are alive.
—Hafiz
So what do you think? Can you sense my yagiment? Feel excitement about something yourself? Listening for what is changing in your life? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Yagiment is a great word to describe the combined feelings of excitement and agitation especially around change. I remember when we moved back to Maine, something I was beyond excited to be doing. Right after my husband found a job which would allow us to move, I broke down crying to him. There were no doubts about the move but there was still some fear and agitation about the uncertainty of what was coming next. Change is complicated even when it is good change. I enjoyed the quotes that you picked.WeekendsInMaine
I so understand that Karen. Change IS complicated and not always easy to navigate.
I can feel the yagiment spreading from those quotes. They each created images behind my eyes that beg to be made into… something. I hope to see what you make from them. The bits of your art that I’ve seen so far have shared their peaceful inner and outer beauty. They speak to me of VAST love.
Oh thank you Sue. I can’t wait to see what unfolds from those quotes as well. But I’m certainly delighted and grateful they showed up as guides.
wooooow! Such a profound post, Deborah. Thanks for the new word for today. Thanks also for the Wonderful guideposts/ revelations . i will bookmark them for future reference. 🙂
Best wishes,
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com
Thank you Moon. It’s such a gift isn’t it, when we find the things that speak to us and can use them on our journey.
Great word, Deborah! I am beginning to feel some yagiment too as I feel my work changing. Love your quotes too, and I really like the picture, did you do that?
Lots of changes afoot it seems! I’m starting to play a lot more with mixed media collage with markings (thanks Jamie!)
The word yagiment drew my attention and your description heightened my interest. But your list of q/a/i’s has me squirming with excitement about life’s possibilities. I’ve bookmarked this post as one of the most inspiring of April. Thank you, also, for visiting my site for the AtoZChallenge.
Wow Gail – thanks for the kind words. And I’m really glad you were inspired.
I’ve had a wonderful time throughout the challenge and hope you have too.
Ah,
“She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky.”
― Monique Duval
I say YES to life.
Affirmations for a Good Life
I join you Beth.
Love the Anais Nin quote. That one speaks to me as well. The way you create art sounds quite wonderful. Like a form of soul expression. Beautiful. 🙂
I like that term soul expression Sara. I suspect anything we’re passionate about is really an expression of our soul. Like that Nin quote.
Simply wonderful quotes thanks Deborah! The stars pulling my hair – Anais Nin. Oh they’re all really lovely – I can feel the yagiment in them. Thank you for naming them – this I will check out again …
The Nin one is extraordinary isn’t it. She certainly had a way with words. 🙂
Hi Deborah – yagiment is a great word to be introduced to … excitement and agitation .. I shall need to remember it as time goes on … I too love the Anais Nin quote – cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/z-is-for-zebra-zoo-and-zedland.html
I was delighted to find the word Hilary – it always interesting to find a word that describes a feeling state that you’ve experienced but had no name for.
Yagiment is a great word to combine excitement and agitation!
Art, and words, are therapy. Mine is writing.
Best wishes,
Nilanjana
A good one to have Nila. And clearly one you’ve mastered. 🙂
Wow! Yet another world in a word.
Thank you for your posts Deborah.
Hafiz and Anais Nin are making images in my mind–maybe I’m yagimenting.
Happy to have found you:)
Z is for Zagreb and Zindagi
LOL – a fine moment of yagiment Arti! And I, too, am so delighted to have connected. Hooray for the magic of A-to-Z-ing.
Yagiment sounds Scottish, even before you said it was hehe. I think we’re all probably experiencing yagiment today because it’s the last day of A-Z Challenge! 😀 *high five*
Here’s my “Y” post from yesterday 🙂 http://nataliewestgate.com/2017/04/yearning-secret-diary-of-a-serial-killer
I think you’re right Natalie. High five right back at you. 🙂