I’m always fascinated and often amused at how the mind can move in such interesting spirals.
Today I thought perhaps I’d write a gratitude gumbo – it’s been such a long time since I’ve posted one. And as I was letting my mind wander over the possibilities, I thought about what a strange time these first days of the year has been for so many of us.
We started the week with about two feet of snow on the ground and temps at minus 20 degrees. I was grateful for our warm house, and simmering soups; for the successful dripping of water that kept our pipes from freezing, and for my plush faux fur coat which I only haul out every few years when extreme temps demand it. It always makes me laugh because I feel like some ginormous walking teddy bear, and heaven knows laughter is always a good thing, especially when it’s so cold.
And now, at the end of the week, we’re expecting rainstorms, and with temps above freezing, we’re in for a major melting of the ice and snow, and that of course brings threats of flooding.
And as I was thinking about flooding, I thought about Bridgette Guerzon Mills, an artist I love. When we had another bout of flooding last Spring, her studio was under three feet of water and decades of work was lost. It was so heart-breaking.
But I’m grateful that I have a number of pieces of her work, and that she continues to create. And as Yule present to myself I purchased one of her recent encaustic pieces. It was on exhibit with a number of her other works throughout December so I didn’t receive it until the beginning of this month. But it’s such a delight to have it here now.
It’s entitled “Seeking Clarity” – and it feels like the perfect talisman as I begin this year’s journey.
I have it displayed sitting on the ledge of a mirror over an altar in my office. Which is another one of those interesting synchronicities. The bee is a beloved symbol and totem to me, as Deborah means Bee. Recently I’ve been given some guidance about working with a symbolic mirror to see my soul self more fully, and it just stuck me a delightfully curious and wonderful that prior to this guidance from my spirit team, I chose to place a symbol representing me on an actual mirror. How I love, and am grateful for, those little cosmic winks!
And speaking of bees, I love that I just heard on NPR’s Science Friday broadcast a fascinating fact that feels so in alignment with my little mind spiral. Honey bees keep warm in their hives during the cold weather by shivering. They vibrate their flight muscles but keep their wings still, raising their body temperatures.
Shivering…bees…encaustic art…mirrors. It’s all connected. And how wonderful is that?!
One final thing to share. When I was looking up the url to Bridgette’s site, I found her post about a project she participated in last year called “Face Your Intentions.” I’m so going to do this, and invite you to check it out as well.
And now what about you? What are you grateful for today? This week? Fallen down any rabbit holes or found your mind weaving curious connections? Do tell – you know I love to hear.