The Mindful Writing Challenge is to write a small stone every day this January. You can read more about the challenge here. I definitely like the practice of writing small stones and so I’m going to play along. Whether I post my small stone here on my blog, or on Facebook, or perhaps just keep it in a journal, taking time every day “To pay attention. Be astonished. Speak about it” keeps me right on track with those Instructions for Living a Life so wisely offered by Mary Oliver, that I wish to keep as a guiding mantra for my own journey.
My stone for today:
It has taken me years to learn perfectly the courage
With which to reach into my own self
And withdraw the shadows.
“…to reach into my own self and withdraw the shadows.”
Wow. Powerful imagery there, Deborah. I can sooo relate.
I’m also a fellow stoner (couldn’t resist that!) but I have yet to share my words. Guess I’ll have to write them first, lol. This is just what I needed to see to get the wheels turning.
LOL Sister Stoner Susan – I love that term. And the way I see it, your art is gorgeous and filled with invisible words. 😉
Deborah, I’m thoroughly enjoying reading your posts. I am always learning something new from you. Thank you for sharing about the Mindful Writing Challenge. I have never heard of it. Love your stone for today. 🙂
Thanks Suzanne. I’m delighted about the Mindful Writing Challenge – it feels like such a lovely practice to enter the new year with.
Beautiful, Deborah. And powerful. I hope to be there one day. I think I still live in the shadwos somedays.
I think we’re all dancing with our shadows Karen. The way I look at it is what each one of us is trying to do, at every level, in whatever way we can think of, is to move into wholeness. The shadows are just inviting us to integrate them consciously – they’re already part of us.
What imagery, Deborah! Your practices are so appealing to me.
Thanks Janet. It’s always of interest to me how each one of us walks through our lives. And talking about our practices offers little glimpses that appeals to me.
It never ceases to amaze me how a few simple words can be so powerful. Love your small stone:)
Thanks Michele. And I agree about the power of words. Sometimes I imagine them dressed in superhero(ine) costumes, with capes of course, flying off on important missions. 🙂
Withdrawing the shadows. That is a puzzler… It leaves more questions than it answers, but I suppose that is partially the point. Are you withdrawing from the shadows? Are you withdrawing the shadow from other things so they become more clear? It is certainly an interesting phrase. It jumps around in my mind a lot.
Ah yes Amy, shadows always have a way of bringing up more questions. It made me smile that the phrase has been jumping around in your mind – I like to think of that as shadow dancing.