June 1, 2021
@ Mid America Flight Museum, B-17 "Thunderbird" project in Mt. Pleasant, TX
In re-introducing this blog, I have decided to share some of my journey with friends and hearts dearest to me, those who may find the sharing of journeys beneficial in the acknowledgement of beauty and the inspiring of communion in the experiences of Life. Here in this blog space, sharing is not done to elicit comparison, judgment or shameless self-promotion (no "like" button here!) I, for one, have no need for that. I do however wish to share and connect with others who delight in the flow of Life.
My blog entitled "Revelations" still exists, and is still a relevant source of inspiration, so feel free to peruse if you are inclined (www.openwindowstudioart.blogspot.com) Because that blog was created for communication with students, clients and supporters of Open Window Studio, which was a wonderful chapter in my life experience ending in 2016, I will begin posting again to this "sister blog" and invite an ever expanding network of friends to follow and participate. It may "flashback" at times, to pick up a thread, or remember meaningful flight experiences, travels and ruminations. But because I have been out of touch with this medium for five years, and am anxious to begin again, I shall begin now. You may Find Me Here...
I returned to "Pleasantville" last night in the pouring rain, quite suddenly arriving in the shapeless night and feeling a sudden sadness that the place I had returned to was not Home. "Home is where the heart is." Pieces of Home live in the family with whom I just shared a few days in Missouri. Pieces of Home live with the lover with whom I am aching to reunite. Pieces of Home are acknowledged in mySelf each and every day.
I give my vintage aircraft restoration work my complete concentration and presence of mind, and of course the sense of responsibility is never lost on me. It is an enjoyable meditation, one in which so many of the appeals of my past training in yoga and art find meaningful tangibility. I realize that what drew me to create a teaching artist business years ago was a desire to challenge myself in learning new skill and technique, to solve and overcome unique problems, to learn and keep fresh in variety, and to collaborate with clients/artists/students in making visions a reality. The yogic keys of practice, such as learning to be patient and at ease in discomfort, finding the meditative quality of repetitive tasks, finding flow within systems and in progressions, and practicing the non-attachment to the outcome of the vessel itself, have all been present in my mechanic work as well. The work, knowledge, building, and skill is reward in and of itself. It is satisfying work, with real meaning, directly tied to history and individuals and nations in a certain time and place. It is aesthetically pleasing work, creating and restoring the pieces of a beautiful machine, to return it to where it was created to be; in the air, and in the hands of a pilot of this modern era with the immediate necessity to "get off this round ball for awhile," and find beautiful restoration as well.
But for all these reasons and the countless amazing perks of belonging to this unique community of people, so intent on refusing to acknowledge their tether to things of this earth, my passion is here, but not my heart. My heart is elsewhere. It is with those that have touched my life in some way, those that have walked with me in this journey at various points, in various ways, through various chapters. They are part of an infinite timeline stretching out in both directions, and their affectation of my experience continues to influence the person I am today. As I consider this phenomena, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness to Life's provision, timing and perfect way. I realize many of those "ministering spirits" will never know the depth of their influence or understand how their presence was "anything special." It seems the combination of openness to another's influential presence of spirit, openness to being present and attentive in a spirit of care, and openness to revealing an unfettered fearless expression of oneself is what makes human encounters shine boldly in full color against the sometimes dismal contrast of situation or surroundings. The light makes us shiny and happy and rushing with light, as a conduit, a straw, a humble vessel. We find that light too appealing to be ignored, yet it is our own openness to finding, observing and responding to it that makes magic... and enlightens the whole sky!
"The Sun never says to the Earth "you owe me." Look what happens with a love like that. It enlightens the whole sky!" - Hafiz
"You are the Sky. Everything else is just the weather."
Why trifle with anything else during our brief moments of existence here? What could be more valuable to the human existence than to see and be seen in this way, in this the acknowledgement of the light and beauty and infinite potential within us, and embracing without judgment all the experiences Life gives us in which to do so? I have certainly done the deep work, in cycles of suffering and practice, to find acceptance of my self that sustains a deeper confidence and strength. I know the benefits of being thus supported, and have appreciated reminders of the divine, especially in times when I am standing in the way of my own happiness. In each given moment, I decide to either embrace or resist the flow of Life.