‎"Naked I came into the world, but brush strokes cover me, language raises me, music rhythms me. Art is my rod and staff, my resting place and shield, and not mine only, for art leaves nobody out. Even those from whom art has been stolen away by tyranny, by poverty, begin to make it again. If the arts did not exist, at every moment, someone would begin to create them, in song, out of dust and mud, and although the artifacts might be destroyed, the energy that creates them is not destroyed."  Jeanette Winterson "Art Objects"

for the trip to squam my brother gave me a book to read, Illusions by Richard Bach from which i take this quote:

"once there lived a village of creatures along the bottom of a great crystal river. the current of the river swept silently over them all-- young and old, rich and poor, good and evil, the current going its own way, knowing only it's own crystal self. each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks of the river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current what each had learned from birth.

"but one creature in it's own manner said at last, 'i am tired of clinging. though i can not see it with my eyes, i trust that the current knows where it is going. i shall let go, and let it take me where it will. clinging i shall die of boredom.'  the other creatures laughed and said, 'Fool! let go and that current you worship with throw you tumbled and smashed across the rocks, and you will die quicker than boredom!'  but the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks.

"Yet in time, as the creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom, and he was bruised and hurt no more.

 after a long year of struggles i'm finding how important it is to learn to let go, to love without resentment, to live with compassion, to stop holding on so tightly to comfort and convenience.  as i first let go {mostly of my religion} it certainly did feel like i was tumbled and broken upon the rocks.  this past year has been extremely difficult for me, my mental health has hung in the balance for a long time, and my attempts at finding a pharmaceutical option has actually left me worse off than i was before.  so now i'm without anti-depressants and choosing happiness has again become my reality.  it's still shaky, every day is still a struggle to choose to get out of bed, to sort laundry, to reach out to others.  but the more that i trust in the person i have always been, the more confidence i rebuild and the stronger i feel. 

squam was an interesting experience for me in this, because i've reclused myself for so long and seen myself as broken for so long, i wasn't sure how i'd react to some serious artistic energy and passion.  in a few cases i was a weirdo.  but the majority of people saw me as i haven't been able to see myself: strong, confident, loving, loveable, and somehow talented.  i began to let go of the way i have seen myself for too long.  i found that even when i was shaky and panicked i was still loved and understood.

i'm learning to nourish myself in the ways that bring me happiness and peace.  coming home from squam i've found myself sketching again, singing again, teaching again, getting together with people again.  i'm also learning not to judge myself so harshly, giving myself permission to do what feeds my heart, even if it doesn't feed others.  creating art is part of my love language, it's where i find peace and my mind finally quiets.  funny enough at 5 pm every day, our most stressful time of the day as a family, my kids each get a streak of creativity and run off with paper, scissors and crayons. the act of creating art in any form calms them from the afterschool pre-dinner craziness. they might be making a mess right as i'm trying to clean up, but they are focused and peaceful.  i'm still learning to let go of the "shoulds" as i focus on choosing joy.  it takes bravery to let go, not knowing exactly what will come next, but every time i let go the opportunity for greater joy comes flowing in.

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” - Joseph Campbell

what are your thoughts on letting go?