childish context...part two

In a previous post I mentioned my reemerging love for children's books and highlighted a few of the ones that I have found to be imaginative, inspiring, and full of simple wisdom. This holiday I found a few more goodins to add to the list!

The Dandelion Seed - written by Joseph Anthony, illustrated by Cris Arbo
This story follows the life of a dandelion seed, with a beautiful message about letting go and captivating artwork, this husband and wife team has created a gem of a book. I can't wait to read their other one, titled "In A Nutshell".

On the Day You Were Born - by Debra Frasier
Simply beautiful artwork and a heartwarming message that welcomes the reader and shows our connection to mother earth and all of the other earthlings. Makes you feel honored to be a part of it all.

When the Wind Stops - written by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Stefano Vitale
I love a good story about the cycle of life, and this one is adorable. Written in the style of a young inquiring mind, with the question and answer format of which so many parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and teachers are all too familiar. The illustrations are imaginative and colorful, just like the questions.

Beautiful Oops - by Barney Saltzberg
A book that helps us to realize that sometimes the most beautiful works of art come from what we initially think is a "mistake". Fun, creative, and dimensional!

 Appearances: clearings through the masks of our existence - written by Rusty Berkus, illustrated by Christa Wollan
An illustrated book for the older children of the universe (aka teens and adults) in search of our answers. The images are delightfully reminiscent of my '80s upbringing and combined with a beautiful, peaceful, and encouraging message about remembering, loving and being who you are. My mother gave it to me as a gift recently and I read it occasionally for a good dose of nurturing. The author has a number of other books that I hope to check out sometime.

Happy reading!

aquarian musings

I've brought some show-and-tell: I used to write all of the time - just jotting down random thoughts automatically, creatively. Somehow I completely forgot about this old pastime until recently when my mom was trying to clear out her space and sent me home with a pile of old notebooks. Here are some thoughts that were flowing through me 10-15 years ago. (Well, these are the ones that weren't rooted in angsty love-lust). I look at them with such new eyes, like a mother amazed at the perceived big word that her toddler speaks. A time capsule: A young, limited experience, innocent - unaware, unconscious of what she did and didn't know. It makes me want to start writing again, in hopes that I may have some fun, inspirational reads to reflect on in another decade. I hope you enjoy, there is definitely a common theme!

(2000-2001)

The only thing I understand in this world is the desire to escape it. And the only thing I desire to excel at is breaking all of these limitations.


The worn path will wear you.



I miss being young and free
I miss the feeling of not knowing intoxicated pleasure
but just the moment itself
I will forever need my mothers nourishment,
I now realize
Nourish yourself; her wisdom



What is wholesome?
What is good?
I watch us take each step carefully along the hard, narrow cement after one another
Conformity? Is that good?
All of these gigantic boxes really get into my head sometimes
And I long for the water, 
the air that tunnels through trees and passes through my body
awakening my senses and thoughts with each inhale
I long for moments in life where my eyes easily close 
without the heaviness of the material world 
pressing in on my brain and exhausting my intentions 
to try to free myself from the assembly line.

You've always resisted opening your eyes underwater because you're afraid of the sting. But you get used to it, and then you realize how much you were missing, and how many wrong turns you made, just because you feared the discomfort that seeing entailed.


(1997-1998)

This Blank Piece of Paper
This is my bible
Whatever I write
I follow
If I disagree with myself...
I cross it out and rewrite
These words that I have written
This is what I follow
This is what I believe
These are my thoughts, my faith in myself
This Blank Piece of Paper
This is my bible.

What would you say if you bumped into yourself?
Would you say 'excuse me' or would you blow you off?
Swear to your mother or plot to kill your soul
Save you from the cowardly planet
Save you from the dog next door
Save you from the fire in the sky
Save you from the vision of the MAN wearing that weird bow tie.
If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of a man working on the chain...right next to you.
If you watch carefully, you can see that the small print reads
"I wouldn't sign this if I were you, but instead I'm me, and I'm getting paid to sucker you in."




The slope of the shadow along the torso
leads to the nature, the long, since prehistoric obsession
The touch, the smell of living, breathing
It is within only your comprehension that the mystique is uncovered
Your own eyes, your own hands
Your own heart, YOUR OWN
Where we come from
What we search for
Its more than flesh, its more than blood
And although senses mightbe heightened, its not what you'll feel for eternity
In that place between 

Go through the maze and reach for the light. 

 On your mark, get set...go

I feel as though you understand
And that even though you don't know my place of birth,
you know who I am, I am you
You know my passion that remains hidden - and you didn't even have to look.
You're special.
You are on fire.
You feel and your soul is lifted by the steam of your heart. 
I love you as a person - you're a true human - you feel. 
Hold my hand like the grass is rooted in the earth. Complimentary.

(painting by Gil Gatfield)

childish context

As we "grow up", many of us forget about how good it feels to be imaginative and creative, and how to be full of wonder as we live in the world. Lately I have been working (and by working i mean playing) to bring back this state of mind in my life, to dive back into the purity and joy of learning, dreaming, dancing, creating and loving. (And I am delighted and inspired to see the expression of the inner child of my friends too, such as the lovely Tanya and the forever youthful miss Jennie). One of the things that I have discovered, is that I still really enjoy reading children's books! My initial reasoning for reading them was because I wanted to find stories for my nieces and nephew that were fun to read and had a positive message about life. As I "researched" books to share with my kindred, I found that I was having just as much fun reading them. Here are 4 of my favorites that I have found so far and I highly recommend:

The Sun in My Belly - written by Sister Susan, illustrated by Sister Tin Nghiem, and introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh
A delightful story about forgiveness, the interweaving of life, and our connection to each other, to the animals, to the food we eat and the earth. And the water color painted pictures are absolutely beautiful!

 All I See Is Part of Me - written by Chara M. Curtis, illustrated by Cynthia Aldrich
This story also tells about the universal oneness of everything. A little more poetic and "right brained" than the above book, it is peaceful and full of wonder and the images have a very soft feeling to them. Additionally, it is a recipient of the Body Mind Spirit Magazine Award of Excellence, and everyone likes a winner.

The Land of Smaerd  - written by Andrea von Botefuhr, illustrated by Bryn Barnard
Another award winner, this story invites creativity and it has a message of positivity and a reminder that whatever you dream can come true. I especially loved the artwork in this book, it is full of color, imagination and has sacred geometry sprinkled throughout.

 

Owl's Secret - written by Louise Gallop, illustrated by Shannon Cartwright
This is a cute book, written in a style remindful of the tradition of the Native people. A tale that celebrates the differences in all the creatures of the Arctic, and encourages finding your own talents and strengths. I also like the glossary of flora and fauna in the end of the book.