18 Feb
After the Creative Process
Sister JOY and Falling Walls
…the man or woman who would have remained a sunny garden flower, with no room for its roots and too much sunshine for its head, by the falling of the walls and the neglect of the gardener, is made the banian of the forest, yielding shade and fruit to wide neighborhoods of men.
~ Emerson
Our good is built inside the bad. Sometimes “the falling of the walls and the neglect of the gardener” yield the treasure. (Show me your “shortcomings” and I’ll show you where your strengths are born 😉
The thing that crowds against us inevitably forces our growth in a new direction. What would have seemed previously impossible becomes the only course to take.
The thing that you might think could be your reason for not “succeeding” may contain within it the exact ingredient needed for you to become wholly you.
I’m not gonna name names here.
I’m betting you can think of people you either know or have read about (or it might be your very own story) who had things that would seem to prevent them from their good. Instead, as the years played out, the very thing that would seem to be bad, reckoned to be what landed them in the garden of good 🙂
Whatever seeming obstruction that life might hand out, it’s expedient to remember Emerson’s words…
…the man or woman who would have remained a sunny garden flower, with no room for its roots and too much sunshine for its head, by the falling of the walls and the neglect of the gardener, is made the banian of the forest, yielding shade and fruit to wide neighborhoods of men.
“Sister Joy”
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Yes, sometimes I feel lost. I felt that changing over to watercolors is the answer, and may still be. If only I could relax in painting a little bit more. I love to create, I’ve written several books, about my life and working on the third. I know LIFE is what you make of it, and you have certainly done that Dreama. Thank you for caring, you’re a wonderful person.💕
I am so glad to hear from you. Emerson had wise words for sure. You seem to be able to pick just the right words for me too. Thank you.
Your art and journaling are lovely. I’m a fan!
love your work,haven t been painting lately,due to the blues and health.hope to start again soon.love alice
I can’t tell you how many times your words land in my inbox at EXACTLY the right time. I was feeling a little put-upon, having to do something that was okay but not what I really wanted to do, so that someone else could have a good time. Then of course it turned out that what I “had” to do was a joyful, fun, back-to-my-childhood experience — throwing rocks in a creek with a little boy! Finding the perfect rock, heaving it into the creek, and listening to the satisfying “plonk” as it struck the water — just the perfect thing on a sunny, winter day. Joy comes in unexpected places, and letting yourself out of your “garden” can be freeing, fun, and joyful!
Thank you Dreama. You have an uncanny way of tapping me on the shoulder at just the right moment to bring encouragement to exactly, spot on, where I need it. I’ve been frozen for three weeks of fear facing the blank pages of my w/c journal. My faithful canine companion of 17 years, a true familiar, passed over the Rainbow Bridge 3 weeks ago. Yet I can hear her saying “let’s paint something”. She is my impetus to paint and the reason I am paralyzed at the same time. A moment when you’re forced to stop and examine the garden for the crumbled walls and lack of tending. I will paint for Olivia today.
To say that your eCourse blew my mind wouldn’t be quite accurate… the course opened my eyes and emersed my heart. I’m enjoying painting like I never knew I could! Thank you!
Thank you Dreama for your wonderful DreamLovePaint on line course!!! This has been and continues to be a fabulous informative wonderful heartfelt experience!! Dreama’s teaching, sharing and giving of herself is second to none!! I am thankful and full of JOY everyday!!! Thanks Dreama …..you are awesome!!! Love and hugs to you!!!
Dreama, your dreamlovepaint class is totally amazing! It goes beyond a painting class (what I expected it to be) and it’s more like a joyful life class! You and your team put a ton of work into it for us to benefit from not just your painting expertise but your life experiences. I highly recommend this e-course. I especially like that there is no pressure to complete it in 6 weeks. There is a lot to learn and practice and the ‘go at your own pace, enjoy it and don’t rush’ is a perfect way to take the course! The private facebood group also adds a great interactive dimension to this whole experience. Well worth the price – a true gem of an e-course! Thank you!
Hi Dreama, I am feeling so blessed to have found you! I have been an artist in one way or another my whole life, but started oil painting in 2010, after losing my son. You have really inspired me to find my authentic self and express it in my painting. Up until now, I can honestly say, I was just trying to copy a photograph and make it look as much as I could like it. Don’t get me wrong, I have learned alot about the technical side of painting, but not really painting from my heart. I am so excited and feel I am on a new journey in my painting!!! Thank you! Thank you!
Hi Dreama, I am so blessed by DreamLovePaint and your blog. But I’ll be honest, I am so affected by your emphasis upon finding joy. Plagued by depression for most of my life, my only hope is that the negativity will not manifest more negativity, but somehow work for my good overall and indeed be that which yields shade and fruit to the world. Thanks for a word of encouragement and hope. Also, your kitty brings back joy that I experienced with my kitty, gone now 5 years, Buttons, a fluffy soul that was indeed the joy of my life.
Dreama, you’re God send! I’m forever one of those trying to loosen up. Enjoyed the paintings in your course. Today, tho’, I had a breakthrough because of your Emerson quote. I knew immediately what my weakness is, my tolerance for chaos. Chaos (a certain level) in my closet, pantry, freezer, purse, you name it. Okay, that’s who I am. The problem was that I couldn’t tolerate chaos in my paintings. Epiphany!!! Perfect painting’s not fun! This morning I got out acrylics and cranked out three wonderfully fun and imperfect paintings!!
“When the real you shows up, things change!” Thank you so much! (I don’t do FB yet so not sure how to share them.)
How is it that you seem to magically know exactly the words I truly need to read and thoughts I need to reflect upon, Dreama?
Sometimes, even before I myself realise I need them!
These words and these musings are powerful and beautiful, as is this painting – the softness, the gentleness, the serenity, the calm, the quiet joy…they are all flowing abundantly here.
Thank you for all that you do, Dreama, and all that you give and all that you share with us here.
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