Wednesday 30 March 2016

The Modern Nomad



I believe in the freedom of spirit, the power of speech and the ability to change direction at anytime given. I've personally changed directions many times in my life. Will I ever stop? I don't know that. Maybe not. But why should I? Redefining who we are in modern times, has become a part of the norm and phrases like 'reinventing yourself' make more sense now than ever.

If I see myself as an ever changing entity, I could reconstruct my present as many times as I please within my own boundaries but essentially, I'd still be the same in my very own core. A new age Nomad, trying to find a tribe or just trying to create one that would welcome others to join in.

As I grow older, my needs change with me and I am looking forward to welcome more changes and many new ways of thinking and living in the present as a consequence. Simple pleasures, are more meaningful to me now - more than ever if I may say and I cherish and value every single one of them.

Spirituality is something that has become necessary in my everyday life and helps me find the light through difficult times; I sometimes ask myself - is it just a superfluous tool for integration and fulfilment? I feel very strongly that we should just let the Earth and Nature heal us but we also need to devote ourselves to the healing of the Earth. We breathe with the trees, we take vibrations from their roots, we feed off of them. The journey of spirituality always redirects us back to our self: we are children of the Earth after all.

When we embrace problems as agents for growth, we begin the real transformation. Not protecting ourselves, can be really beneficial and liberating when it's used wisely. We can remove the root cause of disturbance inside us, free ourselves by simply acknowledging its existence. I am not the work I do, or the pain I feel - I am the one who notices these things and asks questions and takes actions and risks. When our consciousness is separated and aware of these things freedom can be achieved, and freeing yourself means finding yourself.


Tuesday 29 March 2016

Change of Direction





Today, Tuesday 29th March, I am sat in my East London flat with my phone on my right, a cup of Earl Grey on my left and a book to read in front of me. Looking at the book cover, I take a pause and a deep breath to realise once again, that we all are Didos, Almas, Emmas, Juliets, Miss Havishams, Cornelias, Electras and the list goes on and on.

I find it very easy to romanticise about artists and their tragic heroines, but as an artist and a woman I refuse to accept and digest why (in most cases) the female is the unstable one, the one unable to make choices, the fragile one, the deceived one, the foolish one. In a society where women are still under scrutiny and often shamed because of their hormonal changes, how do we take back the power? Is the need to please the others affecting our inner voice?

My personal path has led me to the conclusion that we need to remember the teachings of the ancient tribe mothers and their sense of self, the strength that comes through sisterhood and the challenge to become leaders by example. As more women take their roles in the modern world of corporations and business, they often find themselves losing touch with the feminine and therefore their voice. It is more important than ever to value the needs of one, work on the weaknesses, embrace the imperfections, stop pleasing the others just for a temporary fix of safety and security and accept that not everyone is going to like you and that's OK. If we maintain the understanding of who we are, we can support and nurture the development of the female aspect in our male counterparts.

Instead of being the tragic heroines, we can be the writers of our own story  and / or our sisters' stories. Spiritual empowerment is like giving birth to a child - you dilate and contract, it's a rhythm, a natural flow. Quiet time alone is key here, contemplation, a centering line of thought or reading, a physical activity, even arranging a bowl of flowers in the afternoon can give a sense of quiet on a busy day. Turn inward for strength and reach out to grab the hands of those who will always be there for you. Look for Love and Be Love.