I learned the most from my reflection on my empty bowl. I was able to express a little of my pain, received encouragements and affirmations from others, and embraced the emptiness and receptivity of my inner self as a basis for a more positive and empowered life. When one finds oneself empty handed, it's always a good idea to move away from the ease of self-pity and into the empowerment of emptiness.
I am a naturally happy soul, I think. There is a melancholy side which I also wrote about in my reflection on the earth, but the empty bowl reflection brought that out even more and made me look at events that occurred back in my twenties. Basically, I just had to revise my whole concept of what it meant to be a woman, an artist, a human being, and dig down deep to find a person inside that I could respect, or at least love. A mainstream novel will be the result of that quest, perhaps. That's all I want to say about that now.
So in contemplating the empty bowl, I was forced to see it as half-full. And that has made all the difference.
I want to continue this journey with my fellow Sistahs.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 61
I love this statement and have been feeling this way the last couple of years - I think turning 60 has made me look inwardly a bit more than before.
A mainstream novel will be the result of that quest, perhaps. That's all I want to say about that now.
I could almost see you moving to New Mexico and painting an old mailbox blue - somehow this came to me - and I know you want to move into the country - you remind me of Judith Hendricks - I don't know why but you two should meet.
Stirling, I feel a bit more empowered each time I learn a valuable lesson from each one of the sistahs and so glad you're continuing this year with us. Salud
Thanks, Mariana, for all you do.
He makes me swoon. :)
Your absolute honesty about yourself is one of the things I love most about you,
talented lady.
I wait for your next novel with exquisite anticipation.
I was also blessed by the bowl assignment, and I think it helped me so much that I will make at least a weekly appointment to dip back into the bowl.... searching. It not only helped me with some pain, but also some denial. I know I need to look deeper, though. I love what you have said here about revision, seems our lives are always in a state of edit.
I recall he talked about doing the things you did as a child...sitting in the dirt, etc...and getting back to that unencumbered place in yourself. It's all a journey and a privilege to go there with someone like you.
6 granny smith apples (sliced in a glass square pan works best)
in a separate bowl mix 1 c. flour, 1 c. brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Stir together and then knead in 1 stick of butter. Crumble on top of apples.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour (or until a knife goes in easily). Too good.