Recently, I came across an OSHO Zen card titled “Success.”  It shows a man, arms flung wide, riding the tiger of success on top of the world.  It’s a beautiful card and, of course, it made me feel great in that moment.  The written message described a balanced view of success and I immediately thought of sharing it with you.

To paraphrase:  "When you feel successful, immerse yourself fully in the feeling of being on top of the world, milk it for every moment of happiness you can.  Feel your joy fully and share it with others, because you know what's coming next:  The yin of life to balance the yang, the inevitable valley beyond the peak."  

The idea is that fully celebrating success lessens regrets when the high is over. 

Infinity Unravelling (above) and Infinity Electric (below) - A new series I am playing with

Good stuff, right?  Feeling high should be fully celebrated yet how many of us barely glance at our accomplishment as we turn to the next thing to do?  The better option would be to revel in the feeling of achievement and congratulate yourself.  The moment will pass soon enough.

When it does, don’t hold on. You’re wasting energy better applied to other things. This Zen card also asks: “What is wrong with the valley?  What is wrong with being low?”  I loved reading this part.  It reminded me how I was conditioned (to always be “doing,” to always be in the process of proving myself, striving, working towards a goal) and how that process mostly pushes against the natural flow of life.

To be honest, this valley bit can make me feel uncomfortable.  I still get antsy and anxious when I’m there.  My gut response is to fix it fast, to soothe the unease.  The Zen dudes say to accept this moment.  “A peak is an excitement”, they say, “and nobody can exist continuously in an excitement.”

A beneficial aid to any form of creativity is long moments of nothingness.  In the void, new ideas can surface, surprising connections can be forged.  Didn’t Einstein make breakthroughs while taking long walks?  Or was it shaving?  Can’t remember and too lazy to check it out, but you get the point.  So yay for low moments.  Time for resting your body and brain, gathering your unseen forces, catching up on paperwork ;) or being with friends, and getting to that book you’ve been wanting to read.  Better yet, perhaps hearing your heart whisper long forgotten dreams.

Just Having Fun 1 & 2 (above) - The theme is all about experimenting, playing and just seeing what’s possible for now.
 

BTW, I finished this letter once before.  Last week in fact, as I emerged from a valley with what I thought to be the ending.  Interestingly, here I am again in another dip.  I get what’s happening.  Metaphorically, I’m cleaning house.  I’m creating space for the improved version of me which means I am culling through old habits, beliefs, and patterns of thinking that no longer serve me.  Not being busy elsewhere helps me to focus my attention here. 

Appreciate the rudderless moments, let the current move you as it will.  Know that this is when good stuff happens.  “Jus’ chillax”, as the locals like to say here in Hawaii.   It’s all ok and totally worth it.  It helps me to remember that every time I come out of a valley, I like myself more and I am happier in my world.

Gratefully,

Judy

Cheers to the New Year (yes, I am aware this is March already!) and to our resolutions, hopes, and dreams.  The moment brims with promise and I am eager and hopeful of what each New Year may offer.  A favorite memory, the start of a new school session, with the scent of freshly sharpened pencils, pages of fresh notebook paper, and anticipation of the unknown promise to come, is what I feel each January.  I also remember how homework, exams and term papers soon dampened my eagerness.

#1: First start.

Fortunately, I’ve come to revise my perception and pursuit of new starts; I integrate them daily, during the “homework” phase of my projects.  Every morning I remind myself that it’s a new day and that I am a new person in it.  This simple mental reminder refreshes my outlook in rewarding ways. I even use this technique during the day when I need that fresh-start rush.  I can quickly drop whatever is bothering me and, in an instant, open the way forward.  

#2: Developing an idea.

This approach has proved invaluable, not only with my creative process, but also my day to day encounters.  I’ve mentioned before how creating art is a metaphor for living: You have an idea or desire, you make a mark or a move, you acknowledge where you are, decide on the next step, then repeat, repeat, repeat.  

#3: Pursuing, pushing that idea.

I find this quick mind-change helpful, especially while painting. Just as in school, the first rush of excitement as I envision the new piece often devolves into a stop-start-stop-start process (necessary for maintaining the initial vision, but not as fun).  No painting (hope, dream, wish, or desire) ever turns out as you imagined, but what does show up just might prove to be better.

#4: Changing course.

Here’s to changes!

Judy

#5: I’ve put her away for awhile to reassess with new eyes.  I’m on to something new and need to let it percolate a bit.  I’ll know when to do more; the painting will tell me.  I may change what I’ve done or embellish what is or add more.  Stay tuned, more changes always to come...

P.S.  A recent card I drew from my OSHO Zen Tarot echoes these thoughts: “EXHAUSTION is about all the ways we set up safe but unnatural routines for ourselves and, by doing so, keep the chaotic and spontaneous away from our doors.  Life isn’t a business to be managed, it’s a mystery to be lived.”