Day 15 - Solitude, mysteries and magic

Quotes

" Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming." - Alice walker

"Without great solitude, no serious work is possible." - Picasso

"The final mystery is oneself." - Oscar Wilde

" The magic of all art is the ability to both capture our pain and deliver us from it at the same time." - Brene Brown

Intention

To create a page that reflects how solitude is necessary if one wishes to gain some clarity over what would otherwise appear to be mysterious or magical.

My process

I traced an outline of my left hand on the circle using a black felt pen and then doodled random images around it. Then I dropped large blobs of methylated spirits(rubbing alcohol) onto it and allowed it to work its magic on the ink image. Parts of the image became discoloured and some of the pen strokes appeared to radiate our away from the original mark. I took this to be a metaphor for how life can appear to have "dark" patches and distorted aspects to it when we are immersed in the flow of events without respite. When we are able to step back and spend a bit of quiet time away, the distortions and aberrations acquire new meanings and we develop greater clarity of vision.

Journaling Prompt

Solitude is not loneliness, it is a state of being alone, without the negativity and isolation that loneliness implies. Solitude on the other hand, provides a sense of spaciousness. It results in improved productivity, time to think and reflect, to develop your own unique strengths and abilities, to develop inner peace and befriend yourself
So, how can I create opportunities for solitude and space in my life?
Here are some suggestions:
1. Work Offline
2. Make sure that you indicate to people around you that you do not wish to be disturbed for a specific length of time
3. Go to sleep early and wake up early. When awake, spend the extra hour on yourself, meditate, pray, eat a nutritious breakfast, go for a walk/run or any other form of exercise that works for you, visualize your day, listen to motivational material, do an artwork, spend that extra time on any form of self-care that works for you.
4. Find a quiet spot and settle down there for a short time to rest and recharge - beaches and parks are good locations, if you are city based.
5. Cut down on TV and social media
- Did any of these suggestions appeal to you? Do you already practice some of them? Which ones? Are you satisfied with the time you have for yourself? Are you comfortable in your own company? If not, why? What can you do to make things better? What can you think, to help you make things better?

Daily Wrap Up:

     After completing your artwork and journal entry, consider the following questions:

   - Has my work followed the suggested theme? 

- - Is a particular motif, story or message persistently showing through in my work? What does this suggest to me?

   - If not, is there a pattern, underlying suggestion, message or idea which it has raised. 

   - Is this pattern related to my previous journal entries?

   - Would I like to follow it further? If so, how can I do that in a way which empowers me?

   - How do I feel about the work I have done? Why?

- - Do I feel any resistance to the process? Why?

    In your journal, write up a few comments answering these questions, or else highlight the sections of your written work that seem to suggest a pattern or feature you would like to work on.