c. Susan Sorrell Hill
The Illustration Friday word of the week is warning.
Sometimes in moments of acute frustration, I find myself wishing fervently for an external, clear path to follow. I wish for a path or a system that could tell me exactly what choices to make and how to achieve that elusive goal, success. That path would have road signs that point, “You are here. This is how you get there.” It might even be handy to have a red warning light on my forehead that could predict, “Danger! Danger!” in a no-fooling, mechanical voice.
Usually, though, I am counting on the belief that trusting my Inner Guidance is an art that can be learned and depended upon for all of my life choices. It is the art of Listening, augmented by the ability to pay attention to, and learn from, the outcomes of my choices. When I am not in a fearful (or frustrated) state, I remember that human beings are bodies and souls. Such a dual journey may well be more about the Soul’s journey than it is about the status, resume, or bank account growth. It may be that the acquisition of property, success and external perfection are not what we are really here for…not the Purpose of a life. If it’s not for external achievement, then what are we here for?
Surely Leonard Cohen was alluding to the true purpose when he wrote, “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” (“Anthem” lyrics from the album, “The Future”)
Mary Oliver, in her poem, “Wild Geese”, said this another way,
“You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.”
Let us remind ourselves: we are already the goal. There is nowhere to get to, nothing to achieve that will make us more perfect, more successful than the miracle that we already are. When we realize this, we bring the joy and peace of that understanding to everything external that we do. “Success” takes on a whole new meaning…
“Danger” (watercolor, gouache, pencil, pen & ink)
Oh! Those two quotes made me almost cry. I love the Mary Oliver poem, but hadn’t read it in awhile, and I’d never heard the Leonard Cohen lyrics, but they both feel SO TRUE! I don’t think it would be any good to have those external signposts anyway. Who would put them up? Who would know any better than you where YOU were supposed to go? Only you can do the listening. Only you are the body and soul making the journey, being the journey, and you are so right about needing to be here for it–right now here, in this moment where we are truly alive, and all those other worries, of material things, of problems with our kids or our jobs or our partners, of next year, or a dozen years from now, or whatever, are irrelevant. (And just as I typed the last line, the sun came out and hit the silvery branches of the trees outside my window and I felt a great release inside me.) Thank you for your beautiful post!
Dark minded people are really Light minded people who just haven’t figured it out. I hope.
I would love to have that red warning light too. Beautiful illustration and beautiful interesting writing.
Deb
I feel there is a book here. A book of illustrations and words by Susan Sorrell Hill over the past year. I am always uplifted, affirmed and/or reminded by your drawing and writing. THX
The toughest part of life isn’t living in the place you live, or where you work or even breathing. The tougher part is living inside your head and trying to figure it out. Amazing post and mysterious work.
I love the quotes too. I always enjoy seeing what wisdom you’ve got for us for the week. I guess it all boils down to the fact that we can’t walk on someone else’s path, we have to follow our own, and if we’re blazing our own trails, who would put up the sign posts for us?
Heisann!
You tell us wisely the truth we all should know, you are like a sign ;:OD)
Hi, Susan.
I never imagined that an artist could walk a path where everything is simple. Where destiny to follow, will be indicated by signs that would ensure where is the end of the road.
I think an artist is one who walks blindly through life guided only by the conviction that what he is doing, full his life of satisfaction unsatisfied.
(understood my concept? forgiveness for wanting to play with words in a language I do not know).
A kiss.
Excellent illustration. as usual.
Beautiful. And I’m copying down that Leonard Cohen lyric…it really speaks to me. Thanks Susan!
I’ve been warned many times throughout my life, but I keep finding myself very much like the figure in the middle, tempted by and often skirting danger by my own choice. But as you pointed out, it’s tricky to graciously accept the warnings and consequences if necessary, and move along in the directions we have laid out for us!
)
Wishing you much success this week!
I was baffled by the prompt last week, perhaps because my mind was cluttered with too many things on my plate.
Once again, you did it justice and took it to that familiar higher level.
I’ve finally learned not to look to external forces for my happiness or my “completion.” I try to go with the mantra “I am enough.” I often fall short of believing it though!
Wonderful post, and once again they’ve picked your word suggestion for this week! My creatives thoughts are actually “stirred” by it!
Have a wonderful weekend~
Laurel
You have a beautiful style…….