16 Original Acrylic Paintings
Playful, Colorful, Calming
"The two parts of genuine acceptance —seeing clearly and holding our experience with compassion—are interdependent.
Together, they enable us to fly and be free. " Tara Brach“
These wings are a reminder and teacher about life, presence, heartache and learning to be present in it all.
Butterflies are sacred symbols of transformation. These pieces are reminders to always pair awareness with compassion. If you pair these two, you will have more freedom. For me, there is nothing as transformative as bringing compassion to a situation.
“It is wise now and then to tune into your heart and listen for what it carries. Sometimes the simplest things effect unexpected transformation. ”
.So often we respond to increased awareness in life by numbing to try to decrease awareness. We may become aware of someone else’s struggle or it can be a personal realization, "I'm in a dead end job." "I'm not going to live forever." "This relationship isn't going to make it."
Whatever it is, as you increase awareness, you have two choices. 1) Numb and attempt to decrease awareness or 2) Increase LOVE.❤️
When we come into more awareness our compulsions will alert us. They will say, "Oh my! Quick! Do something. This is uncomfortable." If we are having a compulsion (to drink/drugs/sex/overwork/social media/food/exercise etc.) that may be a sign our awareness has increased in some way.
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If in this moment of compulsion we pause, we may notice a new awareness. Then we can go back to the two choices. 1) We can numb. Sometimes it is a life-saving option, but it isn't a sustainable option. or 2) We can ramp up the LOVE. With this new awareness how can we turn up the love?
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These are the two wings of freedom, awareness AND lovingkindness. To take flight and find freedom you need both.
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This collection is a reminder to see clearly and hold with compassion all that unfolds in our lives. 🙏
"[Our Compulsions] are calls to awaken and will, if we learn how to listen, guide us into our true selves, and they will keep calling, sometimes in varied guises, until we wake up." Mary O'Malley
With Gratitue to my friend Anita Halterman for sharing many photographs of Southeaster PA butterflies that inspired these pieces.