Like everyone I know, I've been thinking a lot about Ruth Bader Ginsburg: saddened by her death, immensely grateful for her life, concerned about the future. If there's one legacy I'm sure she wanted to leave with us, it is that we must be just as courageous and determined as she was, and never give up, even in the face of enormous obstacles and opposition.
As 2020 continues to throw challenges at us, both in the world sphere and in our personal lives, how do we keep going? It all felt like too much several months ago! But keep going we must. For me, that means going back to the wells that nourish me. My wells may be different from yours, but they include music, art, books, and nature, all of which have an aspect of contemplative practice. Being with people is also nourishing, and like you, I've had to adjust the ways in which that can happen. It's not ideal, but cutting myself off from friends and family doesn't work at all, so I've gotten used to seeing people (mostly) online, and am grateful for it. I've decreased my social media activity a great deal, and it's definitely had a beneficial effect on my mental health and equanimity, slowing and quieting my mind as well as giving me more time.
The first leaves are beginning to turn here in Montreal, though it will be another month before they've fallen. The air and especially the nights are chilly, but the sun is bright and warm. Spending some time with these nasturtiums cheered me up. I look at my cat and realize she is just living in each moment; the nasturtiums, like the lilies of the field, "neither toil nor spin", and they certainly have way less awareness than the cat, but are simply beautiful for their brief lives. The other day, during a visit to a national park near the city, we had an encounter with a doe grazing in the forest: she reminded me of the deer on this little Greek pot.
Obviously we must try to protect the life on our planet, and each other, and work toward governmental responsibility and change, but we also need to take care of ourselves and find ways to take breaks from the spinning, obsessive anxiety that is so pervasive right now. No one can live, and certainly not contribute to solutions, within a constant barrage of negativity and anxiety. So I need these moments, which remind me how much of life is still beautiful, graceful, and quiet.
How are you doing, and where do you find some solace these days?
Thank you for these thoughts and colors. Oh, those nasturtiams, so lovely. And so lovely the thoughts on their lives. These are difficult days and keeping our spirits well and hope alive is so essential. My work with four to five year olds has gone online and now there is the prospect of going back to school before it is safe. We are making art together and reading books and playing math games and meeting each others' bears, whales, turtles. If I can write and paint a little bit some days, that helps. And remove myself from the screen after the many hours on it, that helps. My eyes hurt at night and sometimes I dream in boxes. Being with some trees or seeing a hummingbird is good. And connection helps a lot. And a lot of that has to happen on the screen, but still it happens in the heart too. I am grateful for your inspiration. Thank you, Beth.
Posted by: Vanessa | September 25, 2020 at 12:21 AM
2020 is a difficult time indeed.Its all the same in Calcutta/Kolkata too. Solace now comes from within and without from friends,reading and knowing thyself, and writing and from your writings too. Your watercolors look beautiful a shift from your line drawings. Don't stop. Best wishes to tide over this period.
Posted by: Pinaki Lahiri | September 27, 2020 at 01:41 PM
Vanessa, thank you so much for your kind comments, and for what you've written here and shared about your life. Everyone one of us is having to adapt to more screen time and new ways of connecting with others, as well as anxiety about what's next, and I particularly think of teachers and helpers of children like you. i hope you can continue to find little bits of time to make art or write, or be out in nature. Wishing you all the best in the weeks and months ahead.
Pinaki, it's lovely to hear from you and reminds me of how united we are across the world at this time. Thank you for following my blog and artwork, and I send you my best wishes too. Take good care, and keep up your own writing!
Posted by: Beth | September 27, 2020 at 04:00 PM
In bed during the early hours of the morning, one of the wakeful benefits of growing older. On several occasions I've managed to fashion as much as half a sonnet in my head (not necessarily a very good sonnet, you understand) under the influence of this somewhat intense tranquillity. And yes I recognise the contradiction in terms I've just expressed.
Posted by: Roderick Robinson | September 28, 2020 at 02:29 AM