I recently visited my storage unit to reconnect to some of my old stuff (and memories) and found some things that I had boxed up about five years ago before I sold my home and moved to New York. It’s been a whirlwind since then. I have to admit that moving back from Brooklyn to Dallas, my granddaughter being born, and me living with my family, has left little time for me to focus on the fine arts, specifically writing. Living with family has its benefits and I’m so grateful for it, but I struggle to find time to do the creative things I once did when I lived single.

While rummaging through these boxes, I discovered old stationary that I had collected through years as an avid letter and postcard writer. I have to admit, it sort of guilted me that I don’t write letters much anymore. I wonder if it’s a lack of time, maybe desire, or if the art of communicating this way is slipping away from us. When I look back on the last 5-10 years of my life, I recognize how much technology has changed us on a personal level. If we’re not scrolling through social media feeds by the hours, consuming megabytes of content created by people we have never met, then we’re trying to figure out what to post to get noticed on our own feeds. Everything seems to revolve around social media and being online.

These old (and quite lovely) stationary papers and postcards remind me of the beauty of letter writing and bring up fond memories of loved ones, letters written, and when we all were younger. I’m not sure if you can easily find beautiful paper goods like this anymore, but regardless, it has built a fire under me to pull myself in a bit and think about how I’m spending my free time. Where am I placing the finer arts in my life? Painting, singing, writing, correspondence,  etc. There’s plenty of time for cooking and conversation around my house but when do we actually settle down to be quiet, put away our devices and actually write a letter or compose a song, read, write a poem, or draw? Is it even necessary anymore? On an overall intelligence level I think these things round us out, polish the edges, expand our minds to discover more beauty, and brings about awareness, so YES, I think it is very important.

There was a time in our society when the finer arts were taught to our children. In some homes, it was expected of small children to know how to play a piano piece, sing, to practice making colors on a pallet to create something original, or to build things out of scraps they had at home. These activities were encouraged in general and the skills nourished, even taught, in schools and valued by our society – that was then. In today’s tech age, however, we are focused on online learning, communicating on devices, playing games on apps, doing business online instead of face to face…. and I have to say, it has all become a little bland. Seems like all the texture, the magic, and creativity has seeped out into a mediocre look-alike-world through all these wires and connections, apps and filters.

I’m going to set a time this week to sit down and write a few letters using my old stationary. I think my family will be thrilled to get something that has a tangible message. Maybe it will bring back memories of when they received letters – or wrote them. Maybe it will strike a note on how important it is to communicate with each other. How irreplaceable it is to take the time to send a card, book, or photo – anything that doesn’t involve technology but does involve human emotion and a deliberate focus to reach out.

We are making a huge mistake if we fail to focus on the fine arts and encourage our children to do the same. I know that we will never go back to “the way it used to be” – technology is here to stay. But it is a beautiful talent to possess the ability to creatively communicate outside the realm of technology. To write in cursive, draw with a pencil in hand, mix primary colors on a hand held palette to create hues that will transmit (human technology!) what’s in the imagination and see it come to life on canvas or in a song. Sharing the heart of our day, the art of our life – not for money, likes, promotion, or to gain followers, but to experience our own human creativity.

© Sandy Hibbard 2021

“Fortune cookie wisdom” is that Yoda-like knowledge that lovingly pops up around us right when we need it… if you are paying attention. It’s that good ole common sense that feels right, it’s the simple answer to a chaotic situation, it is the kind thought translated into effective action. And yes, it can come to you even inside the common fortune cookie.

Today I opened a fortune cookie after eating Chinese food and it read: You are the mast in everything. At first I thought it was a typo. Perhaps it should have said “master”, meaning that I was the master in every situation. Maybe. Then I thought, hmmm, it could mean exactly that – “mast”. After all, a ship can’t sail without one!  {A mast is a pole that rises vertically from a ship and supports the sails. It has a very important job – to support the sails, which allows the wind to propel the ship.}

The idea of me, you, us, being the mast of our lives carries some weight, doesn’t it? To realize that there is no one coming to bail you out. You are the one that charts your path and navigates your course. Heavy, but freeing, right? 

I am the mast in every situation.

This tidbit of wisdom discovered over lunch reminded me to stand tall and strong, to be brave and fearless. To be aware, conscious in the present moment. Without my own sound resolve and loving presence in the situations of my life, all will be chaos! I am the one that stabilizes the difficult times. I create the foundation that becomes my bedrock. I am the mast that supports the sails of my life that will point me in the right direction. Sure we get help along the way, in a million different ways, but consider that the help you need is flowing to you via your mast! Receiving the success and peace you seek ultimately depends on how well you “see” and respond to the wisdom that comes your way.

The simple beauty is this: life is faithful. Not to get too mystical or spiritual, but your own outlook, your faith, the Universe, God, whatever you put your trust in –  is consistent to give us what we need to support our lives. Knowledge is all around us to encourage, to teach, to guide us to truth. It will show us how to BE. Wisdom is with us everywhere, even in the fortune cookie! Wisdom’s lessons are in Nature. We hear its voice in the loving words of our friends. It is the light that illuminates our journey through the little gems strewn along the footpath. Pay attention.

“Let’s always BE LOVE to each other, no matter what happens”

~ me

The world has gone mad

pain is every where you look

let’s always be love

This long weekend was quiet for me, contemplative, introspective, wondering, musing….filling up that creative part that sometimes gets empty. The result? Just more awareness and brevity! As I daydreamed and wondered small thoughts came mostly. I found myself wanting simplicity, to share small but impactful thoughts with you about life and love that fills our everyday lives. I have taken these, and to have a little fun, created Haiku from the original inspiration.  Would love to know what you think!  (Missed the first one?  Check it out here “Enter Summer...”)

Little pieces of Saturday Soul to follow all week…

XOXOOX
Sandy