At Art in Action many people said to me that I was blessed with a talent. Blessed indeed. But it is a fine line between madness and sanity that I sometimes walk and often feel that the drive to create is what keeps me on the right side of this line. And it helps me to cope in our world which is sometimes such a dark place.
So, a wonderful day at Art in Action where the art is beautiful and such a celebration of life and beauty and humanity. Then home in the evening and I watch the news unfold of what happened in another place. There are times when such things seem overwhelming.
We are left with a feeling that there is nothing we can do. But there is.
There is too much darkness in the world. One of the things I love about Art in Action is the way almost all of the artists are focused on celebrating the beautiful through their work.
For years candles have been a symbol, for Amnesty International in particular. A symbol of light in a dark world. And I cannot find the words to say what I feel inside but I hope that others who feel the same way will join me.
I would like to celebrate all that I hold dear by just taking a small piece of time, lighting a candle and thinking, of those who had their lives taken from them in Norway, in Afghanistan, but also of all those who I love here and now. Just a small thing, just a short time. And if I can share this with friends who wish to, and friends of friends until we can weave a small web of light and love around the world then that would be good.
For how light becomes the soul.
Your words about walking a fine line between madness and sanity struck a chord with me Jackie. There is a saying about how all that is needed for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing, but sometimes it seems there is nothing we can do. And then a lovely, simple idea like yours comes along... and "lighting a candle to weave a small web of light and love around the world" seems just the right thing to do now. Thank you. Jane Gray
ReplyDeletehow wonderfully said and so very true,,
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written and full of love and emotion. Thank you for sharing and I will pass this on...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and timely, I plan to light a candle now, to go with the sprig of bay from the garden (see my last post as to why)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie, you shine so very brightly!
ReplyDeleteHere's a wonderful quote that helps me see through the dark;
"...One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires ... causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these — to be fierce and to show mercy toward others, both — are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do."
Clarissa Pinkola Estes from her "Letter to a Young Activist in Troubled Times"
Thank you for sharing! Your words struck a cord inside me. I went to my local church and lit some candles.
ReplyDeleteI did tha too, Ruth, in St Davids Cathedral.
ReplyDeleteJackie, i am lighting a candle & taking time to remember, heres to weaving the web ever wider. .
ReplyDeleteVery well said, and interesting comments too from Mo Crow... empathy is what makes us human afterall, though it always seems the human soul is so unfathomably complex that some exist that can hold evil enough to try and justify actions like this and believe they're right.
ReplyDeleteA small spark of light can banish a lot of shadows,or keep them at bay, lets hope so anyway...