Friday, October 25, 2013

BLOGTOBERFEST13 (Day 25): Hatching of an American oystercatcher symbolizing my current state of affairs

RESTING AFTER HATCHING. (art by Hallelujah Truth)
Hallelujah for the life-cycle of the American oystercatcher! Hallelujah for the process of drawing and creating images from the real life of this beautiful shorebird and allowing for it to speak to me symbolically during my meditative drawing.

Here is the photograph that Jen Hilburn, ornithologist from St. Catherines Island, Georgia sent me:
RESTING AFTER HATCHING. (photo by Jenifer Hilburn)
What have I processed during my meditative drawing? Many thoughts pass through my mind and I watch them like hot air balloons as they arise beyond me to linger over the table where I am working:

 New life is vulnerable...
...this frailty needs support...
...this protection must instruct...
...being prepared for independence is essential...
...all living creatures must be able to stand alone...

 REALLY? Must we be independent?

I know this is a basic principle of life. Creatures must manage certain aspects of life singularly. Remind me about what those things are....

But, ideally, within the life-cycle of our lives, we develop and manage an interdependence with at least one other creature. I like to think that we function well "leaning lightly" on one another.

RESTING AFTER HATCHING 2. (art by Hallelujah Truth)
Of course, these thoughts are coming to me as I work at my table drawing the hatchling American oystercatcher because, I too, am hatching. Having left the egg, a warm cocoon, of my employment as an English as a Second Language teacher, I am vulnerable. How will I manage to regain my financial independence? Feeling fragile, I do lean on my husband and friends for support, instruction and look for ways that I can mutually support them.

I look forward to moving on in my drawings. Watching the hatchlings learn to eat, fly, and be, yes, independent as the fledge. Symbolism is the language of my SOUL.

How about yours?

That's Coffee with Hallelujah. SOUL BLOG with me and tell me about your newest hatching into something. What is your vulnerability?
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1 comment:

  1. Darlene SperberOctober 25, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    I agree Ruth that we need our independence and like to be financially independent along with that...I have never been in a situation like yours. I was a stay at home mom and never worked outside the home until I was in my late 30's and my 4 kiddies were all grown up and even then it was more of a hobby with me rather than a need. I guess when I think about it my vulnerability would be my dependence on my other half for support of all kinds. Yet I know if I had to I could do just fine because of my stubbornness if nothing else. Sometimes independence is not financial but all the other facets that make our lives rich.While you are looking for a way to have financial independence enjoy the journey of being able to do things you were not able to before and independence will find you.

    Your blogs cause me to do so much introspective searching and for that I thank you.

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