when i read the title of this post i almost didn't want to read the rest of it because the title alone stopped me in my mental tracks. i read those six words from a buddhist perspective that tells us that our world is in our mind. how can i change the world that inhabits my mind and is a reflection of that mind? the title alone rocked my day! in what way can i see the world differently by making fundamental changes in my mind? while i have no control over events in the world, or even my tiny world, if i change my mind i might be able to see and respond to them differently. i know that changing my mind is not a simple task, as easy as it sounds. this change is not in response to a person or situation; rather it's in my point of view, perspective. it's architectural, possibly changing the fundamental arrangement of my heartmind.
Felice, hello! Thank you for stopping by. You know, I experienced a tension when I first started to formulate those 'what if' questions. I sensed that once I articulated them, there would be no turning back. I would have to keep moving forward. Thank you for sharing your insights and your questions. I hope the rearrangement of your architecture is expansive for you. 💙
I love that another artist’s perspective on your home allowed you to look at it differently. OK - I prefer your moody photos of it to the pastel version but hey, sometimes it snows in April as Prince once pointed out ❤️
So much to love here - the “what if” questions reminded me of making inventories in recovery. I had, for a long time, thought myself into this prison of being the victim, but eventually could see that I had a part in some of those attacking forces. It was actually very freeing to look at those so that I could extrapolate out into thinking about what I might have done differently. That then informed my decisions on how I might make changes and not keep repeating the same things. “Insanity is doing the same thing doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results”. I’m glad to have your reminder now that I can try looking at things as they are and making changes. 🙏🏼
Dear Kay! Thank you for stopping by and taking time out of your precious day to read this. I appreciate you! Yes - it's staggering that what seems so difficult to do, what seems to implicate us and challenge us, is precisely what ends up freeing us. Feeling responsible sounds like a burden, but once you accept that, you can choose to change. Imagine that! I was thinking how we grow up thinking our personalities are stable things and yet they are not - we can change our personalities and therefore our life! I'm so loving this space and the writing we are doing here. Onwards we go! Have a fab day. 💙
Dear Kathryn "it's staggering that what seems so difficult to do, what seems to implicate us and challenge us, is precisely what ends up freeing us" aka "the obstacle is the way" XX
Oh exactly this “feeling responsible sounds like a burden”, and I got trapped in this idea that taking any responsibility would mean I was to take the blame, I fought against people thinking badly of me. It felt safer to feel pitied. But yes, it is so freeing to change that perspective. ❤️
Late response, waiting for the right headspace. I was stuck - mired - at the "why" questions for decades, and built a dark story web around me (in the same way you describe the dark cottage), until successive health crises shook me up. I loved your list of "what if" questions: each questions felt as if it opened up a new path. The "what if" and "how" questions seem to be a promising avenue to explore so I will explore the book and journal on these questions. Thank you for lighting the way for me, Kathryn! By the way, although I have never visited your cottage, I imagine it as radiating the light of your presence to the world, so more similar to the way the unknown painter saw it. Thank you XXX
Oh, goodness, Sofia! I love the way you imagined the cottage! Thank you! As Marcus says - the soul becomes dyed with the colour of our thoughts - as does the world around us! 💙
Kathryn, what a beautiful invitation! What if I change my mind? What if I tell a new story? what if I open to new perspectives? What if I liberate my mind and allow it to just BE? So much richness here. Thank you for sharing yourself and your experience!
hello from hot sunny lesvos, greece!
when i read the title of this post i almost didn't want to read the rest of it because the title alone stopped me in my mental tracks. i read those six words from a buddhist perspective that tells us that our world is in our mind. how can i change the world that inhabits my mind and is a reflection of that mind? the title alone rocked my day! in what way can i see the world differently by making fundamental changes in my mind? while i have no control over events in the world, or even my tiny world, if i change my mind i might be able to see and respond to them differently. i know that changing my mind is not a simple task, as easy as it sounds. this change is not in response to a person or situation; rather it's in my point of view, perspective. it's architectural, possibly changing the fundamental arrangement of my heartmind.
Felice, hello! Thank you for stopping by. You know, I experienced a tension when I first started to formulate those 'what if' questions. I sensed that once I articulated them, there would be no turning back. I would have to keep moving forward. Thank you for sharing your insights and your questions. I hope the rearrangement of your architecture is expansive for you. 💙
I love that another artist’s perspective on your home allowed you to look at it differently. OK - I prefer your moody photos of it to the pastel version but hey, sometimes it snows in April as Prince once pointed out ❤️
Oh I am SO GLAD you like the moody pics. Prince knows! (Lovely to see you here! x)
💋
So much to love here - the “what if” questions reminded me of making inventories in recovery. I had, for a long time, thought myself into this prison of being the victim, but eventually could see that I had a part in some of those attacking forces. It was actually very freeing to look at those so that I could extrapolate out into thinking about what I might have done differently. That then informed my decisions on how I might make changes and not keep repeating the same things. “Insanity is doing the same thing doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results”. I’m glad to have your reminder now that I can try looking at things as they are and making changes. 🙏🏼
Dear Kay! Thank you for stopping by and taking time out of your precious day to read this. I appreciate you! Yes - it's staggering that what seems so difficult to do, what seems to implicate us and challenge us, is precisely what ends up freeing us. Feeling responsible sounds like a burden, but once you accept that, you can choose to change. Imagine that! I was thinking how we grow up thinking our personalities are stable things and yet they are not - we can change our personalities and therefore our life! I'm so loving this space and the writing we are doing here. Onwards we go! Have a fab day. 💙
Dear Kathryn "it's staggering that what seems so difficult to do, what seems to implicate us and challenge us, is precisely what ends up freeing us" aka "the obstacle is the way" XX
Geia sou! Yes, it is indeed. It is so. Thanks for reminding me of that phrase! And thanks for stopping by! Lovely to see you here. 💙
Oh exactly this “feeling responsible sounds like a burden”, and I got trapped in this idea that taking any responsibility would mean I was to take the blame, I fought against people thinking badly of me. It felt safer to feel pitied. But yes, it is so freeing to change that perspective. ❤️
Yes, I so relate, Kay! Hugs to you, brave soul! 💙
Loved reading this and reflecting on some of these — heart full introspection.
Hey, thanks for stopping by! 💙
Late response, waiting for the right headspace. I was stuck - mired - at the "why" questions for decades, and built a dark story web around me (in the same way you describe the dark cottage), until successive health crises shook me up. I loved your list of "what if" questions: each questions felt as if it opened up a new path. The "what if" and "how" questions seem to be a promising avenue to explore so I will explore the book and journal on these questions. Thank you for lighting the way for me, Kathryn! By the way, although I have never visited your cottage, I imagine it as radiating the light of your presence to the world, so more similar to the way the unknown painter saw it. Thank you XXX
Oh, goodness, Sofia! I love the way you imagined the cottage! Thank you! As Marcus says - the soul becomes dyed with the colour of our thoughts - as does the world around us! 💙
Kathryn, what a beautiful invitation! What if I change my mind? What if I tell a new story? what if I open to new perspectives? What if I liberate my mind and allow it to just BE? So much richness here. Thank you for sharing yourself and your experience!
Dear Ouida - hello! Thank you for stopping by, reading and commenting here. I wonder what these questions will open up for you! 💙
This is stunning, Kathryn. So glad to see your work making its way into the world!
Sara - thank you so much for stopping by and reading! And thanks again for your galvanising workshops!