Pondering a book to bring on my recent trip, I looked around ones I had just finished (“True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling” by L.K. Ludwig, which deserves a review in itself) or was in the middle of (Ted Sorensen’s “Counselor: A life at the Edge of History”; a great read but too heavy and bulky to tote around) and instead selected a title recently ordered—“The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers” by Frank MacEowen.
A step-up from other Celtic New Age books, this title is taking me on a profound journey. It is definitely not beach or summer reading. Yet beginning it far from home, away from the daily routine, has added weight to the words. I haven’t even finished it and already it has moved and altered my thinking.
For example, I am an introvert and a Highly Sensitive Person ((HSP); there are several good books and web sites explaining this trait). Thus, I am uncomfortable in crowds and in the midst of noise. I have great difficulty “chatting” with strangers or even initiating a conversation. But, prompted with some of what I’d read in “The Mist-Filled Path,” I said hello to my airplane seat-mate. Almost immediately, I reverted back to my shy ways and was about to move to a vacant seat near the window to engage in solitary pursuits--sleeping, reading, or watching the changing geography below. However, it turned out my companion and I began a conversation that lasted most the flight and brought out all the things we had in common. We both couldn’t believe how much we were talking! We exchanged e-mail and Flickr addresses and hugged after retrieving our baggage, not saying “good-bye” but “until we meet again.” How often does that happen? For me, usually too reserved to even say more than one sentence, it’s very rare.
For example, I am an introvert and a Highly Sensitive Person ((HSP); there are several good books and web sites explaining this trait). Thus, I am uncomfortable in crowds and in the midst of noise. I have great difficulty “chatting” with strangers or even initiating a conversation. But, prompted with some of what I’d read in “The Mist-Filled Path,” I said hello to my airplane seat-mate. Almost immediately, I reverted back to my shy ways and was about to move to a vacant seat near the window to engage in solitary pursuits--sleeping, reading, or watching the changing geography below. However, it turned out my companion and I began a conversation that lasted most the flight and brought out all the things we had in common. We both couldn’t believe how much we were talking! We exchanged e-mail and Flickr addresses and hugged after retrieving our baggage, not saying “good-bye” but “until we meet again.” How often does that happen? For me, usually too reserved to even say more than one sentence, it’s very rare.
Although I am just 1/8th Irish, it is that bloodline I feel most strongly drawn to. Growing up away from most relatives, I have a great hunger for my heritage. Recently, I’ve learned more about my maternal great-grandmother, whom I actually resemble from her wedding photo. I visited Ireland twice so far, once in my early twenties and again two years ago. I am fascinated by ancient Irish Neolithic times when my tribal ancestors built stone circles, cairns, monoliths, and other monuments, as well as Irish Celtic times when my tribal ancestors spread their culture into Britain and Europe (perhaps some of my German heritage was Celtic, too). Some ancient sites can still be seen and some ancient ways still reverberate in modern life.
My vacation book will engage me long after my holiday.
Flowing
acrylic on paper
7" x 9"
Celtic Stones
Watercolor crayons on paper
7" x 9"
Spiral Lessons
acrylic on paper
7" x 9"
I think we all have a primal need to get in touch with some deep seated , almost tribal memories.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had fun!
Go to my blog to pick up an award there for you!
Thank you so much, Michelle, for putting me on your 7 Blogs You Read When You Get the Chance! It's such a wonderful surprise and very nice of you.
ReplyDeleteHope your rain lets up; we got a good dose today so maybe you will clear up soon.
Gina
So strange but I have been thinking about HSP lately because some time back I read a review about a book on the topic which I promptly forgot about until this week....and now I find this post. This week I felt the need to be quiet without uninvited visitors and clients, I've never met. I go through cycles of wanting to work at my art in solitude followed by short pewriods of togetherness time.
ReplyDeleteHello, Robyn. Isn't it amazing how "way leads on to way" (Robert Frost) and we can stumble onto something we need to find? And how blogging can connect two artists continents away? One is mystic, one is the Internet!
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