Heart Wisdom - (Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007Source image: Rosa california
A year ago I had surgery on my carotid artery. It had a major impact on my art as well as my life style. I don't talk a lot about my private life here. I do at my other blog, though.
I am making some shifts in my life. Nothing is solid yet, but I am being shown how great my need for more consistent income has become. The need for more social interaction is pretty high as well. Working in solitude has left me feeling pretty isolated.
I created this mandala during the early days of my healing journey. The one I posted on Sunday was created towards the end of the first stage of that journey and was donated to the local Breast Health Project for their assistance in helping me find initial funding that lead to my final diagnoses of benign carotid body tumor.
I wonder how many of us that work on the screen (or the canvas or clay or fiber) feel that isolation? What is your experience? And how do you cope/strategize to keep from feeling crazy?
5 comments:
Hi Sue,
This mandala is fantastic!! Did I mention that I love it? So delicate and pretty and pink!
I know I go through cycles where I feel isolated ... I have not been able to do a regular job for decades.
This blogging and online connection has been great for me to help with that. At various times in my life I have also been support to various people ... that cut through feeling alone.
This online is good for me because I can do it within my own ebb and flow of energy. Also the business class for artists and the follow-up meetings have been very good for me.
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
I love the colors in this mandala. And the look of snapdragons or orchids or some lovely flower. I combat the feeling of isolation with work. I work 1/2 days at a regular job in a manufacturing plant that makes parts for big truck wheels. I like my relationships with the people there and plus the money is nice too. I am lucky to be able to do this work and get paid for it :) I think, though, next year I will really retire and maybe do some charity work.
Hi Sue, Your mandala is beautiful! It reminds me of a May garden.
I have a position as a customer service manager at a retail mail order company 4 days a week with Wednesdays off to work on my art. While I always longed for the day that I could quit my job and create my art jewelry full-time, I have recently come to realize how balanced my life is with my job in it. I love the camaraderie of the wonderful women I work with and talking to our customers, too. I enjoy the stability of a weekly paycheck and health benefits. Having a break and a day in solitude in the middle of the week works perfectly for me. It has taken me many years to find this balance but I did because I started to listen to my own voice. Good luck with your new job! -Karen
A beautiful mandala and interesting commentary. I know what you mean about isolation and sometimes I welcome it but when it gets too comfortable I know it's time to visit friends.
As always, your mandalas are amazing - thank you so much for sharing them!
I am alone a lot because my Husband works at night. This actually works really well for me. If I want interaction personally, I email or call and set up a coffee date. If that isn't possible I just go online to my community there - *that* is the place I get most of my support.
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