Friday, September 27, 2013

Nothing Special

I suppose it's time to post something as it's been MONTHS!

I started this blog years ago just to see if I knew how to navigate such things online, and found out that it was lots of fun to share my experience of the art and practice of Zentangle.

In the meantime, a huge project in the form of a beadstore came my way. It's been 1-1/2 years of that, and it's time to step back and take a look at where my time goes, what are the meaningful parts of my day, and who and how am I being asked to serve? I don't think I have answers to any of those questions, but the act of stepping back to review is always appropriate. Being still with what's around you or in front of you (hold that Zentangle tile at arm's length and see what you discover!) will often bring to light the next step.

I've realized that the writing part of the blog is what trips me up and stops me from posting. I often feel like I have nothing 'special' to say these days. I've become a more of a doer than an observer lately. But, I think it's time to Breathe. Look around. Be still for a few more minutes a day than I have been.

I suppose I can post a tile with no words. I don't have to wait for something special to say. I don't wait for something special to occur to do a Zentangle, I just do them. They don't have to be wonderful to look at, or even pleasing to do every time. I just do them to do them with no expectation, no worry about what it will look like, where it will end up, who will like it and who won't. Why did that not occur to me before? Quite busy doing, not much stepping back. So until I step back again to do something different, I am going to try to take some time to post just the art. The words will be there if they are meant to be, I'm sure.

17 comments:

  1. Wonderful to see your creations again, Carole! I'll take them any way I can get them. Hugs, Linda

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  2. Welcome back to the world of blogging. I like your attitude.

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  3. I have missed your posts...but I think of you often as I have a Tangle A Day Calendar that I try to keep updated. Sometimes I lag, and can't think what to to do but, most days it's 'just the art'....and that's all it needs to be. Welcome back.

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  4. It's always fun to hear from you, Carole. Hope the bead store is doing well!

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  5. Love that you are sharing your work Carole! Just breathe, share what feels right to be shared at that moment, no words required. I love your piece for today!

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  6. i'm glad to see you back - with or without words - cause if you're posting art i know that you're ok :)

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  7. Yay Carole!! welcome back!! i've missed you!! (also, i so love love love your zt work... so beautiful... can we swap tiles?)

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  8. Big hug Carole, hi, yes please more art. You always say the loveliest things in your posts, I have missed you too! I understand though, often I just want to post my Zentangles which are easier to share than my words.

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  9. There you are, darling Carole! How I've missed you! You stated so clearly and so well exactly how I've felt, but didn't know I felt it. I'm always reluctant to post, thinking, "I really have nothing to say". Love, LOVE this tile...and this lesson. ♥

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  10. Like others, I felt a true delight in seeing your new post. I have been reading all your old posts just because they speak to me so much. You have the gift of gab no matter what you are saying... and I suppose it speaks to me because it's so honest and always your generous spirit shines through. The same for your art - it always has your special touch. Obviously you have something many of us are seeking. Thanks for posting.

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  11. Your words in this post are very appreciated! I completely identify with not having anything SPECIAL to say.

    You said:
    " I don't wait for something special to occur to do a Zentangle, I just do them. They don't have to be wonderful to look at, or even pleasing to do every time. I just do them to do them with no expectation, no worry about what it will look like, where it will end up, who will like it and who won't."

    This has given me something to think on. I think I am generally too concerned with what anything I do will look like when it is done, rather than just jumping in and DOING it and enjoying the process. Thank you!

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  12. Thank you, everyone. I feel very hugged and inspired by this wonderful Zentangle community! xoxo

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  13. SO happy to "see" you again. Your Art and Poetry is so beautiful...it is very soothing to me

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  14. You are "on my favorites" on my blog Carole and I was beginning to worry that I hadn't heard from you in so long.
    YOu have a LOT of fans out here in the "tangle world" and we are all so happy to hear from you again. And absolutely the writing part is not important (unless you want it to be). Just say hi and show what you are up to. I especially like it when tanglers say what is the NAME of the tangle they are using or at least what it was when they started on it! I love what you posted. Keep it coming.

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  15. you are the reason i started doing tangles. i found one of your tiles on pinterest and was fascinated because you talked about how easy it was to just sit down and get lost in one stroke at a time. that was a couple of years ago and i've been following you since. glad to see you back. and you don't have to write anything. we already know.

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  16. Lovely tangle, Lovely words, Lovely lady. I notice when I set out to tangle, often it looks to me how I'm feeling. Some times full of space, but more often full of strokes. I think this tangle says that about you too. It represents how you have felt, and a very beautiful representation it is.

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  17. This is the first time on this blog and I notice one thing; all people and references to people are women. I am a man that has found Zentangle and love to tangle everyday. I just would like to become a member of your group but don't know what to do or even if you allow men here or not. I am very involved with Zentangle and own almost all the books in print (I still have a few to go), I am also an artist by hobby and love to do pencil portraits. Let me know how to get started with you all, thanks. Duane Anderson, duanerson@gmail.com

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