a feathered lotus for you~

A feathered lotus ornament from my tree :)

"Life is your canvas; no one can paint it but you."~

from Living Artfully, *create the life you imagine*, by Sandra Magsamen

It has been on my mind lately, that I really crave knowing another language.  I speak only English, and minimal French.  High School French to be exact. While in the middle of a nice quiet chat during a skin treatment the other day, my client reminisced about her life in India.  She lived at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains.  She told me that each day when she woke up she was surrounded by beauty, breathtaking beauty.  I wondered to myself how this must be, to live in a foreign country and speak fluently with anyone who comes your way.  My client is fluent in six languages.  She has lived all over the world. 

There was a time I thought I wouldn't mind doing just that.  The big blue marble we inhabit is a vast ocean of possibilities.  Should I go through life only knowing one language, and only seeing what is comfortable, what is routine? How can I do this when deep down inside I know I am a voyager?  Should I get out with my family and children and see people?  Things?  Rivers? Oceans?  Cultures? YES.

I'm not sure at this point how it will happen.  But I plan to ask the great Unseen for help.  To ask for an opportunity.  To ask for a map.  In order to get this map, I know I'll have to tune in to my innermost thoughts and trust them.

In the meantime, I make plans for my trip to NYC.  I am happy to be meeting a good blog friend there soon.  In the meantime also I will take lessons learned from those around me whom I cherish so.  My children, my fiance, my family, friends.  Each day I catch myself learning.  I love it.  Especially when I catch it, to catch the lesson is everything.  In the meantime I'll drink sweet coffee, and flip through design magazines.  Visit wonderful blogs that are new to me. I'll pop that Rosetta Stone Spanish into the computer, ci? After all, You-Know-Who only helps those who help themselves.  The road to a new language begins with the first Spanish step...

Speaking of Spanish steps, I dream of Rome.  Perhaps I'll have to go the library and pick up an English-Italian phrase book, just in case.  I'll keep on journaling my dreams. Thoughts.  Keeping them all positive and loving, for that is what I wish to attract in, positive and love.

Don't forget your own artful lives.  Live artfully.  Live with gusto.  Whatever you do, just live.

I've posted this sweet feathered lotus for you all as a reminder that everything- the seed of everything you see, do, hear and touch is within.  Bring it out.

Comments

[gemma]

The awakening lotus is so appropriate here. Seeds of possibility and potentiality are in you. All of your dreams can come true!!
Te amo

[somewhere joe]

I still remember a bit of high-school French. And a bit of German boyfriend-German. But si... Spanish is the one to know. Spanish and Chinese. One of my best friends in high school told me that but did I listen... nooooo. Let me know how you like Rosetta Stone. I've heard good things about it. Imagine, Gilly-bird, being able to hang out in the carribean in the native tongue. Hola!

[Donna O'Brien]

GORGEOUS photo, Shmoo.
I speak the teeniest bit of German (high school, too). I think it would be fantastic if you decided to give another one a go!!
D.

[Patrick]

Back after an extended hiatus to find this lovely post... I'm actually performing in a show tonight that focuses on the same sentiments, so it has a nice ring of synchronicity, while also making me think about artful living in new ways. Relaxing into things has been my most recent lesson; we do need to help ourselves, it's true, but maybe the white-knuckling stress-filled tension I'd been identifying as 'work' wasn't the most effective method. We'll see. When are you in NYC? And for how long? Any chance for a cup of coffee or such with you and yours?

[Shay]

What's got into you, Gillian? I just want to sit near you and soak up the light and warmth you've been radiating!

I recently watched a movie called "Fire" which takes place in India, and I just loved the Taj Mahal and the women in their colorful saris. So exotic to this American gal!

[Kai]

Aloha Blue,
don't we all talk several languages already? Some secret, some not.
The language of the Heart (you and your Julles, you and your children.)
The language of the soul..(soul mates.)
The languages your hands share with your clients.(The language of creating beauty.)
Like folks who are deaf and "speak" in different ways, you have the gift of listening in different ways to people and you Speak their language..

Spoken word is beautiful, but it doesn't hold a candle to the words yours touch in the lives of others everyday..
You share your heart and soul and that speaks volumes!!
PEace, Kai xx

[Mary T.]

Goodness that is a beautiful feather lotus. Good for you Gill, as I think languages are great fun and we all need to have more of them.

[Epiphany]

Beautiful sentiments, Gill. ...and so true. Having been a voyager for most of my life, I have to say that there's nothing like it to uncover treasures that can be taken home and enjoyed for a lifetime. Be they internal or external.

[Gillian daSilva]

Yes~awakening :)
That is what the theme is here. Awakening potential. We all have it.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Joe, to order a mojito or a tinto vino in Havana...without consulting the little book. That is the idea. Then we'll sit and boggle our way through the sunset.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Thanks Donna, Portuguese is high on the list as well. For obvious reasons :)

[Gillian daSilva]

Welcome back, Patrick!~Hope you are well.
Unfortunately there is not enough time. My time allows me to be there with Tara from Paris Parfait for one day only, so we'd like to keep it simple. But I have a feeling I'll be back-more flight passes are on my horizon. Meeting for coffee one day would be lovely.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Actually Shay, this is me. I have just been away from myself for awhile. Going through personal things at home and such has kept my posts rather impersonal as of late. I much prefer opening my soul up somewhat. It connects us much better, wouldn't you agree?
xo
*I'll put Fire on my list, I've seen Water, which I adored.

[Gillian daSilva]

Kai, the languages of secret and unspoken are always there I suppose. How we forget. I am getting back to sharing my heart and soul. It's good self therapy as well. Hey, we are all just trying to navigate the journey.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Mary,
The feathered lotus looked so elegant. So peaceful, so soft. I love the lotus flower so I picked one of these up for the tree. It glows nicely!
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

See below, Patrick xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Steph~
From one voyager to another, I truly believe the internal and external are inextricably connected. As above, so below. So many ways of interpreting it, but really, thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. So, let's will a few things to happen then, shall we?
xox

[Maithri]

Wow! Such beauty you share here my friend,

When I read these words i see a person centred in herself.

Yes, travelling is joy... to see the world through the eyes of another... to walk paths foreign and unchartered, to smell the fragrance of a different flower.

Sending you the light my friend,

M

[Gillian daSilva]

Dr. Maithri~
Your life is pure poetry, and your words.
It is a treasure getting a comment from you.
xo

[stephanie]

Yes, a beautiful post. I hate that I have such a hard time learning Spanish...but after just 1 week I picked up a lot, if I was able to spend some real emmersion time, well, I bet it would be so much easier.

This lotus flower is inspirational indeed, to look deep, within the layers and listen.

thank you!

[Elisa Day]

Lovely post! Your words are like poetry.

[maddie]

you know what?

i just love you:)

you are so lovable:)

that is all.

[Leslie]

Beautiful photo. I am brain-dead when it comes to learning a new language. I only speak (Canadian) English :>)...but dream of speaking Jane Austen's English as much as I dream of speaking Italian, French, Spanish........

Oh..Yorkshire pudding with gravy..there is plenty for you too.

[Graciel @ Evenstar Art]

Yes, live with gusto, no matter what. Thank you for the encouraging comment. Your sweet words are a balm to my soul.

I have an idea..I'm sending an email.
xo

[Barkfoot]

The problem with being English is, that when abroad everyone talks to you in English so you never have the opportunity to learn any new words.
Whatever happened to Esperanto? It was meant to be the worlds international language, the logic of German, the diversity of English and the style of Italian. All that childhood time learning a pointless language!... Gis la revido. (Until next time...)

[Butch]

That feathered lotus is absolutely beautiful. Who ever would have thought of putting it together like that.
Thanks.

[Butch]

What a beautiful picture of the feathered lotus. It is truly amazing how beautiful it is.

[Paris Parfait]

Well you know I adore Spanish and am still trying to learn it, albeit at a maddeningly slow pace. I think the more we can wander and explore this amazing planet, the better off we are. The world is so filled with wondrous and magical places and people. It's a gift to be able to visit and soak up the culture and atmosphere, even for a few days. Travel I think is the most important thing we can do, to learn to be more tolerant and accepting of people and to appreciate our differences - and realise we all have gifts to contribute. Beautiful photo. Can't wait to see you! xoxox

[Gillian daSilva]

Yes! To live surrounded by the language where you have no choice but to absorb it...this is such a wonderful notion to me. I love the sound of other languages, the pace.

[Gillian daSilva]

Thanks Elisa! You are kind. I speed write unfortunately, I feel I could do much better if I took my time and edited myself.
Right now due to the pace of life it is click click click publish!
And then I hope for the best.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Well, now you know what?
I just love you too :)
!!!
You know that. Come on December!!
Let's go to the Sultan's Tent for dinner when you are here! Bring your film camera, you'll get some awesome images in there.
xoxo

[Gillian daSilva]

Don't say that! Then you will be ;)
I always think English has gone down the tubes at times. When you hear a Shakespearean play you think, now why don't we speak like this anymore?
Even watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame last week, the old black and white with Charles Laughton, (remember it?) the English spoken was so eloquent, so precise. Poetic. And those scripts were written 70 or 80 years ago.
What has happened? Our lives are so busy that we must LOL and BRB and RUwhatever all the time now!
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

So gusto is it then, isn't it?
I think there is an eternity in each day. I was reading the Alchemist last night, and that line just popped out at me.
An eternity each day. We need to be awakened.
Like that lotus up there.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Butch, unfortunately, we'll never know! I'm sure it's an import of some kind ;)
But! I liked it and so I bought it.
Hope you are well.
xo

[Gillian daSilva]

Yes, Paris. So right. We DO all have gifts to contribute. I too hope to pick up Spanish, after travelling to Cuba and meeting the people there...I want to be able to converse when I return.
"When in Rome" should mean just that, it isn't "When in Rome expect the Romans to cook you North American food and speak to you in English!"
Looking forward to seeing you too! Why this morning's Outlook message popped up and it said 7 days until NYC. Let's hope it isn't TOO cold! Pack your long undies. ;)

[Yoli]

Gilly, I love this post on so many levels. The symbol of the lotus, the path that I have set for myself and my children by turning to Buddhism. The eternal explorer in you that is always visible in everything you do and write. Learn as many languages as you can. Do not be deterred. There are many people who think it cannot be done unless you have a ton of time and money. Not true. Stick to it. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is knowledge of the world and of languages. Spanish is my first language, followed by English with some knowledge of German. I am going to learn Mandarin, I know it will take a long time but I am willing and determined to accomplish it. My daughter speaks English and Spanish and is learning Mandarin. Like you, my wish it to show my children the world. To have them understand it, not just as a tourist but as a citizen of the world. Money comes and goes, it is cyclical but the joy of lessons learned and of places and people seen, lasts a lifetime.

[linni]

Wanneer jy Kaapstad toe kom, het jy alreeds gratis verblyf...kom bly by ons..en ons gee vir jul 'n onvergeetlike ervaring - in Afrikaans...en oppad terug kan jy in Marokko aangaan en by My marrakesh gaan kuier...wat Afrika net meer Afrikan maak! Enige tyd...laat weet net wanneer jy kom...xx

When you are coming to Cape Town, you already have free accommodation...you can stay with me...we'll give you an unforgettable experience in Afrikaans...and on your way back you can stop in Marokko, and visit My Marrakesh...who makes Africa just more Africa. Let me know when you are coming...cannot wait! xx

Teehee...thought I'll talk to you in my home langauge...afrikaans...

Anytime...just let me know! :0-)

Different countries, cultures, languages, food, people! It's all amazing and wonderful and you are in awe of the way other people live...while you are there...you realise that your home is where your heart is! Always. xx

[Gillian daSilva]

Barkfoot~
I don't know about esperanto. I suppose the idea is rather neat.
Then we'd be homogenized. Globalized.
I'd rather retain our cultural differences.
Glad to see you back here!

[Gillian daSilva]

Yoli
I love your attitude. About teaching world citizenship instead of instilling a love of money in your children. Buddhism is such a gentle, fabulous Way!
Mandarin, wow! You are ambitious.
Let's both of us learn our new languages in 2009. You Mandarin, and me Spanish.
xoxo

[Gillian daSilva]

Linni
What an interesting language. I wonder how it sounds? I shall see if there is anything on YouTube! :)
Thank you for the opportunity to stay with you, very generous of you.
If I ever get to South Africa, I'll let you know!!!
xo

[Kath]

Beautiful post Gillian. Enjoy your whirlwind trip to New York. I went into the store in Niagara-on-the-Lake where you had taken the photo of the wood cabinet. It's new, I hadn't been in before. I thought about how wonderful it is that I discovered something about my one street town while reading your blog! Connectedness is a good thing...

[Gillian daSilva]

Kath

They had the nicest table runners in there.shades of copper.

I will likely go back before Christmas to do some more shopping, you have
some lovely antique shops as well.

:-)

[tangobaby]

Thank you for the beautiful reminder, and the lotus. I know that every time I see a map or that Rosetta Stone software, it makes me realize what an incredible planet we live upon. Even if I don't get to see all of it.

[naturegirl]

Gillian keep dreaming about those Spanish steps in Rome! I had a dream to get to the steps and as you know did just that in Sept. I wish I had studied more languages..How wonderful to meeting Tara soon!! Keeping your dad in our prayers..hugs NG