I don’t remember if I mentioned here that I’m enrolled in a 7-week course studying the journey and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. Oh, what a joy this course is! Each week during the live call I’m touched to the core by the lesson and the connection with my fellow classmates as we ponder a thought-provoking prompt.
It’s been the perfect gift of self-care for me.
So perhaps you are wondering what this sculpted Bluebird and my inner critic have to do with this?
Well, our recent assignment was to intuitively sculpt something out of clay. Yesterday was the day I mustered up the courage to give it a try.
As I warmed the clay by rolling it in my hands I didn’t know what I was going to make. But as I sat looking out my Joyful Pause Cottage window, the clay beginning to soften in my hands, I noticed the bird feeders swaying gently in the wind. It came to me to sculpt a bird.
My inner critic showed up right away saying I couldn’t make a bird. It also wasn’t going to be artist quality. All that old conditioning that shows up when we try something new. I know you get it because it’s just part of the human experience.
The name of the game is to gently acknowledge the inner critic, understand this is her way of protecting you, and forge ahead despite this.
The thought rolled through my mind of how do I begin to make a bird? Ah yes, start with the head. This then led to the beak, which I really enjoyed sculpting, then the body, and finally the wings. Then it intuitively came to me to perch him on a heart.
It was then I knew he was meant to be a Bluebird, though I wasn’t exactly sure why at that point. After baking him in the oven and he cooled I painted him.
I loved how he intuitively ended up with his head tilted toward the sky. As I’ve sat in reflection and what the message is for me I sense the bluebird representing how far I’ve come in spreading my wings on so many levels – and the message to continue to do so – and how when I stay connected to a greater source and all that is – and allow my heart to lead the way, I’m gifted with an abundance of joy.
He is by no means perfectly shaped, but his message is one that brought warmth to my heart and a welcome reflection that is indeed perfect.
He is now perched on top of where I store my paints with the bird feeders as the background. But most importantly, where I can see him as a reminder of living a simple life and one connected to nature, the animals, and all that is. This…this is what makes my heart feel at home.
