A Walk Down Memory Lane

It’s September. It’s been a while since I prepared my classroom for the frolicking first graders who scurried into my room clamoring for my attention, with

enthusiasm

and energy

and pure, unbridled  joy.

I miss them.

I miss framing their artwork and

tracing their letters so that we could marvel at the script of a six-year-old hand.

I miss the poetry in their words,

the splash of color on their paintings.

I even miss the chatter.

A teacher of small children has a HUGE responsibility.

She plants seeds of social consciousness,

nurtures the artist,

woos the writer.

In recent years, in my work with women who appear to be “waiting” for their children to

grow up,

leave the nest,

and become self-supporting successful contributing members of society,

I’ve noticed a holding pattern that reminds me of my years in the classroom.

As  a teacher and facilitator of ARTful expression in my students, I frequently (well, always) put my own creative endeavors on the back burner. Only recently have I noticed the glee with which I discover hidden talents or even just the desire to explore an art form. There is a striking parallel between my own experience as a teacher of small children and the experience of my clients.

We all seem to be W A I T I N G for the right time or the right space in which to explore our craft.

I suggest we stop waiting.

I believe there is a direct relationship between our vitality and the degree to which we engage in creative pursuits. I’d like to explore this. In depth. Will you join me?

Here’s a little poem to get you started. I hope you come away with curiosity and perhaps a desire to carve out some time for your art, whatever that may be. And, f you want to engage in this process with a “tribe at your side,” be sure to enroll in my upcoming Well Nourished Woman program. I have a knack for drawing out the artist within, both in food and in life.

Say Yes to the Artist Within
by Sue Ann Gleason
 
begin with a clearing.
your desk.
remove the
unpaid bills,
the to do’s,
the pile of books.
 
remove the chocolate.
well,
maybe not the chocolate.
 
begin with a list.
not a grocery list,
a list of tools.
for your adventure.
crayons,
a camera
a clipboard.
 
paint,
paper,
glitter,
glue.
what will you do?
 
don’t forget
a journal.
you know,
the “pretty” one
you
never
write
in.
grab one of those, too.
 
close the lid on that
laptop.
quiet the phone.
find the “off” button.
 
pour yourself
a cup of tea
and gently,
slowly,
intentionally,
reclaim the untethered
brilliance
of the child
 
say yes to
the artist within.

 

19 thoughts on “A Walk Down Memory Lane”

    1. blank

      I love that, Angela. That’s when I feel most like an artist, too. I am just now beginning to see how important it is for me to take that art and expand it into other areas of my life as well. Or, at the very least, to start noticing the artist when she shows up.

    1. blank

      It’s truly a “practice” isn’t it, Keddy? And yes, “permission” is a recurring theme that shows up both in my work and in my life.

  1. blank

    I think you’re right there is a huge relationship between vitality and creativity. I notice that when I’m being creative I also have more energy for life along with more enthusiasm. Now I’m off to see if a poem will emerge from me! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

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    Yay! PLAY!! the way I LOVE to do!! particularly with women like YOUUUUUUuuuuuu!
    You draw it forth in such delight, as no doubt you did with your wee ones….
    clamoring for your love and attention… a
    all the while bringing them back to themselves and creation!

    Truly, I am looking so FORWARD to the light, lilt of play I feel in this piece… with food, with poetry, with paint… and most especially with youuuuuuuuuuu…. my dear friend, Sue Ann!

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    Sue Ann, you’ve just given me permission to stop waiting and start playing! (Not that I need permission, of course, but sometimes it takes a “nourisher/teacher” such as yourself to point me in the right direction.) I feel like sharpening a #2 pencil — a whole bunch of them. 🙂 LOVE this post!

  4. blank

    I’m so in a holding pattern waiting for the last two to launch so that maybe there will be just a little time for me and feeling oh, so guilty any time I step out and take a minute that’s just for me…what am I waiting for?

  5. blank

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