keeping the Fire of Life alive in oneself
the practice of weird and wonderful things
The creative practice, or any practice really (spiritual, physical, mental), is not so much about accomplishing something as much as it is keeping the Fire of Life alive in oneself.
Your fire can go out. The drenching malaise of binge worthy television, destructive news narratives, and body shaming advertising will slowly kill you over time. Wonder, curiosity, imagination, risking, doing, trying, being... these are the warm flames of Life in the coldest of seasons.
I don’t know what your life is like now. But I’m guessing there is some kind of pain that wants to extinguish any kind of spark within you.
Beloved... all I can do is invite you to take off your shoes and walk in the grass.
Stop and listen to every sound you can hear.
Eat a meal slowly.
Hug someone longer than 20 seconds.
Make a drawing of something that makes you giggle.
Notice the beauty of moss.
Stretch.
Sing (or hum if you can’t remember the lyrics).
Drink a Lacroix and burp as loud as you can.
Pet a dog.
Hold a cat.
Listen to rap.
Get sexy with your lover.
Go to a play.
Master the running man.
Memorize a poem.
Swear in French.
Draw your prayers.
Hold hands.
Write a thank you card to everyone who helped you become the magic that you are...
And if you practice weird and wonderful things like this.... the Flame will never go out... and it will become the very light you offer others who’s flame has gone out.
Media exposure is constant. It's hard to enjoy the spark God has given you when there is no oxygen to encourage an actual flame. Thanks for the reminder
Thank you Scott. Let me share my contribution to refusing to let the Fire die.
I'd prayed this morning about my new challenge in life - learning to enable the puppy I've been given to relieve herself outside, and learn some obedience! I thought I was doing the right things -but I had to release all self-destructive and pupppy destructive thoughts - and re-learn the 'constant learner state'....So outside in the garden for the 3rd time this morning, as I got tied in the long-line lead in the garden, and laughed at Ellie's pre-empting of me clicking the clicker to re-call her, and praying out loud to God, giving Him all the apparent obedience wrapped up in my incompetence, and Ellie's intelligence at getting a reward....I realise I am being given new life. My fire is bursting into life, and I don't know where we're going - but He who created all knows.