Dreams of Tuscany, Italy ©Susan Morrison Sims
20″ x 36″ acrylic on canvas
(Step into my dream, and walk with me. Just click on it…then click again :)
~~
“The dream was always running ahead of me
to catch up to live for a moment in unison with it,
that was the miracle.
~Anais Nin
~~
Hello Darlings…and so ’tis Monday again. Where does the time go? it seems like I was just on here chatting with you about rose bushes and moon tattoos.
I started this painting a few months ago, and recently I went back into it (and I still see something else I need to do). :( I do hope you will click on it twice so you can step into it. You will be able to see some of the trees far away, and you may feel my energy there, for it lingers in my work. ;)
I am feeling the urge to travel again..to fly far away from all I know in my world here. Something I never thought I would hear myself say about flying. Here is a little background about me and flying:
My first experience in flying was in a small four person airplane owned by a young man my daughter was sort of dating. Um..I guess you could say I was chaperoning? Okay, I admit it that’s just “spin” for a fiercely over protective Mother. :O Anyway, I think he was trying to impress my daughter by flying us to the west coast so we could have dinner at a nice restaurant. The whole experience was quite scary, and to top it off we ended up in a thunder storm and had to land!!! Needless to say, I was terrified and I vowed that would be my last flight! (By the way, she did not marry him, and thank goodness, because he turned out to be a quite a rascal!)
Over time, I had several opportunities to go to Italy to plein air paint. Of course, I found excuses to not go, but the real reason was my fear of flying.
AND YET..I kept dreaming of Tuscany, Italy.
Time kept passing until one day, the same daughter said, “Mama you have two choices about this…
!) You can NOT go and look back someday when you are no longer able to do such things and regret not going.
OR
2) You CAN go and look back someday when you are no longer able to do such things with amazing memories and stories to tell.”
AND SO…I went
So on my second flight I flew over 13,000 miles in all. That was without any “relaxing” meds (to knock me out) which a lot of people suggested i take. Nope, if I was going to do it I wanted to feel and experience everything about it. Of course, I did not sleep the whole flight, but guess what I loved it, and that was a miracle!!
First, I was in Rome for a few days, and then on to Tuscany. I stayed at a working vineyard in one of the ancient farm houses tucked up in the Tuscan hills. I was away from my family and the only world I had ever known back in the United States. There without televisions, computers, and only a couple of the farm houses had “out dated” telephones in them (my cell phone didn’t work there).
Talk about an out of body experience!!
I was there for seventeen days with writers, painters, and photographers from all over the world. I painted with the group at first, but as I often do…I wondered off alone to paint, take photographs (over a 1000), or just sit or walk. At first, I was homesick and the separation from “what I knew” at home made me a little uneasy. it wasn’t very long though until I felt my whole being relax, finally surrendering to the magic unfolding there.
Now I love to fly! I’ve been to other places including back to italy, and I am planning a trip to France next spring. When I think of what I would have missed had I let my fears win. I learned so many things on that trip (deep spiritual things included). One crucial thing I learned was to not be afraid to do the things my heart longs for…”the dreams that run ahead of me” (don’t you just love that expression). That trip went far beyond a plein air painting trip abroad…for me, it was a life changing trip!! So much I could tell you..oh, you have no idea especially about my background ( hee, hee), but not tonight. I will not keep you any longer.
I still apply the choices my daughter mentioned to me. I apply them to little dreams and big dreams..and you can too. :) Ask yourself the same questions..filling (feeling) in your own blanks. I hope you will listen to your heart…don’t let fear keep you from the dreams that run ahead of you. Miracles are waiting! :)
Live, Love, and Dream Well dear he♥rts!
~gypsy-he♥rt
~♥~
Your daughter gave you some WONDERFUL advice. We should all look at life that way. :o)
Yes she did Rhea, and you are right we should live life that way!
Life comes full circle doesn’t it, before you know it one day your child is giving you sage advice. Of course, if we listen children can teach us much..eh? :)
Oh my friend Gypsy… no matter what mood I am in I find a smile on face always here… thank you for that… the way you weave your masterpieces with spiritual advice and knowledge is amazing… I will look forward to Mondays from now on ;)… Until then … thank you!
P.S. Let me know the next time you plan on going to Italy… I have connections there…
That makes me very happy Enreal. It goes without saying how I feel about your beautiful writings on your site!
I hope the Monday thing works out. I had hoped to post at least twice a week, but right now I simply don’t have the time it takes to do it right. So Monday’s it is, and we will see how that goes. :)
I will let you know when I go back. I was supposed to go to Venice next year, but I think I will be going to France instead.
Thank you for BEing my friend!
Dear Gypsy. What a wonderful dream to fly over the toscana. That what it looks like. Is it the sun or the moon, what we can see on the picture? Anyhow, would like to have it in my rooms.
And as to flying. My hardest flight was… oh no.. I had to hardest flght.
One was in in the Andes, flighing over the cordeliere in columbia. On 8000 meters we had a thunderstorm, shaking the little airplain like a birdie. Flashes were right and left, and when the plain was dashed down, the peaks of the mountains were coming very near…
The next event was in Ladack, india. We flew to Leh. The little airport had no radar, only radio communication. The plane circled for three hours, and as the fuel was going out, it just dropped into a little hole in the clouds, hoping to get sight again below the clouds… It was successful but I sweared not to fligh again. That swear was kept for one month only …
And that I love to fly in my dreams. In the seventies, I found a dreambook, full of the rule of a native tribe in Malasysia. They had rule for the dreams, you had to study in daytime and practise them at night… One of the rule was: When you dream to fall and are afraid, change your dream by magic words into flighing!
Dear Henry, I am so glad you like the piece..it is a dream piece.
Wow, your flying experiences make my one bad experience seem minor! You fly a lot don’t you?
I have never flown in my dreams, though I find that very interesting. YOU are so right about the magic words in dreams! I too learned about facing your fears in dreams. I kept dreaming of alligators and I was afraid. Until a snake and another little creature came to me in a dream, and told me to not be afraid that the alligator is an ancient one and delivers messages from the spiritual world. So I stopped being afraid to receive the messages. :)
Good and creative energies to you my friend!
Tuscany sounds like a photographer’s dream, too. I’m hoping to have a dream come true next spring – a trip to Italy and Greece, and you’ve given me just a little more anticipatory glee. :-)
It is Bo..it is! I can’t wait to hear about your trip! :)
I like that advice and I hate flying :(
I am glad Kaylee. I hope you overcome your fear someday. I finally just decided I wasn’t going to stop me from my dreams! :)
Good Evening Dearest Gypsy-Heart!
First of all….YES…I did click on the image and noticed all the trees in the background, and YES…I could feel your energy within the piece…instantly!
Gorgeous piece, by the way!
Ahhhh…my dear friend, you and I shared the similar fear…FLYING.
Like you…I had a VERY bad experience on a commercial flight coming back from Amsterdam. The aircraft I was on, lost it’s radar connection with the flight tower, while we were flying through a hurricane. I was never so petrified in my life! It was 45 minutes of constantly radical turbulence.
(it was lovely)
Anyway….like you, years later I had the chance to travel again to Japan.
And like your daughter shared with you…it was either move through the fear….or stay paralyzed in it.
So I went.
(27 1/2 hours)
But damn it….I DID IT! I SAW JAPAN!!
To be honest though…I still don’t enjoy flying, and will really only do it if I’m dying to go somewhere.
I actually have a quite a few fears, but I’ve always known that one of my lessons in this lifetime, is to embrace them.
It’s like walking through a door!
Thanks for another wonderful share, dearest lady!
I love it here!
Ron dear heart, as usual you made my heart happy and you made me smile.
I am so glad you went to Japan..what memories and stories to tell!
I agree…embracing the fears is empowering. :)
Thank you for your words..you are always such an inspiration!
I love the painting! And your daughter’s wise advice. I may still be young but I’ve been there with you. These past 5 years I prefer to stay at home, locked in my own bedroom as I nurture my wandering mind. Only when I fell in love with this one guy, everything suddenly changed. I went hiking because of him (he doesn’t know that). I was afraid of hikes. I fear the possibility of me falling down and well, the worst that could happen.
I’ve been going up and down the local rain forest hills twice now (thanks to the rain season, I’m not fond of leeches). I slipped now and then during those hikes but I am glad and proud of myself…although it was tiring…
Thanks for sharing, my friend :D
P/S: I tried to read your page lately but it keeps giving me the 404. It’s okay now though.
P/P/S: Oh, and I see the trees and feel your soothing energy :)
Live, Love and Dream Well indeed! Cheers!
Thank you dear heart. You are young, but as I told you before you are very wise.
You should be proud of yourself! Oh…how I would love to hike with you in the rain forest..that is wonderful!!!
Amazon was having some issues and it cause problems with WordPress images too. All is supposed to be okay now.
I am not surprised you felt the energy! :)
Yes..Live, Love, and Dream Well indeed…cheers to you too!
It is very beautiful. The moon (or sun?) looks like it is reaching out to me in a loving embrace. Which I need right now! hehehe.
Thank you C..so glad you feel the loving embrace because that is certainly my wish! :)
I saw the moon, but if one sees the sun that is okay too.
I hope all is well…good energies and peace of heart to you, my dear.
Oooh, I’ve seen this painting in my dreams (or very nearly). It’s breathtaking!
Central Virginia is not Tuscany but there are times of the year and day that if you’re in the right place you could imagine it to be so…
Flying is not my favorite thing to do but it’s become a necessity in order to see my family. My little one serves as the perfect distraction from the fact that we’re 30,000 feet off the ground…:). But then there are also those moments when you get to see the clouds….if I’d not gotten myself on the plane I’d never have gotten to see that with my own eyes.
I’ve been thinking about our similarities a lot lately as I’m realizing how much certain aspects of my life are still affected by them. I like to paint alone too…in fact, I have a very hard time painting with anyone around at all.
Hmmm…maybe we were on the same dream path Anjolie. :)
You know it’s funny you should mention the similarities of Tuscany and central Virginia. The trip there opened my eyes to the beauty we have here. Tuscany is beautiful..but everywhere has it’s own unique beauty…eh? For some reason I am very drawn to the desert too..Egypt in particular. That is on my list of places to go.
Taking care of little ones can be a wonderful distraction from what is going on in the world around you..even 30,000 feet up. I didn’t realize it until mine were grown..I often find myself thinking too much without their sweet distractions.
Yes, we do have a lot in common, my dear. I wonder where we would be if not for “them” …would we even paint the same..I think not. I finally learned to embrace it all…the good and the not so good. Now I see it all as good…if for nothing else, the life lessons. :) That gives me peace of heart, and I hope you have the same.
Beautiful painting! And wise words about choices. I treasure my memories of the places I’ve been and the experiences–even when some of them were…challenging. Good for you! Oh, how I miss Italy! Your painting reminded me of riding through the Tuscan countryside. As always, your post made me smile.
Thank you April. Yes, treasured memories they are, and the challenging ones make for much better stories don’t you think? :)
Dearest Gypsy Heart, I stepped right into this painting; it captured me completely. It is a place of peace and comfort where we can not do anything but appreciate the wonders of life. It is a place where we can dare to dream and once we awaken; live the dream. What a beautiful experience; so blessed you were to follow your dream! Thanks for reminding us so beautifully to let fears go and follow our dreams – so true indeed! Funny, we must be on the same plane this week; I wrote a poem on dreams deferred on Monday, I do believe. Thanks for sharing your beautiful painting and your generous spirit and wisdom! Peace, Light, Love, and sweet dreams to you dear Gypsy! Me.
Ahh…you made my heart smile CordieB. Peace and comfort would be my wish for you!
We were on the same plane. I read your poem was beautiful..as your words always are!
I think the generous spirit and wisdom that you see is only a reflection, my dear. The words “looking in the mirror” comes to mind. :)
Peace, Light, Love, and sweet dreams to you too!
oh wow, how inspirational to be in Tuscany! Well, I guess if you lived there it would be normal.
really lovely painting, it does look more like a dreamscape than a landscape!
It was inspirational Daz…but I agree if you lived there it would be normal. Going there awakened me to the beauty I saw as normal here at home. When I returned it was if I really saw “my world” for the first time. Each place is beautiful..I just wish I could experience it all! :)
So glad you like the piece. “Dreamscape”…I like that! I tend to dwell there a LOT! hee, hee
Surprise!!!
http://enreal.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/remember/
And what a most beautiful surprise it is!! Thank you Enreal..you are an angel! :)
((( Gypsy Heart ))) Your post is very inspiring (the painting, beautiful as always). I’ve been fighting a fear of flying since my 20s.
My hope is that by the time life offers me a ‘trip I can’t refuse’, I’ll be able to get on that plane! LOL
Thank you dear Grace..you are always an inspiration!
I think many of us fight that fear. I feel like that offer will come! When it does you will get on the plane and go, with or without the meds..either way will be good! hee,hee
Thank you for reminding us it is possible to fly beyond, through and above our fears.
Blessings to you for you and for gently reminding us to let ourselves be.
Oh, I love that SE…”flying beyond, through, and above our fears!” You said in those few words what I was trying to say in my rambling paragraphs. :)
Blessings to you too, dear heart!
I did step into it and it was serene and beautiful :) … How wonderful that you conquered your fears … You are an inspiration Gypsy Heart, the kind every one hopes for/to be …
I am so glad you felt that energy there MM…’tis exactly as I hoped. :)
You are too kind…we are all reflections of one another, and the inspiration comes full circle!
The painting is gorgeous, Suz. It might very well be my favorite of all of yours. It has simplicity and depth both.
The words, too, drew me in. A painting retreat in Tuscany sounds fabulous, and hearing about what you had to overcome to get is was, well, inspiring.
I don’t much go for the small planes, either, although I do fly overseas a lot. No matter how calm I am, and I’m a pretty calm flyer, I always seem to hit a moment in the middle of the ocean when the rest of the plane is asleep where I just want to scream. I never do; the moment passes, but it never fails to visit just once on each overseas trip.
Thank you YB so glad you like it!! I like that simplicity and depth both. :)
I understand about over the ocean. On my first tip I stayed awake and it seemed I was the only one awake except the pilot! I watched the navigation screen the whole time.. wanting to get to land. Like that really made any difference. :O
Your posts and artwork always leave me feeling so inspired. When I first gazed into this painting, I was struck with a quote. I did not conceive of it, it just spontaneously floated into my mind. It is a quote from Rumi which I have always loved:
“Out beyond the ideas of right-doing or wrong-doing there is a field- I’ll meet you there.”
This is such a stunning piece….so heavenly and uplifting.
Thank you for the inspiring post! :)
Ahh…thank you dear heart. You know the feelings are mutual!
I love the Rumi quote..it does fit.
Thank you again Kalliope! :)
It is beautiful! I love it!
Hey, you never answered my email question, remember???
love,
Christy
Thank you Christy…so glad you like it. :)
I do remember, and I haven’t answered. Please forgive me, I am behind on emails. I promise I will write you soon.
Love to you too!
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