Path at the Shadow’s Edge ©Susan Morrison Sims
8″ x 10″ acrylic on canvas / Little Paintings Series
(click on image to enlarge)
Hello dear hearts, I find myself wanting to chat with you this evening. :) I have been dwelling within my own shadows for a spell, and those of you that read my last couple of posts (7-15-09, and 7- 21-09), know why. I found myself once again, searching for light, and once again, I found it waiting for me just beyond the shadow’s edge.
Yesterday, I returned to meditation just to see if I could escape the endless noisiness of my mind. It was in that place of sacred silence that I finally listened to my heart, and I found peace. Why had I avoided meditation for months??? I found light within the silence..like a trillion little stars in a colorless night sky, and…
my energy instantly changed!
Later that day…as if by design, I received some very sage words from one of my very first blogging friends, 94Stranger at Rainring. Here are some of his words:
“All I can say is that the only way I know to gain something out of even the most devastating experiences is to try and understand what they have to teach us.”
“..each human being has to live their own experiences and face their own destiny…”
Thank you 94S!! Somehow, I had forgotten that!!! Last night and today, I have received more positive messages and confirmations. I also realized that I have been running along side others on their paths..trying to save them, make them leave it, and follow me. Not only, was that wrong..it kept me from moving forward. I had become weighted down with a very heavy heart, my own. I had stopped my own journey. I was also living in fear of alienated them, of losing them. Thus, I found myself wearing all kinds of smothering masks, just like before, **see Masked Mime**, well
NO MORE…
the masks are off, once and for all..
discarded into the darkness!
How very LIBERATING.. I instantly felt the weight lift from my heart!!
My wings began unfolding again…
stronger than ever before,
So as to carry me
further and higher
straight into my dreams.
Dreams waiting there
just beyond..
the shadow’s edge!
~~
I now find myself dwelling in new energies.
Changes are coming..including here.
I want to paint, to garden, to dance, and to laugh, to live life to the fullest, and most of all
I want to LOVE and BE LOVED, AS I AM.
I can do all these things now
and I will
because…
I am free
to continue, on my own path.
~~
I wish the same for all of you!
in Love, in light, and in laughter,
~gypsy-he♥rt
Ps I will leave the cult info on here, and of course, I will talk to any one that wants or needs to talk about it. It will no longer be my energy focus.
I want to thank all of you for your comments and emails..you’ll never know how much it meant. If I neglected to respond to any one of you, I apologize. Please don’t hesitate telling me so I can do so. You are all sparkles of light along my path.
~~♥~~
To Shanni Lea, my beloved daughter, I will be waiting until our paths cross again
..and they will, because
our love is more powerful, than ANY cult!!
~♥♥~
Your painting drives very deeply into my mind.
As you know, I’ve been walking a shadowy (I prefer to think of it as deeply shaded) path a lot in recent weeks – and I know you have expended some of your priceless energy on helping someone, me, that had at times, lost even the way to that path. For that I’m most grateful while I also feel so selfish for having done so.
Your full moon gleaming though the trees that absorb some of the radiance is like my warming late evening setting sun – it beckons one to turn their face to it and to study the source of the light – and to marvel in its timeless mystery while striving to absorb it. From where has your reflected light originated, and more mysteriously, why?
I like this painting so very much – it not only speaks to me – it speaks to the inner me.
“..each human being has to live their own experiences and face their own destiny…” Sage words, I agree. And your destiny, in some portion, is to paint – and to create stirring art – and even this little portion – is so very much.
Thank you Susan. For everything you have done – and for sharing this painting. I think it I consider this one – one of your very best.
♥ Iggy~ I know you have been in the shadows too..I dare say, we have both been stumbling around in the darkness a little.
I also know, I have received a LOT of kindness and support from you. I hope you are finding your path again. I have no doubt, your heart is full of light, because I have witnessed it more than once.
No need to thank me, my friend..for we are simply reflections of one another. :) I look forward to our continued friendship and discussing the questions…
“From where has your reflected light originated, and more mysteriously, why?”
Good and heart healing energies to you!
Good Evening Dearest Gypsy-Heart~
It’s so wonderful to find you’ve posted!
I always get so excited to see you on my reader!
And I can tell from your words on this post that you’re well and dwelling in new energies!
YAAAAAAY!
I can so identify with much that you’ve shared on this post. Mainly, with trying to save someone and following me.
I think that was one of my main reasons for first getting into the healing/energy arts.
I’ve always had the tendency to want to save people. And I eventually realized, like you, that I all the energy I was expending; trying to save them, was only not depleting me of my own energy, but also taking me further away from my own path.
I learned exactly what your friend 94Stranger shared….
.”…..each human being has to live their own experiences and face their own destiny…”
So glad to hear you found some time to be silent in meditation. I try to set some time aside to meditate each day, but sometimes I’ll find that weeks will go by and I haven’t. And it’s usually at the point when the endless noises in my head have taken over like a madman. And it amazed me how much calmer and centered I feel after getting back into a daily meditation routine.
Anyway, my dear friend….sorry to ramble.
Once again, I thank you for honestly sharing your journey and what you’ve learned along the way. Because as you do…we ALL learn!
LY!
X
P.S. I also love the piece you shared with this post. It’s so perfect!
Susan:
I can literally see you moving away from the darker path in the painting. The cascade of light between the 2 trees bears a resemblance of a person. The light is shifting through the trees outward, perhaps to the sky. The moon’s majesty can be a wonderful guide through the darkness. She is compassionate and holds secrets to the emotional being within all of us, assisting us in self-discovery and unlocking the secrets within the psyche.
Interestingly, the full moon was just last week (in Aquarius). For me and mine, it was a night very full of magic and light from the Fae. I wonder if you were so fortunate to catch their graces as well.
You do sound like you are feeling significantly better.
Like you and 94Stranger, I try to find the meaning or significance behind unpleasant events or very difficult trials. Some lessons take longer than others, and there are times when it seems that all we can do is sit in silence and try to gain perspective. I believe silence assists in allowing our inner voice (or higher self or HGA) to be brought forward and heard more clearly. We find ourselves more and more in many different situations, but stillness and quiet allow us the space-time to reflect, rearrange, absorb and assimilate.
Humans have an interesting relationship with Light and Dark, and the balance of the two. Neither one is “better” than the other. We all know that for one to exist the other must as well. As we move from Dark to Light (or back again), the Tao can help us balance and revere both while not becoming lost in either. Your light is gracious and beautiful. I don’t doubt that the darkness you may bear at times holds just as much potential and beauty. You’ve managed to turn it into an artful masterpiece, and that is a testament to your ability to transform.
Best wishes,
-Kelly
♥ Ron~ I am always happy to see that you left me a note!!
I am feeling much better..thank you! It was just a matter of time..the ultimate optimist, I am!! It just took me a tad longer this time (9 months longer!!!) :O
Yes..sage words from 94S!! I’ve already learned those lessons..but somehow, I forgot them. I guess the mother side of me kicked in..and I wanted to just take charge and make everything okay. Don’t get me wrong it still feel bizarre that I can’t even pick up the phone and call her.
Like you said it drains our energy to dwell on things that we cannot and possibly should not change. I had to find my own way out of that cult..I was 36 when I finally left it. She has to find hers..and she will. In the mean time, I plan to enjoy my freedom..returning to my own path (which I happen to love).
I always enjoy hearing from you..so never feel that you are rambling!! May we have many, many more years of sharing our journey…
Skipping down our paths, we are!!! :)
LY!
X
~g-h
Ps I’m glad you think this little painting fits. It is one of my “mindscapes” ….I walk with the moon there, often!
♥ Kelly (’tis nice to know your name)
I know you are right..the shadows are part of the journey. As usual, you eloquently expressed what I tried to paint:
“As we move from Dark to Light (or back again), the Tao can help us balance and revere both while not becoming lost in either.”
Sometimes the shadows or total darkness are a place of safety and for renewing energies!
Thank you SO much for all your beautiful, wise, and kind words!
I count you among my gifted writing friends!!
Best Wishes to you too,
~g-h
Ps OM goodness!! You are right…I did not realize there was a human shadow between the two trees!! My paintings (and other mediums) often seem to take on a life of their own..as if I step into the painting and “it” helps me find my way. :)
dear gypsy heart,
your words today ring so true … I wanted you to know what an inspiration you are to me in my own journey through this tangled life…. your words I quoted below charged me with a new direction and focus~
“I now find myself dwelling in new energies.”
I am also one who has let my meditation practice fall somewhere to the side of my path and in doing so, have lost my in~sight and direction and so much more besides… thank you for writing this post… it is such a gift in so many ways to me in my life right now…
many blessings that you dance everyday, feeling the light of the moon shine upon you as it does in your painting that seems so full of peace and Light…
X
♥ Linda~ Ah..thank you! I think we all inspire each other..in one way or another..eh? :)
I hope you will find time for your mediation practice again. I am really going to make an effort too. You have a beautiful place for walking and meditation!
many blessings to you too,
X
~g-h
Shadows, yes, but it’s nice to have that full moon for balance. Best to you, gypsy-heart!
Hi gypsy-heart,
This is my first visit to your blog. .wow.. You managed to get me thinking this morning…
bookmarked.. will be back.. Keep writing..
Shamelle
♥ Bo~I agree! Best to you, too! :)
♥ Shamelle~ hello…thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to leave me a note.
Well, I hope you left here pondering good thoughts. :)
I will have to check out your site.
Good energies to you,
~g-h
I loved hearing from you today and love that you found answers in your return to silence. Through this journey we will travel to once again come home and know it for the very first time.
♥ tobeme~ I loved reading your wise words, and as I said on your site..connections.
I am looking forward to that time of KNOWING.
I seem to be circling back, so I will “see” you again. :)
Comment moderation is wonderful!
Here’s my email: primalsweetheart@gmail.com
Feel free to email me any time. Sometimes it may take a little while for me to respond cause I do take vacations from the computer from time to time.
I look forward to our conversations :D
♥ Kelly~ Indeed it is. :)
The same to you..my email is susanmsims@aol.com. We’ll catch as catch can. I have not on here as much, as I think it can suck the creativity out of one, if not careful. Balance is the key..finding such is the challenge, at least it is for me.
ta, ta for now.
~g-h
This creation of yours hits me as more powerful than almost any other. I absolutely adore it when you do moons; I am such a lover of the moon.
I have been in that place; running, running to who knows where or what, but we never seem to arrive. So, we get tired, breathless, hopeless, and angry. All of this week, my affirmations on a daily basis have been about being where you are; knowing that all that comes into our lives, both darkness and light, is there for a true purpose. AND, that we need to be grateful for all of it. For, all of it is what carries us to where we are meant to go.
This creation shows me, and hopefully you, that no matter what the darkness permeates, there is light that reaches it, even in its deepest corner.
Hugging you gently and never ending my friend!!!!
A very mysterious moonlight scene.
I love the way the moon lights up the path. Makes me think of how we should make use of those small splatters of light to be able to navigate on dark paths.
♥ Vanessa~ Thank you, my fellow moon lover.
I think our affirmations, as of late, are much the same. I am trying to focus in the now while moving forward on the journey.
Yes, sometimes we forget the light is there..sometimes we just have to go down deep for it…deep in that place where wisdom and peace dwell. :)
Hugging you gently and never ending, too!
♥ wrj ~ Well, my friend…I do like a good mystery. :)
♥ Susie ~ Thank you for your kind note, and I really like your analogy..may we navigate on! :)
Suz, your words are uplifting. Thank you for sharing. Also, just want to echo the admiration for stranger94. He is a wise fellow, and light-hearted. A kindred spirit.
Dear Susan,
I have been in the shadows most of the summer, and I’ve been damned mad about it too – so much so – that I had to come to a screeching halt and examine what I have been so angry about. Of course I really knew where it was, but I had to face it square on – at present I am only able to lift a corner or so at a time and take small peeks. I was reading a novel the other day and came across this statement in one of the dialogues.
“Make your peace with your destiny and take up the shape of your life.” That really spoke to me and that’s what I’ve been trying to do. I pasted it into my journal. Maybe it will speak to you to.
Love,
Olivia
I am sorry I have been so quiet of late. As I was reorganizing today I saw this picture and it just took my breath away. So often I have seen this path with it’s beauty and mystery. I too have been searching for that quiet place where the words are and this painting spoke to me like no other.
♥ ybonesy~ So glad you found them uplifting…that would certainly be my preference. :)
Yes Stranger94 is all you say and very much a kindred spirit.
Thank you for stopping by.
♥ Olivia~ So it seems we both have been shadow walkers, as of late. I had to do the same..face it square on..and make peace with it.
The quote did speak to me, and I thank you SO much for sharing it now..it was perfect timing…divinely so. :)
Love you back.
~g-h
♥ goldenferi ~ You have no idea how much your words meant to me tonight! I have been reorganizing too, esp “within” ..and I was wondering about this blog..and posting my art here.
If what comes from my heart and brushes speak to just one person..then it is worth it. Thank you for telling me so.
Namaste’,
~g-h
I love this post–maybe because I’ve been becoming more ME over the past few weeks and months and stepping outside old patterns. And watching my kids become more who they are.
So glad you are back in the light.
Ahh Gypsy,
You are a sage woman, with such an over flowing and generous heart.
I am so glad that you are LIVINg, LOving and Learning.
It’s when we stop and become potted plants..well it’s just no more dang fun.!!!
~laughing~
guess we all have to go thru the darkness to find the dawn.
Wishing you a sunny day..full of rainbows…
♥ April~ I am so glad to hear that you are becoming more YOU!
Watching your children do the same is magical..eh?
Thank you..I hope to bask in it..and I am wishing you the same!
♥ Sorrow~ Thank you, dear. Your words mean a LOT to me.
Somehow I don’t ever see us as potted plants! eh, eh
’tis nice to feel the dawn..again and again. :)
sunny day a rainbows back to you!