"Out of the box"This is my BJP page for... February. When I was a child my parents often stressed the importance of having degrees ; they didn't have any, because life had played tricks on them. I remember a particular message from my mum ; she said I had to put all my efforts into obtaining my Baccalauréat (A levels), she used to say "you are a circle, and you have to find a way to get into this square. Just pretend you are a square for a while and then get on with your life". I didn't know I was a circle, I wasn't sure I wanted to be one, and found all this pretty mysterious and quite scary. I didn't understand either why square society was prejudiced against circles... This has been in my mind for quite some time :o)
Years later, I heard of the expression "getting out of the box". I also learnt that in India, sacred mandalas are based on circles and squares, which are supposed to represent heaven and earth. I also heard the thoughtful phrase "there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way". Thus the arrows that are also tendrils.
I'm in the middle of an emotional turmoil at the moment, and I have decided to use some of my savings to do a trip to India - a dream I've had since I was a teenager. Because I've just realized that no charming prince is going to come my way and fullfill all my dreams, it all depends on me somehow :o)
With love,
Hélène
9 comments:
The story behind this piece makes it all the more wonderful. I wish someone had counseled me about being a circle and having to fit into a square - at least for a while. That would have been very helpful I think.
Best wishes to you in your time of trial.
Good for you for doing what you feel is right in your heart. I wonder if you have read or heard of a book called "Eat, Pray, Love", it has been on my 'to read' list for quite some time now. I have seen the author interviewed and she is fascinating to listen to when talking about her travels and life. http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm
By the way, I love this page and the fact that you were 'outside' of the box a long time ago :-)
Keep smiling
Sue, my parents are quite wise in their way. But somehow isn't funny how we often find strangers' wisdom more useful ? :o)
Grace, I'll definitely look into that book as well as "Simple Truth". It's true I'm not very keen on boxes, however beautiful :o)
Can't help noticing that your creations are growing more and more brightly colorful. I hope you have wonderful experiences on this traveling journey you are gifting to yourself!
Thank you Acey.
You are perfectly right regarding the use of colour. What I also notice is the growing influence of friends ; I use felt thanks to Freebird, I couldn't help trying to do something loosely adapted from kantha stitches since I read about it on your blog, and the theme of tendrils has been nagging me ever since I read an inspiring post on another TIF blog, which I cannot trace unfortunately...
A trip to India sounds like a wonderful destination to explore. Someone advised me that if I wanted to get to know a country before visiting it that I should look at periodicals or magazine articles on that country. Also go to the food markets and hardware store to see more of how they live and the foods they eat.
I like the bright colors in your page...it feels warm for such a cold month.
I love you page Helene & the story that goes with it is wonderful. Your mother was very wise & when you think about her advice it makes perfect sense. I just read of your travels to India, what a fantastic experience..
Thanks Kiwi ellen !
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