Art & Soul explores ideas for bringing more
peace and joy into our daily life - ideas that
involve creative arts and slowing down to
appreciate the beauty that is all around us in
this very moment.
Sometimes we are shopping
for Serenity... We know that world peace really
begins in our own hearts and homes. Have I
rested at all today? Am I getting anxious over
things that don't really matter? Have I sent
myself compassionate thoughts for all that I
have been through lately, for how hard I am
trying? Have I felt gratitude for the abundant
blessings that are all around me? Have I taken
some time to breathe deeply, to really listen to
what my friend is saying, to respond from my
heart? We can make choices to live more
peacefully with each person we meet today and
within ourselves- do I realize how happy I am
when I do this?
I never found the source of this poem, but I
always love to read it when September arrives:
"The haze on the far
horizon,
the infinite, tender sky,
the ripe, rich tint of the cornfield,
and the wild geese flying by,
and all over upland and lowland, the charm of
the goldenrod,
Some people call it Autumn,
and some people call it God."
After the fast growth of
plant life in the summer, it is wonderful to
feel the gentle peace of early autumn
settling into the fields and woodlands, the
trees and even the very earth herself. We see
the fruiting and seeding and wilting take
place, the sap withdrawing into the roots as
everything begins to go back to the earth.
Daylight shortens fastest this month, so we
appreciate the precious moments of sunshine we
have. Some ideas for getting the most out of the
beauty of September:
1)As we watch nature go through its cycle of
letting go, we can ask ourselves again , what
can I let go of that I no longer need? Any
outworn possessions, beliefs or prejudices
that no longer serve where I want to go, what I
want to do? Any old , outmoded ways of
behaving that I can change, apologize for and
release? What qualities do I want to strengthen
and renew? The theme is discrimination and
renunciation.
2) Have an Art and Soul day out! Visit the
Community Consciousness Carnival on September
14th held from dawn to dusk at Stage Fort Part
in Gloucester, sponsored by the Cape Ann Healing
Arts Network. See the Awakening Arts booth
there, along with booths and events by
many artists, musicians, and healers
from the Cape Ann area. Enjoy networking,
connecting and sharing.
3) Watch the Harvest Moon that is full on the
21st and be aware of the equinox on Sept 23,
when day and night are closest to equal.
4) See Venus, who
astrologically inspires us in matters of love
and art at her brightest in the evening sky on
the 26th of September.
5) Plant some bulbs this
autumn, with thoughts of new intentions and
goals for the future remembering the power of
rebirth and renewal in the spring. That nothing
truly dies, but is transformed.
6) Create something new out of something old and
outworn this month.
Awakening Arts
Carla Mattioli, Director
P.O. Box 777
Rockport, MA 01966
978-546-8018
Email:
awakearts@cove.com
Website:
http://www.awakearts.com
Art and Soul is
brought through the creative inspirations of
Carla Mattioli, artist and art educator who
directs Awakening Arts Studio in Rockport and
Arlington, MA Awakening Arts offers
classes in Painting , Nature Drawing ,Art
Therapy, Meditation , Flower Essences and Dance
Yoga . Classes incorporate singing and creative
movement as well as painting and drawing.
