"Patience is not simply the ability to wait. It's how we behave while waiting."
This quote by Joyce Meyers stopped me. I had always thought patience was the ability to wait. But never considered the behaviour while we wait. It implies a behaviour that on the surface seems simple, yet in practice, is among the hardest task for human beings to learn. So, since the practice I devoted my life to is art (or heART) to learn patience I started a new art-practice.
I decided to start painting daily detailed realistic drawings...the ones that take time to finish. The ones that mirror immediately how you feel, sense, behave while practicing. The ones that show immediately when you lose patience...
Every day I sat "patiently" to add details into the painting. I observed my body aching while my mind was screaming "you are never going to finish this!" I observed myself fidgeting while knowing my hands had to be firm to paint that tiny tiny detail. I told myself to quit. I told myself to scrap the ugly paintings... Anyway I am better and more expressive in other art forms.
I am interested in the behaviour of art rather than the achievement of art. I see the arts as apprenticeships for the big art of our lives. Berensohn
Am I more patience now? Absolutely not!!! But, I have started learning and becoming familiar with the patterns of my behaviours while I (have to) wait.
Are you a patient person? What that means to you? What is your behaviour while waiting? What are you waiting for? How has your life being shaped by this waiting?
In case you were curious about the painting, this is the first one I have finished. I started some more, patience requires practice...I continue practicing!
Trust is the alchemical ingredient of the waiting. In these times of great uncertainty, what do you trust?
I trust creative flow, art practice and inquiry. They are my candlelight of discernment, clarity and, renewal. Can you practice listening to the softer voices (that do not need to shout to be loud) that invite us to imagine and know beyond reasoning.
In the waiting I am learning simplicity, space and softness. I continue learning the beauty of practice (beyond the ugliness of the outcome). It contains the antidote to chaos, catastrophe and negativity.
Make time and space in the waiting to attend to your ART.
If you’re interested in learning more about RNEWB services and would like to discuss any consultancy, workshops, and talks, drop us a line at fateme@rnewb.com.
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