Friday, October 5, 2012

The Art of Communication

"Peace & Love"
Digital Mandala by Kate Jobe 9/12

I posted this mandala several weeks ago on my facebook fan page, Zephyr Artful Healing, but liked it so much that I am posting it here again.  Its triad of symbols hold the images of many different images that speak to people in different ways. 
 
While creating it, I saw angels appearing in the motifs and then focused upon enhancing that quality.  Viewed from the opposite direction, I saw the angels as doves with wings outstretched.  Other people see the same motif as owls.  When this was pointed out to me, I then also saw them as the head of a fox.   Each of these has a different symbolic meaning.  The symbolism that is dominant in your vision communicates to you a message you are seeking...or needing.  When we communicate words to others, however, it is important that our words are received with clarity. 
 
If we are not clear in the way that we communicate, including being aware of the body language, facial expressions and the tone of our voice, our words and the intent of why we are saying them can me misinterpreted.  Even a word as basic as love can mean different things to different people.  The experiences and "teachers" in our lives have assisted in building the architecture that is the foundation for our comprehension of vocabulary.  Not all of our lives are built upon the same foundation. Even close friends and family members can misinterpret our words when they are experiencing sadness, disappointment or pain in their lives. 
 
Today, as much as you are capable, practice the art of compassionate communication.  Be open to the awareness of how you speak and project your words and of how they are being received.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Seeing the Sacred

"Seeing the Sacred"
Digital Mandala created by Kate Jobe 10/4/12
Source Photo by Warren Nistad


I posted an image of this digital mandala this morning on my facebook fan page, Zephyr Artful Healing and then decided to re-post it here with additional commentary.  The original photograph, taken by Warren Nistad, and the digital image that evolved from it generated thoughts for me on many levels.

Among these thoughts, and in the forefront, is the gratitude I feel for warren's generosity in allowing me to access his photographs for source images to create my form of art.  He captures a facet of the universe and I continue with this process, seeking a small facet of it that I can expand upon and honor; seeking what I perceive as a symbolic essence that lives within the plant/flower/leaf he has photographed. 

The irony, and beauty of this, is that Warren and I have never met each other in person, but we share a mutual focus upon Universal Healing.  I have had the privilege of working with his photographs to create art for about two years now.  During this time, I have observed his compositions evolving and changing, just as my digital mandalas have evolved and changed in their own way. The one thing I find as a constant with Warren's visual interpretation of nature is that he has the capability to capture sacredness and to convey the love and respect he has for the world around him. 

Thank you, Warren, for collaborating with me to share artful healing.  It is an honor and a privilege.


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Power of Silence

"Lighting the Path"
Digital Mandala by Kate Jobe 10/3/12
Source Photo by Warren Nistad

I am amazed that i have not posted an entry on this blog for two and a half months. Time moves rapidly and it feels like so much less time has passed...and in such a relatively short time, I feel that massive shifts have occurred in my life...things I cannot outline or define...nor would it honor them to do so...but things I can feel and perceive and some...some shifts are tangible and palpable.  They can't be touched...or measured...but their presence is perceived as a radiance I can sense. Cherish the moments that exist with undefinable beauty and joy. Cherish the moments that cannot be defined as words but exist as exquisite energy that surrounds you and permeates your cells.  Cherish them.  Smile and breath them deeply into the molecules of your existence. Sometimes words are not necessary.