Photograph I took at a music venue two weeks before the show - It was a sign

“Well I’m the enemy of treason
Enemy of strife
I’m the enemy of the unlived, meaningless life
I ain’t no false prophet
I just know what I know
I go where only the lonely can go ”

— Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan Ways. Poetic Ways. Music Ways. Rough & Rowdy Ways Tour. I have used the term Ways for as long as I can remember. It is a part of my writing and thinking. I was thrilled when my husband surprised me with tickets to the Rough & Rowdy Ways Tour a few weeks back to go and hear/see Bob Dylan in all of his ways. It was a wonderful concert. In all the Ways! Let me share a bit of actually even getting to this show. It was a bit rough and definitely rowdy.

Firstly, everyone I mentioned the show to had an opinion. Often from people who have never even heard or seen Bob Dylan and his poetic ways. To me - Dylan is a wonder. An absolute wonder. The true mark of a poetic genius is that they never stay the same. Reinvention is the name of the game. Hidden mystery that we are not privy to is just that - none of our business. We have no right to “ownership” over an artist or their creativity. We are just along for the ride. We are the backdrop. Our experience is the matter with which we are creative ourselves. In expectation you freeze something in time. Imagination has no soil to grow in - a sterile soil. Offerings from any artist is a gift. Take the gift - see where it can ride inside of you. If it isn’t smooth for you - what is rubbing against your Ways of Unknowing.

Rough & Rowdy Ways. So, the first attempt of getting to the show. We went to the hotel that we were going to stay at for the night so we didn’t have a long late night ride. This is always what we tend to do - go to the show and drive back late - tired. We were all settled into our room. Looking out over the city I decided to check the venue site. I thought it was a mistake. Is this some kind of fake notice? The venue said the show was cancelled due to venue mechanical difficulties. I kept reading it over and over. Yes indeed the show was cancelled and postposed for another week and half. We checked out quickly and headed home. Sort of in disbelief at the whole ordeal. This was Rough.

I avoided most events and goings on - especially people filled places to avoid getting sick of any kind and not making it to the show for the next time. We made it up to the venue again. I kept wondering if it would be cancelled again - a bit like you know - once it happens - it hangs there in the back of your mind. The hotel manager was cheering for us. All signs looked good. We walked down to the venue past a number of huge tour buses! It was Dylan himself inside the big front bus closest to the backstage entrance. I was waving on the outside as we walked past. I know he saw me. He smiled back and lifted his hand. It was Bob Dylan alright. Now - if only those doors opened and he had invited me inside. We would have a lot to sit in silence about. The excitement was building.

We waited on the venue steps until they began letting us inside. It all flowed pretty smoothly. We left our phones behind as there were no phones or devices allowed in. If you haven’t heard of Yondr you might be as happy as I was. No Phones Allowed! This alone made the show so extra wonderful. For once - not having to watch people’s stupid cell phones while they recorded the show in front of you was absent. It was like the old days of show going. This idea now of recording every moment makes it awful for everyone around you. Your need to photograph and record every single thing around your life - allows you to be absent from the moment while also ruining the person near you and their own experience. I cannot overstate this enough. It is also ultimately the best for the performer. Dylan didn’t have to watch all those screens staring at him while he tried to focus on his own playing experience. He has said - “we can play, or we can pose”. Just because we can’t record a moment - doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It was beyond fantastic!

So, we were sitting in our seats enjoying talking and taking in the scenery. The Springfield Symphony Hall is a Greek revival architecture building built in 1913. It is known for having “perfect acoustics”. This was indeed our experience. We sat very close to the front. This was a huge gift to me from my husband. Suddenly - the fire alarms went off. We could not believe it. We all had to file out of the building and stand outside on the steps to the front of the massive building. We had already checked in with paper tickets - checked for cell phones - metal detectors. We were treated with humor and kindness which made it fun getting through it all. The folks working that end of the show were fabulous toward us! We waited outside as sirens and multiple firetrucks swarmed in. It was maybe half an hour wait again. We were let back inside again. That went all pretty quickly and we finally settled back into our seats. Those were some Rowdy Ways! It’s true.

I am not really sure how to review a show. I think reviews are something we each take on individually in the moment we are experiencing in our own lives. What is living inside of us. What pain and what joy are we feeling - and the in between. It cannot review this show in any way except to tell you what I was feeling. I cried a bit. I laughed some. My body was warm with the music of Poemsongs. I know Joy Harjo wrote about Poemsongs in the newly to be released book - Bob Dylan:Mixing Up The Medicine. I have always used the word Poemsongs - so I feel in such good company! The music flowed. The band was exceptionally talented and incredibly tight. A music community held together by poems.

The music. I was in the presence of artistic poetics unmatched in this world. I love Bob Dylan and his Ways. The art we love only speaks about who we might be. I was transported in waves over time. His life and words mixed with my own life and memories and words that swirled in the air and in my own heart and mind. It was a stream of melody - words - stanzas - air. Poemsongs floating toward me. I was breathing in Dylan’s very own breath. I think his air just swirled in with imagery of his words and black and white notes on the piano - rhythmically beated out in transported images. I could feel muscle memory remembering all the places I have listened to Dylan’s music and words. His cadence - the scratch - the smooth way he delivers what lives inside of him is just perfect for me. I could listen all day. It is the heartbeat of his words in his voice that holds me. Always. I don’t care what he plays - I am there for it. I want to hear his new stuff. I always want to hear where he is living in the current times. I love all of his music. I don’t need him to play to me what his old ways were. All of his sing/talking - songpoems - sung from that wise heart feels grounding and satisfying - to me. To be carried along by the music was perfect. I liked that he did not stop to converse or introduce songs during the performance except for the end - to introduce his band members. I wasn’t taken out of the experience by songs being introduced or little anecdotes told. Being in a performance without being taken out of just the pure musical performance was a gift we rarely if ever receive in this life. It was like a pure moment being laid down - just that one moment - do with it what we will. The time is still unfolding for me. I just wanted to capture these moments for myself and for you in this brief writing about the time. thank you for all of the Songpoems Bob Dylan. My heart is now filled with his enlivened Ways.

Bob Dylan:Mixing Up The Medicine

Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour

I feel lucky to have Bob Dylan as part of the poetics of my life. Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan performed at a packed Symphony Hall on Sunday evening. Springfield was one of the stops on Dylan’s “Rough and Rowdy Ways” North American tour. Generally regarded as one of the best song-writers ever.

I Contain Multitudes

Today and tomorrow, and yesterday, too
The flowers are dyin' like all things do
Follow me close, I'm going to Balian Bali
I'll lose my mind if you don't come with me
I fuss with my hair, and I fight blood feuds
I contain multitudes

Got a tell-tale heart, like Mr. Poe
Got skeletons in the walls of people you know
I'll drink to the truth and the things we said
I'll drink to the man that shares your bed
I paint landscapes, and I paint nudes
I contain multitudes

Red Cadillac and a black mustache
Rings on my fingers that sparkle and flash
Tell me, what's next? What shall we do?
Half my soul, baby, belongs to you
I relic and I frolic with all the young dudes
I contain multitudes

I'm just like Anne Frank, like Indiana Jones
And them British bad boys, The Rolling Stones
I go right to the edge, I go right to the end
I go right where all things lost are made good again

I sing the songs of experience like William Blake
I have no apologies to make
Everything's flowing all at the same time
I live on the boulevard of crime
I drive fast cars, and I eat fast foods
I contain multitudes

Pink petal-pushers, red blue jeans
All the pretty maids, and all the old queens
All the old queens from all my past lives
I carry four pistols and two large knives
I'm a man of contradictions, I'm a man of many moods
I contain multitudes

You greedy old wolf, I'll show you my heart
But not all of it, only the hateful part
I'll sell you down the river, I'll put a price on your head
What more can I tell you? I sleep with life and death in the same bed

Get lost, madame, get up off my knee
Keep your mouth away from me
I'll keep the path open, the path in my mind
I'll see to it that there's no love left behind
I'll play Beethoven's sonatas, and Chopin's preludes
I contain multitudes

Bob Dylan

vintage

Falls of Bleeding

Pull back from the brink of war - as flames rise higher and higher
A mothers heart aches for her child -
Once a tendril in her bones - watching as might drifts toward need -
Dismantled ideas becomes a resting place for unknowing -
Palms held together - beseech the whales song - breach
Crash toward catastrophe - peril of rage cast toward arisen sunrise -
I kiss your charred cheek - lest you never remember my soft hand -
Uniformed masters find way into any unwelcome dark hiding place -
Hidden from yourself - a young boy knows he likes to dream big -
A fire of rapture engulfs misguided strength - where will you go now -
Hunted become hunted - hostile take down of self exploration -
You meant to wrap the world in ribbons of hope - now a hostage to falls of bleeding -
Lost souls - all of us tramp forward - blindly forgetting -
Your mother - misses you.

~Linden
The Bone Lines

Pile Of My Books

Books. I have too many books. I know, I know there have been questions floating around the online world about this very subject. What is too many for me - might not be too many for you. I have to go through the book elimination process pretty hard core every few years. I do not really like it at all. There is generally a build up to it. There is a feeling first. The feeling is generally - an anxiousness. This feeling tends to originate from a not being able to find a book that I am looking for. I do not like being in that position - however, it does alert me to a piling up of books.

There is a lot written about this topic. It can fall into the camp of hoarding books for some. Bibliomania is a term tossed around which means an extreme preoccupation with collecting books. The Japanese term tsundoko - means basically book piling. Each person can determine what their book collection is and means to them. I know for me - when I cannot find a book or things feel out of sorts around this book collection - it’s time for books to go.

I have books in most rooms of my home. I don’t want this to be the case. As I have gotten older I tend to like a peaceful and calm home. When I have lots of books around - even if they are on shelves - it is distracting. My eyes tend to fall on the titles constantly as I pass by. The words jump out at me. Some books like a huge illustrated Ulysses keeps telling me to get to it. I don’t pick it up. With so many books around in my life, it can become somewhat chaotic in determining which book I want to pick up. I have more non-fiction books than fiction.

I would say that three-quarters of my book collection is non-fiction. I have always leaned this way. I do read other things like biographies, history, political works, women’s studies, poetry, fantasy, gardening, self-growth, seasonal , anthroposophical, philosophy and myth and fairy tales. That is a pretty wide range of works. I like having a bunch of books that I am able to go and pick up to read in the moment. I am not an organized reader typically. I am more of a mood reader unless I am working on a project and need to do research.

So books. The past couple of days have found me sorting through books again. I don’t necessarily want to ditch them. The idea that usually comes up is - my husband needs to build us a library. His carpenter ways would easily allow him to do this. But, do I really want to add on a library room to my house? That seems like a great idea to me. However, it is a lot of work, time and financial strain. The idea of sitting surrounded by walls with shelves of all of my books with a comfy chair feels like a dream really. It reminds me of all of those books I have read about the very reading places that live in books. So, is this a reality or born out of book reading?! I notice the word feeling keeps coming up.

The other thing that comes to mind is if I just give away a large portion of my books it will suddenly feel easier and less burdensome. That seems like a very fast and final solution to this issue of too many books. I mean - build a library? It is more to my liking of having less books and a more serene environment regarding book collections. The idea of being free in a quickly carried out swoop feels like a big relief. So, would that not be the thing to move toward? One would think so.

Still, it is challenging to face your stack of books and determine will this be the day that you finally take another plunge in toward eliminating the weight and burden of too many books? I can feel it marching toward me. It seems like a small thing in the face of all that is going on in this mad world right now. It is a grounding force in my life at the same time. Books offer solace, comfort, learning and some sense of order and peace in my life. It is these mad times that seem to push me toward lightening the collection of books that work at the edges of my thinking.

A need for less. The need for some sort of order when you feel like you can’t make any. A sense of control might be peeking around the edges. Books and book collecting is a strange predilection that some of us have. It seems unnecessary. It is also grand and worth pursuing. If you love books and all that they contain you might understand some of this challenge. The layered meaning of books and holding them and owning them is not easily understood by those that do not tend toward book and book collecting. Being an avid reader is just another interest that one can partake of in life.

Where do I go with this need to lessen my book collection? I think for me it is time to let go of a large amount of my books again. So far, they have been moved out of the main house so that I don’t have to look at them all at once. I will from there begin a big sort and purge and donate plan. I tend to do it quickly. Just pick up the book and look at it and put it in the donate pile. If I am undecided I will set it aside. I am wanting to be large in my letting go. I want more space. I want some freedom from burden of the background noise of the books words calling to me. There are always more books to find in places and suddenly I will have more than I planned on owning. The time will come to let go again. Books are a coming in and a letting go in my life. I see this pattern continuing into future days.

Plant Medicine Making

Swedish Ramparts

Collection gathered with hands and heart open
Seeds, wood, shells, plants - surround with generosity of earth
A hole in a small shell gathered in Maine - mend a place in the heart
If thread is found begin to sew pieces of life back together.
Elevate the best intentions found in resting alchemy -
White pine is a memory carried from another place time -
As medicine melds into conscious carry - lift the last remnants scaled.
Rub two sticks together to create a story that is needed -
Ancient wooden beats are carried into the present -
If a rock skims across your path - remember the words unspoken.
Pieces of your life ask for clarification - rooted in surrounding objects -
Held knowledge is the shape note - do not ignore the riff -
Seasonal rhythm comes slowly by - while you were looking the other way.
I hold you in my arms - the softness like a baby loon -
Swedish ramparts were never this loud - ship holding all of you steady -
We rock - sideways the water splashes across the bow -
Sinking ships - when will the saving begin?

A Tea Witch’s Grimoire by S.M.Harlow

Sipping Nature's Elixir: Herbal Tea as Your Plant Medicine for Health

Introduction: In a world that's constantly buzzing with the latest health trends and superfoods, there's one age-old remedy that has withstood the test of time—herbal tea. Beyond its comforting warmth and delightful flavors, herbal tea serves as a powerhouse of plant medicine, offering a holistic approach to well-being. Let's dive into the world of herbal teas and uncover the secret elixirs that nature has tucked away in its leaves, blossoms, and roots.

The Garden of Health: Imagine a garden where every leaf and petal is a potential remedy for your ailments. Herbal teas are crafted from a myriad of plants, each possessing unique properties that can address specific health concerns. From calming chamomile to invigorating peppermint, nature has provided us with a pharmacy in its greenery.

Healing Brews: Herbal teas aren't just warm beverages; they are healing brews that can soothe, rejuvenate, and restore balance to your body and mind. Take, for instance, the floral marvel, hibiscus tea, renowned for its ability to lower blood pressure and boost heart health. Or the earthy echinacea tea, a warrior against colds and flu, strengthening your immune system naturally.

Stress-Relief in a Cup: In the hustle and bustle of modern life, stress has become a constant companion. Enter herbal teas like lavender and passionflower, offering not only a fragrant escape from reality but also powerful stress-relief properties. Picture yourself sipping a cup of lavender-infused bliss, letting the soothing aroma transport you to a tranquil oasis.

Digestive Harmony: Tired of feeling bloated and sluggish? Herbal teas like ginger and peppermint are your digestive allies. Ginger tea aids in digestion and alleviates nausea, while peppermint tea can calm an upset stomach. It's like a gentle massage for your digestive system, helping it find its natural rhythm.

A Symphony of Flavors: One of the most enchanting aspects of herbal teas is the symphony of flavors they bring to your cup. From the sweet notes of chamomile to the robust tones of dandelion root, each sip is a journey through the diverse and delightful palette of nature. Say goodbye to artificial flavors and embrace the authentic taste of health.

Herbal tea is more than just a beverage; it's a celebration of nature's healing touch. As you embark on your tea journey, remember that the power to enhance your well-being lies within the leaves, flowers, and roots of these plant medicines. So, brew a cup, savor the flavors, and let the magic of herbal tea weave its holistic spell on your health. Cheers to a sip-worthy, healthy life!

Tea

Here are some Recipes for you to try:
Heartache Relief Elixir:

When you might experience those moments when heartache feels like an unwelcome guest - the simple ritual of making a cup of tea can bring a sense of grounding. In times of emotional turbulence, herbal teas can offer solace and comfort, gently guiding you back to a place of tranquility. While it is not an immediate remedy - a consistent effort toward herbal tea making - over time - will bring a lifting up. Here's a heartache relief elixir - crafted from nature's embrace:

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of dried rose petals: Symbolizing love and compassion, rose petals bring a touch of sweetness to your cup while soothing the emotional heart.

• 1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender buds: Known for its calming properties, lavender helps ease tension and promotes relaxation, creating a gentle haven for your emotions.

• 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers: With its mild, apple-like flavor, chamomile adds a comforting warmth to the blend and aids in relaxation.

• 1 slice of fresh ginger: To infuse a hint of spice and warmth, ginger brings a subtle kick while supporting digestion—both physically and emotionally.

• Honey to taste: Sweetness to uplift your spirits; honey adds a touch of natural sweetness to your elixir.

Instructions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.

2. Add the rose petals, lavender buds, chamomile flowers, and ginger slice to the boiling water.

3. Let the herbs steep for about 5-7 minutes, allowing their essence to infuse into the water.

4. Strain the mixture into your favorite mug, discarding the used herbs.

5. Add honey to taste - if desired - stirring gently to blend the flavors.

6. Find a quiet, cozy spot, cradle your cup in your hands, and take slow, deliberate sips. Allow the warmth and soothing properties of the herbs to envelop you.

This heartache relief elixir is more than a drink; it's a ritual of self-care and healing. As the aroma of rose, lavender, and chamomile fills the air, let the blend embrace you like a gentle hug, providing comfort and easing the ache in your heart. Remember, healing takes time, and this elixir is your ally in the journey toward emotional well-being.

Winter Tea

Winter Calm Destress Elixir:

The winter holidays, with their bustling festivities and joyful chaos, can sometimes leave us feeling a bit overwhelmed. Amid the twinkling lights and cheerful tunes, finding a moment of calm becomes essential. The Winter Calm Destress Elixir—a herbal tea blend designed to bring tranquility to your holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cinnamon stick: A winter favorite, cinnamon adds a warm, comforting flavor to your tea while promoting relaxation.

• 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves: Known for its refreshing and invigorating properties, peppermint brings a crisp, cool element to balance the warmth of the cinnamon.

• 1/2 teaspoon of dried lemon balm: With its citrusy and mild flavor, lemon balm acts as a natural mood enhancer, lifting your spirits during the holiday hustle.

• 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers: Chamomile, a timeless relaxant, adds a gentle touch to soothe your nerves and promote relaxation.

• Orange peel (optional): For a burst of citrusy aroma and flavor, add a few strips of dried orange peel to the mix.

• Honey or maple syrup to taste.

Instructions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.

2. Add the cinnamon stick, dried peppermint leaves, lemon balm, chamomile flowers, and optional orange peel to the boiling water.

3. Allow the herbs to steep for 7-10 minutes, letting the rich flavors meld together.

4. Remove the cinnamon stick and strain the mixture into your favorite holiday mug.

5. Sweeten your elixir with honey or maple syrup, adjusting to your preferred level of sweetness.

6. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, find a quiet corner by the fireplace, and quietly savor the moment as you sip this Winter Calm Destress Elixir.

As the aromatic blend of cinnamon, peppermint, and chamomile envelops you, let the holiday stress melt away. This tea is a step toward a peaceful pause amidst the festivities —a gentle reminder to savor the magic of the season and find serenity in the simple joys. Gentle tending to a winter filled with calm in these times.

Serenity Infusion:

For those moments when you crave pure tranquility and a break from the ordinary, a calming herbal infusion might be what you need. The Serenity Infusion is a delightful blend of herbs that will transport you to a state of blissful calmness.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of dried lavender buds: Lavender, renowned for its calming properties, takes center stage in this infusion, creating a soothing and aromatic base.

• 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers: Chamomile, with its mild and apple-like flavor, complements the lavender, enhancing the overall calming effect.

• 1 teaspoon of dried lemon verbena: Adding a touch of citrusy brightness, lemon verbena brings a refreshing twist to the infusion.

• 1 teaspoon of dried passionflower: Known for its anxiety-reducing properties, passionflower contributes a layer of tranquility to the blend.

• 1 teaspoon of dried skullcap: A gentle herb that promotes relaxation, skullcap adds depth to the infusion, encouraging a sense of calm.

• Optional: A slice of fresh ginger for a subtle warmth.

Instructions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a pot.

2. Add the dried lavender buds, chamomile flowers, lemon verbena, passionflower, and optional ginger to the boiling water.

3. Allow the herbs to steep for 8-10 minutes, allowing their essence to fully infuse into the water.

4. Strain the mixture into a teapot or your favorite infusion vessel, separating the liquid from the used herbs.

5. Find a serene spot, perhaps near a window with soft natural light, and pour yourself a cup of the Serenity Infusion.

6. Take a moment to inhale the calming aroma and savor each sip, letting the gentle dance of herbs transport you to a state of peaceful serenity.

This Serenity Infusion is your invitation to unwind and embrace tranquility. Whether enjoyed in the morning as a mindful start to your day or in the evening as a prelude to a restful night, let this calming herbal infusion be your companion on the journey to inner peace.

Wild Tea

As you embark on your journey into the world of herbal teas, it's essential to have a guide that unlocks the secrets of nature's healing elixirs. Here's a curated list of herbal books that will turn your tea-making endeavors into a delightful and knowledgeable exploration:

1. The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook by James Green: James Green takes you on a comprehensive journey into the art of herbalism, including detailed insights into crafting medicinal teas. Learn the art of blending herbs and discover the magic of creating your own healing infusions.

2. Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide by Rosemary Gladstar: Rosemary Gladstar, a renowned herbalist, shares her wisdom on the benefits of medicinal herbs, including those perfect for crafting health-enhancing teas. This beginner-friendly guide is a treasure trove of herbal knowledge.

3. The Tea Book" by Linda Gaylard: While not exclusively focused on medicinal teas, this book is a comprehensive guide to the world of tea. Explore different tea varieties, brewing techniques, and the art of blending to elevate your tea-making skills.

4. The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal by David Hoffmann: Dive deep into the holistic approach to herbalism with David Hoffmann's richly illustrated guide. Discover the medicinal properties of herbs and how they can be harnessed to create healing teas that cater to various health needs.

5. Healing Herbal Teas by Sarah Farr: a delightful blend of herbal wisdom and practical recipes. From stress-relief to immune-boosting concoctions, this book provides a diverse array of herbal tea recipes for different purposes.

6. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne: This guide delves into the art of making herbal medicines, including teas. Gain a deeper understanding of herbal preparations and empower yourself to create personalized herbal remedies tailored to your health goals.

Armed with these books, your tea-making journey will transform into an herbal adventure. From understanding the properties of medicinal herbs to crafting your own blends, these reads will elevate your appreciation for the art and science of herbal teas. There are so many more books - these will get you started. Happy reading and brewing!

Wildwood Apothecary video: Making Nourishing Herbal Infusions

The Healing Garden

This information is for educational purposes only. Please see your health care provider for any support you might need.

In Biography work there are many artistic exercises we can do with clients - as Biography Workers. Artistic work allows us to open our inner imaginal realm to help us to access the internal places that we are not typically in touch with in our every day life. Biography work is a way to work with one another in a listening and present way. Ideally - one can work with someone in sharing this exercise and impressions sensed after it is complete. However - it is safe to use this exercise alone in a safe way. Do not go into areas you do not feel comfortable with or are equipped to take on when you are alone. Use this as a way to gain inner knowing about yourself. It is up to you to know what you are capable of handling.

*Please only proceed with working with this image if you feel safe and comfortable and ready to examine some of the quiet corners in your imagination. Read through the exercise before beginning so that you are aware of what the framework is. If you are struggling in any way - know your support persons to contact if you find that you have come across uncomfortable territory.

Artistic Exercise: Gaze at the image of this painting - Ginevra de' Benci , c. 1474/1478 - by Leonardo da Vinci. Take a few minutes and take in what you are seeing. Have a pen and paper at hand. Do not write down your impressions straight away. Continue looking for up to 5 minutes. Of course if you would like to take more time, please do so. The exercise if just for you alone.

When you feel ready - begin to write down your visual impressions. What are you seeing here? Describe the painting - clothing, her facial countenance, the scenery, the colors, the senses that awaken in you. After you have looked in detail at the image and written down all that you feel that you see - next we move on to impressions. What are the sense impressions you have of this image? Write down what your senses are seeing and feeling. Does it remind you of something from long ago in your life or perhaps in your current life? Is this something you want to explore in your writing? Only go as far as you are comfortable. Stop anytime that you need to.

Exploring an image in this way - an awakening to parts of our lives can be discovered. This can be a deeply meaningful experience. Often times - suddenly a memory - an image - an experience is recalled. We don’t know where this has come from. Follow the threads of your writing and thinking for up to ten minutes. Of course take more time if you would like. Do not be too careful with your writing. Write what comes to mind without editing it. After you are complete with your writing - put the pen down and look away from your writing. You might look at the image again.

Feelings may arise. You can notice these and let them wash away. This exercise is to awaken to yourself a bit more. Allow yourself to begin to explore in a free and simple way - just noticing. In this way it is somewhat like a meditation. It can be a rich feeling to enter into this exercise - in full control of your senses and body - and have a deep inner sensing and knowing come to you. What have you discovered? Read back over your words. Look at the image again. Express any residual feelings with your writing or speak them out loud to the room.

This tool is a helpful process to begin to examine our own inner lives. Keeping a journal allows you to examine your thoughts and words over time. If you are working with a kind helper - you many want to share some of these insights with them. Know that you can be in control of your own exploration. Tend and Listen to Yourself.

““Now I become myself. It’s taken time, many years and places.””

— May Sarton