Opening/closing

An imperfect analogy, but one that reminds me to keep going

flower from beginning of October 2019

Hello, I’m guessing you've been processing a lot lately.

I imagine you've been processing, for what feels like months on end. I'm guessing you've got so much going on in your life, juggling family, and commitments, and work, the desire to be a creative being… And the world is full of suffering. 

I don’t have any particular answers. But I do know some of the people I speak to have questions and concerns about how they stay open in a world that demands so much of us on a daily basis — and that's only speaking in terms of things we need to process.

Again, I don’t have any particular answers. But one of the images I offer is that of a flower; that opens, and closes.

This flower cannot be open at all times to everything in its environment. It cannot stay open to everything. Equally, it cannot stay closed forever. It must be open to absorb, and it must be able to close, in order to rest, protect, and integrate.

I know this analogy isn’t perfect. I think of creatures and mechanisms in nature that act as valves. Organisms and cells that allow us to absorb and be open to the environment, whilst also closing when we need time to process and filter.

Sometimes our valves get stuck. They stay open, or closed, for too long. This often happens under conditions of prolonged stress. And people are stressed right now, for many different reasons.

I’m not saying to close off to everything in the world. We can't afford to do that. But it is also in overwhelm that we get stuck.

If you suspect you need to turn away, for a moment, trust yourself that you can open again. And if you suspect you have been closed for too long, make the courageous decision to open up again.

Being stuck, and hardened, will often prolong the discomfort. Forcing isn’t always the answer, but you do need to keep asking. Keep inviting yourself, to move into movement.

What you do when you are open is not up to me, or anyone else. But I suspect in your openness, you will be honest. And that is certainly one place to start.

💛 Kathryn

PS. If you’re thinking of working with me and would like a gentle chat about it, do let me know :) I offer free sessions for us to get to know each other, and discuss what you want to get done in your work and what you want to create. You can always reply to me directly or book a conversation in here.