The Artwork of Life
by Michelle Marquis
What if we could experience life as the exquisite work of art that it is? So many shapes and colors and concepts fitting together in the most unexpected ways. A collage beyond our wildest imaginations! All those pieces of the puzzle that we’ve tried, with so much concern and heartache, to make fit suddenly fall into spaces we never knew existed. What if our presence in this moment is all that is required to create this experience? A moment without surrender to past or future.
We work so hard to put meaning into life and all of its happenings. We place our attention on questions such as “What does this mean?” and “How does this fit?”. Fascinating questions for a human mind! Sometimes we get answers and then continue on our way. Other times confusion and frustration set in, requiring progressively more of our attention. We are hooked and the questions only grow louder and louder.
The mind is not equipped to deal with such questions at the depth we desire. It is only in the release of the questions that we free ourselves from the hook. A humble admittance that we just don’t know. With a deep sigh of relief, attention is recovered. In this moment of silence the heart can be heard. It had been speaking all along, but could not compete with the volume of the mind. It speaks not in words but in awe, in beauty, in light, in connection. Pure. Indescribable. Unknown. It is here that the questions no longer matter and life is experienced as the amazing work of art that it is.
Where will you choose to place your attention in this moment? In the comfort of confusion or the freedom of the unknowable?
Some suggestions for returning to this moment:
- Place your attention on your breath. Take 3 deep breaths and then feel your breathing relax.
- Play with a four-legged or simply watch one sleep.
- Sit with a flower and fill yourself with gratitude for the reflection of beauty that it is.
- Experience music that touches you.