Miracles in the Mundane

Hello!

I am writting from the parking lot of Dick Blick. Waiting for the art supply store to open. I am curry contemplating the miracle of the mundane. Like in this mundane moment of waiting can I find the miracle? The miracle in this instance is the awareness of the question. What a nugget. Like here I am noticing the quality of what this moment is AND the possibility gets exposed as I get curious about the reality of the present moment.

When is the last time you were bored? Do you even recall? If you can recall, do you remember if you could tolerate it? What is the tendency when you realize you are bored? Is there a surrender or a distraction?

Two days ago I was at my studio. So much of my time at my studio calls for stillness. Creativity is born out of “boredom “. I put the word in quotes because I don’t think I would define it as most would. I’m inviting it in. It is an uncomfortable orientation at first. But then I say, ahhhh, here we are, inside of the realm of boredom…what am I noticing? I look out my window and notice a blank cylinder blocked wall in the most mundane of colors and a very long weed that most people may deem ugly…the weed is moving by the wind…as I sit with it I am moved to tears. This is a beautiful moment. I am grateful for this moment of watching the world around me. This is inspiring.

So, from that one moment in time, I have a desire to paint in a more simplistic way. Celebrate one or two colors at a time. Celebrate the nature of acrylic paint and its textures. That’s the miracle of the mundane.

I wrote on my white board:

“Orient yourself to the beauty in every situation, even if it’s hidden. Don’t force. Ask to the beauty to be revealed.From a place of inquiry you will be able to grasp the creative genius of what is.’

The above was obviously a channeling of sorts. I don’t naturally think in this way. It takes slowing down to the level of surrender. Allowing the highest self within to talk.

Why does the world want us to speed up? This is a question I ponder when I experience the miracles of the mundane. I acknowledge the wisdom of being human and a part of nature. I hear the call of the wild. The wilderness within. We are not machines. We are not computers. We need to be much slower than that.

Tell me. Have you the capacity to slow down and be with boredom to such an extent that you can find the miracle in the mundane? Please share it with me.

Love u,

L E S L I E