So this got me writing a blog this morning…
Today my favourite calendar arrived, a month late because I didn’t order it in time and was wondering whether to have a change this year. Every Christmas for the last few years I’ve bought 2 Rob Ryan Calendars, one for my daughter and one for me. She fell in love with Rob’s work before I did and when she often says I follow her ideas she’s right because she has good taste! Rob’s work is beautiful so if you don’t know it do have a look. You can see the image for February below and if you’re unsure if you were born out of love you’re not alone. I love the humour in this image along with the seriousness. On the calendar part I noticed that today IS the real life Groundhog Day!
Groundhog Day is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2nd. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a Groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; but if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
It’s also the name of a film in which a cynical TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again when he goes on location to the small town of Punxsutawney to film a report about their annual Groundhog Day. His predicament drives him to distraction, until he sees a way of turning the situation to his advantage. It’s an entertaining film.
So a moment ago it was sunny and now it’s cloudy so I’m not sure what that means about Spring coming but the information in the film summary made me think.
Today I started yoga again after a few weeks break, it always makes me feel better yet there’s still resistance within me. Why? Do you have similar blocks that stop you from doing what’s good for you? Lockdown has given me the opportunity to slow down which has been a good thing for me and to a large extent I’ve found comfort in the routine’s we’ve embraced in our home. In fact I’ve become a bit rigid, “no I am NOT doing any laundry today because today is NOT laundry day etc etc”, there’s security in familiarity yet a conflict between regularity and spontaneity. I think it’s all about balance.
So is there a way we can turn these days that feel all the same to some positive end? I think so. I know for many it’s really stressful and exhausting, medics, teachers, all the other essential workers that are oblivious to languid lockdown life. It’s impossible to write about it without acknowledging the disconnect between my life and others. I’ve decided my challenge to myself is to embrace the Groundhogedness and use the time I have to cement a routine that helps me be a person that can be the best in this situation and not just for me. I discovered an organisation called https://www.actionforhappiness.org/ this morning through a post on instagram. There’s a calendar (yes another one) you can download with prompts to be a good friend and make a difference to others called Friendly February. I really like that! So as well as my https://www.yogawithadriene/ (if you need a nurturing yoga boost she is wonderful, you can find her on youtube) calendar and being part of https://www.the100dayproject/ my intention for this month is to keep going back to the same beneficial activities and to share some love too.
Last week in The Connected Artist Group I’m part of we were given a journal prompt to think about what difference our Art makes in the world, I’m still thinking about that and at times I feel it can all sound so hedonistic to spend so much time on myself and my inner world and outer creativity. However, I do know that the more content we are, the more able we are to encourage others. There’s a quote by Sandra D Wilson “Hurt people Hurt people” which is really true. I’m relinquishing my Art Therapy Practice soon but its obvious that hat is on to stay to a large extent as I am still so interested in how we all function together in our lives.
A while ago during my Systemic Family Therapy training I learnt about the power of paradox, a case study was shared with us whereby a couple that were locked into daily arguing were instructed by their Therapist to find a time each day specifically to have their argument! It sounds odd, some therapy really is but guess what?
Paradoxically when they decided to find a time to truly concentrate on their differences it took the power out of their conflicts, renewed their sense of humour and was a real turning point in their relationship.
Creatively for me there’s a fine line between conscious and unconscious intention; yesterday I was joking with a friend about my 100dayproject #ephemerallymine (you can follow the hashtag on instagram). My project is concerned with responding creatively to the banal details I notice each day and suddenly what came naturally to me before, felt like a formulaic effort! Something else to challenge me. The best paintings I make are when I lose myself in the process. Maggie Hambling the Artist talks about how paintings paint themselves and how the artist is the vehicle of channel. For me the challenge lies in not getting in the way of myself, (I feel like I’ve written this before but it might just be deja vu, it totally resonates with me anyway).
So many interesting things to think about, thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your responses and find out how you’v been managing the Groundhog Days.
If you’d like to get my monthly newsletter and A Moem a Month on a Monday (a new poem by me) please sign up via my website https://www.traceyelizabethdowning.com and if you’d like a Rob Ryan Calendar of you own you can get one via the organisation that sends all things everywhere. I’d love to buy a real print but for now my purse can only stretch to a calendar.
Tracey x
February 2021 image from Rob Ryan’s Calendar