A Healing Journey . . .

The wound is the place where the light enters you." - Rumi

A Healing Journey - an original mixed media collage art that represents a significant part of my personal story.

What does this collage art have to do with my blog and my handmade jewelry? For me this work is an essential part of who I am, my work and my creative passion. 

I don’t remember exactly what triggered it, but I was inspired many months ago to do a piece like this somehow, someway. So I immediately went about collecting and copying some photos, made a few notes about size, color and composition, and then I put it all in a folder and set it aside for whenever . . .

Coincidently, I came across the folder as I was looking for something else and lo and behold decided to begin working on it just a few weeks before Mother’s Day. It didn’t even dawn on me until I was putting the finishing touches on it the eve of Mother’s Day that I had serendipitously created this work to be completed in time for Mother’s Day to celebrate, honor, and continue to my healing process in recognizing that my story, my mother’s and grandmothers’ stories are significantly connected through time and space; and are relevant and necessary for me to realize who I truly am and who I am meant to be.

Initially, I was very happy with how the art emerged and was kind of excited about the thought of sharing right away by immediately writing and posting about it - and talk about perfect timing! But somehow I just couldn’t do it. I wasn’t confident that I would be able to do so with a light heart and an open mind; that it would be hard, so many memories, too emotional a story - as it touches me deeply.

I call it A Healing Journey because here I see three generations of women - mother, daughter, grandmothers who carry a thread through time and space, each on a journey of their own that connects in ways I don’t fully understand. I wanted to try and see clearly; to embrace it as my own.

We've all been shaped by our ancestry, especially our female heritage through their pain, courage, strength, joy, sensitivity, and literally their life's blood. We carry it with us consciously and subconsciously every moment of every day our entire lives.

For some of us it can be hard sometimes to not feel like a victim as we acknowledge and try to come to terms our childhood traumas, dysfunctional relationships, situations of abuse over time, often thinking that we’ll never be okay; that we’re irreparably broken.

Weeks have passed and I find myself in love with this representation of my relationship with my mother and my healing journey. In a few moments of courage I’ve chosen to share it openly and honestly. It’s hanging on a wall in my bedroom adjacent to my bed where I sit to say my evening prayers and it reminds that it’s good to revisit past lives from time to time, but choose to do so with love and respect. It’s part of my story; where my creativity began and how it continues to evolve and grow as I embrace my life now with grace and gratitude. It's a gift!

Maybe you have a similar story; I think we all do to some degree or another. Let’s choose  to see it for what it truly is; it’s a part of who we are. It can make us or break us - it’s always our choice.

I hope this inspires you to love yourself more. 

With timeless jewelry - and art that’s always in fashion,

Warm regards,

Suzanne