PHOTO: ANNA RISTUCCIA
“…the need to express who we are is archetypal; that is both necessary and timeless. And expressing who we are is less about describing ourselves than it is about letting who we are out in a regular rhythm that is an imperative as breathing.
“It is this exchange or flow of who we are- in and out- that keeps us connected to all that is living.
“Just as we must inhale and exhale hundreds of times a day, we must feel and express constantly. When out of balance we suffer….”
“Ultimately, expressing who we are has a physics all its own. More than being understood, it is about not hiding our basic nature.
“Essentially, the life of expression is the ongoing journey of how we heal each other… for by telling our stories and listening to the stories of others, we let out who we are and find ourselves in each other, and find that we are more together than alone.”
~Mark Nepo from The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life
Comments
19 responses to “The need to express who we are is archetypal~”
Ohh thankyou this is just what I needed to hear right now! Been caught up questioning a life devoted to Art in a world fraught with environmental destruction/corporate takeover/techno mind control whole host of other issues. And even with all these hands on issues calling out to be dealt with directly still could not fight the urge to dance with the archetypes bring their colours to life and get as close to the mystery as possible. Oh this is so true!
“LIPUTIN: We must think of the most urgent first. The most urgent need is for everyone to be able to eat. Books, art galleries, theatres are for later on, later on… a pair of shoes is worth more than Shakespeare. STEPHAN: Oh, I can’t admit this. No, no my good friend, immortal genius shines over all mankind. Let everyone go barefoot and long live Shakespeare. …”
As with always the archetypes and the great mystery shine on! <3 <3 <3
I’ve been struggling with this same issue Madeleine! Save Art.
Agreed! :) it’s a rough road of chaos surrounding us! I love this site and all the real people who appreciate it the same sharing your thoughts here! Thank you Mad-
Madeleine….Oh YES! I Just LOVE Your Assessment! I Too, Am An Artist, And I Weep At The Destruction And Unmindful Corporate Greed Over The Good Of Our Precious Mother Earth! Thank You For Your Post!!!
I’ve given up; I will never be who or what I wanted, athlete, friend, lover, pretty etc. For 50yrs I have failed so now I accept I am nothing special, invisible, just waiting for it to be over.
I see others pretending & pushing themselves onto others, the wanting, the need to be noticed or belong.
Waste of time & energy
Hang in there! The fact that you are here now, in this dialogue is meaning full!
Read into it more…. It is normal to feel the swings!
It’s our human conditions!
Dear Sue…
It is a waste of time and energy to focus on being what you want if what you want is a specific idea of an extraordinary athlete, a flawless friend, a perfect lover, a stunning beauty.
What if you wanted something else, really? What if behind all of that stuff was just the desire to connect? To be loved and to love? To move your body and to make art?
If that was true, there’s no need to give up. You can connect, love and be loved, move your body and make art at any age. It does require dropping notions of what these things ‘should’ look like. That’s ego’s trip-up. Perfectionism kills attempts at goodness, because we think if we cannot be perfect we should not even try.
I’ve come to believe the trying for love is what’s important. The door is not closed to you for that. It’ll be open forever. A story of a 50 year old moving towards living with love is every bit as beautiful as a 20 year old appreciated for physical attributes or talent.
Believe your story is beautiful. If you do, others can. If others can, the world can be transformed.
Please don’t give up, Sue. Wishing you the best.
Beautiful! Felt as I was being spoken too as well blessings to YOU BOTH!! I can empathize sue and sending you a GIANT HUG -if you read this
Fiona…
Your Healing Letter To Sue, Is Just Beautiful…And I Just Want To Acknowledge Your Awesome Compassion, And Loving Heart!
As Fellow Humans, On This Journey In Life…It Is Natural To Have Feelings Of Sadness…Fleeting Moments Of Despair…And Negative Emotions…But…I Believe That’s Where Our Hearts Come Into Play…Helping Others With Kindness And Acts Of Love And Light…Just Saying…Your Words To Sue…Are Wondrous Acts Of Love…Thank You!
Oh my, Sue. Are you still alive? That was a suicidal post. “Given up” and “just waiting for it to be over”.
You need help. Of course others must have told you this. Email me if you want to.
It is not a choice between pretending and failing.
Do good to be good. Aristotle said put on the clothes of a virtue to have that virtue.
LCSartori@comcast.net
Just found your note today.
I hope you are still breathing.
Linda…I Too Am Concerned About Sue…
Thank You For Reaching Out To Her…
Even Though…I’m Just Reading This Post…April 2016…
I’m So Grateful That There Are Individuals Who Are Willing To
Step Up…And Help! Many Blessings, To You!
Hi Sue, here’s to authentic self-expression….your words resonate. No more need to pretend and strive to be noticed or belong. I am no-thing. No need for descriptions just expression.
First I want to reply to Sue-Nov.20. Please don’t give up. I have had to come to terms with a Narcissitic mother this fall. I have been reading & learning about this condition which is helping me to deal with her. Of course this all hurts but I am learning that what she is has nothing to do with me. The teachings & posts of MysticMamma have also been a great deal of help to me. Thank you for all your help.
I think this is so beautifully said and an insightful connection between our need to be heard and our need to heal. It’s not the usual connection we would make between the 2 but now that I read it, it makes so much sense and gives me a sense of peace to know that my instinctual need to express myself can have a positive effect for myself and others. Thank u for this wisdom
blessings to all” I’m on a new path everything is new to me I am learning. I’ve been a serious seeker, seeking all the knowledge I can about everything.I’m just finding out about myself I never dreamed I would come down this path and now finding out this path was my destiny.I have a mind blowing reality finding out I have a relationship with the cosmos.my life has jumped from being miserable from disappointments,struggles and heartache. I came down this road stumbling,eyes glued shut from many tears hurt and lost.I am on my own DESPERATELY seeking answers. I would be totally lost if it wasn’t for the great ones guide.the angels wish to communicate with me, I need to learn how to communicate with them.there r signs and symbols I need to see and read,wanna learn how,I wish to learn all my heart and mind can take in.my past is no more I have let go,the future will be much brighter, I shall be much stronger and more wiser.THANK you for letting me express myself for I never was able to free myself because either no one would listen, or I would be rudely cut off or hushed up so I end up suppressing how I really feel over and over which made me hurt inside.it feels good to speak the mind and heart.I’m looking forward to growing and to be on the same page with such a gifted spiritual new found family. With all love.
How wonderful, Gwendolyn – good luck to you.
Gwen – it’s as if you took the words right out of my mouth!! If you ever see my comment PLEASE feel free to email me if you feel like talking with someone who gets it and is struggling to do the same :-/ – I understand all to well “STUCK” and all the nasty with it, and urge to move fwd and ITS TOUGH!! Bless U! Hard to find those real enough wanting same life path…..
Crys-
graceisfree4me@gmail.com
Gwendolyn…
Wow! AWESOMENESS! Your Message, Blew Me Away!
It’s As Though…The LIGHTS Came On…And You’ve Finally Found Your
Way! There Are So Many Sources And Resources Out There…Here!
That Can Assist You, In Your New Found Journey! Angels…Included!
Once The Doors Have Been Opened…The Light Seems To Flow In For You!
Ask And Ye Shall Receive…Knock And The Door Shall Be Opened! Indeed!
My Utmost JOY….Flows Into Your Life! Keep On Keepin’ On!
Sending You Bunches Of Love!
It is so beautiful to read such encouraging thoughts from so many people on these replies. Just lovely! Much love.