We all go through challenges and I’ve been going through such a phase lately. The usual inner conflict we may all be able to relate to which has led to a block in my perspective, lots of confusion and turmoil. And the worst part is that it’s been a constant pondering about me, me, me and my little world. That is probably the most difficult trap to get out of, isn’t it?!
In an almost desperate attempt to break out of this phase, I decided to focus on cultivating gratitude. In moments like this though, it is so difficult to think of things we’re grateful for! I mean we’ve been given so much… soooo much! But it all seems to go out of the window, door or whatever means it can find to escape! So in my stubborn perseverance I set my morning alarm tone to a very sweet song I love called “Thank You God” by Swami Kriyananda.
The lyrics start with something like “Thank you God for the light of the sun, Thank You God for the Rainbow…” And so it goes. And somehow every time I heard “Thank you for the rainbow”, I would wake up. The way he says it is just so sweet and touches my heart every time. So I thought through my art process this week – let me find my rainbow. But my rainbow didn’t emerge. Everything on the inside looked just as cloudy as the monsoon weather outside. With low energy I brought myself to show up to the art sessions at a school I’m spending time at for a few weeks. As I sat with a few 1st Graders doing their drawings, there were 3 little girls who were tuning into the same idea – they each had a little girl as the focus, some clouds, raindrops and some grass. The drawings were colorful, bright, with their own uniqueness coming through.
(Her Work)
And all of a sudden one of the little girls next to me said “Hey! I’m going to add a rainbow”. And over the rain drops emerged her rainbow! She only put four colors though and when I mentioned to her you know a rainbow usually has seven colors, she promptly answered – “Ya I know, but I have other places I need to be soon as we’re almost out of time with this class and this is all I can manage”. 🙂 And there was my rainbow! The spirit through that little girl brought out my rainbow today – it doesn’t have to be perfect or even complete, and maybe it emerges over the raindrops falling, but it can still come through!
I read this quote of Helen Keller today that I wanted to share – “So much has been given to me, I have not time to ponder over that which has been denied.” Pondering over all this a little more as I started to get my spirit of gratitude back, I realized how much I have to be grateful for. So much light, so many colors have emerged and become a part of my being over the recent years. And they never go away – they are a part of my true self. And I am just too blessed to not be able to see that! In moments when we’re feeling blocked or stuck in our limited selves and focusing on what we don’t have, it may help us to look for our little streaks of the rainbow – ever ready to emerge through the darkness and bring us back to our joyful spirit.
What a delightful and spontaneous outburst of self-realisation!
So, does it matter how many colours you see or which sequence you see the colours in?
Thank you 🙂 Oh!!! Does it?! I think based on the spirit of this little girl absolutely not!!! As adults we can tend to have so many logical and over thinking “hang ups”, isn’t it! 🙂 Maybe that’s when we can learn the most from children! 😀
This is beautiful! The little girl brought back memories of when I, as a child..in my own imagination, had painted a kite flying in a sky that was half blue and half pink…alas the teacher was not as supportive or understanding and I was humiliated in front of a class of 40 and told what a poor artist I am! That sort of kept me off art forever till recently your workshop finally dissolved the mindblock!
We don’t have to be perfect at everything…so much sweeter it is to be honest and true to ourselves and to others!
And while you are working on your gratitude list, let me tell you that there are many who are grateful to you in small and big ways! Count me as one of them! :))
Awww what a lovely comment, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!! I’m super grateful for you Subha!!! Indeed, just working with ourselves in a sincere honest way is so much sweeter and more satisfying!!! 😉 <3
Wow this is just beautiful ! You will not believe it but I have been thinking of Rainbows for the past few days !!
It feels as if someone magically heard my heart and has whispered to me exactly what I needed to hear.. without even knowing I was seeking this perspective in a dilemma I am been facing.
I really love the truth and simplicity with which you have expressed the idea of finding our own rainbow 🙂
Thankyou so much for reminding us all of the rainbows that we may not always be able to see but are most definitely there! ????
What a beautiful comment Neha! 🙂 Thank you! Yes, so much is all around us – right there and we miss a lot many times just because we are not aware, isn’t it?!! 🙂 Lovely to hear from you!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience so sincerely & honestly. The way the Universe has connected with you enabling you to get reminded of all that we need to be grateful for in life, is such a powerful reminder & inspiration to those who read your expression. Would love to attend one of your art workshops & thereby get better connected to the real me. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you so much, indeed it’s wonderful how we all get such reminders 🙂 And help comes from unexpected sources, doesn’t it! <3
What a wonderful sharing. The rainbow was sent through the little hands of your sweet students. Thank you Shamini for the invaluable work you do in helping people to re-discover their own creative joy.
Thank you so much for all you do Dana!!!! <3 and for your constant support and encouragement 🙂