The power of pausing
What I remember about this drawing is that it is one of the first ones of my project. I LOVE the beginning of a new project, because everything is so open and free - it’s like the mind hasn’t yet had a chance to take over and build expectations, and things flow in a way that is really free (and often hard to re-create on demand). It makes me think of the concept of the ‘beginner’s mind’. That state or feeling that is unhindered by expectations and overthinking. It does feel like a place where actions flow more freely from the heart or the spirit or whatever you call THAT place.
The agapanthus used to grow everywhere in our garden. It feels like a plant that is commonly used in landscaping, at least here in the Bay Area, and these plants self propagate so each year there would be more than the previous year. So it didn’t feel like a particularly special plant in our garden.
But in the early stages of this drawing practice, ALL plants growing in our yard took on a new existence - they were all miracles in their potential to inspire new drawings and discover new wisdom. So in many ways, I was “seeing” this plant from a new perspective and in the process I realized how special it really is.
I think what really stuck out for me when drawing this plant, was that each of the flowers on a single stem exist in different states of blooming - from small buds, to large ones about to burst, from half blooms to full ones, to even ones that had faded away and not yet fallen off. The plant as a whole was made up of all those different stages of life at once, simultaneously. Was the plant budding? or blooming? or fading? It’s like all of time was captured in a single stem which is what prompted me to wonder how much we don’t really notice even when we see something every day.
The plant seemed to be a reminder of how much there is to appreciate and learn when we are willing to change perspectives and really start to see something in a new way.
TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE THEME
EPISODE 13 - SEASON 1
The name agapanthus is derived from the Greek word agapē which means brotherly love. When we pause to notice, we are creating space for what we value.
As the poet Mary Oliver wrote,
“Attention is the beginning of devotion.”
We have a choice as to what we pay attention to and pausing is a powerful way to reset our perspective with love and kindness.
EPISODE 14 - SEASON 2
We are invited to listen to the wilderness, which can be translated as the voice that speaks. When we listen first, then we can be in a healthier conversation. And it is important to know that this doesn’t have to be all serious. In fact, the more we play with these practices the faster they become our normal.
”I call this agapanthus drawing the ‘seeing flower’ because when I made the original drawing, it felt like the flower kept revealing new things that I didn’t originally see. It was like the buds of the flower contained the past, present and future all at once and I felt the whole existence of the plant in a single moment.
That remembrance led me to create a background made up of three overlapping circles that I hope can be a reminder that in everything we experience there can be many different perspectives. And the cool purples and blues of the flower also felt like a needed counterbalance to the high temperatures we are experiencing in this dangerous fire season. If art can be an intention expressed in the world, this drawing holds an intention to bring cooling love and beauty to the earth and life wherever it is needed.”
- Arlene
EPISODE 47 - SEASON 3
What happens when we shift our focus? Join us on this experimental journey as we kick off season three of the Gratitude Blooming podcast with artist Arlene Kim Suda, and embark on a new adventure that might even lead to a retreat with fellow Gratitude Blooming guests!
In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, we draw both the Azalea card, representing hope, and the Agapanthus card, representing perspective. We reflect on the significance of these cards and dive into the importance of intention, the art of receiving, and being grounded. Together, we share insights on hope, community, and transformation. Plus, discover our exciting new T-shirt - "We are rooting for you" - perfect for gift giving!
Perspective is one of the 39 Gratitude Blooming themes that we explore to help our community keep gratitude front of mind.
Explore all themes
