This is the beautiful Seated Guanyin Bodhisattva that lives at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, in Kansas City. Rick and I saw it last summer, when we were in KC for the ISGB Gathering. We had ducked out of the bead conference to visit the museum. My main reason to go there was to see the Guanyin. We wandered around for over an hour, and I thought we'd never find it. Then we turned a corner, and boom, there it was. Tucked into a large darkened alcove, perfectly lit, quiet and away from the flow of the museum, it was like a magnet for me. I stood there for a good thirty minutes, while Rick wandered off. Normally I'd be feeling tugged to follow him, not wanting him to be bored with my little obsession, but this time I just stayed until I felt finished. I still go to the photos often, just to remind myself of that calm I felt. Wonderful. Ahhhh.....
I need that calm, that balance this week. Hectic is normal for me, but this week I've added to the mix. My family in Reno is having a big birthday party this weekend, for all the year's "significant" birthdays. I happen to be in that group, and I've missed a lot of family parties over the years, just because I've chosen to live far away from them. When I got the invitation, I immediately went into, "of course I can't go" mode. Then my Dad called to say he wasn't going to be able to meet my sisters and I at the Grand Canyon in June as planned, but would be at the party. That changed everything. I decided I needed to make the effort to be there. I sort of feel "needed" at this particular party. No real reason, but I feel it anyway, so I'm going. Lauren will be my travel buddy, and Rick will stay home with the herd. It's a quick trip, and my first time on a plane in about five years. We leave Friday, get into Reno Friday evening, party on Saturday, and back home Sunday morning. It's nuts. I feel like such a jet-setter. And if my friends in the area read this, they'll be mad at me for not seeing them too... nothing I can do about that. This one's for the family, and that's it.
So... one more look at Guanyin, a slow, deep breath, and back in the flow of life. Here we go...
1 comment:
Hi Kim ! As I clicked on your BLOG the picture was the first and only thing that came on the screen (spooky) and I immediately felt a sense of calm as I gazed at it,which was wonderful. When your words came up I read that you had gazed on this for 30 minutes and felt a calming influence. We both felt the same! I am going to cut and paste it and keep it on my PC to gaze on whenever I feel a bit stressy. It really DID wonders! I hope you and Lauren have a lovely family time in Reno, it will be a nice break for you. ENJOY !!
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