It Begins
October 28, 2012 
Every day - it's the same.
It begins.
The dawning light. A fresh new slate. A mat - beckoning and calling for my body to fill it. To take up space. To root down...to rise up...to reach out. To come out of that thinking mind..and into the parts and pieces that feel deeply. To let go of that which was yesterday and come into whatever is...just and exactly as it is - today.
There is acceptance.
The white page. It stares..it glares..it asks that I put a pencil to it. One word...and then another. It's wanting me to fill its pores with my wildest dreams..my darkest nightmares..my hopes and aspirations. It tells me that this space is sacred and safe. That the story I'm writing - is mine to tell...exactly as I want to tell it - today.
There is no judgement.
The blank canvas. It begs..it pleads... it cries out to be splashed with color. It asks only that I let go of those preconceived notions...those rules that bind and gag and constrict. Those voices that once told me I couldn't..I wouldn't..that I'm not quite enough. It assures and reassures - anything and all is as it is. It's all good. Art is art and exactly what I make it. It is simply a reflection of who I am..and where I'm at - today.
There is no expectation.
The camera. It sits here beside me. It screams out at me to be picked up..to be held...to be carried. It asks that it be the vehicle thru which I see. It tells me to simply stop whatever it is I'm doing - if just for a moment. It reminds me to get myself up and out...to go for that walk..to stand up...or squat down...or lay my belly flat to the ground. But - to always - take the time to notice the details that surround. It reminds me that this moment won't happen ever again in quite the same way. This is my vision..my view - today.
There is always something.
And yet - it's always the same. The day begins with the sun rising. It begins with a one deep inhale. A breath...a yawn...a nod to intention. It begins with a deep stretch. It begins as a blank canvas..an empty slate..a palette waiting for color to fill it. It begins with listening...with hearing...with feeling...with letting go..with leaning in...with believing and trusting. It begins by knowing that this all there is...and that in that knowing - there is an energy that follows.
Every day - the imprint and impression - is different. The practice - is always the same.
It begins.
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Cross-posted at Vision and Verb - where a group of like minded women from around the world share their passion for photography and the written word.
Reader Comments (40)
This is amazing! Keep it up!
I have no clue what is shown in your photograph but really like your inspiring description of the dawn of your daily routine.
It's wonderful to have a daily practice that include yoga, painting and photography! Acceptance and no expectations -- yes!
It took me awhile before I realized those were Yoga mats ready to be filled with willing bodies, empty of thinking but full of feeling. I love how you begin each day, Marcie, and am always inspired by what and how you do it. You really do know how to fill a blank page/slate each and every day!
You brought it down to the essence of what is truly important, the practice. Day in and day out, to be there open and willing and without fail the result shows up. Thank you so much Marcie for all the lessons I learn every single day from you :-)
I have taken to starting the day listening to 'ambient rain music' on my headphones; just the gentle sound of rain in a forest (I think because I am willing the rains to arrive here, not looking so likely).
But...the point of telling you that :) - is that the combination of gentle rain, your words - especially this - "To let go of that which was yesterday and come into whatever is...just and exactly as it is - today." and that gorgeous image which stays in my mind and the repetition of this is TODAY, let go of yesterday and start afresh with today, is just SO MUCH what I need to hear.
Thank you x
I am full of awe. I love your acceptance of yourself - something which I find hard. I also loved the way your days beginning moved to a crescendo - from a beckoning mat, to a staring white page, to a pleading canvas and then to the screaming camera.
All this movement is calmed and soothed by your recognition that we need to let go of yesterday and embrace today. Thank you for this very moving post. Thank you so much.
Ah yes Marcie, you have soothed my addled brain this morning! And now it begins for me too. Your commitment makes me want to ask so many questions. So I am asking myself those questions instead.......... I hope as you have described and demonstrated I can listen for the answers......
I agree it is wonderful to wake up with that feeling of relaxed peace, and sense of the brand new day and new beginnings. Unfortunately sometimes yesterday's new beginnings are still screaming for attention today. Still, I can meditate on the tranquility of this new day and the urgency of things waiting, and the need or desire to do something entirely different. I don't think this is quite the daily acceptance that you mean, but for me it has to do.
The words practice, discipline and routine can sound so negative...but it's your practice, discipline and routine - your life rhythm maybe - that I so much admire and respect. Yes...I know that each day brings a sameness. Your yoga practice. Your walks with your camera. Your journaling. But, from that practice, discipline and routine comes such rich, deep beauty both in vision and verb. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example to us -- to the world really -- of what awaits us each day...if we open our hearts and minds with awareness.
I have to ponder over those "preconceived notions", Marcie, I often make that mistake to let myself get overwhelmed by them...
In your meditation I find connection to Maery's reflection on those disobedient Self-doubt and Start-tomorrow dogs presented in her A-flock-of-thoughts post. You tell us this way that we should trust and believe in ourselves because when we open and empty our busy minds, there is always a way forward. Thank you for that encouragement.
Wonderful post.
Wow. We are kindreds... I discovered you at Creative Every Day and I can't help but think this synchronicity is absolutely divine. I just finished writing a blog post about the joy of the white canvas Monday. :~)
I look forward to visiting again AND I am going to check out Vision and Verb. Thank you for all of this today. Blessings!!
Lovely inspirational post and photo ~ so 'right on' ~ (A Creative Harbor) artmusedog and Carol ^_^
Oh, the number of times in any given week that I have to remind myself to begin again, even if I really don't feel like it. I know that this is the key to success in any practice but damn if it makes it any easier. Love your photo here - the patterns and the muted tones are perfect for the message.
Poetry-prose. Rich and true.
So beautifully said. "Practice" has been on my mind a lot lately and this was in perfect timing. Thank you.
Yes. Exactly. It always begins the same. Each night is followed by dawn, and new chance, a new way to be alive.
Beautiful post, and I love the photo!
Your prose makes me go deeper, to see and understand what is below the machinations of the mind; and, most importantly, your words help me remember that source is always there, willing and waiting, without judgment. Thank you, Marcie.
It must feel good to have such a start to your day :-) I love the image, I looked at it for a while before reading your words and managed to figure out what it was.
Every day cries to be filled with color I think. Just like a canvas. I just love your writing and perception of life, Marcie. So glad you share your vision and prose.
Beautifully meditative and stirring reflection...
Absolutely beautiful and true!
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful prose.
"Every day - the imprint and impression - is different. The practice - is always the same." Yes - how wise, how true. How beautifully illustrated. Each day the same; each day different.
A very nice abstract image to convey your ideas in the text. A good job.
nice minimalistic shot.. yoga mats? what are those blocks for?
Beautifully written post today. A a lover of words, photography and yoga, I can certainly relate!
Powerful! Such thoughtful words!
Serenity and sternness in this image. Freedom and discipline. Openness and structure. Light and dark.
"Every day - the imprint and impression - is different. The practice - is always the same"...and that's what I love about your posts! You are truly an inspiration to us all!
Every day,
in recent time,
I wake,
and feel just fine
Then as I lie
I remember, and I worry...
I have to try
not to recall,
or just not to lie.
Sigh...
Or yoga? Maybe I should give it a try...
how happy i am to drop in on the v&v family and find "it begins." each day...the sun rises...the image is perfection of order and conformity.
marcie, i honor the place in you....you are beautiful.
When I first looked at your photo I wasn't sure what it is. My first thought was a building photographed straight up. Then I saw what it actually was, and of course your words confirmed that.
Yes, it is the practice - and sometimes it is so hard. A few years ago I started a Jazzercise routine in the morning because it is a good combination of dance, kickboxing and strength training. In the beginning I fell awkward. Now it seems to belong to me day although sometimes I "sneak out". Sometimes just the thought of going through this hour of exercise makes me tired and exhausted. However, I feel how the practice does me good, my body feels so much better.
Absolutely loved this. As if I was reading my own words.
This has something futuristic.... something distant, not from here, but yet again very 'now'. I don't know if that made sense but I like the image a lot :)
Your words speak to me and my heart, thank you! I especially love "The blank canvas. It begs..it pleads... it cries out to be splashed with color. It asks only that I let go of those preconceived notions...those rules that bind and gag and constrict." There was a time that I would draw for hours and no one could stop me, I was never felt more free than when I was in art class. Thanks for reminding me.
Very beautiful. I love to say, "Blessed are the mornings, for they are filled with such promise."
Nicely done! I loved it!
Marcie, always a joy to be with you on your journey.