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it's been coming on for quite a while.  but Saskia's comment on yesterday's post somehow set it in motion, gave it enough form to begin.

I am going to devote this year to Science.  Big Science, like Laurie Anderson knows.  DEVOTE this year…these up and coming 362 give or take days (its already March 3rd) till the First of March, 2014 to RESEARCH.  i will record here.  This morning, as i thought about Saskia's comment, about what it WAS i was saying on yesterday's post, i was stitching more kantha on the robe.  and all the while glancing at the little form i'd stitched to it almost in the very beginning…considering covering the entire checkerboard part because i don't really like checkerboard….but then, Jennifer who only writes in email had called my attention to the issue of Grid.  and commenting to her that grids bother me,  i'd been wondering Why i say that?  Do they really? 

so…stitching and glancing at the odd little form,  i suddenly re-threaded and stitched the form.  the light wasn't good and i've broken my best reading glasses and am using a pair that feels like neither lense matches the other.  but that may have worked in my behalf this morning because i just stitched mindlessly.  and as i went,  i saw that what was taking shape is the Wonder Bird.

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stitched while wearing robe..on my knee.

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where it is on the robe

 

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and somehow this WonderBird will be the emblem for this year of scientific research.  s(he) began as a plain rectangle of yard dye cloth upon which a scrap of Deb Lacativa was added.  that was a few days ago.  Then yesterday, in passing, i added the little blue diamond scrap.  because it was on the floor and i thought, Why Not?.   And then this morning, i wanted to add some stitches that flew out and as i did,  i saw WonderBird for the first time.  Not just a shape, but some kind of odd little flat faced bird.  and i thought, stitching, then…this is the Wonder Robe. 

So…the above is the first example of the kinds of things i will research here.  EVERYTHING will come into Question.  I want to know why i somehow have always believed that there is REASON and GOOD PURPOSE available to a human life if that human chooses to pursue them.  the question is:  IS THIS TRUE?

i go pretty regularly through periods of what might be called Existential Despair.  This related to why i am not able to find some way to really give something of value,  a worthwile contribution to life on this planet that actually makes a Difference.  but though it's Existential, it's never really despair, but maybe more Ennui.  once in Oregon, a psychic who i was consulting began the session with the question "So what's with the ennui?"  that's the first time i'd heard that word used.

So..back to the Research.  The question is whether or not there is really any Meaning.  And if so,  How can i Tell?  I will not ask WHAT the Meaning is, because that is unknowable.  Just if i truly believe there is.  and again…importantly, How can i Tell?  How can one woman Tell?

I like this.

So i will be looking around at what's already at hand.  Asking the question:  what IS it that keeps me endlessly firm in a belief that there's "something more to it all".  and that, if it does prove to be true, then that there is Reason to align self with the "higher vibration" for lack of a better term in the moment.  That there is Purpose in it.  For the Good of some Larger Whole.

I am going to need to refine my protocol but am going to use as a tool  Eugene T. Gendlin's  concept of Felt Sense as described in his book  Focusing that i first read when it came out in 1978.  Felt Sense is when things do not have words or even form, but when there is Rightness felt in the gut.  a kind of emotional exhale, release, a moment of no question, centerdness.  that's not a quote, but if you want his words for it, you can get the book.

So..here we go.  Everyday for a year of days.  and already, WonderBird has become more.

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20 responses to ““Living is wierd…..” Saskia Van Herwaarden”

  1. saskia Avatar

    hey, a bird appeared in my Hazemannetje piece too last night, instead of the flowers I thought I was going to stitch, weird or what?
    MeaningFul

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  2. Valerianna Avatar

    So many thoughts came when reading this… too many to write… more inkling that thoughts. I imagine you are in for quite a fascinating year.

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  3. Mo Crow Avatar

    this is beautiful Grace… ah the meaning of life, the universe and everything… gotta laugh at the remembering of when I turned 43 and thought “oh good now I’ll know the meaning of that answer that Douglas Adams wrote about in “Life, the Universe and Everything” when my good friend Pete who is a pedant and remembers everything perfectly said “Mo you missed it, the answer was “42”! but what the heck I wake up early every day and still look with wonder and question everything … one thing I do know is life is not fair but it’s terribly beautiful and if this is all there is well then we have to look after what’s around us & make as much beauty as we can muster… and you do that Grace so whole heartedly and so well with your sharing here and within your piece of paradise.

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  4. patricia Avatar

    i’m really looking forward to watching your research unfold– and i ask myself, why do I think inquiry and questioning is a good thing? ha! see, you’re really rubbing off onto me–and many others I suspect. thanks. and i would draw exception to your suggestion that you are NOT able to make a good contribution to this planet–that might be the first “premise” you challenge! Because from my perspective you are making quite a wonderful contribution. So, which is true?

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  5. ali Avatar

    oh Grace, I have been off-line for quite a while, but I’m back and eager to catch up now. I love your little wonderbird

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  6. handstories Avatar

    I began to hear music in my head while reading this, it grew louder and louder…

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  7. roz Avatar
    roz

    this is a big one. that one year long challenge. bravo.
    i think all folk are wired differently ..some are questioners and some want to find and see meaning in their lives and some want to feel they contribute while some couldn’t really give a rats.other things fill their thoughts.and sometimes i think it would be better to not be a questioner and to be more of a FITer INer.
    and as i write that i go back to my ENOUGH words from yesterday ..will what you [or anyone] contribute to the world be ENOUGH of something for it to be meaningful or a contribution ? or this is judged by the felt gut vibration and you will know ?
    anyhow the questioning, the PAYING ATTENTION, is wonderful. bon journey grace.

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  8. grace Forrest Avatar

    laurie Anderson????????????

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  9. Chris Linton Avatar

    I am touched by your reaching out to find out – I often think there is no meaning and then I think there has to be, all this beauty is here to take pleasure in – I’m totally interested in how your thoughts develop on this.

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  10. grace Forrest Avatar

    meaningfully wierd? wierdly meaningful???
    it’s a beautiful yellow bird, either way.

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  11. grace Forrest Avatar

    i hope so. i had given up thinking and writing, writing
    and thinking. but…the questions remain. maybe i
    would be better to continuing giving up…but…well,
    what can one Year be? i will live it, one way or the
    other. probably.

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  12. grace Forrest Avatar

    it’s not just about the beauty tho. There IS that, but
    it’s about all of it. i want to look at All of it.

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  13. grace Forrest Avatar

    well…some kind of contribution. but what i am
    looking for here is some kind of internal understanding
    with Self. i don’t have words for it yet.

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  14. grace Forrest Avatar

    ali…i have missed you.

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  15. grace Forrest Avatar

    roz…Yes. it’s that felt gut feeling. and yes. all
    wired differently. all read the same word with different nuance. yes. this is not at all anything “universal”.
    it’s very specific Me. but also, my guess is, some
    kind of commonness in it too.

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  16. grace Forrest Avatar

    i am glad. please offer any of your own sense of it.
    it will help with the Research.

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  17. Mo Crow Avatar

    the beautiful shiny bits can be found in the darkest & strangest of places and because those times are so wildly odd and strange they shine all the more for it…

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  18. grace Forrest Avatar

    Yes…Yes. this is what crows know.
    they know it all and don’t have any judgement.
    yes.
    Crows know this.

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  19. roz Avatar
    roz

    agree , similar souls .. it is good to be not alone huh.

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  20. Drucilla Pettibone Avatar

    I read back to find out about this Research of yours! What a grand adventure and I’m glad you are taking a whole year to do it. More Grace for the rest of us. I know my answer already, but it still doesn’t really give me a clue as to what to Do with myself. That’s why I’ve been at a loss to blog, but maybe I’ll blog about that. Anyhoo I’m so keen to read your year unfolding (in words and cloth).

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