SUNDAY SLOWDOWN | Building a Beautiful Life
“Behind all seen things lies something vaster; everything is but a path, a portal or a window opening on something other than itself.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
It's hard to believe we are at the halfway point in the year. A time when the days behind us are just about equal to the days ahead of us (give or take a few days.)
I've never paid much mind to this midsummer marker before, but this year, it feels like a potent time to pause and pay attention. Our culture is not one for rites of passages, other than the expected ones, like birthdays and holidays, which have become more about a day off than an intentional time of ritual and reflection. It takes discipline to stop and sit with ourselves, to ask a few pointed but gentle questions:
Where are we at in our journey?
Are we receiving what we need?
Are we making an invitation to create the life we want to live?
Perhaps this mid-year point can allow for a pivot. A portal of paying more attention, presence and awareness. To get more clarity on how exactly we want to live our life. To deliberately live that life. To recalibrate our compass and realign ourselves with a more resonant direction.
If this exercise feels overwhelming, start small. Use everyday practices as a portal to build the beautiful life you want to live. When you wash the dishes, or make your bed, or put away your clothes at the end of the day, do it full awareness, care and consideration. These seemingly small things are at the root of making a beautiful life. I like to use my notes app to write down milestones, a map of sorts. Whether it's where I want to travel, an adventure I want to experience or dream I want to realize, like having an installation at revered gallery that seems just a bit out of reach, writing it down in place where I can revisit often helps me to stay connected to those dreams.
Maybe it's not about writing down dreams and desires, but having a renewed sense of wonder. Not striving for something more, but savoring the beauty before you. Not focusing on “fixing” anything (especially ourselves), but expanding our horizons and flourishing as we are, flaws and all. A willingness to pay attention to what is. Let that attention be your daily prayer.
What would make life feel more full?
What would make it more beautiful?
More artful, more free, more true?
As the summer solstice offers us longer days, I am softening my ambitious expectations. Not to relax or be complacent about my dreams and desires, but to release my tightened grip and allow a natural flow. This kind of focus is going to require some sacrifice. Asking the question again and again, “Does this bring me closer to the life I want to live?” It's going to require saying “no”more often. Saying “yes” with more intention. Staying true to the life I want to live, surrounded by those who support and strengthen that intention. Amplifying what is working and letting go of what no longer serves that commitment.
What is your north star? I'll do my best to check in often. Together, let's keep the conversation alive throughout the year.
X Alisa
Photo : Line drawing | Alisa Barry