Monday, April 2, 2012

Chapter 8, By Invitation Only

welcome to our 8th edition of

International Blog Party


a monthly international blog party where each member posts on the same general topic
in their own unique way, of course.

in a respectful tribute to both 
Easter & Spring
we will be writing about possibilities & rebirth.


for me, this is an essential time of rejuvenation, of new creations within my own artistic soul,
and a time to re-think what we think we know.


in other words, in spring an awakening world signals possibilities of rebirth within ourselves.



nature never changes, people are not alike.
so all of us end up seeing the same natural wonders from different points of view.
when the sun shines on a just people, they will run into the street to bask in it's warmth.
the unjust will hide.
same sun, different perspective.


spring works that way too. the coming of the buds & the blossoms means to most
that God's in his heaven and all is right with the world.
spring is deity's vote that the world is worthwhile.
for T. S. Eliot, however, the world was brutal.
"April is the cruelest month," he wrote.  it wakes us from our safe & easy stupor.
spring forces us to be active, alive and full of feelings again.


still, for others spring serves as scenery and stage props, like an elaborate backdrop the
season simply sets the stage for water skiing, baseball, gold, hiking & picnics.

spring even gets a role in some personal productions, often playing the airy character who
shows up in the nick of time to save us from the blues, or serves as a stand-in for 
absent romance.


but in the world of words, the most common use of the season is as a metaphor, as a sign and token for the human heart's ongoing drama:  the quest for faith and fulfillment.

we love the rebirth of Mother Earth.
it signals the possibility of rebirth in ourselves.
buried in the word "rejuvenate" is the word "juvenile" ... 
the idea that all things can, and will, be made young again.
the perennial flowers in hibernation point to the merely "hibernating" loved ones who lie
buried in the soil.
the clumsy awakening inside us when we stretch, blink and stride off into a fresh, uncertain world.



for the ancients, of course, the coming of spring was full of powerful
meanings and magic.
spring was especially symbolic.
today, all that remains of those ancient feasts and festivities is May Day and its
occasional May Pole, but centuries ago, in the British Isles, this was the
season of Imbolc (pronounced IMM-ulk).
historian Caitlin Matthews writes of it this way:


the spring quarter of Imbolc brings the gift of insight and inspiration and is a time
of beginnings and of essential truthfulness.  in the human growth cycle, Imbolc
corresponds to the period of childhood when all things are questioned or enjoyed
for their own sake.  Imbolc is a good time to celebrate the lives of the "soul midwives" who
have taught and prepared us, all who have been upholders of justice and truth,
all holy ones who have gone to the heart of the matter with great clarity and insight.



in short,
spring is a time to celebrate rebirth, creation, recommitment and
Easter


prettylittleflower:

spring 春天來了 (by Thunderbolt_TW)


whoever you are, whatever you believe in,
take the time to look up and know life is infinite.

the greatest gift we have been given is to actually "live" our lives.



please visit each of the other contributing members this month,
they are listed below, or they will be linked in below my list.

thank you for visiting and reading my long profound & perhaps-self-indulgent post,
but know how much I appreciate it.

with love


TISH JETT an American in France http://afemmeduncertainage.blogspot.com/ 
CATHERINE ROBINSON in London http://www.catherinerobinsoncashmere.com/ 
ANNIE BOUTERSE USA http://plumsiena.blogspot.com/
COTY FARQUHAR in Australia http://cotyfarquhar.blogspot.com/
FIFI FLOWERS artist with Parisian flair  http://fififlowers.com 
DEBORAH PETERSON between Houston & Scotland http://www.dumbwittellher.com/
DUSTJACKET ATTIC, Debra in Australia http://dustjacketattic.blogspot.com/
JACQUELINE MUMFORD England http://home-biba.blogspot.com/
VICKI ARCHER an Australian in France http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/
CECILIA GONZALEZ Spain http://desdemventana.blogspot.com/
RENEE GRANIER & ANGELA FOSTER USA http://underspanishmoss.com/
LISA USA not participating this month http://amidprivilege.com
FRANCINE GARDNER a woman of the world in NYC http://interieurs.com blog
CHRISTINA FLUEGGE USA http://greigedesign.blogspot.com/
STACEY BEWKES USA http://quintessence.com
SANDE CHASE Canada www.agiftwrappedlife.com
KAREN MALAN UK Pas Grand-Chose Blog http://athousandmiles-k.blogspot
DEJA PSEU USA unefemme.net.
VERONICA tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/






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24 comments:

  1. This is so lovely today Marsha... xv

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  2. I made it and I'm not even late Marsha!
    Beautiful...beautiful images and words.. we have so much in common!
    What a fabulous flower gown, I would wear that tonight if I was off somewhere special.

    Thank you again for hosting this lovely gathering each month.
    Sending love, xxx Coty

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  3. Marsha, I always look forward to this series and was already wowed by Sharon's beautiful story and now your food for thought. I especially appreciated the contrasts of perspective of what spring can mean and immediately thought of two examples in jazz which you might appreciate: "You must believe in spring" and "Spring can really hang you up the most"!

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  4. Hello dear Marsha. What an amazing post you wrote. Filled with such wisdom, hope and possibilities. It has been a wonderful topic thanks to Tish and all who added to the mix. I truly look forward to this each month and it is always an inspiration and a pleasure to visit each contributor. Thank you for hosting us and indeed for bringing us all together to inspire and support each other. What a wonderful world we live in and what a gift that we may all see the wonder, we are truly blessed. I hope you have a blessed easter and thank you so much for your beautiful comment.

    Hugs and easter bunny hops from me to you!

    Veronica


    xxx

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  5. Just spectacular as I knew it would be.......fabulous Marsha! What a wonderful and inspirational way to start my morning!

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  6. Well said and choreographed, Marsha. I always love to see your photo combinations- they make me smile.

    I'll be along shortly...

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  7. What a lovely post, Marsha...and know that we appreciate you. The quote about actually living your life is a touchstone for me.
    XOXO Victoria

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  8. Hello everyone! Up bright and early to join the party! Contrarian as always, looking forward to reading your lovely posts to convince me of the uplifting side:).

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  9. A beautiful post Marsha. Very inspiring. I need that today! Hugs!

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  10. Flowering - Charming - 'Intriguing' - and just simply lovely, Marsha!

    Happy spring time!

    xxxkarin

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  11. What a fun post Marsha.....Ill be checking out the other blogs later this evening.
    Ive been SOO sick......:( Heading back to the Dr today at 5pm

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  12. Marsha... you have found the most beautiful images and words (of course, I would expect no less from this blog!) You know you have set the bar so high! Thank you for the great post and the great Series! Enjoy the rest of your day. Jalon

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  13. Dear Marsha,
    Such a beautiful post, full of hope, beauty and inspiration. Spring is just the time to have thoughts of rebirth and to appreciate what beauty we have around us. A very beautiful BIO subject this month and, many thanks for your lovely comment. XXXX

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  14. Marsha,

    Just beautiful! Happy Spring my dear!

    Best,
    Christina

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  15. Marsha, Thank you for hosting this marvelous event. Honestly, I often ask myself..."Why are you included in this mix of women who are beyond stylish and chic and see the world in such a cosmopolitan way?". I am so happy to be able to rub my unchic shoulders with all of you darling women! I admire you all!

    Your images are perfection. You always have the best and most beautiful!

    Just a little technical issue. I was not able to link up my post with an image for some reason. Sorry. If you would like me to try again let me know.

    Happy spring my dear friend!
    xo Yvonne

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  16. A beautiful post Marsha...perfect way to embrace Spring. You have the best of the best on your list, I look forward to viewing them all. I came by way of Vicki @ French Essence... Best wishes for a glorious Spring! Jeanne xx

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  17. I just stumbled upon your blog and LOVE it! Such a beautiful post! I am a new follower and can't wait to read more from your lovely blog!
    Maria
    www.rustyhinge.blogspot.com

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  18. I clicked on the first four links and got a "page cannot be found" message. Should I be doing something else?

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  19. Lovely post, Marsha! xoxo~L

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  20. Your words and photos are beautiful. I especially love the thought that you wrote, "buried in the word "rejuvenate" is the word "juvenile". That is full of amazing inspiration. Thank you for sharing!

    Keri

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  21. Absolutely lovely... I just glanced up and saw the comment above mine here but we share the same thoughts, I loved what you said about rejuvenate... and I love what you said about our loved ones hibernating beneath the soil.
    Such heart you have poured into this post.
    Fitting of Springtime when emotions well up as life springs forth once again!
    Love,
    Angela

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