We were working as a group to create various pieces of this immense and sprawling display. It was a true extravaganza! As we would wind down in one area, a new idea would emerge and all would pitch in to bring that vision to fruition, using the talents and know-how of the group and gathering materials from what was on hand. And so we went from area to area, each more lovely than the next, more interactive, more alive, somehow.
At the last, we decided to work on a swing that would lower a lovely lady slowly to the ground. As as she alighted, something in the display was illuminated. It was my mentor, Sue Oldham, now many years gone. Sue was a fiercely loyal, loving and tough, athletic woman, toughest on herself, and I was mesmerized by this side of her, so soft and radiant and light.
We worked and worked on this and kept trying to overcome structural problems and various issues to make it work, because it was "my baby" and I do not like to give up. Finally it was "curtain time" and people were about to walk through and the person acting as MC and construction boss, called it and took that bit out of the display, mainly for safety reasons. It was one of my trainers, Dr. Richard Perry. So we moved away the pulleys and let down our "angel" and re-secured the tent to make sure it was all sound.
Richard then told me, "Slow down; rest now and take in your creation!" Perhaps uncharacteristically, I was able to do exactly that. I remember fleeing for a minute to quiet down the mind-talk and accept reality. I was very quickly able to move to acceptance and see it all as it was and to truly celebrate what we had created.
As I awoke, the message was loud and clear to me. There has to be a time in which we stop making "improvements" and we embrace our efforts (and ourselves.) Sometimes, our best, really has to be good enough.
It is so tempting this time of year to look at all we've missed or stumbled upon in the past year, and vow to be better, do better, strive harder, etc. Certainly, there are plenty of places in my life where I need to do that. There are other places too, though, where I need to bask more in the joy of the creation.
I hope your new year is full of promise, hope, vision and resolution . . . and also, celebration; soaking in who you are and what you've done in the world. This year, celebrate you!
Happy New Year.
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