It Is What Enables Us to FLY!

For Scribbled Lives, an online group, we were asked to utilize words from John Cage. I had been experimenting with ink on rice paper, so I kept that plan going and created this piece. I wrote the word HOME on multiple pieces of rice paper, in different styles, different sizes and then pasted them one on top of the other. I wrote the quote in red ink, let that spread, then wrote it again very small within that red ink. It was interesting for me to see that the red ink separated into yellow and orange as it dried…hhhmmm. Here is the quote:

We carry our homes within us which enables us to fly

– John Cage 1992

I loved the idea that we carry our home within us. Almost like having our own snuggly wobble, warm blanket or peaceful place no matter how far we are from home. I have traveled a great deal in my life and often find myself enjoying flannel pajamas and nubby socks in my hotel room, as I relax at the end of the day. I imagine carrying our home within us as providing that same sort of comfort and peace. And in this world of instant everything, information overload AND a rush to get life done…we can all use a bit of comfort.

I also thought about how it is our responsibility to carry our home within us, to stay grounded, remaining centered on who we are and what is important to us no matter where we travel that day. Each day when we walk out that door, we are capable and wise enough to know home is our safe place no matter what that looks like. And home is indeed a place, it is also a feeling of belonging, respect, safety and the one place where we can count on people to have our back. (I hope the people in your home have your back. If not…that’s an entirely different blog post!) Having the wherewithal to understand the power of being safe and grounded is a true gift that home provides.

And then I thought about the people who do not have a home. People who live in a shelter, on someone else’s sofa, in a car, or worst of all, on the street. Not everyone has the blessing of a place to call home. I hope that these people have the power to find a sense of home no matter their circumstances. And that those of us who do have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies GIVE our time, energy and money to help others find their own version of home.

How do you define your sense of home? Is it a place, a person, a feeling or some combination of all three? I hope that today you will have the joy and peace that carrying your home with you provides…it is what enables us to fly!