Permission to Flourish
I seem to have had some difficulty with choosing titles lately…but as I was taking my walk this morning I was listening (on my Ipod) to a favourite speaker of mine. He was talking about living life fully….not being wishy washy or luke warm. It was a very inspirational talk and I got a lot from it. A phrase that came out of it was that we, as children of God have ‘permission to flourish’, to be colourful…to add colour and flavour to life.
I was reminded of a speech (well, part of it) that Nelson Mandella once gave, quoting Marianne Williamson:
“Lest we forget.”
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking,
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in EVERYONE!
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Nelson Mandella
A few comments have been made about this image…very helpful ones too. Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to leave them. Some words that leapt out to me from them were…Nurturing, covering & protection…..My dear friend Brian queried the lines and boxes that I added at the bottom of this image…and I understand what he’s saying….but the human brain is a fascinating thing…and I realise now that I probably was adding something to the image to stabilise it…. YET, NO!....sometimes it’s way too easy for me/us to live ‘within the box’ I/we create for ourselves….keeping within the comfort zone so to speak. The contrast between being trapped in the daily grind and being free to flourish and grow is huge.
May you escape the confines of life and flourish and grow more each day :-)
Blessings to you all.
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hcroft
To me it is like a queen bee nurturing her offspring – very beautiful
Chris Willis replied
Hehe…good one, Heather…thank you very much :-)
Mia1
GORGEOUS. love the colours.
Chris Willis replied
Thank you for stopping by Mia…always lovely to read your comments :-)
gypsygirl
Wow, gorgeous, fantastic colours and shapes!
Farmncamera
At least you can do one of these…..I still can not figure out how to do one….and can’t seem to get any help?! But it looks like the topography of the world…..and 2 flags embedded into it, that are waving…..but guess there is no wind in space….or is there? But oh well.. Love the colors and movement!!! :)
Chris Willis replied
I’m so sorry that I haven’t been in touch with you re learning about fractals….I will be in touch very soon :
))Thank you for leaving your encouragement for me…it’s always nice to see the two of you smiling away :
butchart
light weaver…. sending golden light and energy into the universal fabric….......b
Chris Willis replied
Thanks Butch…much appreciated….you’re a pal :-)
Brian Towers
You’re certainly keeping busy just now Chris and you are producing a succession of excellent pictures. The blue and gold compliment each other so well. May I just mention the only thing which doesn’t quite work for me in this one? For some reason the straight bands at the bottom seem clash with the wonderful curves. But then that’s just a personal thing and doesn’t detract from this being a delightful piece of work.
George Swann
Beautiful work Chris, looks like a lance throught the heart to my eyes with all the contents spilling out, with a blue heart you wouldn’t expect anything red coming out would you?........but i do work in the health service so what can you expect from my brain.
Chris Willis replied
Hehehe….blue blooded eh? Don’t worry about your brain, George….people can look and understand your work….mine? Not so easy. Thanks a heap for leaving your comment, it certainly gives me things to think about :-)
Phil Thomson IPA
Magnificent image and stunning work, Chris !!! There seems to be that maternal feel about it being under the covering and protection. I am reminded of Psalm 91:1-4 for this. Wonderful tones and design!!
Karen Cougan
stunning
xkc
Chris Willis replied
Thanks a heap, Karen. It’s a buzz to know you like it :-)
Karri Klawiter
This is beautiful Chris!
Chris Willis replied
Thank you very much, Karri….your encouragement means a lot to me :-)
Dorothy Venter
Chris, the colours of this image is stunning. And yes, I also see something like a bee. Great work.
Chris Willis replied
Hi Dorothy….so nice to receive your encouragement…I love the colour of this one, too. Fractals have really livened me up….amazing that they’re referred to as ‘The Fingerprint of God’. :-)
Phil Thomson IPA
Chris, the revamp and additions are excellent, a Blessing -70×7 !!!! The new title is “spot on” and and the words of the text, yea even Message are truly inspirational and a wonderful Blessing and encouragement !!! “Preach it sister” !!!!!!
Ellen
Very beautiful colors and design!
Kathie Nichols
Gosh, Nelson Mandela said that? wow! Love the words so much and they go beautifully with your gorgeous work of art Chris! :)
Chris Willis replied
Thanks Kathy…you are too kind..appreciate your encouragement :-)
ftrlksbrght
Beautiful image Chris! Thank you for sharing those words from Nelson Mandela with us… Very, very inspiring!
Chris Willis replied
Not a problem….other than CJ letting me know that they weren’t actually his words…evidently he was quoting Marianne Williamson. Never the less, inspirational words, eh?
Thank you for the encouragement…much appreciated :-)
C J Lewis
A beautiful design and colours Chris. The verse above by Marianne Williamson that Nelson Mandella used in his speech is such a true and wonderful truth…love it :)