Being the Fool and all the tricksters along the way…
Let me tell you right off: I am the fool and frankly I make no apologies for it. Despite having earned my black belt in TKD, I have retained a white-belt mind—and a white-belt mind is a humble one that realizes anything can happen. I approach my life and day with an innocence that is both creative and compromising. I am an idealist and believe that people are inherently good and mean well. I truly believe that we’re all just trying to find our way along the wayward journey in life-a journey rife with challenges, potential dangers, heartache, serendipity and triumphs. And despite being middle-age and “half way over”, I still proceed with a foolish insouciance that makes me believe that anything, no matter how remote and idealistic, is possible. Even world peace!
Little Red Riding Hood Sketches
This past week was one that tested my will and made me look upon the arena of positive thinking with skepticism. I had someone attempt to exploit me while someone else exhibited irrational behavior that resulted in inexplicable actions. I thought to myself,“Is the world going crazy?”. In both situations, I trusted and believed. I had faith in the goodness of others. But that faith was shaken when the rug was pulled out from under my vulnerable being and I was left to question the validity of my own supposed good judgment. Intuition had let me down.
The Fool - Little Red Riding Hood B&W
I thought I was following the path, aligned with floral sanguinity when suddenly the big bad wolf emerged. And this wolf was not good. He was ravenous and potentially harmful. I did not see the indiscretions that lurked just beyond the shadows, but rather continued along my merry way assuming that all was right with the world. Once again, I’m reminded that the path does have the occasional beast, waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting. But do you know what? Despite these unexpected trials, I find myself looking down the path with the same optimism that has always possessed me. Instead of allowing shadows to overwhelm and obscure my journey, I’m able to decipher the good that lay beyond the immediacy of adversity. I’m able to see that it is the monsters along the way that help us to become more creative and defiant travelers. And at the end of momentary darkness and emotional paralyses, I am able to see the light and how important it is to never relinquish the innocence that is our adventurous spirit. If we allow ourselves to lose hope when the shadows grow large upon us, we will be swallowed up by darkness. And in order to proceed down the path of growth and self-awareness, we must try to discern the light. I believe in the light, the good. And by believing in those things, I can create my own illumination as I proceed forward on this journey that is called life.
The Fool - Little Red Riding Hood Color
In Little Red Riding Hood (as the Fool card) the Wolf represents the shadow: our wild untamed nature. It is “the devouring” and has the ability to keep us in the dark, but it can also serve to help us become more aware of ourselves.
Kort & Connor, the model for Little Red. TKD test Feb. 09.
When traveling down the path of life, there is the possibility of encountering dark forces that may lurk in the shadows. The path is full of unknowns and as we wander down the trail, our adventurous spirits will help us cross into thresholds of new possibilities. But be aware of tricksters that may cross your path along the way—tricksters that may test your spirit but may also help to facilitate growth, compassion and deeper understanding.
~Lisa
Lisa wrote:
“This past week was one that tested my will and made me look upon the arena of positive thinking with skepticism. I had someone attempt to exploit me while someone else exhibited irrational behavior that resulted in inexplicable actions. I thought to myself,“Is the world going crazy?”. In both situations, I trusted and believed. I had faith in the goodness of others. But that faith was shaken when the rug was pulled out from under my vulnerable being and I was left to question the validity of my own supposed good judgment. Intuition had let me down.”
I had the same type of experience! (Which is why I called you sounding so…off kilter.)
It’s nice to know it’s “not just me”. I’ve been feeling like the world was turning upside down or something!
Hugs,
Janet
Lisa, I’m so sorry you had to encounter people like that! If anyone deserves to go through life encountering only joy & friendship, it’s you, but sadly I suppose we need the odd ‘big bad wolf’ in order to appreciate fully what we have!
I hope it all worked out for you in the end.
I enjoy reading your perspective on things, the way you write. It definately comes across in your artwork too.
And speaking of artwork… Red riding hood is just beautiful! I love all the swirly details in the plants & the trees!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. My optimism remains intact and if anything, has been fortified by compassionate souls such as yourselves. Arwen, I’m glad you like reading about my process–it’s all in the raw here at this blog. What you see is what you get and I appreciate your positive responses. Rose, you’re always the good egg! And Jennifer, thanks for visiting. Here’s to new beginnings and adventurous journeys ahead!
I love the way you allow us to dive into your creative process, Lisa. Sounds like a painful lesson week. Sorry you had to go through that. It’s never fun.
Excellent post – thank you so much for sharing that!
What a wonderful post, Lisa! And I’m glad that, although your faith may have been shaken, you were able to continue moving down your path. I, like you, choose to continue to have faith in humanity, in spite of pitfalls and challenges that I meet along the way.
We optimists must stick together!