Lotus is a sacred symbol to many- a visual message of hope, optimism, self-renewal, rebirth, purity, and enlightenment.
It has also been a frequent subject of my recent artwork, the focus of several workshops, and the theme of my art exhibit, “Out of the Mud”, showing September 6th through the end of October at The Watchmaker’s Daughter in York, PA. I, like you, strive to focus on beauty, truth, goodness, and love no matter what the challenges- personal, national, and/or global. It’s comforting to know that we can bloom like the lotus from our own “mud”.
“Seeing the mud around a lotus is pessimism. Seeing a lotus in the mud is optimism.” Amit Kalantri
Knowing the lotus blooms only if fed by the nutrients in the mud gives us a clue as to how to face life’s challenges with grace, gentleness, and self-love.
Instead of feeling “stuck in the muck”, we can determine how deep the mud is and try to get out of it if possible. Years ago, I confided in a friend about a situation that made me feel trapped. She said, “Sure you are in the mud but only up to your knees. Get out of it!” She brought me clarity and I happily got out of the “mud”.
“Be like a lotus. Let the beauty of your heart speak. Be grateful to the mud, water, air, and the light.” Amit Ray
I don’t want to sound like I’m oversimplifying the challenges we face; I know there are times when being in mud is out of our control- illness, job layoff, etc… We have no choice but to stay mired while we work our way to the surface. Sometimes we need to rely on others to help us. Other times, we can use our inner qualities like courage, intuition, intelligence, creativity, and humor to rise out of the mud by ourselves. It takes time but we know it’s possible, for we’ve all survived our previous challenges and emerged transformed in some way.
In my one-on-one Creatively Fit Coaching sessions and in my workshops, clients have shared their stories with welcomed honesty- divorce, health concerns, empty nest syndrome, job changes, financial worries, and general restlessness (that always heralds transformation and growth).
I created a “You are a Lotus!” worksheet and visualization to support my clients’ total wellness. They use the worksheet to discover the nutrients in their mud- the beautiful children from the marriage that had to end, clearer priorities that came with an illness, the desire to turn the grown child’s empty bedroom into a library or art studio, for example. I invite you to download my free You are the Lotus pdf for your personal use.
“Whenever you should doubt your self worth, remember the lotus flower. Even though it plunges to life from beneath the mud, it does not allow the dirt that surrounds it to affect its growth or beauty.” Suzy Kassem