Monday, October 15, 2012

permission ship


I have high expectations for myself. Beliefs about what I should and have to do inform so many of my choices.  But above all, there are two children that need me to be their anchor in any storm. As mothers, we know this with every breath, but there are moments when that awareness is heightened. At these times we need permission slips to let some things go, while we navigate rough waters. I've had such a long string of lessons around letting go over this first half of 2012. Oh yes. 

I had a conversation with a group of lovely women about permission and how we need to grant more allowances to just follow our instincts as we prioritize. But I stumbled over my words and said permission SHIP instead of slip.  Love that! Don't you? Imagine a ship filled with permission sailing into a safe harbor... I went to sleep dreaming about boats, ships and all sorts of vessels. I awoke  the next morning and carved this permission ship... a sailboat jauntily making her way through the waves and carrying just the permission I needed on board. This carving feels like an integral part of my soul work. I placed the first print on a little notebook... 

I'm thinking the next one will be on a lavender pillow for easing me into each night... we all need permission to rest, now don't we? What would be aboard your permission ship? Pin It

10 comments:

  1. beautiful word.........again! And a beautiful stamp as well. I think my permission ship is carrying about the same things as yours. Might have to do with being a mother (motherSHIP!)?

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  2. Oh Heleen! YES! MotherSHIP is right! xxx

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  3. I just wanted to say that I think I am off to carve my own ship. The last few years have been full of rough waters, and a harbour seems like a very good thing. Thank you so much for this timely message.

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  4. Loving your words here, and your jaunty ship! Right now, I'd say permisiion to slow down would be at the top of my list.

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  5. Oh, permission to say no. Although I do it often, it would really come in handy when I'm sorting things in the house and when folks ask me to "help".

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  6. Your ship filled with permission is fantastic. And while all your stamps are fantastic (and my favorites), this one must be my all-time favorite: Love how you carved and created movement and that your ship is really sailing... Do you know this quote by John Shed: "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."? Here's the link, and take a look at the ship!

    http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Augustus_Shedd

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  7. i love this -- both the spirit of the idea and the little ship bobbing on life's waves... permission ship indeed

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  8. oh! love this!
    today i posted John Masefield's "sea fever" poem in regards to tending the spirit w/a trip to the sea. maybe you'll consider making more for your shop???

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  9. this is so beautiful! & just the post i needed to read.
    today, i'm giving myself permission to linger a little longer in the woods. to breathe a little deeper. & sip my coffee a little slower.
    i'd too would love to see these sail into your shop.xo

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