The Art of Life

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Acceptance of our Perfection

Vancouver BC, December 2009

Gillian Cornwall c. 2009

Theosophy

Quantum Physics

Thermodynamics

Our unity is our divinity.

Each atom as universal as the expanse of all we comprehend and beyond.

Acceptance of love, fluidity,

boundless perfection of thought, concept, existence.

The doe at the forest's edge

explains it all in her stillness on this winter's day,

steam emanating from her nostrils,

connected to all without question.

-Gillian Cornwall, c. January 27, 2013.

Mount Baker from Willows Beach, Victoria BC

Gillian Cornwall, c.2011

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Let Us Go To the Universal Place Within Us

Bird of Paradise - Lana'i Hawaii

Gillian Cornwall, c. December 2012

"Love. Kindness. Joy. Patience. Endurance."

I repeat these words and live their meanings to the best of my ability in each moment and in the face of my fears. I follow the path of the femina magna with calm and steady breath: impeccable in word, not taking the path of others as my own, not making assumptions and doing my best with each step.

Wars, heartaches, lives and deaths have cycled through us and we walk on, down our paths, making decisions with each and every footfall:

a) the path of love

b) the path of fear

Let us go to the universal space within us,

the space where we have all recognized at one time in our lives,

if only for a fleeting moment:

We are beings of love, of energy,

we are inextricably connected.

Let us be our best one.

Let us walk our paths in a state of openness and love,

independent and together,

as the roots below our feet

and the flow of the oceans,

as all the creatures of the earth.

Let us weave this beautiful basket of life and love together

so when we look within

our introspection shows the wonder of limitlessness,

the universe in each of us as one connected being.

From mother to child we unfurl

with limitless love for all

and no fear of loss,

for love flows as an endless fountain

through us

with no fear,

no need to hold,

for it is all there, all ways,

if we are open,

if we trust.

Breathe.

Gillian Cornwall, c. January 20, 2013.

Hulopoe Beach - Lana'i, Hawaii

Gillian Cornwall, c. December 2012

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Love and Fear

Gillian Cornwall, c.2010

Unkindness is a chasm between us and our knowledge of love.

It is not for us to carry each others fears. These are burdens we must bear ourselves until we choose to lay them down and unpack them.

When I say "I love you", this is a gift from me to you, for you to do with what you will. Whether you keep it in your heart or under the basement steps is entirely up to you. In giving this gift, I am filled with joy, with no expectation of return on investment from you. This goes for all forms of love. Give what you have to freely give, without fear or desire. This is the sweet spot in life.

Gillian Cornwall, January 13, 2013.

Sunday, January 06, 2013

The New Year - Change Will Come with Intention

Me - Lana'i, December 2012

Three days back in the office and my neck hurts, I'm exhausted at the end of each day though I've only gone for a short walk at lunch hour, my stomach aches and it is dark and wet outside when I leave for work and when I return home.

I don't know what it is that needs to shift but I'm pretty sure something does. Many people look sad or blank.

We have life. Few of us are lacking for any life necessities. So what is it? Why are we not a more joyful crew?

I can close my eyes and recall the memory of no physical pain while I was in Hawaii. I can recall the joy of simply being alive (and I give thanks for this each day). In Hawai'i, there exists a natural joy through volcanic birth, burgeoning life, elemental pleasures of ocean, sun's heat, fertile soil and sweet air.

Here in Victoria I am feeling a constant pressure, an internal tension, which I cannot fathom with respect to origin or reason. I can not place its source.

I am grateful for my life and I breathe the moments, the peace, through me. I open my mind to all possibility.

I am re-learning to eat well, paying attention to the food I purchase, how I prepare and consume it with care and gratitude. I am remembering to drink more water - the ultimate gift of life from the mother earth. I am moving my body with joy and intention - walks, exploration, swimming and dancing.

I rejoice in the exquisite beauty of life. I continue to let love flow through me without holding. I make space for my life to be plentiful.

I write. I listen to people. I read - a lot.

I help others and intend to do more.

I intend to act with kindness.

I laugh; I will laugh ...out loud.

I remember the words of Nana Veary, great Hawaiian:
"Seek to enjoy, not to possess."

With love and best wishes to all. Happy New Year to each of you.

-Gillian Cornwall, January 6. 2013.

Nana Veary Statement

My drawing, copied from some packaging

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Action with Intent - My trip to Lana'i

Miniature Decorative Pineapple

Lodge at Koele - Lana'i Hawai'i

G. Cornwall - c.2012

"Seek to enjoy, not to possess." - Nana Veary

December has been a time for me to consider the differences and balances between having things and doing things.

In October of 2012, I found an incredible deal with Westjet and booked a ticket for the first leg of my journey from Victoria BC to Honolulu Hawai'i. I followed up with an island hopper booking to Lana'i, Hawai'i. I had spoken with a friend on Lana'i and she graciously agreed to let me stay with her. My trip was set for December to celebrate my 51st birthday on Lana'i. I had attempted to put the trip together for my 50th and it hadn't worked out. I officially named this trip my 50 redux.

Some people told me I was "lucky" to be taking this trip. While I know I am fortunate to live in a country where I have a job, a place to live and enough to eat, rest assured, I did not win this trip. What I did do was: work tons of extra hours, sold my art and photo cards for very reasonable prices and I liquidated family belongings that had been sitting in a cupboard because I did not like them, did not use them or both. I scrimped, saved, worked, planned, sold and bartered and, in December, off I went to Lana'i.

I saw old friends and met new ones. I hiked, toured the island with some very knowledgeable locals, ate local food, chilled at the beach, studied the island's history at the Lana'i Culture and Heritage Centre, took pictures as two of the kindest and loveliest people I have ever met renewed their wedding vows, was treated to two incredibly luxurious and delicious lunches with them at the Lodge at Koele and I treated myself to a few drinks and meals at the islands top-notch restaurants and hotels.

As I mentioned earlier, for the largest part of my trip I stayed with a friend on the island but I also gave myself a birthday present of 3 nights at the Hotel Lana'i, where I indulged in the simplicity and camaraderie of this island gem.

On the Friday before my birthday, I headed down to Hulopoe to enjoy a day on the beach and in mother ocean. It was a day when the mother was at peace with her shores and all of her children rejoiced in her pristine, crystal clear beauty. The air caressed with a gentle, warm breeze like a kiss to the cheek of all life.

I knew the dolphins were in the bay but I never chase them down so I set up my spot on the beach and went to change into my swim wear and got out my snorkel gear. I swam straight out for about 100 metres and, in no time at all, a pod of about 17 dolphins was headed towards me. I was the only person in this part of the bay at this time and I held my place in the water to watch these beautiful creatures approach. I have to say, it is a little intimidating as it is impossible to tell if they are upset - they are always smiling. :-) When the lead dolphin was within several feet of me, we began swimming beside each other, my eyes to theirs with a silent communication of mutual acceptance and pure joy. It was then I noticed the two mamas with their babies swimming directly beneath them in perfect rhythmic unison with their mothers. It is the most beautiful experience I have ever had. I can never clearly articulate the emotion and feeling of this experience. It may sound odd but it was intense and perfect and simple. It was the best birthday present I could ever hope for and I will never forget. I can close my eyes and be right there again. The memory of it is as clear and perfect as the mother was that day.

None of the objects I sold could ever offer me the joy and beauty and perfection of those moments. I hope I will choose experience over objects, always. I choose to live, love, do, see and feel.

Here are some of the pictures from my experience on Lana'i. a place I have been getting to know, like a lover, for twenty years. This is a glance at Lana'i through my eyes.

-Gillian Cornwall, December 30, 2012.

**All images and text on this blog are the property of Gillian Cornwall. Please notify me if you wish to use any. Mahalo.**

he'e nalu - Hulopoe

Karen and Alan's Pagoda, The Lodge at Koele

Orange hibiscus

Kaiolohia

Me at Kaiolohia

Looking to Maui from Kaiolohia

The Cook Island Pines at sunset

Christmas time in Lana'i City

Amazing dinner hosted by my friend, Barb

Lana'i Boat Harbour

Fishing - Lana'i Boat Harbour

In these hills, roam thousands of Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep

The old jail cells being spruced up for ...?

The Lana'i Theatre used to play movies but has sat empty for a while now.

Where you stay?

Mouflon Horns

The Four Seasons Lodge at Koele

On my day long tour with Bruce. Awesome.

The shipwrecked WWII ferrous concrete hull Liberty Ship

Was given residence here after the war as an "economical" method of disposal

Not for the faint of heart but a piece of cake for our guide, Bruce.

The fearless and very knowledgeable guide, Bruce.

The Ironwood Forest

Heading down to the barge harbour

The Three Sisters

A lava tube. Sometimes people were put to rest in these after they passed. Those who placed them would be the only ones who knew the whereabouts, so would plunge to their deaths to keep the secret safe .