paint Archives - alena hennessy

When We Gather

November 19, 2013November 19, 2013

Why is it that something sacred happens when we gather with a shared intention? What is that exactly? Why does creative process challenge, thrill, and fill us so much? Colors, textures, lines, patterns… this visual language: unspoken and silent, yet it speaks in volumes; gently, passionately, richly. Its up to you decide: do you want …

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One day you are sitting in a red dress waiting for

One day you are sitting in a red dress waiting for your retreaters to arrive— everything lined up in place and planned in delightful detail for a year...Then the next day the world begins to shut down. And so begins a new reality. Yet does it feel that surprising? Could we have really gone on at that pace? I mean— reaaaally?? Do we not know in our bones the earth must heal... whether that was the intended outcome or not? The mystery was not meant to be fully understood. That’s why it likes to befriend the abyss. In a time of great shift it’s a powerful thing to say “I really don’t know... but I can always be curious.” Many of us have lost thousands of dollars but what do we gain right now? What story is being shaped? I know I’ll never take for granted the joy of having people over for dinner again. Or just to not be stuck in Indonesia worrying about how I will pay both my mortgage + rent, wondering how my dads health is, & will my 14 year old dog hold on... Slowly my adrenals are balancing. My boyfriend & I finally got to snuggle. We made forest nettles pesto with my quarantined housemate and shared stories on the carpet with candles of growing up in divorced family’s and 90’s club scenes... which somehow led to esoteric knowledge and non-dual states of consciousness. 😘 #ashevillelife
What I deeply appreciate right now besides being back in silk bamboo sheets (without worry of spider bites) is that slowing down and daily simplicity feels like the space my heart has always needed. Making meals every night together and sharing food feels like it should’ve always been this way…
Having a long walk with my dog feels like it’s almost necessary to live a normal life. How fast and how distracted were we before? But we cannot forget that we must under any circumstances continue to live through what provides contentment for the soul. Joy can be sooo simple. Make room for joy everyday. Solo dance parties yes. Laying naked in the sun yes. Watching Project Runway with coconut whip & berries yes.
This is still beyond luxury for so many.
Hopefully this is a wake up call to us all. No one said any of this is easy. But at least be easy on yourself today.

In order for us to thrive and express our true sel

What can you still reach out & touch today? For me

What can you still reach out & touch today? For me being isolated up near Ubud is bringing about unexpected gifts. Not without challenges, I’ll go from feeling this deeply limbic peace to anxious thoughts pretty quickly. When I reflect this question keeps coming up: What truly matters to me in life? When I look towards the future, what do I see? What’s at the core of this experience, what’s the invitation here? This. What are we being invited into. For me it’s to celebrate the love inside myself, with my beautiful wise boyfriend, my dog, the earth, my family & friends. Celebrate the slowness, the simplicity ... and to listen. Listen to source energy, the nature spirits. ::: And this call from the Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers ::: “As you move through these changing times... be easy on yourself and be easy on one another. You are at the beginning of something new. You are learning a new way of being. You will find that you are working less in the yang modes that you are used to.
You will stop working so hard at getting from point A to point B the way you have in the past, but instead, will spend more time experiencing yourself in the whole, and your place in it.
Instead of traveling to a goal out there, you will voyage deeper into yourself. Your mother's grandmother knew how to do this. Your ancestors from long ago knew how to do this. They knew the power of the feminine principle... and because you carry their DNA in your body, this wisdom and this way of being is within you.
Call on it. Call it up. Invite your ancestors in. As the yang based habits and the decaying institutions on our planet begin to crumble, look up. A breeze is stirring. Feel the sun on your wings." Photo by lovely @JennyMesserle

I’d really love to know how y’all are doing ou

I’d really love to know how y’all are doing out there. I am here just outside Ubud wandering secret green paths of offerings full of gratitude and blessings—and it feels like another planet... peaceful, healthy, trusting. I see the videos of Italians singing from their stoops to connect & it brings tears to my eyes. I’m praying for my family & beloveds everyday. I’m praying for the return of balance to our planet everyday. The sweet creatures, the children, mother earth’s fever. So many varying reflections on this.... the why, the possible outcomes... so much. I see how I’ve gone through my own stages of this too— stages of grief I’d call it.
Confession: last Christmas I sensed something really big like this would happen to the world when I was on this big retreat run overseas. I just didn’t know what it was.
So tell me how you are... 🦚🧡🦚

So these pics were taken 3 days ago before all the

So these pics were taken 3 days ago before all the news went down. I did want to show off my beautiful skirt from 🇮🇳— but I also desire to share this info on how I protect & keep my body healthy.
For me, my quality of breath everyday is key. For breathing can be the greatest pleasure in life if we allow it. Breathwork alone has transformed my life! ALSO quality extra daily Vitamin C from Vimergy (like an Ester C with rose hips, thank you @medicalmedium), liquid Zinc, essential oils like On Guard from @doterra, Immune Aid Synergy from Plant Therapy, fresh fruit (a lot of it, juiced too), Frankincense, Cedarwood, Bulgarian Rose essential oils for the heart, Rock Rose or Pink Yarrow flower essence, rest sweet rest, prayer.... and plenty of washing hands of course. Also cold showers (thanks @iceman_hof), sweating daily, sunshine (viruses loathe the sun), Thyme tea, Oil of Oregano & warm fresh lemon ginger honey tea if I’m beginning to feel off in my body...and creating. I tend to apply my oils on my feet and hands and delicately around my nostrils with a carrier oil. Eating plant based has also transformed my body and skin— at 43 I’m feeling healthier than ever! My favorite adaptation for calm without a doubt is Lemon Balm! Tulsi (Holy Basil) the Queen herb is also wonderful. I would avoid all dairy (creates mucus), sugar, too much processed food & flour right now for certain. 🌼🌙🌼🌙🌼🌸🌸🌸🌙🌼🌙🌼 All this relieves my anxiety & puts me back into the beauty of the present moment. I don’t like to go overboard, but I do like to be measured and steady.
Change is the only perpetual force. Sometimes there is comfort in that! The times they are transforming.

So how are you feeling out there? What are you doing to comfort yourself at this time? 🌼💫🌙 PS. I’m sharing this plus so much more in my Restoring the Wings by sliding scale donation. Add your email if interested in learning more. We can hold & support one another virtually through this! Connection brings upon warmth & comfort in the body. A limbic system in harmony is a body held in safety. 🌸🦚🌸 love you all 🌸🦚🌸

Once upon a time can happen at any time... 🌞🕊⚪️🌾

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