The sparks and services — Space clearing for spirit to work
introducing BY HAND
I’m always amazed when folks seamlessly thread together an essay or reflective story to the product or service they provide. It’s as though they’ve neatly and clearly identified each bridge in their business ecosystem and connected all possible dots. At least, that’s what I perceive from the outside looking in.
In contrast, I feel like I’m methodically building one of those living bridges. Eventually providing something cohesive and recognizable. It’s like whether I’m building a bridge or burning it down, I still rely upon the same kind of energy: patience, timing, endurance, devotion, attention, ingenuity, and care.
But metaphor aside, I figured I’d get straight to the point, clear the space, and share what’s going on. At first glance the following may seem unrelated or disjointed, but rest assured they’re connected via, you guessed it, yours truly. At the end of the day, aren’t we all just a multi-hyphenated compilation of expertise and effort? Underneath this ecosystem I call my work is a mycelium of prismatic interests and experiences that fuel me. What has emerged is a constellation of newly inspired poetry, the remodeling of a productized service, and a remarkable gamut of endeavors worthy of my attention.
The Remodel
A few years back I offered interior design consultations. In retrospect, they were bigger and more grandiose than I’d intended. Simple and fun is the way to go. What’s more realistic is having a clear plan that’s focused, attainable, and budget friendly.
For the far majority of us it’s about diagnosing everyday design issues and tackling them one at a time, one room at a time. Whole house makeovers are extremely rare. Maybe if you’re very rich or in entertainment television. But even then.
Suffice it to say, I’ve done some remodeling to the service. And I’m interested in bringing back what I’m calling By Hand. Not just because I love the sound of it, but because it captures how I approach most conundrums.
By Hand is aimed at addressing one room or area of your home that’s driving you crazy or in need of design and or styling help.
We spend a lot of time in our homes. In addition to the other hundred reasons why homes are special, they comfort us when we’re feeling blue and provide a space to celebrate with friends. A little attention goes a long way and can be done by:
‘shopping your house’
relocating / restyling what already exists in the space
considering color and common shapes
selling/donating that which no longer is serving you—spaciousness is a gift
No more than three product recommendations will be made to buy (i.e. furniture, rug, drapes, etc.). In my opinion, a little restriction or restraint is a good thing, prompting creativity over consumption.
Available in person (greater Albuquerque area) or online.
The Class
Last week I took a class called: Divinity and the Written Word. It was a writing class. A class about god (lowercase. no gender. no hierarchy.) A class about writing to god, with god, around god. We wrote to music, to something bigger than us, and to the configuration of daily ritual. I often write in a purely generative way, so the practice of contemplative writing coupled with generative output was both inspiring and healing.
It reminded me that one of the most dynamic ways in which I experience god is with others. It also reinforced that when I show up, experiment, and remain open, pretty cool things happen. For instance, a palpable energetic charge was generated. Fresh material for essays, poems, prayers, and devotional practices poured out of me. All of which I’m excited to share in the coming weeks and months.
One poem in particular arose out of the following prompt (musical accompaniment): If god arrived through sound, it would…..
An Instrument of Joy by (me) Erin Johnson
Is this what the instrument senses, the vibe-ration it feels from its stings being plucked, the breath through the reed?
Play me. Play with me. Please. Play on.
The spirit is embodied, and in listening, I too become embodied.
In listening I become
In tasting I become
In touching I become
In smelling I become
In visioning I become
In sensing it all, am I it all? Yes. I am.
What I’m paying attention to | What’s coming alive
[Loosely inspired by Simone Weil, (1909–1943) French philosopher, mystic, and political thinker who believed that “absolutely unmixed attention is prayer”.]
> Oblique Strategies originally a card deck created by musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt in 1975, designed to break creative blocks through lateral thinking. It has been translated into an online tool. I keep it open in one of my browser tabs and regularly hit random. This morning was, “use your own ideas.” (so good)
> Currently reading The Writer and Her Work* prefaced by Julia Alvarez, edited by Janet Sternburg. It’s a fantastic compilation of answering why we write.
> I’ve recommended this to pretty much everyone I’ve talked to recently, including my step-son. So I’ll mention it here too. The Gentrification of the Mind* by Sarah Schulman. Great!
> The Shakers and their sacred sheets. The materiality of them, as drawings on paper, is not necessarily linked to their meaning. An ecstatic form of divine communion, the intent of the visioning could be translated into movement, song, drawing.
> Breathing with the Forest is technologically and immersively cool. If only we could employ AI robotics to wash dishes to reduce the mass production of single use plastics for food consumption, then we’d really be on to something.
> Last but not least, One of the many ways in which I can help you.1:1 creative advising / copy editing. Share the load, gain momentum, and publish your generative work.
(*affiliate links*)
HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY!
Yours, Erin