Reverb10 - Let Go

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Earlier (Reverb10, Day 1, One Word), I spoke about accepting. The funny thing about opening yourself to accept something new - it means you  must be ready to let something else go. Very few things come into your life, that you want or need, that don't require you to clear some space off your plate, table, mind, house, etc.

"It just means you are letting it go so that your hands are not so filled with past hurts that they cannot grasp onto the goodness waiting to be held." ~Melody Ross, Brave Girls Club

In thinking back over this year, I see a lot of letting go. Just read Day 1's post - everything I accepted was because I had first let go. I was tracing my path that led me to meeting a wonderful and unexpected group of people. I was trying to remember exactly how I came to know this group of mixed media and art journalers that quickly fueled my interest in shifting away from stamping to mixed media. It was a fortuitous meeting - I feel far more comfortable with my art in this venue.

Well, it occurred to me that there was a specific event that propelled me into contact with these people. Like most rockets, a catalyst is the mechanism for such propulsion. For this event - it was the death of my beloved Jinge-bear, my rescued bunny.

I posted the sad news on Milliande's Ning site. I was heartbroken but having just moved, had no one to share the burden with (besides Karl). I reached out. I didn't expect much in return, but it felt good to just send my pain out to the Universe. Bunnies aren't considered pet-material by most people, yet are the third most popular group of pets. I didn't realize, at the time, but I was taking steps in preparation of letting go.

{artwork by iKerriLove}

By reaching out, I was opening myself up to a blessing. iKerriLove (screen name) read about Jinge's short life, and was compelled to create this beautiful page. Soon, Kerri and I were chatting online, and eventually she introduced me to her favorite creative people. The rest, as they say, is history. I was smitten not only with the creative outlet (I'm feeling much at home with art journaling), but with the generous people who give of themselves to teach and encourage budding artists.

I had to let go of Jinge to accept the blessing of new friends, healing art, and eventually these two cuties:

What are you holding onto?

~ky