Harmony In The Tension

Rozie wondered about.

the rhythm of life,
the highs' and lows'
the ups' and downs' and ins' and outs'...
about black and white.
paradox and contradiction.

She thought about it all and realised
 that you still want to find harmony in the tension.

A look back at how it all started...

A look back at how it all started...

Hi, by way of introduction I'm Jo Rosenblum 

I started this blog 'Tension In The Negative Spaces', sometime in April 2011.

It's  hard to  remember  the  exact circumstances that precipitated my foray into the blogsphere.

  It had a lot to do with negotiating a particularly difficult period of my life.

 I'd been on my own for a number of years, following a long and difficult marriage.

 I'd had major problems with leadership at the local church I was attending, and found myself outside the flock as it were.

 I'd lost a loved one (fiance), and that not only  meant losing a partner but also lots of hopes, dreams and plans for the future.

I seemed to have been thrust out on a big journey of change and discovery.

 Something positive that's come out of this experience has been the development of my cartoons and reflections.

They have been a valuable discipline and routine, as well as a way of thinking about and processing what I'm going through, helping me get things off my chest. 

This way I can see issues more clearly, in a way that is hopefully helpful to others.

It's  been interesting to see how my drawings and ideas have developed over time.

 Lately they seem to have found themselves categories...which in some ways makes it easier for me,

 when faced with the challenge of coming up with something new.

There is of course" Rozie", then there are the sheep or "ewe" drawings,  "join the dots",  "garden of life" and  "tea"

Rozie...

She felt kind of disturbed, when she observed peoples need to be so public

 about how cute and happy and generally all round fantastic their "Family" is.

Rozie had seen many families, and quite frankly none of them resembled the stickers.

The first character to emerge was Rozie...who is a lot like me

 but gets to say things that I may think but probably wouldn't say.

It's  about being brave, having your opinion taken seriously

 and observing lots of the difficulties of life.

Often she's talking about relationships, and gives a  reminder that it's OK to be yourself 

and in the end that's the gift you have to share with others.

Using humour, in a way that provokes thoughtful observation.

  She's particularly relevant to single middle aged women.

                                                      The Sheep...                                                                                                        

Sometimes dear reader, there is too much control,

 and not enough freedom.

After all we like the stories about sheep following their master

because they choose to not because they are forced to.

Sometimes we have the wool pulled over our eyes.
At times we do it to ourselves, at times we let others do it for us.
We can all choose to hang up the blindfolds
It's always hard work, we might need encouragement and support.
We mightn't like what we see in ourselves and others.
But in the end it's better to be able to see reality.

Join the dots.

Make a wish, or sow a seed.

Sometimes it's hard to say if it's a wish or a prayer.

However , maybe when we let our deepest thoughts and desires out 

and set them free we are planting seeds that someday will bear the fruit of dreams.

The 'Join the dots' drawings are mostly encouraging and thought provoking,

often focusing on a word or an idea.

While  doing these drawings I have to slow right down and draw every dot,

patiently

 making the picture appear, I have time to think, it's a bit like therapy.

                                          Cracked Pots...                                                                                      

You have to love Cracked Pots...

Or are you a bit of a crack pot.

Not a problem,

Looking at things from another perspective,

half buried and planted with herbs,

it can become a shelter and a focus of usefulness and beauty.

You don't have to be perfect to be useful and beautiful.

Change...

Things are constantly changing around us,

and within ourselves there is constant change.

Sometimes we resist and don't like it at all.

However it's great when change brings us more freedom,

more beauty and the possibility to see things from a whole different viewpoint.

 Theses drawings come from the category "The Garden Of Life",

they're all about life lessons from nature.

Sometimes there's a bit of a cross over in categories, and sometimes lately I've even used colour.

Curiosi "Tea"

It may not "kill the cat"

but it can still get you into hot water

Thanks for the opportunity to share some of my work, I hope you find things to think about,

 and above all I hope you are finding creative ways to negotiate 

 the difficulties that you find on your path of life, and that in turn can encourage others .

Rozie Wondered...

Rozie wondered about 'The Top'...
What it really means, and who gets there etc,
 She realised that sometimes what's on the top is the cream,
and sometimes it's just the scum.
Or just lots of froth and bubble.

The Wish...

I wish you peace and quiet...
For your solitary moments.

Strength and endurance...
For your frequent challenges.

Insight...
For the conundrums that inevitably beset you.

And resolution of all of the above.

As well as fun or at least humour in the detail.

Ewe Have To Go On...

You have to believe that everything happens for a reason.
You can't always understand that reason
and mind you, most probably neither can those around you.
All of this can be so difficult and painful.

In the mean time...when it's all a bit too close and personal,
 you may find that a bit of quiet, a bit of a think
 and a bit of being kind to yourself
will help get you to the next bit.

Sometimes Ewe Think...

That Ewe'll say more,
or say "what you need to say".

Ewe think it's all about the words...

But there's always a lot more going on.

It seems that communication happens on many levels.
Not as straightforward as you may think...

The Gift...

It's what you do now
that becomes
what you once did,
and creates the potential
 or foundation for
 what you can do...

Ewe Need To Have Fun...

There are so many things in life that are serious or potentially difficult,
that it's important to remember to have some fun...
It's not an option, it's essential.
Get crazy with a daisy...

Ewe Never Know...

What's around the corner.

Sometimes it's good and some times it's not so good.
(By not so good read difficult).

Often we learn and  change for the better
by going through hard things that we don't like.

It's not a matter of avoiding,
it's a matter of taking the next step.

It's A Sign...

Today on my way home from work
I saw a bumper sticker that said,
"Tension is the new Bliss"
no kidding...
That gave me something to think about.

Facing Your Fears...

One morning Rozie realised that it was time to face her fears...
and sensibly, she decided to start with a proper breakfast.
 Sometimes it's a matter of  preparing and doing something familiar
 before leaping off into the unknown.
And besides, you won't be able to blame that funny feeling
in your tummy on hunger.

How Do Ewe Hang On...

There are times when it's important to hang on...
and hang in there.

Some situations in life require patience and
 grim determination to get through.
Without support and encouragement,
it's almost impossible.

There are times when it's good to be
part of "the Flock"

Faith, Hope and Love....

Rozie wondered about many things...

about connection,
about what it all means
and where it's all going.

In the end
she thought about it as a test of
Faith, Hope and Love...

When The Walls Fall Down...

Sometimes, you feel as though you're all boxed in.

But if you can have a bit of a look
 at  what's really going on, get a bit more clarity,
and make a move away from negative controlling influences.

It's like all the walls fall down.

And you find  your heart
has been set free.

The Audience Of One...

Soaking in a deep bath with the water over her ears,
 Rozie found she could hear lots of different sounds,
 it was like sensory deprivation and overload all at the same time.
 It was nice and warm and floaty,
 but kind of disturbing,
and her thoughts seemed kind of loud.

She wondered how comfortable she was
 with being the only member of the audience.

How your own company can be a bit intense,
 and at times hard to handle.
 

Breaking The Silence...

During the course of dinner,
her friend referred to his 5 week silent retreat
 in a monastery in the north of Thailand.
You know to 'clear the mind'
When Rozie enquired how that had gone,
there was a shrug and an interjection about
 the retreat including a certain 'ronantic rendezvous' in town.
Rozie thought of it as
' Buddhism with benefits'.

Ewe Wish...

When you make a wish,
it's a powerful thing...it can set events in motion.
It's a starting point for good or bad.
I guess that's why they say
"Be careful what you wish for".

What Ewe Believe...

What you believe about yourself and others...
Sometimes it's simple.
Sometimes it's complicated.
Sometimes it's funny.
Sometimes it's a combination.

Handy Stick Face...

There were times during some conversations
 when Rozie had trouble getting the right sort of look on her face.
Mostly the trouble was when she understood things
 that she coudn't really discuss,
because the other person was hostile or in denial
or had such strong inflexible opinions.

At these times she wanted a happy, understanding
 plesant face on a stick.
So she had time to process what she was thinking
and decide on the best course of action.
Before her friend had time to say something like...
"what's that look all about?"

Perspective...

It seems that the more freedom you have,
the wider your perspective becomes.

Just A Reminder...

Wear a smile in your heart...

Scars...

Rozie thought of scars as  visible reminders
 of where we've been healed.


As opposed to wounds which are all about the pain we suffer now.

Scars  mark what we've been through
 and how we've moved on.

They're about getting from a painful place to a peaceful place.

Moments...

Rozie started to see things that she'd previously glossed over,
or driven past, on the way to somewhere important.
She began to open up to the little moments
 that are just there waiting to greet your heart
with beauty and wonder.
Moments that offer a glimpse of the misty centre of the woods,
 all quiet and majestic in the morning light,
still with ancient time.
she wondered at the potential for beautiful moments...

Gravi "Tea"...

The drink for when it feels like everything's coming down.

Nest...

Nest...

Empty Nest...

New Nest...

It's kind of temporary,
 it's about safety, purpose...
 instinct.

Cozy no extras,
a place of nurture...

Then to be set free to fly.

Until Tomorrow...

I sit in my small corner of the world,
up high...perched on cane and curved iron...
the view is beautiful.
I watch the glowing sun set and sink through layers of pale yellow,
 deepening orange and gold to mauve violet and grey.
The tree, large and outstretched across the vista is velvet black,
 like a cut out, stark, detailed and delicate.
The lower hedge, grown out of control...
has long fronds that sway in the wind  driving up the valley,
 it waves hello and goodbye all at once.
The changes take time and at every turn, there are things to notice.
The city gradually starts to twinkle.
The tiny lights get brighter and brighter,
even the smallest pin prick is of interest.
The colours and reflections merge
 and even the happy waving hedge blends and disappear again....
until tomorrow.
Many things mark the passing of time.
 The beauty of a sunset is a marker of  change and progression
  that if you let it...
will take you to a deep and beautiful place,
a space that is all at once familiar and a discovery ...
all in the space of a breath.

Follow Your Heart...

If your heart is free ...it will lead you to unexpected places.

Sometimes less is more, and sometimes it's not...

Rozie caught up with a dear old friend.
As the drinks and nibbles were ordered,
 she pondered on the size of the servings,
  the lack of service and the number of drinks left on the bar,
( due to their contents being undrinkable.)

The conversation was bright, exciting and intriguing.
At one point they discussed the concept of minimalism,
( in relation to architecture.)


In the end Rozie thought  how expensive it can be to have nothing.

Happy Drops In The Midst Of Madness...

Just thinking about all those little positive "sound bites"
of clever, warm, thoughtful, reminders of how to deal with life.

In other words "Happy Drops".

And how when you're faced with a situation (read crisis, if not madness)
They just don''t cut it.

It's the hard yards, and you don't get the luxury of applying platitudes,
and an "over positive mind set",  to change the inevitable grinding up-hill path.

Wish it was easy but often it's like milling flour,
some things are going to get crushed.

Often necessary, but not pleasant.

Another T Shirt...

Easier said than done...
Often we're so used to carrying stuff around
 and dealing with things in the same old ways.

And as much as it's up to the individual in the long run,
 I really don't think it's possible to do it without support. 

Rozie ordered a drink, she fancied something to sip slowly,
she decided on a "Sweet Longing".
It was a mix of patience with a dash of hope,
poured slowly over ice.

Clari "Tea"...

The drink for when you want to clearly understand a situation...
Best taken on it's own, to avoid Calami "Tea".

Rozie wondered...

Sometimes people said things like "he was too grateful",
like it was some sort of insult or accusation.
It sounded as though the grateful person
 was going to spend all their time
 grovelling to, or sucking up to the person
who had done them some sort of kindness or favour.
A kind of  discreet division
where some people are one step down, and other people can
extend some sort of kindness and expect a lifetime of loyalty or debt.

Rozie didn't think that had much to do with gratefulness.
To her it sounded more like a class system.

Being Grateful...

Even in the most peaceful surroundings the ungrateful heart finds trouble.
Even in the most troublesome surroundings the grateful heart finds peace."



Mark and Angel.

Sinceri 'Tea'...

Simple, but not always available...

Singulari 'Tea'...

The favourite Tea of 'Maiden Aunts'...

Empty words...

Rozie thought about how beautiful and meaningful,
and important words can sound...
She realised that sometimes they are rather like bubbles,
all amazing and fascinating while they're floating around,
 but suddenly they go pop,
 and there's nothing there.

The Path Of Life...

The path of life always provides choices,
one of the options is the path of least resistance.
It's tempting, and may appear easy,
 but you may find a surprise around the corner,
 that's possibly not plesant.
The steeper path will make you stronger,
 and give you greater perspective and a sense of acomplishment.
It's not always plesant, but the rewards are positive. 

Another 'T' Shirt From Rozie...

The 'T' shirt for when someone you know
 keeps loudly repeating the same thing over and over,
 with conviction and passion,
But you can't help noticing the opposite in their actions.

This is just how this looks in my drawing book...
mistakes and all...
Just to give you an idea of how things look at my end.
And to say that it dosn't all have to be perfect, to have an effect.

Bee Friendly...

Make contact with all around you...
It's mutually beneficial.

Looking At The Positive...

 At times it seems a bit negative to want  to curl up in a dark quiet place.
That's when it helps to remember where Caterpillars go to get their wings...
Not all transformation happens in full view.

Ewe Have To Stick Together...

It's really important to know someones got your back.

Mother Superior And The Circus...

Maybe she just wanted a change,
or maybe she wanted to find adventure and excitement
 in a totally different environment...

Anyway whatever it was,
 she  found that it wasn't so much "running away to join the circus" ,
as finding that the circus of life comes with you wherever you go.

Compatibili 'Tea'...

The drink to have when it's essential that you both get on...