The Misty Islands Of Ha Long Bay...

As you drift silently by...
it seems the Islands are much the same,
 but then you notice,
 the water, light, distance and perspectives all change...
It's all how and when you look at it.

You find yourself looking for something...
a connection...
Familiarity, stability, in the midst of the unknown.
but noticing and accepting change.

There are also things going on under the surface.
I'm reminded that's where pearls grow
in the quiet, still, dark,
 silence.

Back Again With A Holiday reflection...

Sitting on the bed in the beautiful cabin of the cruise ship,
 gazing out at the misty islands,
listening to the soft purring of the engines,
 and watching the subtle change and movement of the passing scene.

Rozie thought about floating, drifting and destination.
Peace, tranquillity and the journey.
Is it time out? or time in?..

Time to process and contemplate what's going on...

Sometimes it's what you think, and sometimes it's not.
The trick is going with the flow
going with the moment.

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.