Hidden in the depths, we seek to know the light that shines within to the life that unfolds out. To make whole, to make one, we dive in, then return with a jewel found here, a gem unearthed there. Scattered on the ocean floor, waiting to be gathered, wanting to be brought home— all one through love. No longer within or without. Simply eager to be lived.
“You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth”
– Henry Louis Mencken
”Like the sea itself, the unconscious yields an endless and self-replenishing abundance of creatures, a wealth beyond our fathoming.”
– C.G. Jung
“The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart.”
Soar like an eagle, work like an ant, Sing like a dove, Float like a swan. All of nature proclaims, This is life! Free of worry, Alive in wonder, Each moment open, now to the next. Trust intuition, instinct profound. No thoughts to bare down and fill with fear. Fly free now! Eagle cries out. See the truth, beyond the now.
(Image my own)
“If you dream of becoming an eagle, you follow your dreams and not the words of a bunch of chickens.”
-Penny Johnson Jerald
“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.”
-Carl Sandburg
“If a bird believes it is an eagle long enough, it will eventually end up soaring like one.”
I am feeling excited about another book event. These events are so much fun as I meet people, talk about the book and the art, and feel the bonus excitement of creating which is sharing with you and the broader community .
Save the date! Better yet, go to gladjegallery.com and claim a free ticket for this fun and enlightening evening on Solstice, June 21, 7-8:30 PM.
Heidi Barr, poet and author of Just Wild Enough, and I will be hosting a poetry reading from our recently released books along with a conversation about our connection to nature and spirituality.
This gallery is a treat to explore, showcasing local artists, authors, jewelry designers, woodworkers and more along with an amazing display of household items for yourself or to gift. Heidi and I will have our books for sale along with my art and art greeting cards.
We would love to see you!
Gladje Gallery at13025 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom, MN 55045, June 21, 2024 7-8:30 pm.,
El Camino IV, The Flow of Compassion by Janis Dehler
In the fall of 2017, I hiked the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. When I returned, I created a series of paintings depicting my emotional, physical, and spiritual experience. Recently, a print of El Camino IV, The Flow of Compassion was purchased. I did not share my experience and the meaning of the work with the buyer but allowed her to see what was there for her. This week the collector sent me her perspective on viewing this art as a review to post on my website. As we enter the Christian Holy Week, I offer you her words, her intimate experience of self-awareness. I feel deep gratitude in being able to touch the life of another embodied spirit.
I sense the flow of something powerful within me and through me as I take in the vibrant colors, flowing and attuning to my inner being, awakening a deep knowing of the nurturing of my broken heart by compassionate people in my spiritual community. As I look more intently at this amazing work of art, I see a cross.
My thoughts go to Jesus as he suffered intense beatings after his arrest; after he heard the declaration, ‘Crucify Him’! and while he hung on a cross, slowly dying.
I remember reading his response ~ Forgive them, for they know not what they do! And I feel a powerful movement through me and in my heart ~ the flow of compassion.
I am in awe of his response. Instead of blaming the darkness, Jesus brought in the light of forgiveness, through compassion.
Now my thoughts go to myself ~ I have been blessed by the flow of compassion toward me; I have allowed the power of compassion to flow through me to others, and finally, I have forgiven the one who broke my heart.
Eileen
“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”
Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”
Sandhill crane seeks rest before the flight north to home. I journey with birds.
(photo by Leo Dehler)
“Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to – it’s not for them.”
Joubert Botha
“It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes, everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed, is you.”
Eric Roth
“You will never completely be at home again because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”
A big THANK YOU to the art collectors who purchased these paintings during the Common Ground Art and Poetry Exhibition. It is heart filling as an artist and author to be able to witness the connection that others feel to my voice and expression. These works have found new homes and I wish the owners years of happiness.
I am excited to announce the launch of ONE WORLD: A JOURNEY OF BECOMING. Seeing my name in Amazon and on Goodreads, as an author, with my book, was stunning.
I finished and thoroughly enjoyed a week of book launch events that were well attended. The full art show is still hung at Common Ground, here in Cambridge, and available for viewing M – Th from 10 – 3pm. It will be taken down on January 28th.
I could not be happier or feel more filled with all the care and love expressed to me as I share my story. As I now write, it has been four days since the last event. I’m tired but feeling carried by all the support. One person asked, “What is next?” That is a hard one to answer. I have a couple of ideas for another book. I am thinking of creating a retreat. I am needing rest and sunshine.
More than anything, I want to continue to support individuals and groups in learning to ground and center into the core of who they are and open to what lies ahead for them. We are called to awaken to ourselves and to our divine connection, however we envision this to be; to find joy in who we are and what we bring to this world in healing, through compassion, and opening to this grand universe.
One World: A Journey of Becoming is available from me on my SHOP page, www.janisdehler.com/shop, to be mailed in the US. It is also available at Scout and Morgan Books here in Cambridge, MN. Both the paperback and eBook version (soon to be released) are available on Amazon here and in many other countries. The Great British Book Shop and Ingram Spark carry the paperback.
(My apologies for a double send on this one. A goof up on my end caused me to lose the poem from my collection.)
I face the camera and witness the care taken to set the scene: a chair moved, a plant placed here, now there, lighting adjusted, inched forward, then further to the side. He checks and rechecks, through the camera lens— the eye of the artist designing the scene, with shadow, dimension, and interest.
I read poems to the camera, and to my son, as his vision moves from the lens to me, with careful observation. I arrive at the last word, hold my gaze to his smile and to his eyes, intent on mine, as his speak of love and care, to let me know we are done— it is a good take.
I observe my son’s talent, feel held in the palm of safe keeping, son to mother. I experience the shift of time, to when I offered an observant eye to him, as he toddled, and I moved objects that could harm or topple his way. I now let go into his craft, as we each offer our artistry to the other, woven through time, they now unite, dance together, create.
“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”
Osho
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Albert Einstein
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”
My mind and body have been moving in different directions these days as I try to get ready for holiday gatherings as well as launch a book. The pre-orders are going well, and I look forward to mailing each one on January 2, 2024—a lovely way to start a new year! Thank you to all who have pre-ordered. There is still time to do so: www.janisdehler.com/shop.
What I would like to share with you today comes as a reminder to my Twin Cities area friends and family to set your calendars for January 11 and join me at The University of St. Catherine, Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality, for a conversation with Mari Ann Graham, Director of the Masters in Social Work Program, who will interview me regarding my book and paintings, One World: A Journey of Becoming. I am curious to hear her questions. What direction will she go? I hope you are curious as well and join me for an evening of conversation, refreshments, a book signing, and art. The following link will take you to your free registration or $16 with the pre-order of a book.
Stay tuned next Wednesday for more information about my book launch event north of the Twin Cities on January 14. My goodness, this is fun!
Now, off to take all the groceries I bought yesterday and make a raspberry pie, a squash lasagna, wild rice soup, wrap more presents, arrange some flowers…..
