The quietness is new .
Moving well beyond early morning darkness and into the afternoon .
The songs of birds now have a captive audience with the roaming and wandering of humans now curtailed .
It is a quietness that will speak right to the heart .
And surrender to it and the mind will follow .
The quietness is new .
A stay from busyness has arrived and with it a new freedom … in the new quietness .
‘NEW DAWN’ 11×14 chalk pastels 2012 Donation to Bailey Boushay seattle
‘NEW DAWN’ 11×14 chalk pastels 2012 Donation to Bailey Boushay seattle
Awake before the light begins to arise and the spirit is untouched by the world’s woes . The joyousness of innocence dances lightly within the heart and the mind protects these cherished moments . Light reflected through the window and it’s warmth a reminder of the freedom alive in the mind . The quietness and the subtlety of a moment holds within it the miracles of eternity .
When I take pause in silence I can hear life . The magnificence of life in the quiet frees my mind and soothes all my senses . It’s gentleness is powerful and nearly palpable .
The trees private poems to each other are almost heard in whispers . And the gracious flow and rhythms of the natural world come together and then move apart in a beautiful dance .
When I remember the silence it welcomes me . Revealing the calm , the truth and the peace in life .
The days , mostly , filled with doing and moving . Prioritizing and producing . And so I come to the water’s edge to be still . To witness . To feel my heart being soothed and to know that the wild part has a place too . 
Breathe away the lingering notions of tulmultuous waves standing in the way . Standing at the edge of beautiful , wild dreams with eyes carrying deep visions from the past and a freshness, like new love , for the present . And when the colors change in sky and the formations of the trees alter their growth go with the winds the changes are sensed even before they are seen .
Breathe in the sight of stars and the knowing of their far off life traveling through space to just barely touch ours . And when a delicate , precious sunrise arrives perhaps we might choose a few moments to feel the presence of the earth beneath our bare feet on the grass or the sand or the dirt .
Breathe out with love , Breathe in the love .
‘Jewel of Life’ Acrylic 18×17″
The silences that come to us are a gift . An invitation to know ourselves and to become intimate
with the deep knowing that we are a piece of something greater than ourselves . Winds moving
the branches of the trees in a wild dance , calm , limpid waters soothing to see and a bird
launching into flight all living within your breath .
The silences that frighten do not claim to be the cause . The ancient memories that lie
dormant in our hearts and the truth of our intentions and dreams that help our hearts to beat
are what we’ve become fearful of knowing . Knowing deeply , so deeply that thinking of the
depths of the ocean would be like a raindrop falling against your cheek in a storm .
I wonder ….does one must step away to know ? 
It is possible to choose to break an old rhythm and know freedom from bigotry and loosen the grip of hate .
It is possible to choose to break an old rhythm and exercise your mind removed from mass media and discover a few moments of truth in the quiet .
It is possible to choose to break old rhythms of fear that are false in favor of trust and are born in compassion .
It is possible to choose to break an old rhythm of judgement and in it’s place welcome the peace that understanding brings .
it is possible to choose to break an old rhythm of hearing only the answer that your mind wants to hear and rather listen free from the notions planted long ago .
It is possible to see each other through the tender, forgiving eyes of the heart free from the chains of distrust .
It is a gift that I offer to you today and every day forward . i choose to place my thoughts , words and deeds on watch so that I WILL DO NO HARM .
When I see a face with the weight of sorrow it is a moment of seeking to love .
If welcomed into your eyes there may be softening , a gentle glow when you know you are visible .
When I see a smile easing itself out from the depths then the connection becomes alive .
If a breath to show life is shared hen why not the sorrows and the fears ?
When I walk to feel the sweet Earth beneath my feet and pause to know you are feeling her too , then we are connected .
If a chance meeting with a song from a bird so close on the branch that the smile overtakes me so that I think of you .
When given the chance to see how compassion has brought new light for us all to see
then I am free.
‘ Music of Life ‘ http://chapman-art.com
The darkness was partially lifted by the falling snow . At 10 pm it was lightly landing and barely leaving a trace . By midnight it had become , more than , likely that I would surrender to it’s pull.
The falling drops were filling the sky now and blanketing the ground . I felt called to become a part it .
The desire to be enveloped by the quiet, soft world of Winter called to a place deep inside of me. The knowing that the cold could bring a chill was no deterrent . I trusted that the warmth of the beauty and purity would warm me . It was Midnight now .
The glow of the moon and the delicate , white drops filling the sky were completely irresistible now . I felt my heart quicken as I put on my warm , wool coat and gloves . Feeling as if it might all disappear if i were not quick enough . Eager to offer my appreciation I went , Practically racing , to the front door then pausing. For such a moment commands a pause. Then flinging it wide open savoring the first wave of cold air to touch my face .
It was a lovely tingling awakening all of my senses . Exhilaration and anticipation brought a release of girlish laughter . Ahhh , the crisp , clean , cold air . Seeing my breath escaping into the night while the cold continued to pinch my cheeks . Giddiness and peace in one place .
Turning my face towards the heavens , eyes closed , feeling each drop of snow as it lands on my skin and just, as quickly , disappearing again into the warmth . When I opened my eyes again I was comforted my sights on the moon .
Is courage required to be still and at ease with oneself ? During those times when all our lives is in place as we planned it’s easy . When violent twists and turns appear the loving stillness can be both inside and outside . When the outer comforts of love are seemingly out of reach then the inner sanctuary of love must prevail and in that lives the peace .
blchapman 