Have you ever dreamt that you could fly?
According to those in the know 20 - 40% of
us have done so at least once in our lives.
As I am one of those of us who have done so,
I have often wondered if dreaming one can fly
may have some sort of underlying meaning.
Looking in to it I found that it can be interpreted
in a number of different ways:
Positively, as in symbolically representing feelings
of freedom, transcendence and empowerment.
Negatively, as in symbolically representing a
desire/need to flee from difficult obstacles, and or to escape
feelings of anxiety and fear.
Pragmatically, we dream in order to keep us sleeping.
Dreaming gives the part of our brain that stores memory
a chance to inscribe our memories for future reference.
Although there's much written about dream interpretations,
at this point in time however, it seems dream interpretations
belong more in the ''theories'' basket rather
than the ''scientifically substantiated knowledge'' basket.
If Penguins possess consciousness, and some say they do,
are they aware of the irony that they have wings
but they can't be used for flying?
Rather ...... their short, stocky wings are excellent
for...... swimming (??!!).
The fact that penguins can't fly but are good
at diving and swimming, is something that they have
in common with us humans.
Actually, they share a bunch of attributes with us.
They use patterned sounds to communicate with each other,
they use each other's bodies to regulate their body temperature,
they mate for life, they like playing and they walk upright.
And much like us when we live on top of each other,
when they live in large colonies where the distance between
breeding pairs is very close, skirmishes often take
place.
This morning I woke up and for some unknown
reason I just felt the need to grab my sketch pad
and some ink and brushes, and paint a penguin.
(I have never even tried to draw one before, little
less paint one. Such is the muse. She comes
she goes. It is not for me to question her when
she shows up, alas, only to obey.)
In the midst of the chaos that is my life, I have
discovered that I find it harder and harder to
digest all the terrible and unnecessary suffering
us humans are inflicting on fawn and flora
on this our little blue planet.
As I can no longer play my angst and sorrow away
on the piano due to my rampant bursitis, I now try to
find some solace by painting small-scale pieces and
posting my scribblings(thoughts) here on the blog.
Example:
Fairy Wren (Ink/water colour on paper)
A penguins largest threat to its existence is
not the fact that it can't fly, oh no,
the largest threat to its existence
is another wingless creature,
us.
We can do better, don't you agree?
Not only do I believe we can treat animals and
all that nature gives us, including each other,
better, but we can use our consciousness to
to guide our behaviour and actions mindfully aware
of that all life is precious.
We need to:
''Not hurt our brethren, our sisters, our animals,
as our first duty, nay, to stop there is not enough.
We have a higher mission - to be of service
wherever and whenever they require it.''
(St. Francis of Assisi re-interpreted by me)
about top painting: Ink on paper
