Prompt #52 - Connecting to something bigger

No, I don't mean the internet

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It’s easy to get stuck in our own minds. Of course, my universe resolves around me, right? My family, my emails, my house, my taxes, my problems.

Sometimes, it’s helpful to remind ourselves that we’re not the end all be all of the universe. It can humble us and give us a bit of perspective. That email you wish you would have phrased differently? Literally, not the end of the world.

Understanding that you’re a smaller part of something much bigger than yourself can also inspire feelings awe, and bring meaning and purpose to your life. And that in turn, makes us happier and more resilient to the inevitable difficult times.

Photo by James Wainscoat on Unsplash

But what is this big thing we’re talking about here? Good question! It’s a topic of much debate, people have been killed and wars have been fought over it. In the end, I believe that we all need to answer this question for ourselves.

If you’re religious in any shape or form, then you have already found your answer. Faith in something bigger than yourself - whether that’s God/s, Gaia, the teachings of the Buddha, or the Awen - provides you with a deep well filled to the brim with meaning and purpose.

But even for those of us not subscribed to a specific faith, the world is rich in opportunities to get out of our own minds and connect to something bigger.

So today, we’ll connect to our own special something bigger through art. I’ll accompany this activity with this throw-back-banger that I’ve almost forgotten about:

The Activity: Connect to a bigger thing through art

Step 1: If you’re small, what’s big?

First, we want to find what big thing you’re a part of. Something that meaningful to you. Take our a piece of paper and a pen and start noting down anything that comes to mind. You can try closing your eyes and conjuring up an image of yourself. Now zoom out. What do you see? Zoom out further. What do you see now? What about zooming back in time, first a little, then a lot?

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Here a a few thought starters: planet earth (duh), your local community, your sports club, your family, your fandom, your profession, space, your language, your hobbies, your surroundings. All of these things connect you to others, whether through shared geography, history, or interests. Pick one or two that you feel most connected to.

Step 2: Research

Maybe you already know everything there is to know about your topic (looking at your hardcore sports fan), but maybe there’s still something to find out. Do a good old google/wiki search of your topic, dig a bit into the history. How has this topic evolved over time? Are there any periods of people of note? Any other interesting trivia?

Step 3: Create some art

Create a drawing or painting based on your new (and existing) knowledge of your ‘something bigger’. Maybe you found out that an artist used to live in your same small town, and you can create something based on their art? Or you realise that your last name originally comes from a region you’ve never really learned anything about, and you can make a drawing about it? Or you learned something else new about the universe.

Step 4: Feel the connection

When you’re done, admire your art. It is awesome! Also, think about anything and everything you are connected to. You’re a very important part of this, but there are so so so many more all around you. You’re not alone, you never were. We are legion!

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

My Example

The things bigger than myself I’ve chosen for this:

• The nature around me: no matter how lonely or crappy I feel, getting out and learning more about nature always makes me feel more grounded. I’ve been enjoying to learning more about the trees and plants I find around me where I live in Sweden, all of which have been thriving in this place a lot longer than me. Roses are in full bloom in gardens all around me, and the thistles are living their best lives anywhere human’s aren’t intervening.

• European Folk Art: more specifically, the German Bauernmalerei (literally “farmer’s painting”), because that’s where I’m from. Folk Art is a great reminder that anyone and everyone can create beautiful art, and that I/we all come from a rich culture of people who have always created art, to decorate their furniture, their clothes; their carpets, their ceramics. Even if they aren’t capital-A-Artists. Creating art is in my (and all of our) blood.

How about you? What is your something bigger?

Whatever it is, I hope you have a fantastic week full of feelings of connection and purpose.

Love, Lorena

Photo by Look Up Look Down Photography on Unsplash