27 Comments
User's avatar
Anxious Frank's avatar

Another one to hang on to. Wise words to remember and, more importantly, apply to life. Your thoughtful prose has pulled my head out of the wood chipper more times than once. Thanks!

Duane Toops's avatar

Means a lot to me Bob! Writing is always hard for me, it’s not an enjoyable process. But doing it keeps my head out of the chipper too. Hearing that it does the same for you, I just can’t ask for more than that! Thanks again my friend!

Vanessa's avatar

And it’s remembering this that is the ticket !

Duane Toops's avatar

That really is teh tricky part. Somedays I can manage it, but on most days I don’t.

Kevin Smeltzer's avatar

thank you!

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank YOU! I appreciate it Kevin!

Kevin Smeltzer's avatar

❤️

Kay's avatar

Thank you for this, Duane.

Yes - spaces of silence and stillness leave room for thinking and for admitting the things that deep down we know, maybe things we think that perhaps we might not want to know ………

So the temptation can be to avoid them.

But I agree that these gaps are the thing that can save us - if we allow it. If we enter into there, we may find that instead of harbouring things to fear, the gap is where treasures lie sleeping.

Duane Toops's avatar

“the gap is where treasures lie sleeping.” - This one sentence captures everything! Thank you kay!

Kay's avatar

My thanks to you, Duane!

Paul Wittenberger's avatar

“We need presence more than productivity.” Love that, Duane! Love you, too!

Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Paul! Love you my friend!

Jen Gatz's avatar

"May silence be the music that carries you. May the quiet be the geography that guides you." I love music, but I often create in silence because it helps me connect with my work. It's easier for me to focus in the quiet. I'm wondering what your usual practice is while creating.

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much Jen! Most days I work in complete silence, for the same reasons you mention. My head and heart are so noisy. So full of clash and clatter, sirens, and alarm bells ringing. But somewhere in the shuffle of paper stillness hushes over everything and the surest parts of myself start to whisper.

Jen Gatz's avatar

I really resonate with this Duane and I appreciate that you have stated it so poetically. Also glad to know that there are others who prefer to create in silence!

Duane Toops's avatar

My pleasure! Thanks for such a thoughtful question! Glad to be in good company!

Vanessa's avatar

Yes. As well as the dark parts which is why we busy ourselves - to keep all that tougher stuff sealed up but that only exhausts and depletes us in the long run bc facing the silence, gaps and cracks is where we inevitably find freedom (:

Duane Toops's avatar

“gaps and cracks is where we inevitably find freedom” - YES! Vanessa! This is absolutely it! Thank you so much for reading and sharing!

Vanessa's avatar

The importance, the necessity of these gaps is so critical and I think it extends beyond makers to all humans as it helps navigate all

Our lives when we can hear our heart and our soul in those cracks - it’s where everything grows and builds into being you

Duane Toops's avatar

Exactly this, Vanessa! Wonder, awe, joy, and curiosity, are always found in the spaces between things.

Patti Toops's avatar

Awesome!

Mr.Collagesky's avatar

Many thanks and a big hug, Duane🌻

Duane Toops's avatar

Big hug right back at you. Love you with all my everything, thanks so much!

Mr.Collagesky's avatar

🙏🌻

Danny Toops's avatar

I absolutely love this

Abbey Wade's avatar

“It’s the quiet between notes that makes music.” I really paused on this. And I really needed to pause today. I love it when words find you and speak to you so loudly in their stillness.

Michele Morgan Art's avatar

I love your design layout and shapes and of course, color choices!