Pattern Making
Musical, Literary, Design, Textural, Traffic, Weather, Plants, Planetary, Behavioral, Personality, Binary, Numerical, Electrical, Sewing, Snow, Brainwave, Fingerprint, Architectural…
They’re within us, they surround us, they can captivate us, and sometimes overtake us.
They create sound, reinforce structure, enhance memory, develop esthetically pleasing design, maintain balance, formulate equations, compose melodies, harmonies, symphonies… they build words, they shield us from view or allow us to blend in, they keep us on task, help us knit sweaters, do puzzles, play bingo, chess, crossword puzzles…
But sometimes they can bring disorganization or complete chaos to our lives.
Occasionally we create some not so appealing patterns that eat up our time, zap our energy, and prevent us from creating the inspired life of happiness, love and fulfillment we were meant to live. Repetitive stress injuries, negative mind chatter, chronic substance abuse, to name a few, are all perpetuating patterns that often times keep us fixed and unable to move forward.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many different ways of extracting oneself from the quagmire. Over the next several posts I would like to discuss some ideas with you, and I invite you to participate in the discussion by letting the rest of us know how you eradicate negative patterns in your life, and how you have been able to replace them with more positive behaviors and practices. So, come on and get the ball rolling!
Thanks in advance, and I will be back soon to follow up –
Donna
May 21st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S
I *LOVE* it…..These patterns are so beautiful..and the way you arranged them all..the patterns in the pattern..I love the analogy…your words…
Yeah…braking patterns is hard to do…but totally essential for health life…I’m working on a few myself…Looking forward to seeing more…So glad you’re back.
Donna: Hey Orly,
Thanks for the kind, gentle nudge – yes, I am not sure where the time has gone to, but I am back and ready to write, so my appreciation to you for checking in and keeping me in check!
Talk Soon – Donna
May 24th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I love this post !! Great job, and I love the photography. You have such a good eye, keep shooting ! I would love to participate in your discussion group. Breaking bad patterns is so important in life and we all can conquer it. It’s just as easy to do the positive as the negative. I think as one gets older you realize that you have control over your own destiny and that if you want a happy, healthy life you just have to go out and get it. And the thing is that so many people are in the same boat. Lack of confidence, self esteem. We all have so much to offer, let’s just let it flow.
Keep posting, your writings are wonderful.
Donna: Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! You are one of the most optimistic people I know, and a constant source of inspiration of how to pull one’s self up by the boot straps and seize the day. Also you are very adept at acknowledging the downside with out getting caught up in the downward spirals…the Queen of releasing and moving on. I am taking notes all the time with you!
May 25th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
the photos of patterns are very arresting, intriguing. this pattern thing repeats in nature from the smallest micro-string to the whole macro of the universe. and you are right: humans fall into patterns for good or ill, as groups or as individuals. i am 52 years old, my youngest about to head off to ucla in the fall, 3 small grandkids and i’m re-evaluating the patterns of my life up to now and thinking what changes i need to make. my life is interesting and full of humor and loving and busy but with my main job-mom-not as much on the 24/7 front burner, it’s time for some sorting out.
i don’t know if i agree that it’s as easy to do the positive changes. negative patterns seem to be much easier to acquire and the longest lasting if started early. they take actual thought and work to overcome. to re-make one’s life-long patterns means re-wiring the brain, forcing neurons out of ruts and into new pathways. i’m not even talking huge negative pattern changes like addictions, but just re-examining who we are and how we deal with ourselves and others, what are our goals, large and small, and how to accomplish them positively. it will take many small steps and then some larger leaps. it takes courage and perseverance and actually knowing what we want. and obviously it’s exciting and the prospects and rewards are huge…but still, not a cakewalk. am i making a mountain out of something simple? is there a fibonnaci sequence for human growth as well as nature?
i am curious to see where this conversation will lead…thanks for starting it!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Paula Paula…You totally had me there with you all along agreeing and being swept by your words as I always am…but then! I got to the fibonnaci sequence..and I got stuck….What is that? Italian jewelry? Gourmet dish? We need to get together to discuss this (;
Patterns patterns…I think that as long as we constantly create new patterns we are good, as long as we move forward, accept change, invent and reinvent patterns we are alive and lively…I know that what I strive to be…
….and Arlene…I like your spirit..
May 29th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Hey Paula, thanks for this thought provoking comment!
“As a sequence for natural growth, it must of course, refer to human growth as well.” So explains the author of this site explains, with regard to the Fibonacci sequence – very interesting site – check out this link – http://www.rahul.net/raithel/otfw/91circle.html
I agree that the first step is finding out exactly what we want, and sometimes that is the most difficult part of the entire process, and the part that can require the most time, and yes, although it might not be a cakewalk for some of us, I know others of us who once they make up there minds, make a decision on something, they have made the change. No wishy washiness, no going back, whatever pattern they wished to change, they instantly change and the old one becomes a non issue. They have moved on.
I believe from the time we are very young, in our western culture anyway, we are taught that certain things will be difficult in our lives, certain things should require a lot of time to overcome, and certain things will require a lot of pain and suffering before a change will occur. But why, why does it need to be that way? Are these not just outdated, impertinent tribal beliefs passed down from generation to generation, that really have no relevance in present modern day living? Believe me, I run through the old patterns myself with a fair amount of consistency, but I’ve noticed, I don’t see my husband, or my sons doing this stuff too much, if at all. They seem to be able to make choices for change and just keep moving forward. They don’t seem to get stuck in the ruts or patterns, especially those of self destruction and self sabotage that women tend to. MOST of the men I have known in my life have been like that too. Which leads me to believe that gender plays a very important role in the patterns we create for ourselves and the way we maintain or alter them, whether they be positive or negative.
You sure got my neurons firing! So what do you think about the gender thing?
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:35 am
I totally agree…It’s a gender thing and also the ‘warnings’ we get in childhood. I’ve gotten better though. It is a concious decision to not do it..Tough to be consistent..gets easier and becomes automatic with practice..it feels so good to move on in ease..
I want more images of patterns…more more more…
June 4th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Thanks Orly, and I will be posting more images real soon!
What do you mean when you say “warnings”?
June 4th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
‘Warnings’ refering to your words: ” that certain things will be difficult in our lives, certain things should require a lot of time to overcome, and certain things will require a lot of pain and suffering before a change will occur”
(:
June 20th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Interesting post and beautiful photos, Donna! I was having similar thoughts on a recent trip to the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. The craftsmen knew how to work in beautiful patterns…with lots of metaphor.
June 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Thanks Rick,
I will have to get up there to see you and the gardens one of these days! Hope all is going great!