Dear Creative Community,
Seeing the world through the eyes of my students was a daily joy when I taught elementary school. For my first graders, a favorite project involved writing about small moments. These are moments in our daily lives that may seem minor and insignificant, but when examined mindfully turn out, we often learn, to be the most significant moments of our days and lives.
Autumn is a perfect season for observing these small moments. On a recent walk I witnessed a tiny, bumpy, brown toad jump awkwardly across the path and briefly turn her belly in an almost-somersault to reveal her creamy, delicate skin.
On another outing I admired small stones neatly filed in the spaces of a drainage hole.
Mary Cleary, Stones in a Grate
In one small moment, I watched this little caterpillar devour a branch at the library.
These are the tiny bits of our lives that add texture, meaning, joy.
One significant inspiration in my art lately is the butterfly. I spied this little peacock butterfly on a milk thistle plant.
It is one of the butterflies that inspired my latest illustration celebrating neurodiversity. The butterfly carries much symbolism across cultures and throughout time. Recently, it has grown into a celebratory symbol of the many unique and beautiful qualities of neurodivergent people.
This celebration sticker is available in my shop.
Each time I see a delicate butterfly flitting from flower to flower or riding a zig-zag breeze, I am reminded of all the special qualities of every person in my life—especially those of us living a neurodivergent experience in our neurotypical world. And that is not insignificant.
So as we begin this beautiful autumnal season, it is time to reflect. What are some small moments in your day that, when layered with mindfulness and gratitude, become significant?
Be creative!
Mary