This is my favorite mandala (so far). Somehow it makes me feel alive and free.
The center of this mandala is a piece of shell I found on the beach in California this past month. While intact "perfect" shells still appeal to me, I prefer shells that have been worn away. These tumbled broken pieces remind me of the power of time and the tides. The journey through life leaves marks on us all. We can try to hide the scars left from regrets and disappointments, and use them as an excuse to stop living. Or, we can recognize them for what they are, try to accept them, and let them teach us about ourselves. Sometimes it's even possible to have those experiences make us better people.
I'm not exactly sure where I found this, I've lost the source.
During an interview, the Dalai Lama was asked what surprises him. This was his response:
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Michael Ellner
love the shell and the swirl it creates! Love to embroider mandalas!!
ReplyDeleteOh Liz! That is just FABULOUS!!!!!! Your mandalas get more beautiful with each new one! And I love the shell. How did you attach it? Glue? BTW, I would love to sell off all my old Czech seed beads, so if you are interested, let me know. I have well over 125 different colours and over $300 worth. I am asking $75 plus postage for the lot. $100 if someone wants all the bugle beads as well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love the spiral center and the extended spiral. What a wonderful quote from the " Dalai Lama " and how appropriate. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful Mandela. Love the swirls and colours. The Dalai Lama quote is so true!
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous mandala! The way you continued the swirl of the shell into your beadwork is simply perfect. Love these mandalas
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love natural shells .... especially the ones you collect yourself. Really loving the quote this week - so true
ReplyDeleteWise man, that Dalai Lama...such simple terms, really. Maybe someday those that need it will begin a better way of living.
ReplyDeleteThe mandala ~ what flow and motion! It captivates me.
The shell is perfect in all its imperfections. What a reminder that true beauty never fades. And scars are always beautiful, whether hidden or seen. They show how much we have lived.
As usual the mandala is fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am always looking forward to the quotes, sometimes they make me cry, sometimes they make me laught and other times they make think, wow, that is so true!
I love it!!!