Building Your Cocoon
The wings of the butterfly are already held inside the caterpillar, and as it breaks down its old self into goo the wings emerge ready to go. That process is amazing and teaches me that as we change and transform, we also have everything we need already right inside of us. So my organizing and healing work becomes about building the cocoon that can hold the goo so that wings can emerge.
Micah Hobbes Franzier, from Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
It seems kind of strange to talk about slowing down when the natural world is currently starting to speed up. Birds singing, leaves greening, sunlight brightening. But I believe and have witnessed how slowing down can actually enhance our growth. Whether you are a performing artist, music/art lover or lifelong learner, when you slow down you can discover parts of your body, breath, voice and thoughts that are really running “the show”. Whether that show is playing an instrument, dancing, acting, sitting on countless Zoom meetings, caring for your family or otherwise, there is a lot to be gained from Mindful Movement.
For example when I slow down and understand where I am gripping or tightening in my body, I start to build new relationships with myself, my movement, my activities and even my beliefs. As I ease the tension in my arms, my arms start to take on a new identity to me. When I let go in my hips, my legs become something new, lighter and more connected. As I let go of my tongue, my breath becomes fuller and more calming to my nervous system. In essence when we slow down, we have the opportunity to transform, to build our own cocoon. We also have the opportunity to develop a stronger connection to ourselves for all the moments when we are taking flight singing, playing and moving at high speed.
As creative people there are always times when we will be gathering momentum, coasting from that momentum and slowing down. Right now in the northeast we are entering spring and tomorrow is the spring equinox, a time of birth, blossoming and fire. This month why not recommit to your artistic process so that you might yield a fruitful creative harvest? What are doing to nurture a cocoon for your art/practice? If you are looking for support for your creative life and body, reach out to learn more about my Tuning In series here today.