Thursday
Jan282010
No One Can Teach You to See
January 28, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Ginnie 
You're right. This is not a photo...but it's Vision and a place to start my Verb.This is a scan of a felt-tip drawing I did in high-school art class c. 1962. Maybe I was 16? Felt-tipped pens had just come on the market and were like dying and going to heaven for us artists, even though they had not yet been finessed into the fine tips we use today.
But here's the thing. Where did this drawing come from? I was a gay girl trapped in a conservative, fundamentalist body...the daughter of a Baptist preacher in Podunk City, Michigan, in the age when "gay" buzzwords did not yet exist. I knew I was different, not like the other girls, but I didn't know there was a word for me. All I knew was that I was trapped in a silence that equalled death. I could not speak my Truth. I was alone. I was not a free girl running with abandon under the Tree of Life.
Segue now to the current movie, Avatar, where at one point is the incredible line by Neytiri, "No one can teach you to see." Does that mean we are all born with Vision but have to find it within us? Maybe it's the Eyes we have to find! How many times do we look at something and don't see it. How many times do we hear something and don't get it. Then one day, seemingly out of the blue, it's there in plain view. We find our Eyes.
When I started blogging 5 years ago, I was not ready to use a portrait of myself in my profile. Dear sister Ruth encouraged me to use the above drawing, which I called my Soul Girl. Recently she called it my avatar.
Do you sometimes write a Verb or see a Vision and wonder "Where did that come from!" When did my avatar become me; when did I become her? Today I am free, running with abandon, and will marry my Dutch partner on February 5, a week from today, here in the Netherlands. So, was this avatar Prophetic Vision? Was she answering me before I called? Did she help me find my Eyes?
I have a feeling this will become a frequent "conversation" here at V&V:
Neytiri: I see you.
Jake Sully: I see you.
Reader Comments (34)
I will return to read more Ginnie. I love the felt tip drawing...full of innocence
Well, Ginnie, there's a few of my questions answered here in your post, which is quite wonderful. Last night I wrote to a blogger friend privately and talked about things that are in front of us but that we don't see and so this made me smile - I recognize your words.
I will return here, that's for sure. And the blog is veeeeery good-looking - professional, inviting, intelligent and intriguing. Breath in?? I did it....
It sounds so simple: 'See what your eyes are looking at. See...' But to actually see and feel and internalize are different than just seeing what you think you should see!! Such a wonderful story on setting oneself free..on trust and belief in one's vision.
Congratulations on your new life beginning!!!
awwww ginnie, as kermit the frog would say, it's not easy being green :)
And so very often we don't have look very far, just differently. I'm in awe of the work of a 16yr old. Congratulations; a wedding, in the Netherlands, there will be flowers, yes?
The felt tip drawing is wonderful.
Your words here are moving, Im so pleased you are able to run with free abandon under the tree of life... towards your partner on your wedding day! I think the 16 year old you, knew this day would come. That's quite a journey and it's also good for others to read and perhaps it will help others to see more clearly.
First - congratulations! But really on more than the wedding, I think. On your bravery and growth and learning to see also. That learning to see part is hard - I used to tutor people in drawing, which is so much about just really seeing what you see, and was always amazed at how difficult it was for some of them. They just couldn't get there. I hope they have by now. I hope they too are running free. You have us all thinking today!
I never feel I have the adequate words to respond to the wonderful thoughts and emotions I read here on Vision and Verb. So, I'll just quietly say congratulations on your upcoming wedding and best wishes to your and your partner for a happy and full marriage.
Holy cow Ginnie you are talented. There is a wonderful and creative artist in you. It's a gift. I know I've already sent congratulations to you and your partner but I will again. I wish you much happiness now and forever.
The first thing that came to mind when I finish the last line was, "Wow" but I hesitated writing that. I was afraid it may not sound like the truth or that some may think the Wow meant something different than I what truly intended. So let me begin again ... Wow. You have so eloquently written a novel in such a short span. For different reasons, I can fully understand your earlier life. Your words created a vivid image in my mind and one I can understand. A beautiful work of art as well.
It definitely takes more than eyes to see. Emotion, intellect, prejudice, education, etc. filter what our eyes take in. It's interesting that even a sight-impaired person uses the phrase "I see." Many times we don't see at all. Farmergal
Even before I logged on this morning I knew this was going to be good. Mazel tov .... I said to my husband the other day, too bad we don't have travel money, there's wedding in the Netherlands next month that I would LOVE to go to!
No one can teach us to see, but a group like this certainly helps us try!
xo
Oh dear, dear Ginnie, what a blessing to read your words and see your vision upon this page. Thank you for sharing your Truth and the wisdom earned upon your journey to this magical place. You have much to add to this gathering of special women and I can't wait to see what comes next! Blessings to you and your beloved ... and love.
Congratulations! I am reading this from the lobby of our hotel in Austria. Great post! If I can I´ll come. Wishing you and Astrid a great wedding!
Congratulaions on your "freedom"...the freedom to be you and be absolutely free in the 'skin' that you are in....
Your writing is very captivating Ginnie. Good luck for the future.
I love that drawing, I can't believe you did that a just age 16. Lovely words too, it reminds me of hearing without listening.
Thank you for introducing my to Vision and Verb Ginnie – this blog looks terrific. I always thought that the drawing of your “avatar” had such spontaneity and zest for life. The young girl is jumping into life to find everything that is worthwhile – to look everywhere. We need to keep the eyes of a child, to marvel at the wonders around us and observe nature and humans with eyes that are always ready to learn and enjoy without old and preconceived ideas. I also like the fact that you use “women of a certain age” this is what my mother used a lot when she talked about her friends, but she said it in French “femmes d’un certain age.”
I echo the many wishes of congratulations on the upcoming marriage and best wishes for you and Astrid.
Thank you for sharing your story, Ginnie. It touches at the heartstrings in so many ways. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding - I'll be toasting you and Astrid on your big day. ♥
Ginnie! Incredible! Words are hard to describe! To me, that felt pen drawing is a girl running forward in time, shedding her old life (hat) and following the birds into the Future. And the fact you look like a female Tin-Tin doesn't escape me..Herge was a Belgium artist and that is one step away from The Netherlands!
See? Life makes sense we just have to see the connections!
Love to both of you next Friday!
I came across your blog quite by accident and l am so glad l did. I am always wondering where my ideas or words come from! I am told l see things that normally people don't see, even though it is there staring them in the face. I suppose l take the time to see because everything fasinates me. my family reckon that although my body is 57, my mind and imagination is still only 5! Ha! As adults we seem to loose the ability to see, ask questions and keep praticing our Art! The story about the little 6year old asking her grandma where mummy is? grandma says 'at Art clas learning how to draw". the child is quiet for a moment, then says, in a very surprised voice. " has she forgotten how to draw then granma?". says it all l think!!
do 2 photo blogs aday. one which is
http://lynda-oneimageaday.blogspot.com
this blog is me trying to keep my artistic mind working, l choose words for the month, then each day l have a word l have to capture in one image. The other blog is me capturing my daily life and travels.
Thanks for listening to my ramblings! lyndax
ps..congrats on your upcoming wedding.xlynda
What a great post Ginnie!!!!!!! Loved reading that and can relate 100% to knowing but not being able to figure it all out. For me, I know it was that I belong in Switzerland and that my calling would come some 20 something years after first realizing that vision... Amazing how life works for sure. I'm so excited about the coming happenings for you in the next week and can't wait to be reading all about it! ;-) Well that is until I know I'll be back visiting and seeing you in person again.
ginnie, i'm so happy i've got to know you - first via shutterchance, and our lovely friends there, and now a bit more on v&v :) here's to the 5th, and a resounding lifting of glasses of bubbly in many different places :)