I am taking a ten day vacation away from my computer. I’ll be back next week.
This is a guest post from Lance at Jungle of Life. There have been many times when Lance has offered me a helping hand and his posts always inspire me to spread my wings and fly. So if you ever feel lost in this great big world, be sure to stop by the Jungle of Life!
Read more from Lance on his blog, on Twitter, or subscribe to his rss feed.
|
photo credit: Lucy Nieto |
 |
“Humankind has not woven the web of life, we are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” ~ Chief Seattle
We are connected.
You. Me. Everyone our paths cross with.
We start life out as an infant, with a connection to our parents. And the doctors and nurses that were there during our birth, perhaps.
From there, our connections start to grow. And the unique ‘you’ continues to come to life.
If we look at our life as a piece of fabric, then each of us is a unique pattern that continues to evolve every day. New threads added. Intertwined with the fabric we have already created. An amazing and completely unique piece of fabric!
And this amazing piece of fabric we call our life continues to grow and become more unique each day. New patterns created. Old threads that have been there for many years, revisited. The connections we make with other people, every one of them, plays a role in defining what this fabric of ‘us’ looks like. And it is ‘you’ – touched and woven with the many threads of connection you have encountered.
So, are all these threads in our life fabric, ones we are proud to have? There are probably some threads we haven’t wanted there. Maybe threads that seemed right at the time, and now they don’t fit with our values, or our goals. That’s okay. We all have them. They are part of our life fabric. Yet, they don’t define us. And they are threads we can sew over with new threads in our life, or threads we can move away from the center of ‘us’ and our life fabric.
In our life fabric, this is the great news we have – that our life fabric is not limited by our past. It is part of us, yet we continue to weave our fabric today. We can, each of us, decide what kinds of patterns we want today. And in all the connections we have – today – we add to our life fabric.
Our fabric has many colors, depicting the many different aspects of our life and our connection with others. And while all these threads are what have made us who we are, what is important right now – is the threads we are adding today.
What kind of pattern is your life becoming? In the fabric of your life, you are being created into a unique pattern that is you. Today. What are you adding to your life fabric? What is important to you today?
Read more from Lance on his blog, Jungle of Life, on Twitter, or subscribe to his rss feed.
-
[…] Please join me today as I stop and watch over the fort at the Create A Balance community, while Stacey takes a few days off. We’re talking fabric, although it has nothing to do with sewing! Stop over and check out The Fabric of Our Lives. […]
[…] community. I’m excited to send a belated welcome to so many people that visited to read Lance’s guest post and Jay’s guest […]
We are connected- I could not agree more. This post has certaintly got me thinking about what my life pattern is- am I creating it on purpose oe am I letting outside sources guide me? I am going to take some downtime today and give this some thought. Thank you Lance and Stacey!
Jay´s last blog post..How to use your Dreams to Achieve Your Dreams
A question I ask frequently. I want a pattern with bright, cheery colors, that doesn’t always make sense, but provides me comfort and a whole lotta fun!!! And serves as a reminder of where I’ve been and perhaps leads the way to where I’m going.
Great way to think about our lives.
We are all so connected and this becomes clearer to me with each new day and each new relationship.
Great Post Lance!
Tabitha´s last blog post..Day 9: Act of Love for Hubby
> What kind of pattern is your life becoming?
That’s a great way to see it and a perfect question.
… A composition of patterns that we can see and shape.
J.D. Meier´s last blog post..Avoid Mental Burnout
Hi, Stacey. I hope you enjoy your time away!
Lance, this was beautifully written. I loved it!
“The connections we make with other people, every one of them, plays a role in defining what this fabric of ‘us’ looks like. And it is ‘you’ – touched and woven with the many threads of connection you have encountered.”
This statement, Lance, completes the entire circle. From within ourselves, we reach out, touch others, and, from that moment on, a part of the experience either reinforces something within or adds a new twist. We continually are weaving—all of us—our own fabrics as well as the collective’s.
Julie´s last blog post..A Storm is Coming
What an interesting question, Lance. Unlike Stacey Shipman, I want mild pastel colors on mine… my biggest current challenge in life is being more peaceful, more relaxed and easy going.
Hi lance!
Remember my Happiness Quilt?
My life has always been an ever growing fabric – of beauty and f lessons learned. Your post reminds me of Gandhi – weaving his fabric – even if this is literal imagery – to me if means that we take time to focus, slow down and makes our lives what we want it to be …..
I think my fabric would be warm 🙂 and one that is made of pieces of fabric from the lives of everyone that have an impact on me – a lot of what I am is about the people in my life ….
Maya´s last blog post..The One Hundred: A Guide to Pieces Every Happy and Balanced Soul Must Embrace: Simplicity
Hi Stacey. I do hope you enjoy your time away. We all need that to keep our balance.
Hi Lance. Today, I’m working on making my life pattern more like that of Jesus – Trying to take my talents and Jesus’ example and blend them into a fabric that honors Him. I would go with Vered’s pastel colors representing peace. I am choosing to let godly people of peace help to create my fabric as I also look inside people to bring out love and peace within them.
Jennifer´s last blog post..Stress – Prevention and Relief
I like to think my pattern is soft and colorful with lots of surprises here and there. I like to weave mine with lots of love and quiet memories to look back on when I’m old snuggled up in my blanket of life.
Annette´s last blog post..Making a Difference
Lance,
This was a vibrant post! I love the idea of the fabric we create with our lives and how our connections influence our fabric.
My fabric used to made of bold, erratic patterns that were challenging to the eyes. Now it’s evolving and becoming full of softer, more earthy colors that are easy to the eyes. It’s a work in progress, but I like it more and more each day.
Sara´s last blog post..A Picture for Your Thoughts
There are so many things that touch and are woven into my fabric. Things I want in there, love, joy, peace, are welcomed into my fabric. They feel good to be there. Perfect. Other things sneak into my weave without my permission, leaving the fabric stained with ugly colors and mismatched patterns. Sin, envy, pride, addiction, uninvited threads embedding themselves into my fabric with tight threads, overwhelming the good.
I am so thankful my Taylor oversees the construction of my fabric. He knows every thread. This Taylor rejoices over the beautiful threads and cries with me over the painful ones. He weaves his love and grace all throughout my fabric, loosening the painful threads, releasing me from their bondage. My hope is that as I weave the fabric of my life, I weave it tightly around the Taylor who designed me. The more every thread in my fabric can wrap around his love, the more my fabric will be beautiful.
@Jay – The connections we’re making – here, offline, personal, professional – it all becomes part of who we are. Taking time to think about how our life fabric is being created – and what our role is in that – an important step in this process. We can be actively involved in defining “us”, or we can let outside influences guide us. We probably all do some of both – and getting to that point where we are more actively involved in this all – an important step to take as WE define our own lives…
@Stacey Shipman – Stacey, that’s great you’re looking at this often! And I love your attitude – it beams of joy and fun (a whole lotta fun!)! And I do think this does lead us to where we’re going – or at least point us in a direction. And a direction we are choosing…
@Tabitha – When you really think about it, how we become connected with others – and the effects that has – is really pretty amazing! So, in thinking about our own “fabric”, choosing our pattern by the connections we make is important. And that’s not to say that we shouldn’t connect with someone just because they’re different than us. Or because they do things we don’t agree with. In fact, maybe that’s our opportunity to help them – to give them a thread of hope in their fabric of life. So, more than just connections, it’s in how we view those connections – to what they mean for us and for others. Powerful thoughts, thanks Tabitha!
@J.D. Meier – Yes, life is a compostion of patterns. And we do have the ability and choice to shape that pattern. In fact, it’s also our choice if we decide to let others shape it for us. And that’s important to remember. It’s always a choice – what are we choosing? Great thought to this J.D. – thanks!
@Julie – Yes, Stacey, hopefully you are getting lots of R&R!! Julie, thank you! And isn’t that so true – every connection we make adds to our life fabric. And in that great circle of life we’re on – what are we adding to our fabrics? And how are we affecting others fabrics, as well. I happen to think you’re putting some brightly colored sunshine in all the fabric you touch Julie! Keep on spreading that yarn…
@Vered – And that’s what is so cool – we are all different – no two patterns are the same. The colors of peace and relaxation are perfectly good colors – and ones I value very much in my life also. And probably, if we look at the colors in most fabrics of life, we’ll see a mix of calming colors, along with more vibrant colors of exhilaration and excitement. And whatever mix there is, it’s all good, as long as we’re happy with what we have… Thanks Vered.
@Maya – Yes, your happiness quilt – that fits so well with this Maya! It’s kind of like the fabrics or our lives, sewn together. And this really is showing not only our individual colors, but also how we connect with all those around us as our fabrics of life form a greaet big quilt of life. Like a large blanket covering our world. And that’s exactly it – by taking the time to focus – we are defining our fabric the way we desire it to be. And that’s a beautiful pattern, no matter how you look at it! We are all impacted by those with whom our lives cross. And I do see your pattern as warm and accepting – just as you come across as. Maya, thank you for all these thoughts here today.
@Jennifer – Hi Jennifer. I know you are Jennifer, and you are doing well in leading a life of true humility and a giving spirit. Those are wonderful characteristics! Knowing your love of Jesus, I know you say these words and they have deep meaning for you. And that is a real example of true colors shining through! The pastel colors of peace…I do believe this is a perfect representation of you. You display these colors well, my friend. Continue to share your fabric of life with all those you touch…
@Annette – Isn’t that a wonderful pattern Annette! Colorful, with lots of surprises! And woven with love – I can’t think of anything better to weave with! And I love your thought of when you’re older, of having that blanket of life you’ve created to snuggle up with – the blanket you’ve designed!
@Sara – Thanks Sara! And I love your point of how our fabric can change as we go throughout life. What last year might have meant – bright and brash — could change this year to be more subtle and softer. And there’s nothing wrong with that – especially if we are choosing the colors. We are evovling, growing, learning. And that all affects the threads we’re adding to our fabric. A work in progress, that is continuing to change, just as we do every day! Thanks Sara!
@Laurie – All of our fabrics of life have colors that we chose to put there and are pleased with, along with colors that we probably don’t want there. Your Taylor, my Taylor – He does well to watch over us – and to help us with our patterns – when we open up and let Him in to help. And that is a beautiful pattern that is being created – created in each one of us! Laurie, thank you for this thought…
Lance´s last blog post..What Do I Know About Fabric?
Hi Lance, I remember a quote from Mark Houlahan. It says “If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page”
I think it is similar to your point, Lance and I love it.
Thanks for sharing.
Arswino´s last blog post..Life That Can Be Explained In One Sentence
Hi Lance!
Nice Surprise to see you here!
I’d say love… and kindness is the one for me.
I love the connectedness within my life and what comes up for me when you speak these words. It is all the things that bring me that loving feeling and those memories of beautiful connections.
I used to sew a lot; clothes for me or my kids, curtains for the house, or even clothes for my friends children, so when I saw fabric, I started to wonder, but in a good way.
I think my fabric is constently changing. Family is the seams that hold my fabric together, even though it changes colors and styles along the way……………………:)
LisaNewton´s last blog post..Walking to the Fowler
Interesting post. Life experience indeed builds character and adds to your life fabric. The first thing I thought of when I saw the title was that every contact we make with anyone has an affect on them and that contact then transcends onto the people they have contact with. Anyways, I’m not sure where I’m going with this….
Thanks for the post and thank you for showing me this great blog!
Happiness Is Better´s last blog post..Book Review: The One Minute Entrepreneur
Hi Lance!
What a lovely post!
Mine is a huge tapestry hanging in the annals of my soul! It sways with the wind, sometimes losing threads here and there but the connectedness always re-weaves…
Thanks, Lance!
Smiling Always,
Henie
Henie´s last blog post..Chipmunk Teacher Scare Birds Away!
I love this topic “The Fabric of our lives.” It make us think about how we are all connected 🙂 and the question about “what pattern is your life?” Great question. I guess I would say, “my life is not so much of pattern,but more of a print. A free flowing print.”
Thank you,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna Garcia´s last blog post..Imperfect Action battled against Health Insurance company and WON!
Great post – so relieving !
Whatever your past is YOU are able to change towards the future.
I love this thought ‘every second is the first second of the rest of your life’ and thanks for reminding that today.
It opens up to so many new opportunities, new roads every day, over and over again. Whaah ! Life IS great : )
Great guest post Lance and Stacey. Since I have discovered both of your websites, I feel that we are connected in some way. We may not be friends, family or colleagues, but we have met for a purpose. I take away good advice from your posts and I hope to ad my little color to your fabric from time to time as well.
I have been and still am sick. Though I am back at work I have not felt like posting. Seems like my brain has just energy enough to do so much and all the extra needs to be let be for the moment.
I’ll be back.
Mindful Mimi´s last blog post..It takes a long time for a man to look like his portrait – James Whistler
@Arswino – Thanks for sharing that quote – it really does fit so well to this idea of our life being like a piece of fabric, that we’re always adding to — or in this case, a book where we’re always writing a new page in the many chapters of our life! I love that thought here!
@Diane – Hi Diane! It’s great to be here today! Love and kindness – I can’t think of anything better to use in creating the fabric of your life. Diane, that thought is wonderful – as these are two things that we all can freely at to our fabrics, if we so choose to. And they add so much to it – really becoming the threads that hold our fabric together – threads that won’t unravel with time – they are lasting strands in our lives…Thank you so much for this thought Diane!
@LisaNewton – And you’d really wonder, if I were doing the sewing Lisa! Scary, it would be… I’ll stick to this figurative fabric – even though it’s far from perfect for me – I think I’ll do much better! Oh, that’s a great thought Lisa – how family is the seam that holds it together for you – even though they may change colors – true family is there no matter what. And that is good thread to have. Great stuff, thanks!
@Happiness Is Better – Stacey’s blog is excellent, she really shares from the heart. Do come back often – I find so much peace and balance here. And I’m not just saying this because “balance” is what Stacey promotes – I’m saying it because it really is evident when you read what she writes. Powerful stuff! In regards to your comments about this post – yes – I think that everyone we have some contact with has an affect on the threads of our fabric of life. And knowing this, and knowing that we have choices – this is really what helps make that fabric of ours unique. Thanks for stopping over here today!
@Henie – Hi Henie! I love the way you write – it’s magical – always! Hanging from the annals of your soul – wow! Thinking about that, about where it starts – it does come from within – and when we can truly make that connection to our soul – to what really matters – the colors of our fabric are indeed what we desire them to be! And I have this feeling your shows much joy throughout! With many smiles right back at you, my friend, let your fabric continue to warm the world and everyone it touches…
@Giovanna – A free flowing print – that’s awesome, Giovanna! And in thinking about how we are all connected, I think that’s a pretty amazing thought! And one I’m holding onto…
@Hilde – Life IS great – that’s an awesome thought to keep in front of us Hilde! And the whole idea that we’re not limited by our past – it’s us – yet it’s not what has to define the now and beyond. Every second is the first second of the rest of your life – powerful! It reminds me that I can change my life fabric at any time, and that really is empowering! Thanks Hilde!
@Mindful Mimi – Thanks so much Mimi! You bring up a great point. We are separated by distance, yet I think that doesn’t mean their can’t be friendship. We have indeed met, though not in person. Our minds, our hearts – they have met. And you have added color to my fabric. Very much so. Like everyone else here, each who have touched me in some way – so have you Mimi. Through your words, you’ve woven your thread of life into my fabric. And that does connect us. Isn’t that pretty cool!
And I hope you’re feeling better soon – get the rest you need…
Lance´s last blog post..What Do I Know About Fabric?
The connection grows stronger as each of us feels the courage and freedom to be in service to the others form the depths of our true colors. That’s the only fabric that interests me, an authentic one.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s last blog post..Building Career Confidence by Feeling Deeply
Hi Lance,
Another wise post. It touched me because when I lived away from home for 3 years, I wrote letters to my mum. In one of those letters (that I forgot and she remembered) I said life was like a tapestry – we need the dark coloured threads of sadness so that the gold-coloured threads of joy could stand out. She told me many years later she never forgot this. Your post really resonates with me.
Daphne´s last blog post..Site Update: Getting Better Everyday
What a great post! This makes me want to get out my paints and paint my life fabric. What’s important to me today. I’m increasing my meditation and journaling time. I’m lifting weights so I have healthy bones as I slip into the second half of life.
Lance and Stacey, great post.
I love the pics of the fabric. I never tire of color.
Which I guess is my philosophy in life, too. I hope I am creating a tapestry of rich color in my life and others’ lives, too.
Jewel/Pink Ink´s last blog post..Second Hometown
I love the way the WWW has stretched the fabric of our lives and has made room for infinitely more people to be a part of it. I really like how your article describes the way our lives are alive and fluid. The fabric will have some bumps, holes and scars, but it doesn’t have to be the defining end. It’s all just a part of something much bigger, a great romance. Thanks Stacey, for having Lance to your wonderful blog!
Audra Krell´s last blog post..Look who’s in SWEAT magazine
@Tom – Authentic colors, nothing better than that! It does take courage to really show our true colors, yet when we do – when we are being truly authentic – this is when we really shine!
@Daphne – Thank you for sharing your story Daphne. What a great example of this – there will be dark threads for all of us – no life is perfect. And yet, that’s what will really make the gold colored thread, the bright colors – really shine through! I love that thought Daphne! So, I would say you have shown wisdom from years ago. Daphne, I really do appreciate you sharing this story here today!
@Tess – That’s great Tess! You’re actively doing what’s important to you – today. And that’s like having the paints out and painting your life fabric – indeed that is exactly what you’re doing – and doing so well!
@Jewel – Thank you, Jewel! I liked the colors too – they jumped out of the screen – so vibrant! I’d say you’re doing a wonderful job of creating the rich colors you desire – into your life – and to those you touch. The thread you’re leaving for me today is one that is brightening my day!
@Audra – Hi Audra! Yes, the Internet really has made it possible to connect with people like never before. In amazing ways, it’s like having a conversation with your neighbor – with people from all over the world. Connections that are meaningful and add rich colors to our life fabric, as Jewel discussed. No fabric is without holes, just like our lives aren’t without bumps. Yet, just like fabric which can be patched, so can our fabric of life! Thank you, Audra, for continually spreading your colorful thread my way!
Lance´s last blog post..What Do I Know About Fabric?
Hmmm….must ponder. 🙂
When I lived in DC the “Aids Quilt” was in town for a day and they spread it out on the mall for people to see. Basically, people sent in a square for the quilt to represent a loved one that had died due to Aids. The quilt just went on and on and you could see little snippets about the lives of so many people on each square. I guess in a way we’re all part of one giant quilt.
Marelisa´s last blog post..40 Fun Ideas
Lance, you are such a dear to help Stacey out while she is away!!
Beautiful metaphor about the life fabric. I choose to weave mine with plenty of colors, designs and patterns. At the same time, I am mindful that each piece that goes into the fabric blends well with the rest. There are several pieces that are also contributed by my friends, family and love ones.
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..Unlock The Secrets to Your Soul
Have a great vacation Stacey!
And Lance what a creative way to talk about unity! This is fantastic!!! As Evelyn already mentioned it is one of the most beautiful metaphors. We all weave our own lives and at the same time weave in and out of and through other people’s lives and we make such patterns as we go!
Evita´s last blog post..The Helpful and Harmful Side of Stress
@Mark Salinas – Ponder away, my friend…your life fabric is there, in many awesome colors!
@Marelisa – Hi Mare. Great story! And it does just go to show – that our lives touch so many others, that the fabric our life represents isn’t just us – it reaches out well beyond who we are! And that’s pretty awesome! Thank Mare!
@Evelyn – It is a complete pleasure and honor to be here, Evelyn! (thank you Stacey!!) You have a wonderful way of looking at this! How everything blends together – really, how all the pieces of our life come together in some way. And it’s so true that we are not just the thread we add to our life fabric – we are also everything that others have contributed as well – we are connected in so many ways!
@Evita – Thank you Evita! Our patterns (that’s a great word here!) are what we create, plus everything we allow others to create in us as well. Keep on making amazing patterns in your life Evita, and in the live of all those you touch (including mine..).
Lance´s last blog post..What Do I Know About Fabric?
Stacey – have a great (and well deserved break)
Lance. Your post, for me, makes me feel OK with everything that has happened in my life and the parts of me my experiences have created – even if they are not my favorite.
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliet´s last blog post..Overcoming The Barriers Of Introversion: Starting The Process
Hi Juliet – And that’s good that you feel okay with it all. That doesn’t say that it’s all been perfect and great. However, it is you. And going forward, you can help to stitch that fabric of “you” any way you want. So, while your past is not going away, it is the now that matters. And where I see you in our “now”, Juliet – I see you in a pretty great place… Thanks for stopping over here!
Lance´s last blog post..So Much More Than A Football Game
Lance, I love what you say about having threads that we don’t want anymore since our goals or values have changed. That’s OK we can sew over them with new ones! That really hit home for me as I’m trying to learn and grow and change the person that I’ve been!
Great post!!!
Natalia Burleson´s last blog post..Weight History Part 1
Hi Natalia – Yes, we can put new threads over the top of what is already there. It doesn’t replace those other threads that are already there – it does, though, show the new us. And that’s a good thing – it means that we’re not limited by our past, and where we are now, and the threads we’re sewing today – that’s what really matters! And I see bright colors coming from your life fabric Natalia!
Lance´s last blog post..So Much More Than A Football Game