The Hands That Create
I have been in some form of pain since I was in grade school.
I’m not actually complaining. This is just a fact.
It hasn’t slowed me down much. I’ve taken ballet, tap, and jazz. I was a cheerleader in grade school, played the lead tap dancer in a play ( “Dames at Sea”), kicked my leg over the shoulder of my fellow actor as part of a tango dance in another play (“Spinoff”), and continue to chug along as I do my aquafit, and creative endeavours.
Granted, our cheerleading coach said she put me on the team because of my smile not my abilities, I dislocated my knee in ‘Dames’ and had to wear a cast in the musical and walk around with a flag, and I ended up in a wheelchair soon after moving to Edmonton…. but I’M STILL HAPPY AND HERE! ha ha ha.
I’ve tried holistic treatments, anti-inflammatories, stretches, prayer, and many other ways of coping. All have helped me to some extent. But when I am laughing or writing or singing or painting…I forget about my pain.
Here is a story I found that really resonates with me…. Enjoy!
"Grandma how do you deal with pain?"
"With your hands, dear. When you do it with your mind, the pain hardens even more."
“With your hands, grandma?"
"Yes, yes. Our hands are the antennas of our Soul. When you move them by sewing, cooking, painting, touching the earth or sinking them into the earth, they send signals of caring to the deepest part of you and your Soul calms down. This way she doesn't have to send pain anymore to show it."
“Are hands really that important?"
"Yes my girl. Think of babies: they get to know the world thanks to their touch.
When you look at the hands of older people, they tell more about their lives than any other part of the body.
Everything that is made by hand, so it is said, is made with the heart because it really is like this: hands and heart are connected.
Think of lovers: When their hands touch, they love each other in the most sublime way."
"My hands grandma... how long since I used them like that!"
"Move them my love, start creating with them and everything in you will move.The pain will not pass away. But it will be the best masterpiece. And it won't hurt as much anymore, because you managed to embroider your Essence.”
~
~Elena Barnabé
