Artist of Life, Drawing from Within

by Patti Lightflower

“(S)he alone has the right to break, for (s)he alone

has the power to mend.” – Rumi

Recently I purchased a designer tee that was advertised as having the worn, vintage look of a favorite piece of clothing. The bottom was already twisted and frayed, and tiny holes were punched into the shoulders in a decorative way. It drew my attention because of the indigo blue artwork of a hand that filled the front against a white background.

This got me to thinking though about how fashionable it is to wear clothing with torn knees, distressed fabric and faded prints and we buy them in that condition, new. Yet, we rarely mend our clothing these days, except maybe to re-attach a button or close a split seam. Too often these end up in a to do pile and from there to tossing or dust rags. I tend to think everything has a meaning in some way or another for us to interpret. So, what does it say about where we are as a society, that we prefer not to patch up our rips, tatters and tears? Are we coming unraveled?

In the sense that we reap what we sow (or sew), mending and repairing our possessions runs parallel to the mending and restoration of ourselves. Recycling and upcycling unused or worn items are forms of rejuvenation and renewal. This is good feng shui for our homes and for our bodies. Mending is an act of forgiveness and a practice in patience and acceptance. It places hope for another chance in our own hands.

As promised here is a photo showing how my apron from an old denim shirt is coming. I folded up the bottom making three large pockets and printed them using blocks that I carved. Next will be deciding how

I would like to complete the bib part and add the Wayne Holmes’ Every Path Leads Home is a beautiful book Y of acceptance. Our lives on this plane of existence are of apron strings. A pocket for glasses or a pen might be short duration, and we are all “headed home.” Different faith experiences define “home” differently, and each suggests a path or paths. For anyone who has been abused by the supposed rules and strictures of a church or congregation or pastor, for anyone just the thing. who has come to see religion not as a faith experience but rather as a set of ironclad rules, for anyone who has grown weary of the struggle to find God by whatever name: Every Path Leads Home is a must-read.

“Wayne Holmes is an outstanding individual, a one-of-a-kind author who

speaks to you from the heart through his writing. He has inspired thousands of readers and touched our spirits with his gentle teachings and humor, bringing us back to a safe haven of love and peace.”

–Jane Phillips

3XEOLVKHU,QÀQLW\0DJD]LQH About the Author: I have always enjoyed working Mr. Holmes’ words resonate way beyond the printed page—they vibrate within your heart as truth. I absolutely LOVE this book! It is the best bridge I “

have seen joining traditional religion, spirituality, and the spiritual nature of

with textiles. As a child I watched my grandmother us all. “The integrity of the author in revealing his own story is authentic, reminding me of the humanness of all of our experiences. I felt wrapped in

the arms of loving kindness throughout the whole book. I predict this book will

turn colorful cotton feed bags into play clothes. I enlighten all who read it.” –Liz Loring Educator, Life Coach & Group Facilitator

designed and made dresses for my dolls from scraps of

“It wasn’t until I donned a clerical collar that I came to understand how people viewed religious leaders differently.

Some were comforted by my presence while others seemed ill at ease.

“Before long I realized that many had been damaged through judgment, guilt, rejection, and condemnation by a religion or by someone religious. I’m happy to report that these people do not have to languish in fear, depression, or resentment.

“In Every Path Leads Home, Wayne

Holmes has created a brilliant and very gentle way out of religious abuse and intolerance into peace, happiness, and personal freedom.

“It is a way to heal us all.”

–Rev. Gary Pennington

&RQWLQXXP+HDOLQJ3UDFWLWLRQHU Founder of Spirit Hospital Alliance fabric and shoes for them from orange peels, which I pretended were leather. I’ve attended art classes at the University of Cincinnati in the 70’s and have studied with textile artists at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, as well as with many other professionals in their studios over the years. My long-time passion has been the study of hands along with their owners, being creative and expressing my artistic side allows for manifesting something tangible whereas reading hands is more esoteric. Patti Lightflower can be contacted at pattilightflower2@gmail.com and more information can be found at her website: https://www. ireadhands.com/

Opening to your spiritual journey, healing for the past, peace for the present. Direction for the future, Religious Recovery.

Every Path Leads Home:

O p e n i n g to Yo u r S p i r i t u a l J o u r n e y V

By Wayne Holmes

Relig ious Recover y Press Wayne Holmes

Every

Path Leads Home

Opening to Your Spiritual Journey Wayne Holmes’ Set Your Course shares six months of reflections that will give readers a path to spiritual freedom and help them connect to their soul and inner spirit. Not only does it provide healing from past religious abuse, but also abuse of nearly any form, and beyond that, it provides a path towards taking solid control of one’s religious and spiritual journey.

Wayne Holmes Phone: 513.205.1057 Email: Wayne@ReligiousRecovery.org Web Site: www.ReligiousRecovery.org

Wayne Holmes’ Every Path Leads Home is a Wayne Holmes beautiful book of acceptance. For anyone who has been abused by the supposed rules Phone: 513.205.1057 and strictures of a church or congregation Email: Wayne@ReligiousRecovery.org or pastor, for anyone who has come to see religion not as a faith experience but rather Web Site: www.ReligiousRecovery.org as a set of ironclad rules, for anyone who has grown weary of the struggle to find God by whatever name:

Both books can be purchased through Amazon.