The Words We Choose

I was watching Oprah yesterday as she was broadcasting from New Orleans and other cities that were hard hit by hurricane Katerina. Oprah said something that really struck me. She pointed out that the people who remain are not "refugees" but "survivors." Think about the significance of those two words. When I think of refugees, I typically think of people who have had to flee their countries because of war, economic misfortune, or persecution. When I think of survivors, I think of people who have gone through terrible disasters--natural or man made--and have lived to tell their stories.

Because of Oprah's show, I did some research on both words. The word refugee comes from the Old French and originally meant "to take shelter, protect." The meaning changed over time and eventually signified "one fleeing home." Originally, the word survivor was more of a legal term and meant "one who outlives another." As the word evolved, survivor was defined as "one who has the knack for pulling through adversity." I love that definition! (If you are interested in the etymology of words, check out www.etymonline.com.)

Technically, of course, the word refugees can be applied to Katerina's victims. However, for me--and what I think Oprah was trying to communicate to her viewers--describing the people who lived through hurricane Katerina as refugees makes them appear as helpless victims who have little hope of returning to their normal lives. Describing them as survivors calls attention to their strengths, their resourcefulness, their ability to make it through adversity. One word creates a sense of helplessness and hopelessness while the other word creates a sense of empowerment, of hope, of pride. These Americans who have gone through this catastrophic disaster deserve our respect, admiration, and support. They are alive; they are doing the best they can in the worst possible adversity; they are truly survivors!

The words we choose to describe ourselves, situations, and others are powerful. They can create impenetrable prisons or open doors to new possibilities. Prisons or possibilities, which will we choose?

--Vicky :o)

Hidden Masterpieces

I remember reading a book or seeing a documentary about great works of art that had been painted over either by the original artist or another artist for various reasons. Sometimes the original artist didn't like what (s)he had painted. Or, the artist was poor and didn't have money for another canvas. If another artist painted over the work of art, it might be because (s)he was trying to hide the original painting. (I vaguely remember that artists during WWII had painted over works of art to keep them out of the hands of the Nazis.) Or, perhaps the artist didn't know the painting was a great work of art, and (s)he needed a canvas on which to paint.

I am not quite sure how these works of art were discovered but I do know there is an actual profession dedicated to examining and maintaining painted masterpieces and other great works of art. An art conservator examines art objects to determine the condition, need for repair, appropriate method of preservation, and authenticity using x-rays, radiographs, and special lights. In addition, the art conservator knows all there is to know about handling, mounting, care, and storage of art objects. So, I am guessing that an art conservator was probably responsible for bringing these hidden masterpieces to light.

Why this interest in hidden paintings? The other night before I fell asleep I got an image of myself as a famous masterpiece that was hidden under another painting. As I thought about the image, I wondered why I would have "painted over" this masterpiece. I came up with a couple of reasons that parallel the reasons mentioned in the first paragraph. Perhaps I thought I needed to paint a "better" picture because I wasn't satisfied with the masterpiece I already was. Or, perhaps I was trying to hide my masterpiece from the eyes of others, fearing their criticisms.

Upon further reflection, I realized that even though I am the masterpiece, I am also the only one--the only art conservator--who can reveal to the world that hidden masterpiece. I am the expert on the masterpiece that is me!

And so it is with all of us spiritual beings. As we journey through this life, we realize that there are parts of our spiritual selves that we have hidden away, painted over so others cannot see them. We each have reasons for our decision to hide who we really are. However, the fact remains that we are all masterpieces of the Universe. Fortunately, we all have the ability to be our own "art conservator." What steps can you take to examine, clean, preserve, and reveal the hidden masterpiece that is you?

--Vicky :o)

Goodbye Newsletter, Hello Blog!

The Blue Heron Visions Newsletter is going on hiatus for a while (possibly forever)! Instead of a newsletter, I have decided to join the world of bloggers and publish my own blog. This change will encourage me to write more often without having to focus on one particular theme for a monthly/bimonthly newsletter. In addition, I won't be adding to my readers' email box quota with a newsletter that they may not have time to read. (Once or twice a month, I will send an email to my subscription list that indicates there are new posts on my blog and the blog's link.) Blogging will also allow for immediate feedback from my readers. Readers can add comments to the posts they read. Thus, blogging creates an instant forum around any subject about which I write.

So, to all the loyal readers of Blue Heron Visions Newsletter, I want to say, "Thank you!" I have appreciated your feedback and support. And, my hope is that you will find the blog enjoyable, enlightening, and entertaining.

Have a stupendously surprising and serendipitous September!
--Vicky :o)

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