On a recent episode of On Being, Krista Tippett’s sublime podcast, Lawrence Kushner explained the concept tzimtzum, or “god’s self-contraction to make spaces within god for creaturely beings to live” (Read more here.) (For the record, I am not Jewish, so I hope I haven’t muddled this or offended anyone.) Kushner went on to say that this idea manifests itself in our daily life when we make a space to create “so that something you love will have room to grow.” I love this.
Making space in my life to create, to write, has been an incredible challenge recently and I almost feel like I don’t even remember how to write anything. But I’m not giving up.
Inspired by Irene Latham’s Artspeak! theme of happy, I scrolled through Google Arts & Culture until I found a painting that brought a smile to my face. I found Undergrowth with Two Figures by Vincent van Gogh completely enchanting. I longed to step into the painting and gather armfuls of flowers. Instead, I gathered inspiration for this haiku:
Beneath silver trees
coruscating daffodils
illuminate the day
© Catherine Flynn, 2019
Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Kathleen, Deb, Kelsey, Melanie, and Lanny for creating this community and providing this space for teachers and others to share their stories each Tuesday throughout the year. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
I learned a new word and I love it, coruscating. Thank you for the images, the painting and the poem.
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Daffodils illuminate the day is lovely and shows how even a small moment of haiku can be the tzimtzim. (I’m not sure I understand the concept either)
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I always find it hard to slice weekly after slicing monthly. It’s like we were all so intense with such intentional time for a month, and then it’s over. I’m glad you’re finding time and space!
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I read this line – “almost feel like I don’t even remember how to write anything.” And immediately scrolled up to confirm that this was Catherine’s blog, the person who writes amazing poetry.
Sure enough, I was reading your blog. Then you go on to share a wonderful way to brainstorm – looking through art to get an idea.
Favorite line: completely enchanting. I longed to step into the painting and gather armfuls of flowers.
Favorite poem, too!
Thanks for sharing the OnBeing link, too!
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I’ve read Kushner, but had forgotten about the custom of tzimtzum. Thanks for including the link so I can read more today.
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I’ve been working on making space for what I need over this past year or so, and it has been freeing. I didn’t know the concept’s roots though. Fascinating.
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I love so many parts of this post: the lovely haiku, the painting, the idea you share of making a space to create “so that something you love will have room to grow.” Thank you for sharing!
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