an elephant in my living room {self-portrait challenge}
Two weeks ago, the elephant that has been sitting in the middle of my living room my entire life started talking to me. In the past, the elephant and I have successfully ignored one another. Because I learned that whenever I tried to talk with this elephant, I would be crushed or at the very least misunderstood. I have worn a path in the living room as I have tiptoed around the elephant my entire life. We have an unspoken understanding of how our relationship works. We pretend we don’t even see one another. In fact, I have figured out a way to avoid the living room all together. Yet, out of nowhere, the elephant decided it wanted to have tea and talk and take the shit off the shelves that has been comfortably sitting there for years.
This is the image I have been sitting with as I reflect on this new aspect of my relationship with the elephant.
On my drive up to Seattle Saturday, as I soaked in the blue sky and the mountains that surrounded me, I had a small shift.
What if as I try to sift through my feelings, I allow this elephant to be Ganesha? What if I channel my energy into seeing how Ganesha has been sitting in my living room my whole life just waiting for the moment when I would see him?
This doesn’t mean that I am equating the original image with a god. No. The original image is a big old elephant of unspoken crap that has sat in the living room for as long as I can remember. But, as I prepare to do some battle with my own internal demons and stuff that is clawing its way to the surface through this, maybe I can allow myself to realize that I do not go into battle alone.
The elephant god is ready, just waiting for me in the middle of my living room, whenever I decide I need assistance.
(see other self-portraits here)
self-portrait, this is me
Reader Comments (14)
Totally love the shift that allows the elephant to be Ganesha. Totally.
Love to you this Valentine's Day and always, Liz.
j
As Ganesha is the destroyer of obstacles, I would say that's a prefect fit!
I think you are really finding your way, Liz... thanks for letting us share in it a little...
Happy Valentines Day and lots of love...
This is wonderful Liz!
Happy valentines Day.
XOXO
liz this is brilliant. really it is. we have a choice in the way we look at the happenings in our life. you are choosing to let this moment show you all it's possiblities and opportunities. i'm very impressed by your openness to life...
What a powerful shift in perspective, Liz. May Ganesha be just what you need right now.
And happy Valentine's Day, beautiful!
Oh man. Oh man oh man oh man oh man. Wow.
Wow.
I'm a wee bit envious of your elephant.
K
I love this - the idea of turning any kind of accepted idea or metaphor on its head is brilliant. Any way you can morph something that feels scary into something that is softer is a good thing!
Great metaphor, Liz. Great thought.
JEEZ, how I HATE the unspoken shit that sits around for years and years! It honestly gives me an anxiety attack to have elephants anywhere around me!
So I send up prayers of courage for you now. Whatever it is you need, I hope you get it...And I hope that elephant takes a hike, so you can live and breath deep.
:)
sounds good!
and happy valentines day to you
:)
Such an interesting picture--and the whole concept of this post...the unspoken coming up, the fear of not seeing/not knowing becoming more than that of the internal battle. I wish you strength and courage...
Love,
D.
delighted to have found your place...your words are profound and leave much to ponder and that is a good thing! just losing my husband puts me in a whole different light (married 40 years) I am so changed and your words give me hope...do you think there is an elephant in my living room? I must go and see.
be here NOW!
blessings,
sage
I love the picture, and I love the post that goes along with it. I love the openness and acceptance; it is beautiful.
I hope everything goes well with your cup of tea and discussion with your Ganesha. :)
what a wonderfully strange post.
i love it! :)
ps.
i have a newspaper clipping that i saved from several years ago when a ganesha statue in india drank the milk that was left to him as an offering. it made international news. and i loved it that the world was willing to believe! :)
I had no idea what I desperately needed to hear until I read those words.
"as I prepare to do some battle with my own internal demons and stuff that is clawing its way to the surface through this, maybe I can allow myself to realize that I do not go into battle alone.
The elephant god is ready, just waiting for me in the middle of my living room, whenever I decide I need assistance."
Thank you.