Invisible Compass

Finding Direction

“When I've lost my way or when I'm confused about a path to take, I remember that most answers I need I already have—deep inside. I am naturally creative, resourceful and whole. If I consult my invisible compass, I'll know what to do.”

Steve Goodier

I've been madly sewing—small things to sell at a Christmas bazaar at my church. I have recently gone quite insane about making print blocks from Styrofoam, printing on canvas and then incorporating them into market bags and purses, and I've made a number of them for the bazaar. When I discover a new medium, I dive off the deep end and think of nothing else, lying awake in the middle of the night with new designs popping inside my head. I isolate myself, work non-stop, resent intrusions, yell at the dogs if they need to go out to pee, and am, in general, insufferable.

Mid-week I discovered a trove of fabric samples from a decorator's book—large and small, different colors and designs, and decided that I should branch out and make bottle bags. People like to give wine for holiday gifts, right? So I departed from my obsession for block printing and began trying to figure out how to make bottle bags out of unsuitable, wrong-sized fabrics. To say the least, it was a bust. I spent untold hours trying to make something work that was unworkable—too small, too narrow, too everything. I wasted a lot of time, with nothing to show for it. So this morning, in that liminal space between sleeping and waking, my inner voice asked, “Why did you depart from what you loved?” Simple question—ugly answer: I let the world direct me because I wanted to make more money. So today, I will go back to block printing.

Now, you may be thinking, “What can Styrofoam block prints possibly have to do with Spirituality?” And I will say to you, everything. That inner voice—the one that is still and small—that resides inside you, is your guide to all that is in the best interest of your soul. It is the spark, the link to the Divine that ignites your passion. In terms of natural creativity, wholeness and resourcefulness, the world cannot guide you. It will go into market-mode and tell you, “Diversify! Network! Rake in the maximum amount of money!” Those are not soul messages. Those are ego messages and they thwart and debase creativity. This I will say, follow your passion and the rest will (probably) take care of itself—at the very least, you will be a happier poor person! Your inner voice will tell you that you are not here to increase your bank account—you are here to embody your soul. Your invisible compass will not lead you astray—this I guarantee.

                                           In the Spirit,

                                                 Jane