A Soul Knows… I Will Survive.
Graffiti Art: I Will Survive.
Why did I choose this image as the first image and thumbnail of Soulcare MKE LLC?
Honestly, it’s surprising to me. This image feels gritty and harsh.
These are not words that I would use to describe myself, Laura Gilmartin Hancock. In fact, in scrolling through most of the other pictures on this website, I see them as much softer, more invitational, more natural. Gentle.
More like myself.
But this image.
It’s rough. It’s so rough, it almost feels abrasive.
It’s as if the statement is holding the viewer - powerfully - at arm’s length and declaring its truth:
“I will survive.”
Period.
I experience this image as the visual expression of the truth of someone’s soul.
Their innermost wisdom is crying out,
taking up space,
declaring its truth,
needing to be seen.
I believe the soul - mine included - can be this way sometimes.
It knows how to survive:
It is resilient and tenacious.
Especially if it feels under attack,
in tension,
minimized,
or disregarded.
The soul knows how to survive:
It is self-protective and creative in its maneuverings.
It can be deeply certain about its truth, to the point that it might feel surprising to the person! “I didn’t know I felt this way… and certainly not this strongly!” someone might say. But their soul knows. Their soul knows the Truth.
The soul knows how to survive:
Because the soul, although sometimes (paradoxically) cautious and shy, is that eternal wisdom that is held within each of us. It is our connection to the Eternal Wisdom that transcends each of our own lives and in whom the fullness of all existence is held. The soul can know these things.
Graffiti Art: Love
I saw this graffiti art, years ago, when I was out for a run on the Oak Leaf Trail between Whitefish Bay and Glendale. This piece, and others, stopped me in my tracks. I was in awe of the beauty of expression - so boldly and colorfully expressed - in such a relatively hidden and out of the way place.
These were the expressions of a soul(s) that needed to be seen.
These were the expressions of a soul(s) that needed to make their truth known.
So they did.
And I saw them. I am witness to them.
What a privilege: to catch a glimpse into the inner experience of another’s soul.
This is very much like the process of spiritual direction.
A person, in ways and at the pace that feels right to them, brings the truth of their soul before another soul. The practice of spiritual direction creates a brave space for a soul to be seen and to have the freedom to express all its wonderings, questionings, delights, strengths, doubts, joys, sadnesses, and truth. The soul very much knows the way to go but it sometimes needs a little help in clearing away the debris of life, creating a space to listen, to be attentive, and to honor its truth. The soul will survive.
I will also say - this graffiti art can no longer be seen. It was covered up, gray-washed, as the path was upgraded for greater public use.
There’s a sadness in me about the changing nature of reality. But I take comfort in my belief that once the soul has expressed itself, its truth can never be erased.
I have witnessed it.
You are witnessing it.
It has survived.
If you’d like to explore the wisdom - and the wonderings - of your soul, please be in touch.
Truth and wisdom is right there within you; within each of us. We just have to learn, and practice, how to listen.
I’d love to listen with you.
Gratefully yours,
Laura
