Why is it so difficult to follow our joy?

I keep circling back to this question a lot because, while it may sound frivolous, I’ve come to believe it’s hugely important. Our entire ability to not only be happy, but to thrive and honor our soul’s callings, depends on our ability to follow the breadcrumbs of joy.

It all boils down to energy and vibration – being able to detect it and lean towards it. But like canaries in a cage, we feel trapped. We can point to the bars in life that make us feel this way — our jobs, finances, body type, circumstances or lack of opportunities. Somehow we landed in this cage and we don’t know how we got here.

Poet Lorna Simes new poem "Dare She?" was inspired by the painting, "Hearts Rising", by Natalie Eve Marquis. Both were on display as part of the "Image & Imagination" ekphrastic exhibit, a collaborative art & poetry show with 12 area poets inspired by 13 artists which runs through October 8, 2022 at Art Up Front Street.

My Pop and I in the Outer Banks, NC. / Natalie Marquis, Mixed Media Artist

We Three Native American Painting Family by HonoringMotherEarth

Natalie Marquis sliding in Sedona, AZ (photo by Tennousei Liila Leslie).