I’m learning to “be still before the Lord and wait patiently” (Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:25) & trying not to be anxious (Phil 4:6-7) in the meantime, trusting that God reveals different things in different seasons. I’m understanding that even if things seem slow-moving, I can have faith that work is being worked out unbeknownst to me in order to prepare me for a season to spring into action. Also I’ve been learning to discern which doors to pass through, and which doors to pass up (in terms of opportunities to pursue, relationships to pursue or maintain, etc.) which has been interesting. For instance, I’ve shot my shot a few times exploring spaces to pilot a renaissance salon, but have realized that things are taking a longer time than I anticipated and that I’ve been largely reliant on the willingness of others to cooperate on the vision, so sometimes a yes turns into a no, and I’ve just had to be okay with taking a pause without feeling disappointed or continuously spinning my wheels.
I’m surprised that the initial concept of the “renaissance salon” had temporarily morphed into service for creatives on business operations & entrepreneurship training. My one client (an actor who is trying to establish a theater arts education program for kids) has been interested in jointly hosting a writing retreat at his brother’s place in the Hamptons as a test run. That’s been a delight. Sadly the coop basement space and the secret bowling alley underneath the old orphanage have not opened up, but I’m hopeful that other spaces will become available later on in the Fall for a test run locally.
Ellen is one of twelve Dreamers in Goldenwood’s 2024 Dream Forum. This reflection is part of Goldenwood’s #InsidetheDreamPod series. Hear more and connect with Ellen at the Dream Forum on November 14th.
About Ellen’s Dream, Renaissance Salons: I dream of bringing together architects, designers, documentarians, photographers, mathematicians, doctors, and interdisciplinary creatives to have generative and vulnerable conversations around experiencing beginner’s mind while pursuing something new. I see a gracious space offered to workshop, critique, refine, and showcase serious new projects.