Aliza Wiseman

For an artist, the process of starting anew – beginning exactly where one is at on the page and allowing oneself to go with the flow – is essential. The beginning is a moment always moving; always here; always yet to come. It is a moment worth smiling at, for me, as I write freely in the comfort of knowing that any writing can be updated or improved, at any point. I watch as type appears on the page and I smile, as beginning moves, again and again, to precisely where the INK makes itself visible now.

Now is an extremely powerful place to be.

One of the most magnificent and exciting thoughts I enjoy holding is that our greatest power exists when we are present and awake to the moment, now. Now is when the ink flows through the pen, into the great white space that increases infinitely, in all directions. We who love words can sometimes get lulled into the idea that the INK is the almighty when, in truth, it is only a very small part of what is so powerful in life; only a shadow, really, of any great story.

In the white space is where everything essential remains hidden from the naked eye and where anything that ever occurs actually discovers its potential for life. Into the white space is where the INK is always being drawn – into our potential for living, breathing, loving and becoming; into the all-powerful presences of infinite possibility. Yet, so often, we are unconscious of anything but the INK in our lives – the circumstances, messes, frustrations, challenges, difficulties, etc. So often, we forget the value of remaining absolutely clear and present; and that, just as Dorothy wore the ruby slippers, we are holding the pen in each and every moment of life; free to introduce new ink into the white space of unlimited potential for our lives. But, I digress…

Many times over the years, I have humorously remarked that the periodic table has long been missing what I am convinced has to be the most important element in all the universe – acceptance. Time and again, I have made this remark and, always, it has been met with laughter or a moment of pause, before conversation continued into whatever direction it was going, before I interjected. Then, suddenly, on one incredible occasion, I received an unexpected reply! One of the most wise and treasured souls I’ve ever come to know said something I’ll never forget. He said that it wasn’t missing at all. He said, “it’s in the white space.” My jaw dropped. YES!!!! He understood everything precisely! His marvelous and profound statement caused me to break out into a happy dance with cries of “YES!!!” and “BRILLIANT!!!” Yes, it is just as he put the most perfect words to my lifelong observation – this most vital element of all – acceptance – is not at all missing from the periodic table of elements because it absolutely exists in the WHITE SPACE!

How important it is to all creativity and all human life that we honor the white space; that we honor ourselves and others with this precious element that breathes life into love itself. Love is acceptance that lives in the white space – in all the area of possibility in which our power and creativity thrives. To be in the flow, as a creative being – to write, sing, dance, paint, all of it – is to live and breathe – which is to say, to love. And life – love – only happens here, in this great white space into which the ink finds its way onto the page, from moment to moment.

Our task, as creative beings is to understand our presence in the context of this great white space and to honor it, in ourselves and others. Just as musical notes require silence to be heard – just as ink requires a blank page in order to be seen, read, appreciated and understood – every soul lives, loves and thrives, beyond all measure, in the context of acceptance; found only in the infinite white space of our lives.

It is in the spirit of this writing that I welcome you, beautiful souls, to join me in the white space we share together; where all poetry and prose, art and illustration, thoughts and ruminations may come together in joyful celebration of life and love; in every given moment we are blessed to receive.