Again and Again

Not so long ago in a conversation with some of the ladies here at Zentangle HQ, I said that the Zentangle Method had made me a better mother.

I had never really thought about it before I said that, but the moment it came out of my mouth, I knew that I meant it.

I often refer to myself as a “recovering perfectionist” and I owe a lot of my “recovery” to my Zentangle practice. There is so much beauty in not just the art that we create but the philosophies that creating the art instills in us.

I was thrilled when Lady Aura revealed herself to us here at Zentangle HQ. She represents so many aspects of the Zentangle Method that I hold near and dear to my heart. She represents the ideas, techniques and philosophies that do not come naturally to me, but I have found and embraced through my Zentangle journey.

One of the characteristics of Lady Aura that plays over and over again in my head is her love for repetition. Lady Aura tends to repeat herself over and over and the result is always beautiful.

As a mother of young children, most of my days tend to blur all together. Diapers, snacks, singing the same songs and reading Good Night Good Night, Construction Site, over and over and over again. Things can sometimes begin to feel a bit monotonous.

I have learned though, there is beauty in doing these things repeatedly. Every time we sing Wheels on the Bus or read a favorite book, my children are experiencing something new. They are at the age where they are changing every single day and the repetition is helping them learn, develop, grow and flourish.

This is quite like the lines we draw on our tiles. Zentangle patterns, or tangles, are just a series of pen strokes on paper that repeat themselves. The repetition is calming, soothing and ends in a beautiful result, sometimes completely unexpected. Lady Aura reminds us over and over again to enjoy these small moments. To embrace the familiar but remain open to change and growth.

One night, not too long ago, I was getting ready for bedtime. My youngest son picked up a book and brought it to his older brother. This book is one we have read no less than 300,000 times. My oldest, who cannot yet read, opened the book and began to “read” his brother the story from memory. I paused and watched, committing this moment to memory so I could replay it in my head over and over again.