“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” When I encounter perplexing uncertainty this is my go-to mantra—an admonition penned by Julian of Norwich (1342-1416).
From Norfolk, England, Julian, the most important English mystic of the 14th century, is credited with the first book written by a woman in the English language. Of little formal education—she calls herself “unlettered”—Julian writes in a beautifully simple style.
In her “Revelations of Divine Love” Julian relates that in May 1373, when she was 30 years old, she suffered a serious illness. After she had been administered extreme unction, she received 16 revelations within the span of a few hours. She wrote her “Revelations”, as a recluse at Norwich, supported by the Benedictine convent of Carrow. Anchorite seclusion was a rather common form of life in 14th century England among Christians with high spiritual aspirations.
“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well,” I whisper to myself. When I say this to others in uncertain situations, the question often comes, “But how will all be well?” Ah, this is the mystery. We do not know the how, and yet we must keep whispering “all manner of thing shall be well” until the shift comes.
In my role as artCentral’s Executive Director-Curator, the solo staff member of our non-profit hometown arts center, whether cloistered in Hyde House or at home in my upstairs studio office, I get my work done by looking ahead, visioning strategy to accomplish all that needs doing and then putting my head down and being laser focused on the task most immediately before me. Laser focus serves me well except for those times when my concentration causes me to miss the obvious. That’s when I most appreciate the messenger delivering a revelation that illuminates what I have not seen.
Recently my husband David and I were very happy to have a long delayed visit from my west coast son and his wife. Both techno gurus, they generously answered my computer related questions. My son expressed his amazement for what I am able to accomplish working with an antiquated and overloaded laptop and inadequate supporting components.
He furrowed his brow as I explained my ongoing consideration for artCentral’s non-profit bottom line that causes me to make-do with what I have rather than invest dollars in new equipment. To my great surprise he appeared at dinner one night toting a brand new keyboard, mouse and two laptop memory sticks to “buy me some time”—stop gap fixes until I could conjure a new computer capable of handling my work load. I promised I would pursue acquiring the upgrades that have been needed for a very long time. Not knowing from where the money would come, I whispered to myself, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Soon after our family departed, an answering revelation appeared with the Carthage Community Foundation (CCF) announcement of an autumn grant round. I wrote a line item grant request listing the specifics and costs of the equipment artCentral needs to enable me to efficiently work up to speed in our high tech, 21st century online, digital world. I repeated my mantra. “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
In a few days an email arrived from Heather Collier, then CCF Manager, who wrote, “Congratulations! artCentral will be receiving a grant of $2,500 from Carthage Community Foundation to purchase an Office Computer & Equipment.” Oh, happy day!
The mission of the Carthage Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in Carthage through resource development, community grant making, collaboration and public leadership. artCentral is honored and truly grateful to receive the support of Carthage Community Foundation in affiliation with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Through December 4, come to Hyde House at 1110 East Thirteenth in Carthage and see what artCentral is able to do with the support of Carthage Community Foundation, Sharon and Lance Beshore and Old Missouri Bank. Bid on and buy your favorite SMALL WORKS|GREAT WONDERS. Spend time with “p-i-e-c-e-d TOGETHER”—the extraordinary mixed media exhibition by Lori Marble and Jo Mueller. Weekend Gallery Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. with CDC protocols practiced at artCentral. Face masks and social distancing are required for everyone entering Hyde House.
