endings

The Sinners Series – 003

| Sheree

The second time I went to see Sinners, again it was fitting it in before going away somewhere else. But I knew I had to see it again.

A different cinema, and much fuller this time. I was sat between two black women out for one of theirs birthday’s and a white couple.

The black women introduced themselves to me. Something that has never happened before to me in the pictures. I thought it was a lovely gesture. It meant I could also tell them that they were in for a treat.

Again I got lost in the world of Sinners. Even thought I’d seen it before, I still jumped at the frightening bits. And I say frightening bits, the bits that are in there to make you jump. There’s blood but most of time the biting by the vampires is done off screen or you see it from behind and hear the noises.

I love this movie for so many reasons but I think the first thing is how Coogler plays with the genres and conventions and expectations. This is a mixture of genres ; horror, action, romance, musical etc. Coogler takes creative liberties with what’s gone before to create something rich, unique and full.

I love how this is a massive permission slip to any creative to go with their own flow. Bring in all the possibilities you want to express your point. It applies to the Creatrix in me because when the energy flows, when I’m in the zone and listening, the creations knows no boundaries or limits or rules. It just be.

Sinners is just that. And more. It’s layered , culturally and spiritually explorative and travels through time and space with music as the connection.

This second viewing of Sinners was important because for the first viewing, I had to rush off into try dark and catch a bus, therefore missing the multiple endings. So this time, I stayed put and also told those around who were fixing to leave, ‘there’s more.’

I’m not going to spoil the film for you by telling you what happens in the multiple endings but please don’t leave until the very end. Even if the lights come up, hang on in there to the very end. Even if they’re coming in to clean up after you, hang on in there to the very ends.

Farewell 2022

| Sheree

2022 has been a challenging, unpredictable and painful year in so many ways. A year marked by illness after illness, I’d be justified in feeling the year was a series of starts and stops, stood and starts.

But, I’ve also managed to enjoy some wonderful experiences along the way, especially towards the back end of the year which I spent planning and organising in the first half of the year, while fighting illness after illness. There’s something to be said about dreaming on paper and best laid plans and all that.

2022 was the year of letting go and getting better. I have to believe this to move forward.

My word for 2022 was ‘open’. I know now that I needed this word and focus as a stepping stone, as necessary piece in the process of getting to where I am today, on the eve of 2023. Remaining open, percolating in the background of my attitudes, behaviours and being, meant that I was moving in the right direction even if it has been difficult at times to remain open and honest and trusting.

The pulling away from certain people and situations has been necessary. The release bringing about an end which can also be treated as a new beginning.

I feel a lot has changed about me this year, the most important one being my deepening understanding about this healing journey I’m on. In order to heal, I need to go through the necessary grieving, allowing myself to feel all the feels without the guilt or judgement or trying to hurry the process along. I’m learning.

I know I’m also quicker and more able to stand up for myself now. I choose me more times than not these days and this is a welcoming change and practice. It happens, this choosing of myself, not without guilt and doubts and feelings of uncomfortableness but I write it out.

My creativity, whether that be pen to page, paint to paper, or cut and stick, supports me on this journey for which I am grateful. These conversations I have with myself through the creative process are invaluable being life saving and supportive.

As I see in the new year, new priorities are surfacing. Such as healing, going even more slow and resting. Rest is resistance even as I waste time and energy resisting these changes. But I’m a work in progress, finding non-traditional ways to {BE}, heal and push against the system.

I heard someone recently describe themselves as the matriarch of healing in their lineage. Being the first person in their family who is doing the necessary work to heal themselves as well as for those who came before them and who will come after them. I take this title on for myself and the journey and task I’m on.

I will explore this healing journey further as I move slowly into 2023. Choosing me. No longer playing small, planning on becoming large.