Known for her iconic self-portraits, Mexicana artist Frida Kahlo was a force whose passion enticed lovers, challenged cultural norms and produced profound art. But her fierceness wasn’t refined by life’s niceties. Quite the opposite.
By the age of 18, Frida had been diagnosed with polio, broken her spinal column, collar bone, ribs and pelvis, sustained 11 fractures in her leg and had an iron handrail through her abdomen and uterus. In addition to her injuries, Frida endured multiple miscarriages, roughly 30 surgeries and chronic pain that kept her bedridden for days at a time.
So how did someone who’d suffered so much go on to manifest such beautifully fierce creations? She transformed her life into art.
Dreams paint my reality.
Unable to explore the world freely, Frida turned to painting as a form of solace and expression. Her creative outlet was made possible by her parents who crafted a special easel that allowed her to paint while lying down. A mirror was then hung above her to help capture her favorite muse - herself.
I paint because I am.
Much of Frida’s time in bed was spent with a plastered corset on for support. Although necessary, she refused to allow the device around her mid section to define her. Instead, she made it her own by decorating it with the art she loved.
This small act of rebellion encapsulates the essence of Frida’s life that I find myself enamored by – her compulsion to be herself despite her circumstances. Frida wasn’t immune to her pain though. And like many of us, she sought comfort in the convenience of unfulfilling vices.
I wanted to drown but learned to swim.
The darkness cast by Frida’s battle with substance abuse doesn’t diminish the light radiated from her firey spirit. It only underscores the fact that we all carry hurt and healing within us.
As I reflected on this idea and Frida’s journey I find myself meditating on this idea:
The indomitable spirit isn’t one devoid of grief, fear or doubt. It is the one that has experienced them all and yet remains. Ready for love, joy and all that is good.
Question: The specialty easel Frida’s parents made turned the countless hours she was forced to lay in bed into an opportunity to lose herself in her craft. With that in mind, how might you turn the challenges associated with your current circumstances into opportunities?
My Response: As a teacher, I have the opportunity to take summers off from work but I never do. Instead, I run sports camps, take grad school classes and do my best to carve out time for the things I love with the space that is left.
Not this summer.
This year I decided to enjoy my break and work on slowing down. In that respect, the last two months were a success – excluding the slight addiction I formed with Notes (I’m working on it).
My break is now over and with it goes the flexibility I’d grown accustomed to. Rather than mourn the death of my freshly formed laissez-faire attitude, I’m choosing to see my inevitable time crunch as an opportunity to get my sh*t together.
I can remain gentle with myself WHILE I work on a bedtime ritual that allows me to resume my life-giving 5:30 am routine of reading, journaling and writing. I can work on being intentional with the time I spend editing my pieces. I can also create better boundaries with the wonderful space that is Notes (I really am going to work on it).
The gift that was this summer is over but in its place are opportunities I’d forsaken because of the abundance of time I enjoyed. After reflecting on what was, I’m looking forward to experiencing what might be.