Day 25: “My Prerogative”

Beth Blair

May 15, 2019

Original Painting: “My Prerogative”, Acrylic on Canvas 24×24, 9/24/2016

This painting has a powerful personal message for me.  One that has taken me all day to remember.  I attempted to sit down this morning and whip out a quick blog before tackling my days events.  It didn’t happen.  Only now am I seeing the meeting of the minds in this painting. It is the meeting of the “mines” (as in obstacles) and the mine, as in ownership. There are places inside myself that I continue to discover, rediscover and challenge my own thinking. Is this prerogative or mere opinion?

Prerogative is certainly more than just opinion. Is it something we are each entitled to? If I ask my friend, Merriam-Webster, I would find that prerogative is an exclusive right or special privilege belonging to a person, with attributes of sovereignty. This is more than my mere opinion. The question becomes, what are these rights and privileges? Whose rights are more important can take us down a slippery slope of so many things. I am not shying away from those topics.  I am simply stating questions that arise as I think about the word prerogative and its meaning.

What I have always seen in the painting is the white-faced figure with orange. To me, this figure has a strong masculine aura and is of Elven origin.  I say this because I was studying Celtic Reiki at the time of its creation. I was reading a great deal of material on Celtic lore and mythological things. He is regal and sovereign and is bowing his head. As I claim this as a “meeting of the minds or mines,” I claim him as an archetypal aspect of myself. We all have a blending of masculine and feminine qualities that make us who we are.  I feel he represents that strong, opinionated, even domineering side of myself and yet he is bowing. He is softening in some way. How am I softening?

When I claim what is mine, who I am, all of it; I am claiming my sovereign right to be me.  That is my exclusive right and privilege, to be MYSELF.  What happens in life, rarely do we claim all of it.  Some of us, at time, allow others to define us. We gather titles and roles that pigeonhole us into becoming the personification of someone else’s opinion. That may be harsh, and it is true, at least for me.  I have allowed myself to deny parts of me that were too much for some, not enough for other, etc. It was exhausting. I hope I am over that!

At the center of the forehead of the regal Elven being, I saw for the first time today, an angel with wings resting on a knee. Maybe I saw it because I was reading a book about angels, The Valkyrie by Paulo Coehlo. Maybe I saw it because I needed a reminder of the possibility of my mind opening with a gentle bowing and willingness to receive. For each of us to be truly authentic to ourselves, it doesn’t have to exclude, demean or make less of anyone. We are each here with purpose of heart and that requires a meeting of the minds. 

There are other areas of myself, my prerogative, my heart and soul I long to discover.  I have much to learn about myself as I strip these self-imposed and other-imposed titles and roles away. It is an exciting time of discovery. What is your prerogative? Who are you without your titles and roles? Who do you want to be? It is your choice.

Blessings and peace on your journey.

Beth is a seasoned and experienced bodywork, somatic coach and wellness professional. She is available to present on wellness, bodywork and somatic topics; or individual bodywork and coaching sessions.  Bring Beth to your area for workshops, speaking events or team building projects. Personal and business coaching are also services that Beth provides.  Consider coaching for individual or small groups/teams. Contact Beth for more information and rates.