2010 - New Moon, Mindfulness and Presence

I'd like to open up my first entry for 2010 with poetry from David Whyte...

Faith
I want to write about faith
about the way the moon rises
over cold snow, night after night.



faithful even as it fades from fullness
slowly becoming that last curving and
impossible
sliver of light before the final darkness.



But I have no faith in myself
I refuse it even the smallest entry.



Let this then, very small poem
like a new moon, slender and barely open
be the first pray that opens me
to faith.


Lately friends I have been struggling with faith. It almost feels like the back-at-home-for-the-holidays food coma I sometimes experience. Ever been home for the holidays and stuffed your face with so much good comfort food you just feel so, so sluggish? Or, ever felt so wimpy - you are so lost in what's going on you no longer feel spiritually revived? During these dreary winter days, I have felt that.

But, like a new moon, there is hope and eventually a new time will come when we shine. Even with a tiny sliver or a brilliant full moon day, we must always feel MINDFULLNESS AND FULLY PRESENT WITH WHAT IS. That is a promise and a commitment that I must make with myself.

At the end of a really good yoga class yesterday, my teacher mentioned the peace, the energy and light that was glowing within us. It's that peacefulness and comfort we sense after doing something good for ourselves and taking care of our bodies. We can always bring that joy wherever we are if we choose to. Through "prayer" and "affirmations" we can move from our suffering. The suffering we oftentimes feel when we dwell in our past, worrying about the next day, or yearn for a better day.

I hope that each moment I won't live with regret and continue to stretch and push past these edges. Mindfulness and presence is what I seek for today.

Sketches from My Travels

 

 

 

 

Last week, I had the chance to hang up some of the ink sketches that I did while on vacation in August. They are a quick and hasty set that I did while visiting Barcelona and London. While taking photograph does lend itself to a much easier way to capture moments, I do like the way drawing can slow your experience down more, help you enjoy the present moment, and appreciate the details more.

Art Every Day Month - Day #2

"The person I am today is not the same person I will be tomorrow."

I like this quote because it reflects on the changes, challenges, and progress we all go through. Without a vision or purpose, it is sometimes hard to really perceive the change that can occur within each of us. Last month, I brainstormed a vision board project and the photo above is what I had come up with...

I have been doing a lot of thinking thanks to some good books and guides that I've read recently (80/20 Principle, The War of Art, Hip Tranquil Chick, and Refuse to Choose). While I seem to have a lot of interests and projects, there are common themes that I seem to pursue and return to over and over. And, I ripped up photos and words that reflected those common threads.

:: Travel - I love visiting foreign places a lot and the challenge of decoding and learning a new language in order to survive is a lot of fun. I am also attracted to the relaxed and luxurious style of living other countries adopt. I like being able to see how different foods, people, artwork, and landscapes come together.

:: Work which is Rewarding - "Refuse to Choose" talks about how scanners have a child-like enthusiasm about their work and projects. They are curious and love to learn. The reward is more in the excitement and learning stages instead of the pay for most scanners. I like being part of work that has a direct influence on a greater level, gives a sense of spiritual renewal, and provides creative challenges.

:: Spiritual and Christ-Centered - God handcrafted each of us and there is an original intent in all of us with the abilities and gifts He gave us. There was a lot in Ephesians that really resonated with me. So, the vision board has a lot of quotes from Paul that motivated and inspired me to live with spirit, hope and faith.

:: Yoga/Mantra: I like how the mind/body/spirit interconnect with our bodies and relaxes me.

:: Biking/Running/Swimming: I just finished two triathlons over the summer and am training for a half marathon coming up. Being physically active and pursuing physical challenges is something very interesting and inspiring for me.

:: Escape: I like the luxury of reading in bed, warm hot baths, a yoga session, and a good ipod playlist. Even the smell of chili simmering or hearing the washing machine going on are all details I like to escape in and renew a sense of balance.

I think my vision board reflects a lot of those things, and it has helped me to dig deeper into what I have learned and what I which to do in the future.

I wish people (myself included) didn't beat ourselves up about why we haven't accomplished what we need to do yet. There is a balance we have to achieve between presence and pushing our edges into the future. It's a delicate and lovely thing.

The vision board is a nice way to balance those things because you take what you've experienced and it motivates you to jump forward and reach for new moments.

"Your intent should pour out of you. It should emanate from every cell of your being so that you attract the people and circumstances that can support you in manifesting your desires." Dianne Collins

When we realize that we already have everything we need to begin living out our dreams, I think it makes it easier to start.

November is Art is Every Day Month - Day One

This is the second time I have come across this quote by Goethe, "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." So, I think it's worth pondering about again. I like how Goethe challenges us to be bold in our actions which can be really hard when we sometimes just wanna get by.

Beginning! So, this month I have signed on to The Art is Every Day Month Challenge where a group of people/ artists' will be creating, challenging perspectives, and thinking in new ways for 30 days. And, even before I had much time to really think if I had the time to do the challenge, my heart, mind and soul jumped up and down and said, "Let's do it!" The month actually coincides with me having the opportunity to hang up my drawings at my art school. I'll have to post pictures soon and explain more about it later.

The first challenge was to make a commitment to doing the challenge. The leader of this month long challenge, Leah Picken Kolidas, wanted us to make a piece of art that reflects on our promise to bring more creativity in our lives. As I started doodling and thinking, I started to think about what inspires me to do art and I thought about how the relationship to God and spirituality can really be linked to how I create.

I've thought about doing more spiritual artwork years ago, but it was just a thought that would come across my mind and never stick. I figured this challenge would be a good time to bring it back up again. So, I reflected more on how art can motivate me to meditate more and think beyond myself. In some way, I'd like to retrain my mind to not just get by, but to really ponder, pray and get past a lifestyle that is about just getting by or checking off my to-do list for the day.

I think art can slow my thoughts down, appreciate the details around me, and recognize the beauty that was already created. I took a small square of plywood and just started cutting out really interesting quotes by artists.

::Picasso:: "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary."
::Matisse:: "Creativity takes courage."
::Cezanne:: "A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art."

I also pasted a postcard photo of the crucifix from Sant'Antimo Abbey that I got in Montalcino, Italy. It reminded me of a very beautiful day in Tuscany and the gracefulness of Christ-centered silence and meditation. I wanted it to remind me that spirituality is an important influence in my art.

I also put in some prayers that I wrote on little notecards last month after I read Ephesians.

With a little glue, pieces of inspiration in place, and a bit of acrylic finger painting, I finished my first piece for this month of new challenges! I've hung it up in my bedroom so I can see it in the beginning and end of each day.

I look forward to my new challenge, and I am glad that I have a new spark of motivation to see how I can connect spirituality and art together once again.

prayer card

"O, Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, ... I adore You.

Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me.

Tell me what I should do ...give me Your orders.

I promise to submit myself to all that You desire
of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.

Let me only know Your will."

Fall Festivity

Hello again!

As cooler temperatures roll into the area, we are prompted once again to reflect on a new season. I suppose it's time to bust out the fun velvety jacket, the cute boots, and fun tights. As nature slows down, it's perhaps time for us to do some reflection, slowing down, shedding, and surrendering. So, carve out some time, get a nice spicy smelling candle, and dig in.

After listening to Kimberly Wilson's super-awesome and inspiring teleclass (http://www.kimberlywilson.com/blog/), we are encouraged again to bust out our eight petals for fall.

Self Study
"How do geese know when to fly the sun? Who tells them the season? How do we humans know when it is time to move on? As with migrant birds, so surely with us there is a voice within if only we would listen to it, that tells us certainly when to go forth into the unknown." - Kubler-Ross

Think About:
1) What is your inner voice telling you to do this fall?

2) What is ready to unfold in your life that you have kept hidden or hesitate to do out of fear?

3) What are your top 5 goals and dreams you would like to accomplish by December 21?

Savor Solo Time
Think About:
1) What are ways you can replenish and feel renewed?

2) Do you have a go-to list of things that make you feel better? Are they readily available for you?

3) Plan a Solo Girl's Night in! I love hot baths with bath bombs from Lush. I also enjoy practicing the Ayurvedic Massage (http://www.omplace.com/articles/Ayurvedic_Massage.html) which provides you the time to slowly take care of yourself and nourish your skin. Other supplies that help are good playlists on your iPod, your journal, a good book, and a comfy bed.

4) Play Tourist in a Nearby Town -- I've pulled out an article place in the Continental magazine about Galveston. I was flying back from Heathrow and I felt a little weird because I have been wanting to go all summer, but just never made it down there. Somehow I've managed to plan trips all over, but haven't found the time to make an hour drive down to Galveston. It would be fun to just ride my bike, look through the cute little shops, sip some coffee at the cafe on Post Office St, and catch a show at the Opera House.

5) Plan an Afternoon in a Cafe with a Good Book and Journal

6) Indulge in a Matinee! The movie theater near my house has $4 matinees.

Indulge in Frugalista Fashion
Kimberly Recommended a Few Bargain Items to Check out and Work in Your Fall Repetoire
1) Shoes (http://www.paylessontherunway.com/index.html)I haven't been to Payless in years. I actually prefer to buy nicer shoes at DSW or take my shoes to a repair man. But, it doesn't hurt to take a peek.

2) Knit a Scarf. (Oh goodness! If you know me, you are probably cringing out this. LOL)There are other crafty ventures like peacock headbands, faux fur collars, and beading your own necklace. These can also end up as cute gifts during the holidays.

3) Throwing on layers of your favorite summer clothes. I do indulge in this. I have a long sleeved black top that I can layer under my summer dresses. I also like fun and cute knit stockings. I might try some crazy colors like purple this year. You can also layer on your favorite cute boots under a nice skirt or dress.

Self Care
As the holidays, events, time with family and friends start to pile on at the end of the season, it is very important to nourish yourself.
1) Drink lots of water. 2) Use moisturizer and sunscreen. 3) Get lots and lots of sleep. 4) Use oatmeal in facial cleanser. 5) Use chilled tea bags on tired eyes. 6) Get a fun fall colored lipstick. 7) Use your lip balm. 8) getting a facial 9) footrubs/mani/pedi 10)staying in bed days 11) hot baths 12) flowers/candles

Go on Retreat
Try out a retreat center or stay at home and set aside some time. Light some candles, burn some incense, get out your favorite beverage, get some napping in, do some restorative/yin yoga, plan out big goals, journal, gratitude, and reading. :)

Think Ahead
Where would you like to be by September 21, 2009? Location-Career-Activities-Savings...
How will those things play out in 5 years? We should be in a position that is slighlty uncomfortable and pushing our edges.

Embrace Social Media Get connected with blogs, twitter, linkedin and facebook. Expand your social community on the internet.

Mantra May all beings be happy and free. May the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to the happiness and freedom for all.

Perspective -- Negative Space

I was enjoying a beautiful Chicago afternoon. The sun was out and a nice breeze came through making it comfortable to sit outside on the patio at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. I was having a wonderful conversation and just catching up. The red sangria was tasty and refreshing especially after a long walk along Lake Michigan. Each little detail reminded me of trips taken to Spain and Italy in the past year: people enjoying their afternoon, eating good food, the tasty bread with olive oil, the smell of the lamb and ribs, the romantic combination of smoky bacon and sweet dates, and the big giant jamon legs just hanging right over the bar welcoming the guests.

My dinner companion and I got a little sad because we were basically in denial that the summer was pretty much over. Both of us just started grad school and we wondered how there were people on the other side of the Atlantic lucky enough to live a relaxed lifestyle while we were slaving away here in the land of results, efficiency, and productivity.

Why are we always looking at what we don't have instead of what we are lucky enough to have? Perhaps it's time to be more grateful for what we get instead of what other people have? Ever wonder that God knows what you deserve? And He feels what you have been given is what you are honestly ready to handle right now?

In art class, we were working on negative space. It's when you look at the space outside of the object instead of the form of the object. I straight up can't stand doing it. My classmates over the summer also struggled with it, and my former teacher almost threw a hissy fit because we all sucked at it. I think she almost threw a chair at us. I blocked that part out of my mind.

My shoulders tensed up when we started drawing the negative spaces around a step ladder and random bamboo stick. My teacher came around and told me to slow down. He encouraged me to really examine the shapes coming around the objects. I just wanted to rush through it because I found the exercise reminded me of those unpleasant days in the past. If I'm not immediately grasping a concept, I'm ready to move on to something else. Or if something made me unhappy in the past, I sometimes just shut down and don't want to re-visit that terrible memory. Yeah, I know, it's not the most mature way to handle things.

Then, we moved on to an exercise where we had to take on the letters of our name. He told us to twist the letters, examine the form of the letters, and make it abstract. I couldn't do it. In my job, I am asked to make images and words meaningful and relevant. I kept on trying to make my name recognizable.

My art teacher and classmates did a walk-around. It was pretty obvious that I missed the point of the assignment. All the other kids had these cool elaborate symbols. I wanted to blurt out,"Well yeah, but I can't see the letters or their freakin' name! I could have made some shit up too. Plus, they aren't even using negative space." But, our teacher wanted us to focus on making a beautiful, abstract drawing and eventually later find the letters in the piece that made out our name. I told him that in my job I'd get in trouble if I made something that required an explanation. That clarity, relevance, and logic are important. It was so hard to break through my boundaries.

This morning, I started to doodle, and in the jumble of letters, I started to trip out! I could see something emerging like the cannabis-induced vision of an ant colony that comes out of the tile on your kitchen floor. I could see a human figure coming out of the letters: a head and some arms and legs! Eventually, I saw a beautiful woman in the letters standing proud and tall and graceful. It dawned on me that I just had to think creatively and push myself. Instead of pouting or stomping my feet about how much this sucked or felt pointless, I just realized that I had to be open and walk away from the harshness and rules I relied on so much.

I close this entry from Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance":
"We've got the big picture but it's backwards. So we cry when we should be laughing, are envious when we should feel inspired, experience deprivation instead of abundance, do it the hard way instead of the easy way, pull back instead of reaching out. And worst of all, we close our hearts so we won't get hurt, when opening them is the only way we'll ever know joy.

How many times have we waited for [the] Spirit to move for us when in fact [the] Spirit is waiting to work with us?

Today take the negative of your Divine Plan and let Love develop so that you can begin living the life for which you were created. It's time to move forward."