Distractions

How am I supposed to work?  Just look at all these distractions I have to deal with!

Do you see Amelie’s favorite place to take a nap?   Etsy keeps popping up on my computer.   Just look at all that sunshine out there!   And I am expected to stay inside and type medical reports?  Blah!

And then this cute little guy shows up at my window and even stops to take a pose for me:

I hope everyone is having a sun-shiney day!

Happy Birds

I’m so thrilled with something I ordered for myself on Etsy!   I found these cute little “cold birds” in Elephannie’s shop and put them up yesterday.  It just makes me smile when I walk into my art room and see this:

After taking that photo, I looked aroud the rest of my room.  Does anyone else’s art room/studio ever look like this?

I think I need to do some cleaning today.  It’s a wonder I can create anything in this. 

Have a JOYFUL day everyone!

What’s on your mind?

Okay, here we go.  I have so many ideas and plans and they are swirling around in my head all at once so I start on one thing and then get distracted by other thoughts that lead me into something else…  it will never end unless I seriously make a schedule for myself!  Does anyone else who is a wise and mature person have to actually schedule their personal activities?  It goes against everything in my to live by a schedule but I’m afraid it’s the only way I’ll get to the end of the summer and look back satisfied and happy at all I have experienced.  Notice I said “experienced” and not “accomplished.” This summer will be about enjoying the process, not reaching a goal.  So, first thing on my list is to get organized which is highly laughable because my play room is a disaster.  So, maybe first I need to clean, then get organized, hang up my cork tiles, make a list, schedule my reading time and meditation time and art time and inspiration time and shop time and gardening time.  LOL.  

My kitty is obsessed with tape.  I have electrical tape and masking tape on my art table and if I leave it out, she licks it.  She gets in my trash and steals little bits of tape to suck on.  She also likes sucking on ribbon and licking my daughter’s comforter.  I was reading that kitties who are weaned too early can develop an oral fixation.  So I guess we need a kitty shrink.

My upper back and shoulder hurt.  I have no idea what I’ve done but the long day today had me in tears.  I went to a chiropractor today and had some xrays taken.   I also had a nerve stimulation treatment.  They put electrodes around my shoulder and hooked me up to a machine that gives off little electrical vibrations.  It weirded me out at first but as I got used to it, it felt really good.  I go back Wednesday to find out what she sees on my xrays and what kind of treatment she recommends. This gal is into holistic medicine and does nutrition counseling and acupressure/acupuncture, too.  I sure hope whatever she has to offer works better than what my medical doctor had to offer. 

Gonna go slip into my PJs, have me a glass of wine and relax.  Maybe work on my art journal a bit. 

Have a peaceful evening.

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~ Mary Oliver ~

I read this poem in Oprah’s magazine five years ago and it changed my life.  The only voices I heard before were those of family and friends who needed me, having denied my own voice for so long I didn’t recognize it any more.  I have gradually come out of that dead state and have learned to listen to my own heart once again.  The last five years I have slowly been getting to know an old friend…  myself.

I wish you peace on your journey.

Intentions

There are a number of things I’d like to accomplish in my life now that I’ll be having some free time once again.  Thought I’d make a list just to keep my intentions before me:

1.  I will live a healthy lifestyle, eating more whole foods, walking more trails, and loving the body that God has given me.

2.  I will care for my spirit through reading, meditation, prayer, and creative expression. 

3.  I will live a more socially conscious life, giving attention to my impact on the environment, avoiding making purchases from large corporations whenever possible, and taking time to know the people in my life. 

4.  I will continue to spend time in play, practicing my art, experimenting with new endeavors, and just enjoying the process. 

5.  I will spend leisurely time with the people in my life in love and laughter and honest communication. 

6.  I be generous with my time, my treasures, and my talents with no expectations, allowing the blessings I have been given to flow freely through me to others. 

Peace to you.