What Really Matters...

"By making art, you will be recording what you are living through and what you are learning about it. A drawing and a sentence or two in a sketchbook turn those everyday moments into something significant. Your art will set a frame around it and give you perspective on what really matters."

I came across a book called "Art before Breakfast" (A billion ways to be more creative no matter how busy you are), by Danny Gregory. It was in my local library, which anyone who knows me knows how much I love the library. The quote above is from a sentence he wrote at the beginning of the book that I loved. I will probably write a few more as I continue to read the book. So far I'm enjoying the book and if nothing else it is a good reminder to what really matters!

Rhythm...

 

 ...In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest.

All life requires a rhythm of rest. There is rhythm in our waking activity and the body's need for sleep. There is a rhythm in the way day dissolves into night, and night into morning. there is a rhythm as the active growth of spring and summer is quieted by the necessary dormancy of fall and winter. There is a tidal rhythm, a deep eternal conversation between the land and the great sea. In our bodies, the heart perceptibly rests after each life-giving beat; the lungs rest between the exhale and the inhale.

excerpt from the book: Sabbath - Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest 

By: Wayne Muller

Book...

This book " Women Who Run With the Wolves" had come in to my life many many times over the years through conversations, offers of the book and others that had read it and mentioned it to me. So once again this book has presented itself to me... so I'm listening and starting to read...  it is time!

No Where...

Today was a day of rest for me. I did somethings around the house but mostly just did things I enjoyed. I read my book, I worked on my art journal, I slept in late, I worked on my health food blog, and most of all I went no where. That was the greatest thing of all!!!!

Fast...

 

I came across this in a book and thought it would be good practice to do for one day. I find I can be very critical of myself, so going on a "criticism fast" would help bring awareness and help remind me to be kinder to myself when I am imperfect and human. Self - Forgiveness is something I work on daily and I have to choose situation by situation just as I hope to continue to work on the harsh judgement I place upon myself.

The Criticism Fast

For one day resolve, "I will criticize nothing that occurs today. I will imagine everything that happens is for my good and the good of others. I will release myself from the judgements I have laid upon myself. I will see myself, my motivations and my actions as pure. I will not agree with the critical or judgmental words or attitudes of others. I will not deny the good within and around me. I give this entire day to the celebration of good."

Oh Deer...

Earlier this year I wrote a post about an experience I had with a family of deer and today, I again had an experience with a family of deer. This morning I went to someones house to walk their dog and when I pulled up to the top of the driveway there to my right was a family of deer. A mother, father and three children. One of the baby deer had a hurt leg. But none of them ran and I continued down the driveway really slow then got out of the car and just quietly talked with them. It seemed like forever but I'm sure it was only a few minutes, then they all just wandered off, but the mother deer keep watch and I felt we connected mother to mother as I wished her healing for her child who was hurt. I know this may sound crazy but I'm always looking up the meaning of animals that find there way into my life. This past year I had a family of tree frogs living outside of my house. In the twenty two years I've been here, I've never had tree frogs visit, much less stay. Just yesterday I was taking a moment to read a book I'm trying to finish and a squirrel  jumped on the table outside my window and just hung out for awhile to chat.

Here is some of what I found when I looked up the meaning of seeing deer...

By observing the ways in which deer behave, it is possible to see what amazing qualities - or powers - they possess. From the deer we can learn that the gift of gentleness and caring can help us overcome and put aside many testing situations. Only love, both for ourselves and for others, helps us understand the true meaning of wholeness.

If a deer crosses your path, this may show you that you are a very compassionate, gentle and loving person. If you don't have these qualities, then consider if you have a problem that needs addressing. Are you facing a challenge in your life, whether with a fellow human being or a delicate situation? If you are feeling negative emotions such as anger, try letting go. Think about whether a gentler and more loving approach can sort the issue out. It may be necessary to speak the truth, this is best done with kindness and from the heart, this will generally give a better result.

Deer teaches us how powerful it is to be of gentle demeanor, to exert keen observation and sensitivity. Deer's are in tune with nature and all it comprises. They are sacred carriers of peace and show those with this power animal how to open their hearts and love unconditionally. 

Deer has entered your life to help you walk the path of love with full consciousness and awareness, to know that love sometimes requires caring and protection, not only in how we love others, but also in how we love ourselves. 

Deer teaches us to be gentle, to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are in our lives. Don't push people to change, rather gently nudge them in right direction, with the love that comes from deer. Love and accept people as they are. The balance of true power lays in love and compassion. 
 

Note Worthy...

http://www.gentlebarn.org

I came across this information at my local library. There was a book called "The Gentle Barn Story" and I looked up their website. I love passing on organizations, stories etc. that offer something good in the world. Even though this is far from me ( California) it's note worthy. So look them up and if nothing else honor another's offering of "good" put out into the world.

A Good Read....

I read a lot of non-fiction books and right now I'm reading a fiction book called "The Glass Kitchen.". It's a nice change of pace and a good "mind escape." I'm enjoying this author so much that I'm already looking forward to reading the other book she's written.

Dinner...

Last night as I was eating dinner there was a nice rain outside. Others in my area were getting a lot worse weather, but I decided to just put aside my book or phone ( that I usually have if I'm eating by myself) and savor the food that was in front of me and enjoying the beautiful present moment. It was lovely!!!

Present Moment Haiku..

A family of gophers

With a significant loss

But they carry on

While I was waiting to get my brakes done on my car  ( had three hours to wait), I started a book I am really enjoying and got a surprise visit in a near by field of gophers. There were three, what looked like a parent and two children. I asked the owner of the car shop about them and he said one of the parents had just gotten hit by a car not long ago. 

Choose...

"It doesn't matter what you didn't accomplish. It doesn't matter that you haven't looked at your goal for over a month or abandoned it like a piece of fruit in the back of the refrigerator and it has now grown spores. Choose again today."

Tama J. Kieves

Reading this makes me feel a little better. Today I was overwhelmed with my to-do list and all the different areas in my life I'm trying to accomplish things in. When I feel like this. it reminds me of a book called "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamont ( I think the title came from Anne's brother had a report to do on birds and didn't know where to start and she said to him, bird by bird. You can probable google the exact story). I can accomplish each task, one at a time and love myself for each thing done and forgive myself for those I abandoned. I can choose again today.

Fiction...

I finally had some time to finish a fiction book I was reading called "When Mockingbirds Sing" by Billy Coffey. I picked it up at the library and really enjoyed it. When I read books, I love to pick out the lines that say so much and as a writer myself, I love to devour the delicious lines that add so much yummy to the book. Here are a couple of the lines I loved...

"He preferred the deep beneath the words where only truth dwelt." (pg.211)

"Mabel was in a place where there's just now." (pg. 222)

"Believe in the maybe." (pg. 219)

Poem ~ Hope...

A friend gave me a book of poems called "The World Will Follow Joy" by Alice Walker.

Here is one of the poems that I liked:

Hope to Sin Only in the Service of Waking Up

Hope

never to believe

it is your duty

or right

to harm

another

simply because

you mistakenly believe

they are not you.

Hope

to understand

suffering

as the hard assignment

even in school

yo wished

to avoid. But

could not.

Hope

to be imperfect

in all the ways

that keep you

growing.

Hope

never to see

another

not even a blade of grass

that is beyond your joy.

Hope

not to be a snob

the very day

Love

shows up

in love's

work clothes

Hope to see

your own skin

in the wood

grains

of your house.

Hope

to talk

to trees

& at least

tell them everything

you've always

thought.

Hope

at the end 

to enter 

the Unknown

knowing

yourself. Forgetting

yourself

also.

Hope to be consumed

to disappear

into your own

Love.

Hope to know

where you are

~Paradise~

if nobody else

does.

Hope 

that every failure

is an arrow

pointing toward

 enlightenment.

Hope to sin

only

in the service

of waking up.