Giving thanks for the blessings that are mine . . .

This morning I was reading my one of my favorite books and this line jumped out at me: "Let quietness be in your heart today, peace be in your soul." I just really love the cadence of this sentence. I thought this would make a wonderful replacement for my typical, "Have a good day.", but my BFF suggested I may want to rethink that! I guess I will just keep it as silent mantra for traffic jams and long grocery lines! I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in one or two of my pieces of art one day, though.
I taught class this weekend, and one of my students was given the class as a birthday present from her friend. That really touched my heart. I have been working on my journals for the gallery and will deliver them tomorrow. I have been having fun with them and want to make more when this batch is done to have on hand for future shows.
I know we are getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday this week, so I want to wish all of you that quietness in your heart and the peace in your soul as you celebrate your gratitude for your journey. I'll catch up with you all next week! Hugs from me to you!

Light of heart . . .

Today finds me feeling light of heart, hopeful and happy! I am feeling on track and on purpose and it feels good! I know this is a feeling that can change on a moment's notice, but for right here, right now, that is how I am feeling. Yesterday was such an art filled day. It started with dropping off the little ornaments you see here at Studio Maureen then a much anticipated trip to the Grove for inspiration and a few early Christmas gifts for some of my knitting buddies. Next it was lunch at the Beach House in Solana Beach with 3 wonderfully talented artist. We sat outside, watching the ocean and planning all kinds of road trips, future shows and having fun inspiring each other to go for the gusto in life! The next trip was off to the ATC group I belong to at GeeGee's in Carlsbad and trading art and stories. Yes, life is very good to me. I am breathing in, I'm breathing out and I'm enjoying every second of the journey.

11-17-08 Monday afternoon reflections . . .

I am sitting here today with the sound of birds chirping outside, the dryer running in the background and the shadows of the afternoon sun playing on the dining room wall. I am posting pictures of a couple of little journals I made because last week I had some good fortune. I was accepted to sell my journals at a new art gallery here in Southern Calif called Artists by the Sea in Cardiff. I made these journals a couple of years ago, and I just love them. I love the long narrow shapes, perfect for use as a gratitude journal, or for writing your favorite quotes. I make them with a variety of papers, paints and encaustic wax. I am excited the gallery accepted them and am happy I get to make more of them. My good fortune did not end there, I was privately commissioned to make a couple of PMC pieces, also.
So I was thinking today about the idea of where my thinking comes from. Is my heart in a place of abundance, or is it coming from a place of lack? Do I see the blessings of doors that open before me and walk through them with excitement and expectation, or do I stand back and hesitate, letting fear and doubt keep me on this side as I watch those doors close before me? These are all choices I get to make, and the choices I make will determine the flavor of my life. I have to admit I am a lover of vanilla, but sometimes I have to go out there and have the "death by chocolate"! I wish you your favorite flavor today . . .

11-13-08 What's with the date in the title?!

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but the date of my last several blog entries have all been dated October 14th. That's because the computer needs a new battery and I've realized that it in no way interferes with me posting if a new one has not been installed! I am not a techno whiz, so I am saving this project for my IT man to take care of in his leisure. It was his suggestion that I could manually post the date of my entries. At which I balked, and then thought, hmmm, maybe I should . . .
So my thought for the day has to do with something that I wrote about in my gratitude journal the other night. The presence of the friends I have in my life. I know I am loved by these women who make sure to talk to me and make plans to spend time with me on a very regular basis. These women enrich my life beyond words. They are one of the cornerstones on which my life today is built - their love for me and the encouragement they extend to me colors my world in ways I can't imagine living without. They are each treasured gifts of my life. While reading, "The Voice of the Master" this morning it was reinforced with this sentence, "My love manifests for you in many ways - in ways of health, strength, wisdom of mind, soul understanding, in friends with whom I surround you; all are manifestations of My abiding love." I do feel very loved today.

Do you smell a cake cooking around here somewhere?

This morning as I felt a deep sense of calm and peace. I am not even sure what I want to share with you today, but I feel the need to post. I am feeling more and more comfortable in my own skin (literally and spiritually). It may just be a wisdom that comes with aging, or a feeling that comes with acknowledging the need to search quietly within.
So here's the image that comes into my mind. We put all the ingredients into a bowl for making a cake - everything is there for the success of the cake, but without stirring it up, it is just a pile of raw ingredients (we are born with the right stuff). Then comes the mixing and stirring (life works on us and through us). Then things start to come together in a completely new way, smoother and more integrated - a form that can now be poured into a pan (we start to put our life experiences to work for us and others). If we pay attention and cook it for the specified amount of time, we have a delicious treat!
I know, I have a simplistic view of the world most of the time - and that's not something I think is always a drawback, by the way. In working with that spiritual principle of simplicity this week, I have been feeling those cake ingredients getting stirred into a smoother batter. And yum, I am anticipating the smell that cake cooking now . . .

Spiritual Practice . . .

First, I have to say I am ecstatic about the election of Barack Obama as our new president! I am so hopeful about the change in the future of our country, and the world. I know not all of you voted the same way, but I truly believe he is going to do great things for all of us.
I have been giving more thought to the idea of living my life from spiritual principles. My starting point is the art of living simply. It's about releasing things (literally) and ideas that are not supporting who I am today. Starting at the front door, I am working my way through the house "releasing" to the thrift store and the trash. I feel better already! I want to make my house cleaning chores go swiftly and easily. Really I don't want to do house cleaning chores at all! Less things to take care of, less things cluttering my environment and mind = more time for the things I want to do like make art, knit, read, lunch with friends. It is about being present in my life. My life today, not my life yesterday and not my life tomorrow, my life today. I suspect this may lead to things like eating less refined foods and adding more simple foods to my diet. Maybe even less clutter in my art and more refinement of what I want to express with it. Who knows where this will lead, but already on the path and I feel my breathing getting slower and deeper.

No complaining ?!!!!!

I have read a few articles lately that addressed the activity of complaining, or rather, the desire not to. Boy, that made me sit up and take notice. I don't think of myself as a whiner. I like to think I pretty wear my rose colored glasses with panache. But you know, I do have that part in me that is quick to leave a nasty comment out in the universe if something isn't going my way.
I read about a couple who made a commitment to not complain for a month! My gosh, I have to set the bar a lot lower than that! I am just going to try it for a day, and I think I have to start tomorrow, because I may have already complained about something today!!
Today I am going to watch for those situations in which I immediately want to be critical and/or judgmental. When they happen (and trust me, I know they will!) I will use the opportunity to replace those thoughts with being an observer and wishing peace into those situations. Even a day seems like a long time to practice this, but I am going to give it a try and I ask you, the reader, to let me know if you try it and how it works for you!