Monday, December 22, 2008

hope

I can not believe that we are soon to be coming upon the end of 2008. In retrospect, this past year was difficult however full of many beautiful moments. I was able to nurture some old friendships. The time I have spent with my daughters has been so valuable. I did suffer a painful bout of post-partum depression but I did not come out of it empty handed. I realized I had a lot of healing to do on all levels and I spent much of the year mending my heart and soul. Now I am more complete and have more to offer others. I decided to become a life coach and will be working on my courses over the next few months. It's very exciting because I have thought about doing this for a long time!

It's been rather chilly and rainy which definitely evokes contemplation. I love the moment when everything is quiet and I can wrap myself in a warm blanket.

Here is a rainbow I caught outside of my house several weeks ago (we've been blessed with rain a few times this month):
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I am truly looking forward to 2009. A new president will take office and usher in a wave of change by those who are very aware and want to do good for this earth and the people in it. Lately I've been inspired by flowers, particularly sunflowers. Flowers remind us that even in dark times, inevitably spring will come again.
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I hope for everyone that 2009 is a year of progress, peace, completion and abundance. Merry Yuletide!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Sickness, Synchronicity, and Silence

Being sick can be extremely humbling.

I've had to seize my creative work for the past couple of weeks because I have been battling a relentless cold and just recently came down with a nasty, painful case of strep throat. In a time of absent action, alot of inner work can be done though. Quiet time is an opportune time to reflect on past projects and think of new ones. If nothing else, we can hand-write in our physical journals while piling up cups that were once filled with hot tea.

After a time of being ill, once I am healthy again I feel like I am a new person and have a chance to start fresh. I always remind myself to maintain gratitude for health. Without our health, we are rendered incapable of many things. So...be thankful and in the meantime don't forget to take your vitamins.

Since I have been forced to slow down, I really have had time to reflect on the power of synchronicity in my life.
Synchronicity is basically meaningful coincidences. Everything is the universe is divinely coordinated. I highly recommend Deepak Chopra's The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire which I have just finished reading. I keep a notebook to write down any synchronistic events that occur and by doing this, I attract even more magical events because I am taking the time to notice them and honor them as they occur.

Here is a real life example... last Tuesday I had the thought that I wanted to devote more time to writing in general and eventually start working on a novel once my children's book is completed. I asked the universe if this was feasible and if I would have a shot at being successful. Two days later, I was driving to the store and while I was stopped behind a car, the license plate in front of me literally said "WRITER". I was astonished and clearly believe this was a sign.

Another real life example... one evening I was telling my husband I really needed a dresser for more storage space for my art supplies and sacred items. The next day, about a block away, someone threw out a dresser. They left it on the curb as garbage. So, we picked it up. It's in decent condition~pecan colored wood. I am going to refinish, repair it, and redo the handles. It's the perfect size and height for what I was needing.

"Everything in the universe happens with an intention." (Chopra, 2003) Intention is the power behind everything. Before anything is materialized, it starts with the power of the thought. When are thoughts get out of control and are no longer positive, that is when we have to enter the silence to make sure our intentions are clear and stem from love.

Monday, November 17, 2008

love the earth, love yourself

Nowadays, being "green" is the new trend. However, I remember that when I was a child, I felt the deep need to protect and honor the environment. There are many simple, no-hassle ways to make a difference. Alot of people feel like one person can't have a major impact. This is totally untrue. Think of the massive impact every individual will have over a period of a lifetime when grouped with a collective effort. It makes a huge difference! Here are a few tips that I practice which you can use if you haven't started to already:

1. Buy some reusable grocery bags. Plastic is the mother of all evil in a way. Reusable bags are inexpensive and they hold alot more groceries anyway.

2. Donate and shop at thrift stores. This is another form of recycling. In today's economy, there is certainly no shame in shopping at your local Goodwill, Savers, or Salvation Army. I have been shopping at thrift stores for many years and I always find great treasures. I have even come across things that were brand new. By donating, you can rid your house of unnecessary clutter (good feng shui!) and also pass an item on to someone who truly needs it.

3. Buy from local markets/get organic food. Keep your local grocery chain in business. Rethink the way you shop, it's good karma. If possible, invest in more organic food which is free of hormones and pesticides. Your body will thank you.

4. Consume less. We all know that money can not buy you happiness. How much plastic junk do we need from China? Look around your home and take an inventory of how much money you are throwing away on items that you don't absolutely need.

5. Reconsider your cleaning products. Especially if you have children, do you really want them ingesting or inhaling toxins? Ofcourse not. There are a variety of cleaning products that you can use which are earth friendly and people friendly. I use Greenworks, which is plant-based but it's does an awesome job.

6. Donate time to environmental causes. You can donate time, money, energy to environmental causes in your local community and beyond. Just spreading knowledge and getting people more aware helps.

7. Say no to plastic bottles. Depending on where you live, for the most part, drinking water is safe. The production of plastic is very harmful to the environment. If you don't like your tap water, get a water filter or add some lemon to it. Purchase a sturdy, reusable drinking bottle.

8. Recycle. This is a no-brainer! More and more containers are able to be recycled now. Take advantage.

9. Consider a vegetarian diet. "The largest consumption of water comes from raising cows for meat, dairy, and leather products. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef." (Virtue, 2001) Conserve water by turning off the water while you brush your teeth, consider efficient shower heads, and always only run of load of wash when it's completely full.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

five random things that are on my mind

1. Bach flower remedies If something isn't broke, don't fix it right? I have used Bach flower remedies in the past and feel that I have come to a time where I need to use them. I forgot how effective they are as long as you use them consistently. These remedies work on an "energy" level in which they help remove blockages and emotional issues. If you are a sensitive person, Bach flower remedies may very well work for you.

2. The Thanksgiving feast I'd like to experiment this year with some new recipes such as roasted green beans with pine nuts and cranberry pomegranate sauce.

3. Upcoming trip to Flagstaff After Christmas, I am going to Flagstaff, Arizona with my family to stay in a cozy cottage. This can't come soon enough! I absolutely love it up there.

4. Goddess Guidance Cards by Doreen Virtue I recently purchased this beautiful deck. They are amazing. I often work with the Archangel Oracle cards, but I like the diversity of artwork and messages this deck has to offer.

5. Being fully present From now on, I want to focus on truly being in the moment. I realize that sometimes you need to surrender to the perfect timing of the universe. There is no use in trying to control the future. Instead, I am focusing on savoring every morsel of my day.

Friday, October 24, 2008

practical magic

Every year around Halloween time I try to watch the movie Practical Magic. It's one of my favorites. One quote which truly inspires me is when Stockard Channing says, "My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage!" Some people spend their whole life trying to "fit in" but it's really a waste of energy. Why not be authentic!

Lately I have had a dry spell with my creativity. I just have alot going on in my personal life and have done a bit of traveling over the past few weeks. Now is the time where I am recuperating and focusing on my health. My first priority is to finish my children's book but I am also open to doing crafts and commissions for the upcoming season.

The temperature recently dropped here and it's gorgeous in the evening especially. There is finally a cool, crisp breeze. I feel at my best this time of year. It would be nice to drive up north a bit to catch a glimpse of the autumn foliage. The pumpkin scented candles are glowing in my house...I am in love with fall.

Monday, September 29, 2008

latest work

I have recently completed a custom commissioned piece. This painting is called "Amy speaks of Ireland". It is a 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas frame.

amy speaks of ireland

Today I also signed my contract to publish my children's book. =) There is still alot of work to be done as far as the production process goes but I am very excited. I hope to have the book released sometime around Christmas.

Friday, September 26, 2008

update on mi vida loca

It's been kind of hectic lately and my computer was temporarily out of commission so I am catching up in internetland. Currently I am working on a commission for my friend Amy and it should be done within the next few days. I will be posting my latest work when it's completed.

With all of the financial chaos around us in the United States, we must not forget that someday everything will get better. It may take years but that does not mean would should completely relinquish hope. There is a huge wake up call in effect on a planetary level...and in order for people to learn and grow~ it will have to get worse before it gets better.

Now is an opportune time to think about why we are here and what we can do to become positive vehicles of change in the midst of all the negativity. We can submit to all the doom and gloom or we can choose to help our neighbors, our community, and our earth. It's not too late.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

My Essay on Creativity

I wrote this short essay about a month or so ago. It is deeply personal but I feel like it is meant to be shared:

Creativity is a beacon of light for me in my darkest hour. As a young girl in the midst of family chaos, I snuck away to my little healing box of tools…my pen, blank papers, and an assortment of brightly colored markers and crayons. In my imagination, there was no room left for the pain, the sound of screaming parents fighting, and no room for belittling comments towards me. Creativity allowed me to have the unabashed freedom that every child should have. Children must explore, play, and express themselves in a land that is virtually free of critics.

As far back as I can remember, I created my own comic books, magazines, and fashion catalogs. I had a fake telephone where imaginary people called and ordered from my collection. These were hours of innocent fun. My beloved grandmother would hold my hand as we walked to the grocery store, which was the local “A&P” at the time. She would buy me the latest magazines if I was a good little girl and the images sparked my inspiration daily. I proudly lined up my magazines on my shelf as if they were prize trophies. As the years went by, the fake telephone retired itself and I no longer doodled away. I turned to the mighty sword of my pen.

I had a creative writing teacher in high school. Her name was Mrs. Solomon. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with a gentle face, round blue eyes, and wavy chestnut hair. She encouraged us to write what our hearts desired. One day I wrote a revealing poem about how I considered taking my own life. As I finished reading my poem, I looked to my teacher and realized tears were streaming down her face. I saw them glisten and realized that the power of my creativity could evoke emotions in others. These were genuine emotions too, because everything I create is true and from my heart. It also dawned upon me that writing this poetry was a healing tool as well, very powerful indeed what we can accomplish with our words.

These days long after many arduous journeys and a ton of healing work, my greatest creations emerged: my two little girls. I still hold creativity as a strong and vital force in my life. It is my center. There is so much simple joy in splashing away with watercolors with my eldest daughter. Together, we are free. She is so proud of her paintings. They are beautiful, full of life and imagination just like her eyes. Whenever she feels any sorrow or life presents obstacles, I teach her that she can retreat to the power that creativity offers like a golden chalice emerging from the sky. “Take it,” I say.

Creativity can bring the silent peace to a mind at war with itself. In the midst of creating, we can surrender to the divine, to peace, and open ourselves to more love. It is all worth it in the end.

Friday, September 12, 2008

My Magical Meeting with SARK!

Last night, I met the very lovely SARK. She was doing a booksigning at a local bookshop called Changing Hands in Tempe. SARK has been such a wonderful influence in my life. I have most of her books, been a fan for many years, and am a loyal member of her Marvelous Message Board. She bestowed "purple crayon blessings" upon us and discussed her new book, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper. What a blessing as I am discovering how to get into publishing my work! Timing is everything. Maybe it's time to dig out the binders of poetry I have written... they are hidden away, collecting dust. SARK's message is that we all have something very valuable to share with each other: our stories. Our stories swirl together in the collective energy of the world. They want to be heard.
SARK and I

Monday, September 8, 2008

Phoenix First Fridays

This past weekend, my family and I went to First Fridays at the Phoenix Art Museum. Every first Friday of the month, the gallery admission is free. There were quite a few interesting pieces there.
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Alot of the feedback I have been receiving from the website indicates that I should devote my energies to possibly publishing a children's book someday, so I am looking into it. It will take a lot of time, effort, and research but may be well worth it in the end.

I sewed 2 new pillows which proves I am becoming all to domesticated, huh? ;)
pillows

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Ready to go!

The website is ready to go...Special thanks to my friend Jeff Hafford who guided me through this process. Currently I am burning the midnight oil and working on a few new projects including my Mini-Inspiration Cards. Over the next few months, there will be alot of changes, more products, and paintings. I am just getting started!

Friday, August 29, 2008

The Journey Continues...

I am so excited to soon be releasing my website. It is the fruit of several years of labor and many years of ideas yet unrevealed to the public eye until now.

For me, creating art has helped me heal and has kept me centered in the rough times. When I am not creating, I feel empty. I had about 3 year dry spell due to work, school, and raising my family. I felt like I wasn't being true to myself by avoiding my desires to create art again. The hardest part is getting past the inner critic. I think we all battle with that. Everything I do though, I do with utmost love and so nothing could go wrong when you are creating from that space...it's like being divinely guided. That was the inspiration for my business name.

Always remember to stay true to yourself and never ignore your gifts. I love art because it has the potential to give people joy and it also captures the endless beauty of nature. Those are my intentions...and I will stay true to them.

Namaste~ (I respect that divinity within you that is also within me)