gratitude

I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for this past weekend. Thanks to all of the beautiful souls I met at SWIHA~ you have changed my life in some form. It was an amazing experience and over the next few days, I would really like to process it. It has reaffirmed that life coaching is the right path for me and I am honored to start serving humanity with my new level of awareness.

it's all about the process...

I am nearing the completion of my children's book. Almost 13 of the 16 pages are done. It's been a very long process and it's alot more work than I imagined. I decided to go back over the older illustrations and add more detail...so the preview you see on my website is not the end result. My heart and soul is in the book now after many late night hours of working at it.

Here is a page in progress:


I've heard many times artists saying, "It's all about the process." Now I understand. When you are working on a large, long term project, inner growth is occurring. I have to battle waves of self-doubt, exhaustion and frustration with wanting perfection. I'm a self-taught artist, so as I am going along I realize that nothing is perfect. I've never taken any formal fine art classes so I am learning a great deal along the way. The book has definitely served as inspiration for future projects. For now, my goal is produce the best quality work that I can in this moment for people to enjoy. So realistically, it looks like sometime in the spring the book will be out.

priorities

I am excited that it's the start of a new year. However, I have been forced to take a look at my long to-do list and rearrange a few things. Recently I have developed a problem with my right eye. It's very painful and I am seeing an opthamologist soon because the optometrist could not figure out what was wrong with it. All of my projects have been on hold but once all my health issues are cleared up, I'm going to move forward with full force.

In the meantime, I've been working on my environment and getting the house in order. I'm trying to create a better work space so I can do my illustrating without my children getting their grubby little mits on my artwork. ;-) Once all the clutter is gone, I know I will have peace of mind. I am extremely sensitive to disorganization (must be that Virgo cusp!) so I seek perfection in my surroundings. I've been using feng shui for a couple of years now and it definitely works. It's all about setting clear intentions, not so much getting everything in the "right corner". I'd like to work on a "dream board" to help me focus on my largest priorities for 2009. It's going to be a very productive and happy year, but the doctor appointments must be tended to first.

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):


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.


I hope for everyone that 2009 is a year of progress, peace, completion and abundance. Merry Yuletide!

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.

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.

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.