tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21124559897992266072024-02-02T10:18:47.471-08:00en{COURAGE} creativeput on your big kid pants and make somethingMilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-56869598929865813662015-11-01T21:42:00.000-08:002015-11-01T21:42:36.926-08:00She Longed for Solitude and Sea<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kh5SWH6d8VzBqyt4ZGGE-4mFJSnced4b_7Zy2TXG6lWUpFfBKgSoFo5Zg72XChjMpLCAEk5ucJ5gak-CnqC53V4vQ3amAtQr0ZTWxFr8k5hHzSek3sSfWcnZPKE_LiCGU6g5jDA96rc/s1600/Solitude+%2526+Sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kh5SWH6d8VzBqyt4ZGGE-4mFJSnced4b_7Zy2TXG6lWUpFfBKgSoFo5Zg72XChjMpLCAEk5ucJ5gak-CnqC53V4vQ3amAtQr0ZTWxFr8k5hHzSek3sSfWcnZPKE_LiCGU6g5jDA96rc/s640/Solitude+%2526+Sea.JPG" width="479" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed media on 20x24 canvas: acrylic, watercolor, found paper, sand, shell...for Ariah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-12214399845238408352015-10-02T18:54:00.000-07:002015-10-02T18:54:30.726-07:00Who Are YOU?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjDcJa8iRPDvH_vLmQvsOyHfSNWMowvC4ZNfWgZHKHAxtT1NXG4Wvax_fiDgo8QFK9wbekkm1ccBaQt4jI50bEoBVfJL960pJaswx8hBBbOcA7TqmAb3Pg9Wu_b8kmg1CMs1j4S7oPu0/s640/blogger-image-1530617982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjDcJa8iRPDvH_vLmQvsOyHfSNWMowvC4ZNfWgZHKHAxtT1NXG4Wvax_fiDgo8QFK9wbekkm1ccBaQt4jI50bEoBVfJL960pJaswx8hBBbOcA7TqmAb3Pg9Wu_b8kmg1CMs1j4S7oPu0/s640/blogger-image-1530617982.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<i> "Who are YOU?" </i><br />
<i> said the caterpillar.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> "I- I hardly know, sir</i><br />
<i> ...at least I know who I WAS</i><br />
<i> when I got up this morning,</i><br />
<i> but I think I must have been changed</i><br />
<i> several times since then."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> ~Lewis Carroll</i><br />
<br />
<br />
I'm feeling like Alice in my own little Wonderland these days.<br />
<br />
Found this little fella on the avocado tree in our yard this evening. I do believe he's considering cocooning.<br />
<br />
To be honest, so am I...<br />
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<br /></div>
Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-47573426447822498862015-06-29T23:03:00.001-07:002015-06-29T23:03:38.316-07:00#9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0eP5yUtbfEORUxmT4L4bGLQ9Or2xa5VHbeGgWsTQH-v2zJ-Ssu28Ttdp1mEc7Q4PyNGiAxDRCmlCJrJYhyphenhyphenbu4v-IdQRd1Xq-9aNNwsbtY4Pkc-Rn5MTXmad7NExsTT_KNrxrCCnybls/s1600/17S+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0eP5yUtbfEORUxmT4L4bGLQ9Or2xa5VHbeGgWsTQH-v2zJ-Ssu28Ttdp1mEc7Q4PyNGiAxDRCmlCJrJYhyphenhyphenbu4v-IdQRd1Xq-9aNNwsbtY4Pkc-Rn5MTXmad7NExsTT_KNrxrCCnybls/s640/17S+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-62833524859889386302015-06-28T19:22:00.001-07:002015-06-28T19:24:45.533-07:00#8<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7ke7k5vju8qg3PYzC_BRaXKtiziBHgKWM4iXkLgIPMaMgmIrAUaA5st9QGQ-ijfToDvOPtK0qShmJg3AgjiNEp7Rna2KRGNx58bHvNRF2xcBHcDUdWnZN1J7tX0E2qsBDUaW2oJJvU0/s640/blogger-image--1097968949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7ke7k5vju8qg3PYzC_BRaXKtiziBHgKWM4iXkLgIPMaMgmIrAUaA5st9QGQ-ijfToDvOPtK0qShmJg3AgjiNEp7Rna2KRGNx58bHvNRF2xcBHcDUdWnZN1J7tX0E2qsBDUaW2oJJvU0/s640/blogger-image--1097968949.jpg" /></a></div>
Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-34947793740268914672015-06-27T14:14:00.001-07:002015-06-29T23:05:04.599-07:00#7<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-66456591066438012262015-06-26T21:50:00.001-07:002015-06-29T23:04:37.685-07:00#6<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaUvuf8TQCHEDDMptJDRkgD_UZsk8pV-rgeIXRz-be0aXbCQFRPBzENbQKnaIFM6nGSUnHbzreeGG2ENJKWeSORia7dSv4a_mRDKnwPNy66UNYuieTWZXeaibMK5aVMORq5OMe1cpNwg/s640/blogger-image-1110305148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaUvuf8TQCHEDDMptJDRkgD_UZsk8pV-rgeIXRz-be0aXbCQFRPBzENbQKnaIFM6nGSUnHbzreeGG2ENJKWeSORia7dSv4a_mRDKnwPNy66UNYuieTWZXeaibMK5aVMORq5OMe1cpNwg/s640/blogger-image-1110305148.jpg" /></a></div>
Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-70054162870680493382015-06-25T23:47:00.000-07:002015-06-26T11:23:08.191-07:00#5<span style="font-size: large;">Empty syllables</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Disconnected from the day</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You don't entice me</span>Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-75273059021724854272015-06-24T23:43:00.000-07:002015-06-24T23:43:40.266-07:00#4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWl0QkGO1UxL-iURtoeLAx-XNCl59mOCtIb32UyFxVW2RH3Jisf20Sy29X23DelAXc2gNdpAgqPLn8H6Mhnk9Dy8MynXBi_0dRstoBsEscNbqffSBj4QOKXaC5ZBAcK56U4W_w25gEKs/s1600/17S+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWl0QkGO1UxL-iURtoeLAx-XNCl59mOCtIb32UyFxVW2RH3Jisf20Sy29X23DelAXc2gNdpAgqPLn8H6Mhnk9Dy8MynXBi_0dRstoBsEscNbqffSBj4QOKXaC5ZBAcK56U4W_w25gEKs/s640/17S+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-7967113079096882762015-06-23T23:31:00.000-07:002015-06-23T23:31:25.564-07:00#3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKOT8ljmYe80mHWc0u74WzjQeMOt3ufvVBuT4rmRpzgDveKV0eCujGKy1gCDtGxMNsiZObSjbwohSr2FP9avrqeq4EDw_jGAkzbyrYT5GHLQvNRetRO2tyIQaskO3pGVvQGsLxl4CyRs/s1600/17S+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKOT8ljmYe80mHWc0u74WzjQeMOt3ufvVBuT4rmRpzgDveKV0eCujGKy1gCDtGxMNsiZObSjbwohSr2FP9avrqeq4EDw_jGAkzbyrYT5GHLQvNRetRO2tyIQaskO3pGVvQGsLxl4CyRs/s640/17S+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-38095807204274878492015-06-22T23:08:00.002-07:002015-06-22T23:08:49.605-07:00#2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzeVEaCrKi71LVob4AFZVn4Zd7s_u66gzipWf2r_Y2Bh-i8CZOYNZ5phIwv77WhYrlVYaLICctEH4cx_I_ulB3TLpKHlyjeKff6n1VRr_XQw_gsByTHLRY4NUkippwiVTNH4fj9LbsG4/s1600/17S+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzeVEaCrKi71LVob4AFZVn4Zd7s_u66gzipWf2r_Y2Bh-i8CZOYNZ5phIwv77WhYrlVYaLICctEH4cx_I_ulB3TLpKHlyjeKff6n1VRr_XQw_gsByTHLRY4NUkippwiVTNH4fj9LbsG4/s640/17S+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-18256924601494429942015-06-21T15:37:00.000-07:002015-06-22T23:06:13.107-07:00#1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNx2UeF7SBh7ohVg1G_OER9mRb62lhyphenhyphenA4JAO1SdsPm3HHARDe2gOG2Xn1rQksRkrnu7nvQ_jZHEUgRLfqcAKElFiHHcs7tUhiJmH15-i1qKcKhQrfqJA9xb5INDWfxWtbXWnF1GYk6Cc/s1600/17S+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNx2UeF7SBh7ohVg1G_OER9mRb62lhyphenhyphenA4JAO1SdsPm3HHARDe2gOG2Xn1rQksRkrnu7nvQ_jZHEUgRLfqcAKElFiHHcs7tUhiJmH15-i1qKcKhQrfqJA9xb5INDWfxWtbXWnF1GYk6Cc/s640/17S+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-62766273959543975702014-12-31T18:32:00.000-08:002014-12-31T18:32:13.455-08:0014 Lessons Learned in 2014* Life is lived in the present moment. That is where our power lies.<br />
<br />
* My greatest growth takes place <i>outside</i> of my comfort zone.<br />
<br />
* Family isn't always blood.<br />
<br />
* There is power in the pause. Slowing down my rush allows me to integrate life experiences.<br />
<br />
* I NEED my alone time for creative thoughts to thrive.<br />
<br />
* If I sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop, it will.<br />
<br />
* If I exude love and compassion, it will come back to me. Positive energy attracts positive energy.<br />
<br />
* Thinking of one thing that I'm grateful for each day can dispel negative thoughts.<br />
<br />
* I can articulate my dreams, but I don't always get to choose how I'll get there.<br />
<br />
* Life is rigged in our favor.<br />
<br />
* Unconditional happiness means I don't get to put conditions on my happiness.<br />
<br />
* Nothing is worth closing my heart over.<br />
<br />
* I am stronger than I know.<br />
<br />
* Life is not about surviving the storm, but learning to dance in the rain.Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-65171389736029518142014-12-30T21:50:00.002-08:002014-12-31T17:08:42.128-08:00At Year's End<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The rhythm of pausing and surrendering to life is the most daring, for here we can learn to just be." </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Donna Farhi</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas_xbQZBVgyFb31NE4B6Y3ee7xvwfSLQyFyniJqMlDrGh9RrYlrbvQpZyMhVdHcb38E7sKNacr_jJ6M2V8GHgl0OyWeTiE2sxDUSqc9UFtuPZ6LcDjve24OfqImmK5oPTnMuFKEaxU74/s1600/Pause+&+Reflect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhas_xbQZBVgyFb31NE4B6Y3ee7xvwfSLQyFyniJqMlDrGh9RrYlrbvQpZyMhVdHcb38E7sKNacr_jJ6M2V8GHgl0OyWeTiE2sxDUSqc9UFtuPZ6LcDjve24OfqImmK5oPTnMuFKEaxU74/s1600/Pause+&+Reflect.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
I have never been quite as relieved to see a year end. The last few days of reflection leave me dizzy, wanting to escape to happier things to come, but I know that there is so much power in the pause. So I surrender the tired parts of myself and reflect on these questions:<br />
<br />
- What did I surrender to this year? How did the surrender serve me?<br />
<br />
- What learning stones have I gathered?<br />
<br />
- What feels in balance in my life? What feels out of balance?<br />
<br />
- Who surrounds me with love and support?<br />
<br />
- What is bright on my horizon?<br />
<br />
Wishing you all a sweet pause at year's end to reflect on what was and what is to be.<br />
May it guide you on the new year's journey.<br />
<br />
xo MilaMilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-39213666954370522242014-09-07T16:02:00.001-07:002014-09-07T16:05:16.468-07:00Today<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_TuZSKngvOOOR0VPQkslCjQyg4lDUlM5VG7ZhSIepzc87kE4cD6ixO6t1TNPXaENaU-eVdXXEp1J2UcY7TgWiJczklrOVVvs4GhOqk234gwaZz7IPBnsu6GLVKlux7TTbWNOSPppSiI/s1600/Today+art+journal+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_TuZSKngvOOOR0VPQkslCjQyg4lDUlM5VG7ZhSIepzc87kE4cD6ixO6t1TNPXaENaU-eVdXXEp1J2UcY7TgWiJczklrOVVvs4GhOqk234gwaZz7IPBnsu6GLVKlux7TTbWNOSPppSiI/s1600/Today+art+journal+page.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altered book art journal spread - "Today"...acrylic, ink, pencil, collage papers and the day's artifacts...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;"> Today I stop making excuses</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">and numbering on two hands</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">all the other things I ought to be doing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">Today I fold open the pages</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">of what is mine in this moment</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">and I spill the contents of an hour,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">so that tomorrows from now</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">I can recall the subtle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">sweetness of lavender soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">and how hot it was </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">in the art room this</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">late summer afternoon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToZdn8hxHsV92VxK5qjhD0pRYRIAkLfJdCov_r4np_BzJDZ3ndOV42vUpR2LdtoIVzHKPnDhmNEoRXbowcxi3MfPl1hDTpmoafzG2X-PWjVpva24iO9Gee6CjWR3v65CrZVxTNqaOBas/s1600/Today+art+journal+page+crop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToZdn8hxHsV92VxK5qjhD0pRYRIAkLfJdCov_r4np_BzJDZ3ndOV42vUpR2LdtoIVzHKPnDhmNEoRXbowcxi3MfPl1hDTpmoafzG2X-PWjVpva24iO9Gee6CjWR3v65CrZVxTNqaOBas/s1600/Today+art+journal+page+crop1.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-56120724186493260252014-08-16T13:34:00.000-07:002014-08-16T13:36:29.255-07:00Me and the Bee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTE7abSWtqWobMJ_Dt96MgBw3BwiPdCG2mYyAhzHSQUb6FVhTk4M19EykM32qq8SMOVGdgSVVO2UrlyYQbgGwQmCjAsTQoXjZQos_eGqLJFmR0jQ-klZOSgXMuunBvzWawYo8N6pB-H0/s1600/Messenger+Bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTE7abSWtqWobMJ_Dt96MgBw3BwiPdCG2mYyAhzHSQUb6FVhTk4M19EykM32qq8SMOVGdgSVVO2UrlyYQbgGwQmCjAsTQoXjZQos_eGqLJFmR0jQ-klZOSgXMuunBvzWawYo8N6pB-H0/s1600/Messenger+Bee.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I found this little messenger on my photo walk today.<br />
Me and the bee, we had a moment,<br />
and she told me this...<br />
<br />
<i>Sometimes you have to be willing</i><br />
<i>to pause among those wild-growing flowers of your soul,</i><br />
<i>and peer a bit further in</i><br />
<i>to find the little wing-ed thing</i><br />
<i>inside you.</i><br />
<i>She will gaze back at you</i><br />
<i>and you will know</i><br />
<i>with your whole heart</i><br />
<i>that she is there working her magic,</i><br />
<i>and you can have faith</i><br />
<i>that the honey will come.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
We can always choose to pause among all those wild-growing unanswered questions.<br />
To go inside ourselves and rest in the present moment,<br />
Where we can connect with our inner Source,<br />
And gain awareness and trust that everything is working itself out.<br />
Trust that we are always being guided down the path to our sweet golden dreams.<br />
<br />
Continue on, peacefully, with this knowing.Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-17395735225326139212014-05-24T18:56:00.001-07:002014-05-24T19:31:16.477-07:00In the MomentSleepy morning. Snoozing late. Because I needed it. Because I can. Because someday it won't be an option. I exercise all the sweet, small freedoms whenever possible.<br />
<br />
May gray is with us now. It reminds me of this time of year in San Diego- gloomy, but warm, the clouds backlit, still causing me to squint when I look up to follow a flock of birds across the sky. Sounds stream in from the garage- a blues record and the steady sanding of a walnut coffee table. Inside, J watches soccer- an important game that warrants too-loud a volume. But Banjo and I sit far enough away in the backyard on our newly adopted red plastic adirondack chairs, just deep enough for me to curl up with pup and journal on my lap.<br />
<br />
The air grows warmer and more humid with each song that Lighting Hopkins plays. The sanding strokes grow more rhythmic, more fervent. He has changed the grit.<br />
<br />
The grass is slowly dying from several days of heat waves. We worry too much about the water shortage to try to save the lawn. We collect shower water in plastic sand pails, toting the slightly sudsy gray water outside after each shower to appease the thirsty plants that line the yard. Green-yellow oranges the size of grapes fall prematurely from the tree, one nearly plunking down in my coffee mug, startling the sleeping pup on my lap.<br />
<br />
A mocking bird sings from the branches of a distant tree in a long series of phrases, first shrill, then raspy, then scolding. The birds are very vocal here, in this urban desert by the river. They speak their minds all day.<br />
<br />
And so, I write mine.<br />
<br />
Too tired from the stress of the week to process any relevant thoughts, I simply sit and observe and document the sights and sounds that are my world at this moment. I notice that a scattering of bougainvillea petals have blown far across the yard, turning a dry dusty rose away from their stalks. I notice how the breeze plays with the top right corner of the page I am writing on.<br />
<br />
All of these noticings are, at once, so unimportant and so <i>so</i> valuable. As my pen moves across the page, recording all the small moments that have come together for me today- the sentences running on with crude use of punctuation- I write myself into a sort of calm, a sort of peaceful knowing. Each of these still, small moments fills the place where I held yesterday's anxieties and tomorrow's uncertainties. While the early fallen oranges may not hep me develop character or impact my future decisions, they are a part of the ripe and tender moments of <i>my now</i>. They are real- unlike the mini dramas I play out in my mind from day to day.<br />
<br />
Mindfulness is my bare feet in the scratchy brown grass on this Saturday afternoon in late May. Mindfulness is the remedy to chaos and fear and angst. I am so grateful for this discovery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU_ezbVu4d8IictVIET1RPq1DioiGrJq1a2PI4WLab_QMoFsw4t1IANV96BRQuBuk_7UOJmIXw8dVQ0vXnARvC8kAqYyiwq2QI2Hj46VFOGz-BgnYdUpcThKD3r7lO-5GbgC38IWgNaQ/s1600/This+Moment+is+Real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU_ezbVu4d8IictVIET1RPq1DioiGrJq1a2PI4WLab_QMoFsw4t1IANV96BRQuBuk_7UOJmIXw8dVQ0vXnARvC8kAqYyiwq2QI2Hj46VFOGz-BgnYdUpcThKD3r7lO-5GbgC38IWgNaQ/s1600/This+Moment+is+Real.jpg" height="497" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">acrylic on watercolor paper...in the moment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-36660242088972288212014-04-13T21:29:00.000-07:002014-04-13T21:29:01.561-07:00Flora Sorbet<div style="text-align: center;">
The pup and I have been exploring our new neighborhood. I've missed my photo walks. </div>
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Today we found a lovely rose garden behind a picket fence. </div>
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I forgot, for a moment, that we are living in a busy city. </div>
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For a moment I was lost in the folds of the petals. Oh sweet noticing...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-VaNX3miz8sXEw4y-J3kQo99pYD1JFReMxrmLHeS-OiS1eBhuYnD-G4-iVo4I9fwiHnyLdmpx69VcEymo30T_tCpv8EQrw2GU55QcNEfABF4yfTSRDEapEz_8nTTdloCzyZ_urbkb-s/s1600/Rose+Sorbet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-VaNX3miz8sXEw4y-J3kQo99pYD1JFReMxrmLHeS-OiS1eBhuYnD-G4-iVo4I9fwiHnyLdmpx69VcEymo30T_tCpv8EQrw2GU55QcNEfABF4yfTSRDEapEz_8nTTdloCzyZ_urbkb-s/s1600/Rose+Sorbet.jpg" /></a></div>
Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-84558758688683158842014-04-06T18:30:00.000-07:002014-04-06T18:30:00.160-07:00Mindfulness, Creativity and Cat Naps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWndp71FEGWXTJB3yhTCerGOUuU-d-puCInLt3OytF83cksV5rNDSBGHFCy3amu_mPySnuBNf_ZLT46cO0uJddP6yM557C8a83l6-Sep8Ca07IKNanpafabXFKnhvy6uYXGDLsgcX-DIw/s1600/Kitchen+Kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWndp71FEGWXTJB3yhTCerGOUuU-d-puCInLt3OytF83cksV5rNDSBGHFCy3amu_mPySnuBNf_ZLT46cO0uJddP6yM557C8a83l6-Sep8Ca07IKNanpafabXFKnhvy6uYXGDLsgcX-DIw/s1600/Kitchen+Kitty.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
My new kitchen comes with a garden window...and a kitty.<br />
<br />
After months of having our feathers ruffled, my family of three turned family of six is finally beginning to settle in our new home.<br />
<br />
I have been nesting.<br />
And noticing.<br />
I have been reconnecting<br />
and pausing long enough<br />
to see the sweet things again.<br />
To look on the brighter, lighter<br />
right-er side.<br />
A sense of peace,<br />
a calm awareness,<br />
a gentle reminder<br />
makes me smile<br />
because I know that not long after<br />
I step back into mindfulness,<br />
my creativity begins to flow.<br />
<br />
All thanks to sunflowers and a snoozing kitty in our sunny kitchen window.<br />
There is nothing stopping you, dear child, from <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/10/sage-advice-from-sunflowers.html">being like the sunflowers.</a>Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-66980812304228296562014-04-02T12:53:00.000-07:002014-04-02T12:53:47.713-07:00I Am Still Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyqvx_1s-J6F5_ftLKuhSjcguH849qFIkfNx2PiFsjGgv2kT6gz19ntpRp8m_0O3TrxxEGoqmxWgTnuSXF6kImKWxIYWwPT7c7dMUdhl066L9ux-vd_DGftVduGbCrjU0PPrLMqx0d20/s1600/White+Bulbs+Blue+Sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyqvx_1s-J6F5_ftLKuhSjcguH849qFIkfNx2PiFsjGgv2kT6gz19ntpRp8m_0O3TrxxEGoqmxWgTnuSXF6kImKWxIYWwPT7c7dMUdhl066L9ux-vd_DGftVduGbCrjU0PPrLMqx0d20/s1600/White+Bulbs+Blue+Sky.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hope flutters in<br />
On gossamer wings.<br />
My eyes follow it skyward.<br />
Face to the sun, blue in my eyes.<br />
<br />
There is nothing I need more than this moment.<br />
This stillness, this space, this peace fills me up,<br />
Almost to the point of forgetting<br />
All the chaos that is now behind us.<br />
<br />
Leaves rustle on the orange tree in our new backyard.<br />
Someone hung the old wind chime. It sings of home.<br />
I have come home to myself,<br />
And I find my words, my wishes, my spark<br />
Right where I left them.<br />
<br />
I just want You to know, I notice it all.<br />
With gratitude spilling out in salty tears,<br />
And laughter.<br />
The tensions escape my body any way they know how.<br />
<br />
I just want You to know, I recognize.<br />
This was all to help me see<br />
That I am stronger than I know,<br />
That the lessons are not forgotten,<br />
That <i>I am still here inside all of the changes</i>.<br />
<br />
Hope flutters in. I breathe in the possibilities.<br />
This day begins a new season of my life.Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-44527551294828573222014-01-07T13:40:00.003-08:002014-01-07T13:40:42.398-08:00In the Midst of ThingsYesterday I was thinking, "How's a girl supposed to put her nose to the grindstone and get any packing done with such beautiful 70 degree sunshiny weather?!" The morning answered with a cloudy coastal winter.<br />
<br />
I am up to my knees in cardboard boxes. My head is spinning with the thought of having to create curriculum for ten different classes. I am waaaaay behind on filling my friends in blog land in on what has really been happening in my life. I promised myself I would document the journey, but I'm really struggling with making time for myself- when I need it the most.<br />
<br />
When I take a step back and try to look at it through "the grand scheme of things" lens, I know all this craziness is for the best. There is a bigger story working itself out here.<br />
<br />
So I'm taking five minutes to observe, to document, to hear that little bird chirping in the Jacaranda tree that I'm really going to miss. More story coming soon. For now, Happy New Year, friends. Take a moment in your day to witness how magically your story is unfolding.Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-22116531658277123582013-12-31T19:07:00.003-08:002013-12-31T19:07:45.197-08:00The Shift from Artwork to Soul WorkI had an epiphany today. You know how I like to have those.<br />
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But this one is grand and sacred. It feels way too big to write about right now. It feels too big to take on in the midst of purging and packing and preparing for a new job. But I promised myself I would try, because it is the last day of this epic year. And because I know that every breath I take from now on will be changed by this knowing.</div>
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I feel like my 2013 was divided into two even halves.</div>
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The <i>artwork</i> and the <i>soul work</i>. That was the realization I had today while doing my end-of-the-year reflection that led to the grand epiphany.</div>
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Of course there was spill-over on both sides, but the beginning of the year up until the culmination of my <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/p/365-days-of-creative.html" target="_blank">365 Days of Creative</a> project was marked by the intent to <i>make</i> something specific every day. The second half of the year, starting almost immediately after my 365 celebration, there was a clear <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/06/beach-journaling.html" target="_blank">shift</a>.<br />
<br />
The need to go and do was replaced by a need for <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/07/harnessing-my-chi.html" target="_blank">stillness</a> and <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/06/the-summer-solstice-and-super-moon.html" target="_blank">turning inward</a>. There was less <i>making</i> and more <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/07/the-art-of-just-being.html" target="_blank">being</a><i>.</i> But all the while making <i>myself</i>, you see.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Perhaps I was too busy planning and controlling outcomes to heed the call before, but when the work was done, when the one creative commitment was met, I embarked on another: <i>soul work.</i><br />
Soul work seeped into my efforts to reflect on my process more than it ever had before. </div>
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It was not at all a deliberate. In fact, it went completely against my plans to make crazy amounts of art this past Summer, and totally derailed another massive project I had intended to start in the Fall. In the past, this would have gotten me down, but it's as if my soul knew this was the next phase of my learning. I decided to cooperate with my soul's yearnings. I got better at silencing my inner critic. I just accepted that it needed to happen. It was the ultimate practice in <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank">surrender</a> and it unfolded perfectly. </div>
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Soul work and spiritual discovery got my serious, undivided attention for the first time in my adult life.<br />
I let my art tools collect dust so that I could go out into the open air and collect <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/09/pause-pier-proceed.html" target="_blank">experiences</a> and <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/10/there-is-calm-in-this.html" target="_blank">images</a> that made my heart feel peaceful. I spent more time in nature moving my body, and the <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/08/running-through-sprinklers.html" target="_blank">poetic reflections</a> spilled out of me, <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/11/barefoot-to-sea.html" target="_blank">one</a> after <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/12/the-moment-in-between.html" target="_blank">another</a>. I showed up on my <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/07/observations-on-and-off-yoga-mat.html" target="_blank">yoga</a> mat more than at my art desk. My daily blog musings turned into occasional check-ins as my soul spilled out more honestly than it ever had in my personal journal through both writing and visioning. I filled page after page, morning after morning with the whispers of my heart. I wrote <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/10/sage-advice-from-sunflowers.html" target="_blank">notes to myself</a> that seemed to come from someplace sacred and bigger than me. I was observant and noticed the <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/08/timely-messages-from-kind-universe.html" target="_blank">signs</a> that the Universe offered to affirm that I was on the right path. I met random strangers and made new friends who echoed it back to me, and I took the time to talk with them. Books fell into my hands with just the affirming words I needed to read and I allowed myself the time to read them.</div>
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<i>I set aside my ambitions and trusted instead my intuition</i>. I knew in my gut that I needed to step back from my going and doing. I didn't make art every day, but I made art of my <i>everyday truths- </i>whatever was important in the moment. I did not judge my creative acts. I let them come when they wanted, how they wanted. I breathed in my blessings and harvested my lessons learned. I committed and connected in an entirely new way.<br />
<br />
I was true to myself.<br />
I was patient.<br />
I was a vessel for what needed to spill forth, and spill forth it did.<br />
Creating became about getting to know myself better.<br />
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I found so much peace in the knowing that I don't have to have it all figured out, and that I don't have to try to get it all done right now. That I have <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/08/easy-like-sunday-morning.html" target="_blank">divine help</a> and I am on the perfect path at the perfect time.<br />
It has been a very sacred time in my life.<br />
A game changer. </div>
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Why was this chapter written into my life? Why did it coincide so perfectly with the end of my 365?<br />
I know now it's because I needed it. I needed it to help me continue on my journey. I <i>love</i> that it happened this way. I love that creativity was the impetus for such a beautiful, natural evolution of my spiritual life. I am so looking forward to continuing the journey in 2014, both the spiritual one and the creative one, and now I know that I can travel both simultaneously- and mindfully.<br />
<br />
<i>I will now travel with the knowledge that for myself as an artist, hands at heart center are just as necessary as hand on paint brush. </i></div>
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And from all of this, as I sit in my bathrobe, today's to-do list a wash, but feeling like I found the day's meaning in another more powerful way, this epiphany comes into focus: </div>
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<b>The source of divine energy that I connect with when I give thanks for my blessings or seek answers to my life's questions is the <i>same</i> source of divine energy that fuels my creative fire. </b><b>My creative practice and my spiritual practice have become one and the same.</b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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I have a lump in my throat as I write this because I'm quite sure it's one of the most important realizations I have made as an artist, as a growing soul. It feels like remembering something that I knew a long long time ago. Maybe before I was born. It's the truth I came here with and I'm slowly learning to live that truth.</div>
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When you look back on <i>your </i>year, was there a distinct shift? A turning point? Can you follow the breadcrumbs of creative evidence to the evolution of your soul?</div>
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Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-37065643297161917892013-12-30T12:12:00.001-08:002013-12-30T13:10:14.280-08:00A Roller Coaster Creative Year<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulbTii-dzVw1118zQMTm_F0pOQ1umQGZFk9TLJIn4uy62kFECR0ZR9ykkS827rFQmfDN9KjJnR1g1n47-0H_YnexUEUxF32d4xoTQ_4TnzIbWHs2FINBDbHWwbm7AT5Gf-ea9A5b-8aA/s640/blogger-image--1195930629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulbTii-dzVw1118zQMTm_F0pOQ1umQGZFk9TLJIn4uy62kFECR0ZR9ykkS827rFQmfDN9KjJnR1g1n47-0H_YnexUEUxF32d4xoTQ_4TnzIbWHs2FINBDbHWwbm7AT5Gf-ea9A5b-8aA/s400/blogger-image--1195930629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belmont Park ~ Mission Bay, San Diego</td></tr>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Apparently I am just the right height to ride this roller coaster I like to call the creative process.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">F</span></i>ACT: <i>We are all the right height to ride this ride.</i></i></span></i></div>
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It's that time of year again when I like to reflect on accomplishments and lessons learned, and to prepare for growth in the new year. I intend to keep up the tradition of creating an art journal page for each year's greatest lessons. This is a very timely distraction from a rather daunting transition that I'm preparing for. I needed a break. So I sit with my tea and old art journals revisiting my lessons learned from <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2012/12/197365-twelve-epiphanies.html" target="_blank">2011</a> and <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2012/12/199365-lessons-learned-in-2012.html" target="_blank">2012</a>. I scroll through this year's blog posts gleaning out aha moments. Man am I glad I wrote it all down!<br />
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This year's reflection feels especially significant. I am seeing strong connections between lessons learned in my creative practice- the art and writing- and lessons learned in my creative life- as in<i> creating my life</i>. Ah, that's where the magic happens.<br />
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Reflecting back on my journey is like looking at a roller coaster from afar, where you can make out the slope of the tracks and predict the drops and twists and turns. This is hindsight, of course. Honestly though, I don't think I would have done much differently. My revelations came when they needed to, usually through those unexpected twists and turns. Mistakes were lessons, as always.<br />
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My <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/p/365-days-of-creative.html">365 Days of Creative</a> journey that began the summer of 2012 and <a href="http://www.encouragecreative.com/2013/06/the-366th-day-celebration-of-creativity.html">ended this past summer</a>, and the unexpected (but beautifully timed) spiritual journey that I embarked on after were both very much like riding that roller coaster- <i>in the most thrilling, exhilarating, stomach flipping ways.</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I've been on this creative process/creative life roller coaster long enough to know that there will be ups and downs (and loopty-loops even). And I know from experience, the downs make the ups more thrilling. The ups make the downs worthwhile. And that's where the lessons are this year.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>This is creative gravity, people. It's the real deal!</i></span></i></i></span></i><br />
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So what do you say? Are you up for the ride?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-style: normal;">I dare you to try it. <i style="font-style: italic;">Arms up, eyes wide.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-31749255365519920002013-12-29T17:09:00.001-08:002013-12-29T17:12:09.677-08:00Every Blade of Grass<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyCOAtUzXp2Jxb14AavhYHu-BiWdYRf7O45IUBWu7NJlVA7itXG1w4M68BfdNtdNHFIC4tteVVT8hl6RQu7gjuaaM3PXkYxq9v4WT64682e41cKUjBbGucUpIOwd46ru-4TNXLeC8q4g/s1600/Angel+Whispers+Grow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyCOAtUzXp2Jxb14AavhYHu-BiWdYRf7O45IUBWu7NJlVA7itXG1w4M68BfdNtdNHFIC4tteVVT8hl6RQu7gjuaaM3PXkYxq9v4WT64682e41cKUjBbGucUpIOwd46ru-4TNXLeC8q4g/s400/Angel+Whispers+Grow.jpg" width="400" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every blade of grass has its Angel </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that bends over it </span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and whispers, </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Grow, grow."</span></i></div>
<i> </i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- THE TALMUD</span><br />
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Can you hear your Angel whispering?<br />
Nudging you to grow<br />
Towards your greatness,<br />
Towards your light?<br />
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I wonder, can you hear her?<br />
And does it send chills down your spine?<br />
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These days, for me, the whispers are getting louder<br />
and louder still.<br />
And when I take a moment to acknowledge<br />
that I am surrounded<br />
by angels and guides and great sources of inspiration<br />
who know far more than me<br />
how this will all play out,<br />
I feel a sense of peace<br />
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deep down to my core.</div>
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The chill down my spine is my intuition waking.</div>
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Small miracles stir in my subconscious.</div>
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If I were a blade of grass</div>
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I'd be unfurling, </div>
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reaching skyward</div>
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to answer the call.</div>
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<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-83231114113756794412013-12-21T23:07:00.000-08:002013-12-22T00:40:15.357-08:00The Darkest Day of the YearIt is the darkest day of the year,<br />
and also the day the light starts to turn.<br />
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We have been to this place, and will soon come out the other side.<br />
But while we're here, why not embrace the darkness?<br />
It's part of who we are, what we are going through. </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Far too often we fear the dark and adore only the light." </span></i><br />
<i> ~Joyce Rupp</i></div>
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On this Winter Solstice, I sit with my fears, my failures, my shortcomings, my disappointments.<br />
I acknowledge them. I take ownership. I know it is healthier to do the soulwork, even the difficult kind, than to slap a smile on and pretend I'm over it. The truth is, I will be over it soon enough. But in this time of closing one year and opening into a new one, I believe it's important to reflect on what didn't go our way, to process and find closure on our failures so we don't need to bring the heavy feelings into the new year. This way we can transmute the failure into learning.<br />
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The learning, the revelations, the successes- they will be the focus in days to come.<br />
But I owe it to myself- my whole self- to explore the dark parts too.</div>
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Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112455989799226607.post-15442611781633614672013-12-20T23:24:00.001-08:002013-12-20T23:24:11.002-08:00Spread Tired Wings With New Hope<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I listened in on a <a href="http://innermeangirl.com/solstice" target="_blank">Winter Solstice Ritual</a> through livestream tonight, on the eve of the Winter Solstice. Just in time for my tired soul. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This night marked the beginning of a gentle release of 2013 that I will be in the process of over the next few weeks, and helped me shift my focus in a positive way. I've decided that this January, resolution setting will be replaced by time for dreaming. </span>Ah, dreaming up a fresh new year. Doesn't that sound lovely?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwPZDzWz4CQDXtL1MNPn86otUhvm5rL32DBk0QloV8QzI_qz3P5pBu0029pD9Xkr9i48d8ZbKLE0vRXCLhbQGaoTpLAoyrjqUZT8QNydIJN4XzSS-KI7n8d7V9CudvyK6eLyepqO6Dss/s1600/Let+Go+Create+Birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwPZDzWz4CQDXtL1MNPn86otUhvm5rL32DBk0QloV8QzI_qz3P5pBu0029pD9Xkr9i48d8ZbKLE0vRXCLhbQGaoTpLAoyrjqUZT8QNydIJN4XzSS-KI7n8d7V9CudvyK6eLyepqO6Dss/s400/Let+Go+Create+Birds.jpg" width="268" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As I begin to reflect on the soulwork I will be doing (and on some big changes in store for me), these words shared in the livestream by <a href="http://www.shilohsophiastudios.com/" target="_blank">Shiloh Sophia McCloud</a> are tugging at my heart and lifting me up.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"What is calling from within you to be expressed? Go there. Remember, it won’t feel safe to go there most of the time. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Extend yourself into the distances you cannot see. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Move in Love as you spread tired wings with new hope."</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;">"You cannot see it before you leap, it is only visible during flight."</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Visit <a href="http://www.shilohsophiastudios.com/chief-soul-fire-spoke-to-me-of-fear-this-is-what-she-said/" target="_blank">here</a> to love on the full text, which came out of a very special process where Shiloh allows her painting to speak to her. </span>I can totally dream this process into my 2014!<br />
<br />Milahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157000987249048138noreply@blogger.com0