Creativity at its Finest

Christine Mason Miller just recently finished these pieces which she has called "May Sarton." Check out the rest of her breathless creations here. What I love the most about these pieces is the fact that they are in the shape of a woman and come alive baring the aspects of the feminine mind and soul. The egg comfortably tucked within her bosom may represent the dreams, ideas, and passion, that if we nurture to it's birth, will be something wonderful. The flower that blooms around the egg and the nest reminds me of a favorite quote of mine by Anais Nin:

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful

than the risk it took to blossom."

But these are just my thoughts and interpretation. I'd be curious to know what Christine had in mind during this creation...?

Day 7--A Much Anticipated Message

I have so much gratitude for those who put into words the things that I feel but can't describe, and for those who share their gifts which are to be shared, as they are gifts from God.

Elizabeth Gilbert is amazing. Every woman should read Eat, Pray, Love. I was moved during my entire reading of that book, and was so excited to find her in a conference sharing bits from her life as a writer and a creative spirit. The things she says shook me, and I feel more than ever that my mind associates with the very sort of people that she talks about. It's nice to hear someone say that the complex and often unneccesary mental exaustion that I put myself through as I wade through life in my mind, is the very essence of me. The trick is to find how to invite this part of myself in and embrace the journey.

Sometimes I feel...

~Overwhelmed

~Worry

~I over-analyze

~So much to say

~That I may be odd

~Self-pressure to do it perfect

~Not enough time to delve fully

Here's to all you creative spirits out there:

Day 6--Happy Birthday Wishes

Saturday was my Dad's Birthday. He sounded pretty disheveled about the whole turning 64 thing, which must have been the reason that five minutes into the conversation I realized he thought he was talking to Tammy, when he started talking about me! Pretty funny. But hey, there is lots of more life to live and still so many possibilities, Dad! Here is to a great 64th! Love you!



Saturday was also my friend, Jen's Birthday. All of my girlfriends and their significant others got together to celebrate her big day. Good food, good fun, good memories. I should also mention that it was Nate's and my first full evening away from the babies and so nice. But we missed them so much, too! Pictures to come...

One more thing. I just came across this video on the blog Sharing the Caring and it is SO funny. She sent this instructional dance video out for family/extended family members to learn so they could perform it at her sister's 21st birthday. What a GREAT idea! We missed Dad's birthday, so we'll have to do this for someone else. :)



Don't forget to mute my playlist!

Oh, gosh. There's more! Check out the actual family dance. SO great! She writes some funny comments on the whole planning/practicing ordeal with the family. Check it out here.

Day 5--Halt, Ye Procrastinators!

I'm not exactly sure where this title came from! Silly, I'd say, but it is pretty ironic that there is irony within it, especially when I just wrote a poetry lesson on irony! It's late. It's really late! But since I have been failing to live up to my 37 day challenge, which is to complete 37 great things in 37 days--(I've done 5 in what, 9?) I am stretching the limits here. Or are there limits?? Another ironic point--there are no limits in living a great life intentionally, right?...

Anyway, Day 5 is to not procrastinating! I successfully completed my poetry lesson on Irony which is due on Saturday, tonight! I am relieved and proud to say that Friday night will be intentionally wonderful! ;) You'll find out all about that next.

Here is a peek into my lesson. Can YOU hear the irony??

Day 4--Contemplative Seeking

Had I not created my whole world, I would certainly have died in other people’s. –Anaïs Nin

... I suddenly woke up to the fact that if I accepted anybody’s definition of what there was in the world, I would be limited. –Shirley Brice Heath


Painting by Gustav Klimpt

Day 3--A Lovely Day it Was

Woke up to kisses from my husband.

Furthered my completion of Twilight.

"Window-shopped" as my Mom would say, with the kids.

Relished in the heavenly foam atop a vanilla latte.

Played and laughed with my adorable two.

Snuggled on the couch and took a cat-nap while the babies slept.

Sat outside and enjoyed the overcast weather while Brooklynn

jumped hop-scotch.

Had a visit from my much-missed-friend, Shannon.

Enjoyed a curry dinner with my husband.

And to top it off, my fortune said this:

Afternoon Inspirations

Photos taken from Desire to Inspire.

Coffee Garland photo taken from Pamela Garrison.

Day 2--Started a List of "must do's"

This challenge is much harder than I anticipated, and is especially hard when you have two little kids and a full-time school load! But hey, enough excuses. The challenge is just that--a challenge to start doing something important and enjoyable everyday. I am sad to say that Day 2 didn't consist of anything out of the ordinary routine, except a few exciting moments spent gathering a list of what I want to do over the next 35 days. Except I've only come up with 14! I better get thinking...and doing!

Day 1--Said Goodbye to a Soldier

God bless our soldiers! Last night, we said goodbye to Nate's brother, Jon. He is on his way to the Afghanistan and Iraq again, and I believe this is his third deployment. He was recently married in December, so he is leaving his wife, Stefania, behind. We feel very sad that they have to the better part of their first year of marriage apart. Brooklynn and Asher love their Uncle Jon SO much and it will be close to a year before they see him again, and we are very sad about this. But we are very grateful for Jon's dutiful service in the military and we will be thinking of him often. We love you, Jon!

Taken at the end of January before his departure to Oklahoma for training

37 Days Challenge

This morning I came across the blog 37Days--what would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live? and I am inspired by this challenge. When I first looked it over, I started reflecting back on the last few days and thinking about what I could steal to use as part of this 37 day challenge. We planted some flowers on Saturday, and on Sunday we spent Easter with the family and I enjoyed a much-needed nap on the floor. But then I realized I can't use these! For starters they have already happened and were not intentional in any way. I agree that unintentional good-for-the-soul kinds of things are wonderful, but this challenge, I think is about being intentional for a time so that later, living our best lives is not a challenge, but an art.

Check back to see what has unfolding during my 37 Days...! I challenge you to do the same!

Hooray!

Saturday I remembered where I come from. It's a terrible realization to encounter--the moment when it dawns on you that you've been away from yourself for a time and all that drives you creatively and inspirationally has been thirsting for a visit. How it happens, I am not sure, but it sneaks up on me everytime. But when it's realized that I haven't been feeding my soul I get so excited that I want to shout from the rooftops! Hooray! I know the answer! I must get back to studying the creative life, and there is no other way around it! The creative life is a good life.

Boy, Do I Love My Books!

Boy, do I love my books! I have a personal relationship with my books. I look to my favorites when I encounter different obstacles or want to refresh on certain moments when I was struck with truth. Truth for my life. Everyone's truth and perceptions vary, so I am sure that what strikes me may seem far-off or crazy to some, or ring true for others. What I do know, is that there is such power in writing. It's packed full of emotion and explanation. Best of all, we can learn from each other in this way if we listen.

And now a few excerpts from Rilke:

"Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now."

"So you must not be frightened,... if a sadness rises up before you larger than any you have ever seen; if a restiveness, like light and cloud shadows, passes over your hands and over all you do. You must think that something is happening with you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand; it will not let you fall."