Wishcasting Wednesday: Joy and Fun

Today’s Wishcasting Wednesday question is: What do you wish for this holiday season?

I wish for a joyous and fun time with my family and friends and to just BE and take it easy!

I wish to remember who I really am, for the best gift I can give to anyone is to be in a state of love and appreciation. May we all remember who we really are!

Wishing all of you the very happiest of holidays!

Happy Winter Solstice

In honor of the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, I offer you some soulful thoughts from Gary Zukav. Many moons ago, I once spent a day with him when I was a faculty coordinator at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. We spent an afternoon sipping tea, then we had dinner together. I remember Gary as being soft spoken, engaging, funny, and sincere. It is a memory I treasure.

THE SOLSTICE
by Gary Zukav

The Winter Solstice – or the Summer Solstice – is approaching, depending upon where you are. In the northern hemisphere, the longest night, the time of most darkness, is coming. Animals and seeds are entering a deep sleep, the trees are bare, and the snow is falling. In the southern hemisphere, the longest day, the time of most light, is coming. Plants are growing, animals are giving birth to their young, and green is sprouting everywhere.

These poles of life on the Earth, and of human experience, are parts of one process, even though they appear at different times and to be unrelated. They are related. Together they reveal the rhythm of Life in the Earth school, the cycles of growth, death, and rebirth that govern plants, animals, star systems, and us. Where are you in this cycle? Is all dark and cold – does despair and pain, grief and loss, hopelessness and helplessness contract you? Is all light and warmth – does wonder and joy, abundance and grace, creativity and vitality expand you?

The seasons of the Earth and the seasons of your heart come and go, but you do not need to be controlled by them, neither by the darkness nor the light, the cold nor the warmth. A great change is occurring in the human species – an expansion of our perception beyond the limitations of the five senses into multisensory perception. We are becoming able to experience ourselves as personalities and souls at the same time – during the seasons of contraction and the seasons of expansion. This larger perception allows us to see the changing seasons from an impersonal perspective, for example, as we see the coming or going of the tides.

It allows you to see yourself as a soul first and a personality second, a soul first and a woman or a man second, a soul first and an American, Mexican, Chinese, or Congolese second. When that happens, a new potential appears: the seasons of your life wash over you as water washes over the feathers of a duck. You experience them – the despair, loneliness, and hopelessness of a Winter Solstice and the joy, wonder, and abundance of a Summer Solstice, without being controlled by them. They no longer determine your choices – or the consequences that your choices create. You do.

This great change is affecting your perception, also. Whichever Solstice is approaching for you, now is a good time to begin to experiment with the possibility that a larger perception of what you are is emerging within you.

Solstice Sight by Deborah Koff-Chapin

As you gaze deep into your own knowing, what new life is stirring within you this Deep Winter?

Friday Potpourri

Radio City Music Hall Rockettes

It has been a full week of holiday goodness — going to see the Rockettes with my Mom and girlfriends, decorating, Christmas shopping, get-togethers with friends, seeing the holiday tour of homes, watching holiday movies, and party going to name a few fun activities.

In the meantime, I’d like to share some goodies that have crossed my path this week.

This video absolutely touched my heart. What a precious, authentic spirit coming through this little boy!

Tom and I went to see the movie, “Up in the Air,” which I highly recommend. It is a refreshing and clever movie from the same folks who made “Juno.” It is character and story driven and the acting is sublime! Here is a peep at the trailer:

And, Soap Hope is a Dallas based company that gives 100% of their profits as micro-loans to underprivileged women entrepreneurs. They carry all natural types of yummy soaps and shampoos. Buy some for yourself and as gifts!

Finally, I discovered a radio show called “How She Really Does It” which looks like a great resource. The tag line is “where inspiration and possibility meet.” Upcoming guests include Byron Katie and Namoi Dunford.

Have a wonderful weekend!

A World of Creative Bloggers

When I entered the universe of creative bloggers, I had no idea such a galaxy of creative, bright stars existed, never mind some planets out there named facebook and twitter. Who knew? Through the amazing virtual world, I’ve “met” a most inspiring and supportive community of creative bloggers! I’m delighted to share my conversations with a few of these talented women.

Through a post on one blog, I was led to Jennifer Moore of Pink Heels who empowers women through personal and professional development. For three months, she guided me in crystalizing my visions for Expressive Hart. I was featured in the Client Spotlight section of her blog.

I also had the pleasure of connecting with Connie Hozvicka of Dirty Footprints Studio. She is one cool chica! She has a blog talk radio show and invited me to be her guest. We had a great chat about expressive arts.

Connie also asked me to write a guest blog post about “digging through your creativity.” Click here to read “In Search of Your Creative Fire.”

Leah Piken Kolidas of Creative Every Day asked me to write about inspiration. Click here to read “Our Magic Dance with the Universe.”

Christine Reed aka The Bliss Chick interviewed me as part of her series on Interviews with Chicks Living Their Bliss. To read my answers to her questions on how to craft a bliss-filled life, click here.

And coming up in the first part of 2010 will a podcast with the lovely Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios.

I am deeply appreciative to these ladies for asking me to be a part of their dazzling blogs for it has truly been a blissful experience. So, this is today’s contribution to Sheri Gaynor’s Bliss Challenge for December. My new blog/site will feature my own section for spotlighting some glorious creative souls!

Art Exchange Bliss

A few weeks ago I received an email to participate in an art exchange. I confess I was delighted that someone would consider this budding artist for an “art exchange!” Since I had been participating in the Art Every Day Month challenge, I already had several pieces ready to send. And off my piece went into the art exchange ethers.

I’ll have you know that in the past few days, I’ve received four art exchange packages in the mail! I’m happy to share these art goodies with you.

by Janet Cooper Jackson

by Janet Cooper Jackson

The above collages were sent to me by Janette.

I received all of the above goodies from Kara L.C. Jones aka Mother Henna.

by Raniee Carlsor

This one came yesterday from Rainee Carlsor.

And today, I received the above fiber art creation by Daiva Bergman Harris.

Theoretically, I’m suppose to receive two more. But, I’m in bliss receiving as many as I have!

Breathe, Just Breathe

Today’s Wishcasting Wednesday question is: What is your Spirit wishing for? My immediate and intuitive reply was BREATHE! Breathing seems like such a seemingly simple answer and yet simplicity is often elegantly powerful.

And I appreciate Sheri Gaynor for creating a Bliss Challenge which propels us in the direction of our bliss!

Breath Drawing

I breathe in and out, in and out, in and out.
Breathing, breathing, breathing.
Appreciating the oxygen reaching to every cell of my body.
I feel the air nourish and refresh my entire body.
I breathe in well-being.
Breathing. Breathing is allowing. Allowing a deeper connection to my Spirit.
I listen to the sound of my breath. I notice the rhythm of my breathing.
My body begins moving to the rhythm of my breath.
Flowing like a gentle breeze.
I let my breath carry away tension and worry.
My breathing becomes deeper and slower.
I breathe the air in and out in a steady flow.
I relax into my body and the rhythm of my breathing.
I breathe into the fullness of who I really am.
Breathing is the most natural thing in the world.
I breathe and love my body.
I breathe and love my mind.
I breathe and love my soul.
I breathe and love, breathe and love.
I breathe and appreciate, breathe and appreciate.
I feel all my resistance float away.
I breathe in alignment with my divine essence.
Breathing is bliss.
Breathe, just breathe.

A World of Giving

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. ~Albert Schweitzer (1875 – 1965)

‘Tis the season of giving. There are many wonderful Web sites that provide a way for us to find fabulous and unique gifts while supporting Fair Trade Products and women entrepreneurs in Third World Countries.

Of course, Heifer International, is a well known organization that provides many wonderful projects worldwide that help families achieve self reliance. Through the years, I’ve both received and given gifts through this marvelous organization.

Tara is the featured artisian of Original Good. She founded Tara’s Projects (“fair trade, not aid”) in 1972 with university students seeking to end the suffering of “untouchables.”

World of Good by eBay is the world’s first online marketplace to connect thousands of People Positive and Eco Positive sellers and products all in one place. There are many areas to select from including economic empowerment, animal welfare, and energy conservation. Many sellers donate to charities.

My friend, Nancy Peddle, runs an enlightened organization called Lemon Aid. Their mission is “to aid and inspire individuals in their efforts to achieve positive and lasting change in the lives of their children, families and communities.” You might consider making a donation in someone’s name as a gift.

At my local Farmer’s Market, there is a vendor who sells baskets, bags and purses made by women in Cambodia. I’ve bought several things from her.

If your have another organization you recommend, do let us know in the comments section.

There are so many opportunities for giving not only of our financial resources, but also of our time, talents and our hearts. My Mom and I have volunteered at the local shelter when it has been just the two of us on Christmas. One of my friends reguarly goes to Central America during the holidays to offer her nursing skills. For several years, I volunteered my services by facilitating a monthly creative expression workshop with folks who have cancer at Gilda’s Club of North Texas.

There are many opportunities to also give in our local communities. Many organizations have a Christmas Wish List. I intentionally buy from local merchants on our Square in McKinney. My husband loves the idea of anonymously giving $250 each month to a person, cause or organization who inspires him. Many companies, including creative entrepreneurs, give a percentage of their profits to pet causes.

May the holiday spirit of giving continue through the whole year!

A Chain of Beliefs

What is the true meaning of this holiday to you? You may be celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kawanza or the Winter’s Solstice.

When you can enjoy creating a holiday that reflects your beliefs, values, your love and your passion for life, you will have the happiest of holidays.

One fun project is cut strips of brightly colored paper. Before you link them all together, invite family and friends to write on them a message, a quote, a wish, a thought, a word or something they believe or hold dear.

Once you assemble this beautiful garland, you will have a chain of beliefs to share in your home!

This a contribution to Sheri Gaynor’s 30 Day Bliss Challenge for December! How blissful to make a festive creation to celebrate your beliefs.

A Ritual of Comfort and Joy

Rituals not only create a sacred space, they remind us that we have the power to deliberately design our lives. They also transform our energy while aligning our minds, hearts, and actions.

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is especially important to take good care of yourself by carving out a special time to allow the light of the season to shine from your radiant being. Even though you may feel overwhelmed, you can choose to keep a core sense of illuminating calm.

Typically, a ritual includes an intention which is the purpose of the ritual. Lighting a candle often signifies the beginning. The components of a ritual may include candles, the five elements, scents, colors, food, music, and symbolic objects.

Light a pine candle or any of the luscious holiday scents. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Feel more deeply your connection to your inner spirit. The intention of this ritual is to connect with who you really are. After all, your authentic self is your soul made visible.

Write out on a piece of beauitful paper or in your journal exactly how you would like the holidays to be. You are the script writer and the star of your very own holiday movie. Who are the characters? What is the plot?

Engage your senses and make it a visceral experience: how does the air feel on your skin, what aromas do you smell, how does your body move, what sounds do you hear, what thrills your taste buds? Allow yourself to truly experience the feeling place of how you want it to be. What do you appreciate about the holidays? You may want to embellish the page with colors that call you or your own creative touches.

In the midst of the holidaze, this ritual will lead you back to yourself and to your own creativity. This process also gives you greater clarity about exactly what you do desire and to feel the power of deliberately focusing on what you want.

I offter this ritual as part of Sheri Gaynor’s 30 Day Bliss Challenge for December!

And finally, on this Wishcasting Wednesday, my winter wish is is that we all allow the Universe co-create with us to make our holiday desires a blissful reality!

Art Every Day Month: Day 30 Goddesses

What a month November has been! I took a few days off for Thanksgiving. But, I simply couldn’t miss the last day of the Art Every Day Month Challenge hosted by the luminous Leah Piken Kolidas.

She has done an extraordinary job holding the energy for this magical virtual circle. I especially appreciated her Survival Tips which were sparkling daily doses of inspiration and encouragement. One of the pleasures of participating has been connecting with so many kindred spirits of this creative expression tribe.

This month has been a wonderful immersion into the visual arts. I called upon my inner artistic goddess to assist me.

Art Goddess

This time the transfer image technqiue that I learned from Carmen Torbus’ online class worked better for me. I used the two backgrounds I posted on Day 16. I thought about touching up the painting more after I did the image transfer, but thought it might be too busy since the drawing is quite detailed. I may futz around with it some more.

This experience was a gift as I’ve been longing ever since I can remember to give some dedicated time to play with the visual arts. I have no formal training so this was the perfect portal through which to give my budding artist that I KNOW resides inside of me some prominent air time. This challenge reminded me of my dancing days — some days I’m fine, some days I’m a little off, some days I’m really good, and some days I soar beyond where I’ve been before. Each day counts, and there is an accumulative effect. So, it’s ALL good!

This month was also a time to call upon Vesta, the goddess of the domestic hearth.

Vesta

Here is a hymn I found to Vesta:

Come, Vesta,
To live in this beautiful home.
Come with warm feelings of friendship.
Bring your intelligence,
Your energy and your passion
To join us with your goodwill.
Burn brightly at my hearth.
Burn always in my soul.
You are welcome here.
I remember you.

Her energy helped me as I got my home ready for my family to come for Thanksgiving. I kid you not — my husband created an Exel spreadsheet of the daily items we had to do before the big holiday. We painted bathrooms, planted flower beds, and I even organized every cabinent and drawer. It feels good to have my home in order.

Then, there was the menu planning and table decorating. I finally had an opportunity to use my grandmother’s silver and my great grandmother’s china!

I went to Paper Source and picked out some stamps and cards to make placecards and menu cards.

Now, I carry with me the many precious gifts from this month of appreciation, art, and home into December.