Share your light

What purpose does it serve if we have something and cannot or will not be open to sharing it.
Joy is magnified when we view a gorgeous sunset, break bread or share our gifts with another. Our gifts are doubled as we share them with another.
What purpose does it serve to bury your light, hidden under that bushel. We all have a special light that needs to shine, to help carry someone to greater sight.. insight.
Our being on the planet is reason enough to share it... to help others.. Maybe we are the holders of that light while another climbs out of a darkness.
What about being the one who receives the light... how open can we be to say yes to it.. allowing another one to be the barer of that light and be carried through to our own brilliance.
Deep gratitude goes to those who have given me the inspiration to shine my own light.. Thank you to those of you who have given praise and complements to lift me up, inspiring words, giving me confidence to go out and shine my light.
Thank someone today that has helped you to see the light.. whether a candle flame or bonfire... it has helped you.. me.. to walk along this path. We cannot shut our eyes or hide in the dark any longer but rather reach out to someone who needs a touch of lightness.
Whether you carry this light or someone else does, both receive the benefits.
Namaste'

aaahh, yes. you understand me :-)

I saw this wonderful post first on my friend Chaska's website and went to read it here at
this blog. Living Story - understanding creative people.
It was one of those moments when someone writes about you and you say.. yes, that's me.. and someone finally gets it! Someone understands.. most creative types do understand other creative types.. but let's face it.. sometimes we question our own sanity with this.
But when you read it in black and white and read someone define your behavior.. it has to bring a smile to your face and relax into that feeling.. yes.
So, what is it that I wish for you .. you creative types out there.. that you are true to you higher self and that creative genius that lives inside of you...
Namaste'

what carries you?

Our lives being a journey

gave rise to the thought of what carries me through the day.

Most days I move along at a steady pace

rituals played out.

Deep waters make me more conscious of life

and it brings me to realize how it is love that carries me through the day.

Faith plays a part

Without it

I would not trust the boat that carries me over to the other side

of fear and uncertainty.

I continue to move towards that which I love to do

rather than do the expected responsible thing-

the mature adult thing

the money thing that is constantly being slammed at you

by way of media.

No.

It is the child within me

the idea of trying something new

that carries me

to a shore of possibility.

But ultimately it is because

I love you

so

deeply.

Buried Seeds

Buried seeds

keeping warm deep in the earth

beneath this blanket of snow

One day you will emerge

move towards the light

and

rejoice.

You will begin again

another round

another birthday.

The wheel of life turning round and round

from seed to blossom to fruit and back to the earth again

rest

because you will rise again

to be in your glory

colorful

brave

open

dancing your feverish dance

with all of life

forgetting where you came from

Wild Thing

While I was creating this mandala, "passion" entered my thoughts. I've been thinking a lot about following my passions. Art is one of my greatest.. there are other which I won't get into right now, but for the last couple of months, I've been doing mandalas as a daily meditation.
I've become very passionate about doing them... sometimes avoiding doing other things.. but what the heck.
But the language of the mandala shifted and spoke of being wild, taking a risk... that side of you that wants to be a "wild thing"... a bit rebellious, wanting to move outside the box.. s t r e t c h into something new.. go exploring again.
What is calling you?
What is it you'd like to try?
Where can you stretch yourself... and maybe take a walk on the wild side :-)
Maybe I'm just getting cabin fever!!!!!!!!!!!

compass of love

Finding your true north..

that which you love to do, that which you are passionate about.

Your heart becomes the compass showing you the direction,

the path upon which you should be walking.

Many times I have questioned my purpose,

but what I have learned is that life will show you if you are willing to listen,

listen to your heart

that is.

Here is where the answers lie.

Whatever you find yourself doing

over

and

over again.

Whatever brings a smile, make you feel like singing,

whatever brings joy

whatever makes time

stand

still.

That's it.

Transition

As I was working on this mandala, the word "transition" kept popping up in my mind. Here's where I say that the mandala speaks to me. It begins the conversation within the process, getting stronger towards the end and most often it speaks more clearly at it's completion.
About halfway, it had a strong energy of summer.. the energy of vibrant color wanting to be felt, turning away from the gray, black and white... ok, mostly white - of this winter.
But transitions are about just that, the moving from dark to light, and then from light back to dark... from warm to cool, business to stillness.
Moving from inside myself to outside in the world.. these are small transitions of each day.
Moving from one sign to another.. moon, sun.. outer planets.. these take longer and even longer..
Each transition comes with ease or difficulty, depending on how we are, what we are feeling.
How well do you transition from one activity to another?
Watch children. This conversation was held during our class last night, discussing our different experiences with children during transitioning and I think that is what must have been sitting deep inside while I was completing this. I think Mandala wanted to discuss it a little more with me :-)
When I am totally engrossed in a project, I do not want to stop to do something else.
I want to sit with what I am doing.. focused... totally immersed in what I am doing as if there were nothing else in the world. Being in the now.
But "now" moves forward and we begin transitioning into another activity. Maybe some responsibility that MUST be done.. like shoveling your car out or doing a load of wash..
But ooh so sweet are the times when we can linger on and on, taking it slow, transitioning slowly... flowing well from moment to moment. Such bliss.
I was taken with an event I saw on the local news station - a man with a rare cancer was turned down by the insurance company, but channel 12 news interceded on his behalf, calling the insurance co. on it... and they took another look at it and decided to cover his treatments.
This happened as the sun moved into the humanitarian sign of Aquarius.. cool, I thought and Kudos to you channel 12 news!
I hope all your transitions today go smoothly..
Namaste'

New Journal

Opening

Heart Light
I bought a new journal from a local art store that has beautiful handmade paper. The mandalas are cropped, so you don't see the ragged edges. This caused me to take a break from markers and go back to watercolors.. H2o's. Unfortunately, you cannot see the glimmer these colors have. They are one of my favorite mediums to use.
I treated myself to 2 new journals, both having watercolor paper... both delicious to use.
Food and Art.. two things I love that nourish me!
I've been "hungry" lately. For some reason, I am looking for some food to satisfy and it ended up I was eating too much junk food... then I realized, it's not the food but the art that would satisfy this time. With a cup of tea (Relax from Trader Joe's) I went into my art room and painted.. and that does the trick every time.
Trying to lose weight? go pick up a brush.. or marker or whatever tool you prefer :-)
You are changing your focus. You resolve the emotional eating that does us in every time... and instead become centered on creating and your own inner self and just maybe will uncover some issue that had been lurking deep inside.. bringing it up to the surface and making it conscious.
Once it is brought to Light... then we can deal with it.
"Enlightenment is not about imagining figures of light, but of making the darkness conscious" Jung wrote that and I get it.. and doing art, especially creating mandalas, does that for me.. it brings things to light and if we bring the light to something "dark" it's there for us to see.
I see you now.
You are out in the open.
Now I can deal with you....
and be open
to some new possibilities...

what guides you?

I created 2 mandalas while waiting yesterday. I have a series of "waiting room" mandalas :-). I bring a book and pens, markers, journal, blank cards...
Because of the snow, I stayed at the hospital while John had his paracentisis (sp?) procedure. I usually drop him off and go do what I have to do for a few hours and then go back to pick him up when I get the call... but yesterday with the snow coming down like it did, I stayed.. no way was I going to make that trip twice!
I was concerned about the roads, but the Universe was good and they were just wet while everything else was covered.. COVERED.. in a blanket of heavy snow. It was beautiful to see and I thought, that too was a gift.. a gift of beauty.
I sat in the cafeteria for a while making mandalas and getting lost in time.. no time.. while creating them. I believe they bring me to a place of calm and healing and while I'm in that mode, I feel that healing energy go out to every one there besides my husband.
Remarks on how well he is looking from his doctor, a smooth "tap" all verify this for me. If I can be calm and loving and send out this energy, it can only be good for others as well.
WE are energy.
If we are filled with love, that energy must go out into the world too. If we are joyful, notice how much joy we see out in the world.
If we do what brings us joy... then we are living our truth, walking our path.. it is a constant reminder to do just that. Do what brings us joy.. let it be our guide.
Thank you Universe for my eyes to see.
Namaste'
Doreen

Open arms

This is the last mandala of 2010. I made it with the intention of giving it to a friend to say thanks...
I called it open arms, because of those golden extenions and the blue wavey lines reaching out. Sometimes I feel as if I was to wrap my arms around it all.. all of my friends, all of life. I want to give it a big hug.. to hold on to it, encapsulate it all inside of me.. to hold on... to hold on.. but it is all there and no need to hold on to it, because it is all right there.. right here.. all a part of the whole and there's no need to hold on.
Release is something I am keeping consciously aware of this year. I want to let go of stuff, material stuff as well as emotional stuff that does not serve me well. I want to let go of stressful emotions, the worries, the fears that prove to do nothing but cause dis-ease.
I want to let go... not hold on.
If my arms are open, I can not hold on and I can let go.. no grasping and there's no need for it because it's all right here.
In my heart.
I breathe it all in.. hold ... and let it out.. letting go with a soft sigh.

The Light within

Back to paints in a new watercolor journal. These are twinkling H2O's that sparkle. Two new journals that I absolutely love, both with watercolor paper... and I think they are calling me right now..

Peace within = Peace

Here's the thing.. I'm not going to find any peace "out there" if I don't feel peaceful within myself.
It's a goal. Finding that center while I'm creating, doing my yoga is fine, but how to maintain it in the world.. sheesh, can't stay in all day!
Here's my intention.
Look a person in the eye and send some love as much as I possibly can... only downside on this one is when I'm in the car driving and I become extremely judgemental about some *#@! driving without consideration for anyone else.
I can start small. Today.
I'll let you know how it goes.......
breath in peace........
Namaste'

sowing seeds

I did this a while ago, but it fits for the new moon, a time to sow some seeds, new intentions. My focus for this new moon is to work on some art for the show. Moon in my 4th house of home, where my studio is.. so when the full moon comes, in the 10th house of career, and "out there" in my world of art, I'll have manifested some art to exhibit.
That's one goal.
The other is to beautify this home.. keeping the clutter at bay. It's so much easier to do when there is more space, but I'm finding there is still so much more to rid myself of. Material stuff as well as emotional stuff.. and I realize it's a process and not beat myself up when it doesn't happen quickly enough.
At this new moon I planted seeds of healing as well, understanding, forgiveness, compassion, focus on family and go within - listening to what needs to be heard, because sometimes we only hear what we want to hear.. so, I try to limit those filters and truly hear my own voice as well as others.
I do this best when I am settled, calm and what brings me there????
Mandala!

Clean slate...

Lighten Up

I found it ironic that an astrological message.. heading.. said, " Clean Slate".

Yes.

I had to laugh at this, as I lost all my mandalas (and some photos) due to a "mishap" with the computer. I won't go into it, but I tried hard to see the lesson in it. Where, WHERE IS this lesson??!!?? Of course, I am leaving out a lot of adjectives here.

But they were gone. Most of them I have originals, but there are some that were created and passed on to others, so they are they are the ones that I really grieve, along with other stuff I've saved.. but it is a seaon of release and letting go and I'm trying hard to look at it that way.

Holding on.. Letting go.

Dark...Light

Where is the light in this I wondered. More space? Fresh start? Clean slate..

Begin again.

It's that lesson I take with me.. everywhere. Releasing more and more to make room for newness, making space for something different.

Grieve and move on.

Lighten up.

It makes me think of my priorities.. where is my focus? Do want to dwell on loss or focus on that which brings joy, that which feels good and all that blessings that surround me.

Look to those blessings, look towards the light...

Be filled with....
divine love

joyful creations

laughter

beauty

inspiration

time to listen

warm embraces

community

compassion

kindness

generosity

appreciation

peaceful moments

wonder

magic

bliss

what would you love to be filled with?

Two Mandalas in a day

" Joyful Day"

"Passion's Dance"

Fresh start..

Energy Lines

It's all energy... connecting

I see how we connect with the energy of love

and that is what feels best

Mandala Sunset

I bought a new book, new markers

and decided to use just one side, the pastels

I purposely limited myself

sometimes it feels good to not have so many choices

Moon Phases

I follow the phases of the moon

and listen to her

Lunar learnings

She repeats them

over and over

but they are not always the same lesson

Change

I plant seeds

seeds of transformation

and wait

I nurture them

and wait

All things change

move

we see death, endings, but it's really change

it is the wheel of life

always moving, always changing

sing with the change

dance with the wind

plant the seeds

pray

wait

watch them grow

and be grateful

We reap what we sow

Catching up with journals

This is in Serena's Art Saves journal

This is in Carmen's 10x10 journal

I did the collage below but HAD to add a mandala...

This one may be Susie's journal... at least I think it is..

I forgot to photograph/scan the art I did in Serena's other journal (10x10) so I'll add it later.

Our journals are almost done and ready to send back home. I'm looking forward to seeing the art up close and personal :-)

Becoming Aware

If we see everyone outside of our self as mirror, reflecting back to us how we see the world, our belief system, values, judgements, etc... then why is it so how to change (within us) that which we see as unacceptable behaviour... ??
BEcoming aware of this.. that what you do, what I see as "what you are doing, being".. is just me and how I am being and doing...
This is a belief that keeps coming up and it came up again by reading someones blog recently - but it is not new to me. In order to know oneself, there has to be some sort of "other" for us to get it.
I believe we are the reflective souls of the Divine Being. In order for God to know God, there has to be something to reflect back to God (hey, substitute any other Word here). So here we are.
If I learn about myself by being in relationship to "other", anything outside myself, then why am I setting this up to see stuff I don't really want to see... unless it's something I DO need to see, and experience, in order for my Soul to grow and develop into a better spiritual Being... mmm, so do I need to experience illness in order to appreciate health... and do I need to experience deep sadness in order to appreciate deep joy?
If I am surrounded by rudeness, I should take a look within myself.. eliminate any rudeness I may have.
If I see inconsideration, I need to be more considerate.
If I see grief and sorrow, I can be more compassionate.
Be more trusting, more humble, more tolerant, more accepting... If I see a wrong-doing - go out and do something kind.
Love more.
My lesson this month seemed to be more about Trust. Trusting that the Universe will provide, trust that I CAN let go... in letting go, in not resisting and judging.. a shift can occur to allow the Universe to provide. This is a lesson that keeps repeating itself.. this path of growth in learning to trust. I have become more aware.
I think this Awareness is key.
When I am aware and see I can change and grow.
I'll get back to the "reflection" part again with more thoughts on that matter :-) because it intrigues me.

Harvest gratitude

Canson came out with a new Mixed Media sketchbook with thicker paper and I love it. The Bic markers bleed through so the heavier paper is great.. also, I plan on doing some collage work in it. Good stuff :-)
This mandala spoke to me of being Thankful. The Harvest colors reminded me of the autumn and autumn reminds me of Thanksgiving. Being grateful has been a message for me this past week.. ok, weeks. More than a few times the message would come through astrologically or in one form or another - that the easiest way to change my "attitude" is through gratitude.
OK, I get it, but why do I forget it?? When I am in the thick of it, I find it difficult to stop and say to myself, "ok, let's find all the things I am grateful for"... no, I am too engrossed, too STUCK!
And then - as if by magic - it all shifts... no, not really, I have to do the work and it seems the "work" that works best for me is to create.
Simple.
Art moves me out of my small self to a more open Self. Mandalas and doodles or "Zendalas" do it best and this one spoke to me of remembering to be grateful.. be thankful for all the good stuff and there is sooo much of it!
When I move into that energy of gratefulness, I am more accepting of myself and everyone around me and the way things are.
Self-acceptance is a wonderful thing. Once I move into that space, everything else seems to fall into place.. it's all ok. It's all the way it is supposed to be. Let it be. See it. Feel it. Enjoy it. Even the challenges turn out to be heart-opening, mind-expanding experiences, so allow it and stop resisting. Because that is what it is - the resistance- that causes the pain, the fear, the worry.
So many times experience has taught me that I am being taken care of. The journey of life is just one gigantic and continuous journey of love and it is ALL going to be just fine. We are where we are supposed to be. I am already who I am supposed to be.. It's that moment thing.. the being.. the NOW.. and it's all just fine....
and life becomes once more filled with Thanks and Giving.
Sharing.
Trusting.
Full.
Blessed.
Loved.

Weekend images..

We've been having a discussion, my husband and I, about our art speaking to us. One thing about these zentangle type of doodled art is that it is so undeliberate.. no planning, no thinking.. just creating some line and filling them with patterns.. playing around.
It is when I am finished and turn it around that I "see" something. This guy seemed so sad to me and I guess there have been more than the normal amount of sadness lately. With my husband's health issues, it has opened my heart, being more compassionate with other people's challenges as well. It seemed that there was some sort of health issue with so many people and felt as though it was being added to my own sadness. How much can one carry?
We shouldn't have to carry it alone, but rather share with others what we are going through. Does it lighten our load or are we just sending more pain out into the world? I used to feel that I shouldn't share my worries and pains because I didn't want to impose them on anyone else. Now I am not so sure. When I read about other blogger friends, people I don't even know personally, and learn of their illness or that of their child, I offer up a prayer and if I can do that, then maybe it will lighten their load so they won't have to carry so much. I hope we all only carry what we can and no more..

A change. Star flower - moving away from the cross....

Since my husbands stay in the hospital, I have gone back to mandala making as healing.. as prayer.. as meditation. The cross plays the predominant image in most of them.

Crosses, I see, as direction.

I see it as reaching out, choosing ... opposing directions.

Outwards and inwards.. upwards towards the heavens and here on earth..

Centered is the heart.. it brings me to the present moment.

In this moment, there is no worry, because there is no future.

There are no regrets, because there is no past.

There is only the now.

Present moment.

A place where my heart lies, where I find love.. and that is the place of healing.