Turning the Pages with Anticipation

The beginning of 2011 is just mere hours away. Deciding how to welcome it in is probably just as important as how we live it. As I let the slide show run through my mind of the year's progress, I think of how events unfolded and my perceptions of those events. Some of those memories are beautiful and happy, and others sad and weary. Though I choose not to let the more negative ones weigh on me, clouding my judgement, because it's all about the journey isn't it? These are the things that make us who we are. Life is messy. Life is unpredictable. And, Life is the ultimate schoolroom. How we perceive the event, decides who we are.

I accept that I cannot control the things around me, but I can control how I react to those things. I strive for my dreams and have the ultimate faith that my dreams will be realized. How I get there...that is part of the story that keeps me sitting on the edge of my seat, turning the pages with anticipation. 

My wish for myself and those around me is that we create a beautiful story together, and that as the pages turn we feel fulfilled, supported, inspired, joyful, and complete. That our wants and needs  are always met by the infinite energy of the Universe, and that we have fun getting there on the journey.

Namaste

Animal Totem Wisdom

It's always amazing to me what we learn from one another, not only from human to human, but also from animal to human. For as long as I can remember, animals were significant in my life and as I grew older and studied more about them, I became more fully aware of how relevant this study was.

I personally believe that there is much wisdom to be learned from the animal kingdom, because of their purity. They are not clouded by so many of the hurdles that we place on ourselves through life, such as low self esteem, or building walls around ourselves to protect our feelings. They are of pure heart and represent this wonderful Circle of Life that we are all a part of.

Knowing your life-long totem is like having an added perspective. When you are in the midst of confusion, trying to make sense of an issue, often you can look to your animals totem's attributes and gain another perspective to view the situation in. That other perspective can be very helpful to us in our personal growth.

Totem meanings may vary slightly from culture to culture, but they can all have somewhat universal meanings if you are deriving them from learning about the animals social and living skills.

As an added bonus, we can have transitional totems. Transitional totems appear when we going through life changes, such as a marriage, a career change, a birth, etc. Transitional totems are prevalent for a short time while we go through our changes.

I recently revised a small guidebook on the meaning of some of the more popular animal totems, called "Animal Totems in our Daily Lives". It is a good introduction to Animal Totems, what they mean to us, life long totems, transitional totems, and symbolism. The guidebook is helpful to carry with you when you are out and about for a quick glance at meanings. And of course, the more you become familiar with totems I encourage you to study further.

 http://www.consciousartstudios.com/AnimalTOTEMStones.html

The Power of Words and Laws of Attraction

The energy we put out to the Universe, in our Words or in our Thoughts, is the energy that is returned to us. When we exude positive energy, this is what is returned. The power of our thoughts and words is important to manage,not only for the continual flow we are manifesting, but also for our own well-being.

With a new year coming, it is a very important part of this process that is often overlooked is the ability to use affirmations to succeed in making their dreams come true.

An affirmation is stating that something is true. You are affirming that the possibility is reality. (One of the first steps in manifesting your desires)

After you have spent time deciding what it is you want to make a reality, writing affirmations can be a useful tool. It can help remind you of your goals and keep a positive attitude.
When writing your affirmations,  keep them in the present tense. Use words such as "am", "have", "attract", and "is".  Make sure you aren't using words like "hope", which suggests that you aren't positive the change will happen.

Writing your affirmations and keeping them visible in your home,or repeating them, helps to condition the subconscious, who's fear can sometimes sabotage our efforts.

Examples:

"I know that Healing is taking place in my body"

" Financial riches flow freely to me"

' I attract only loving, positive, and supportive people to my life"

 

Happy thoughts everybody !

The Legend of the Burden Basket

The Legend of the Burden Basket

"Native American women carried cone-shaped baskets for collecting wild berries, roots and other food items. When they would return home, they would take the basket from their back, and hang it at the entrance of their dwelling...literally laying their burdens down for the night before entering the home.

Smaller burden baskets have been made to symbolize this...for you, your family, and friends to "Leave your worries at the door."

Visiting Our Spirit Place

It's been long over due and sorely missed, but this afternoon we finally were able to return to our Spirit Place...the place where we have pulled off on many afternoons in days gone by...a place where we have rejoiced after visits with friends...a place where John proposed to me...a place where we feel totally connected with something bigger than ourselves.

A serene place along the Broad River and nestled in the mountains near Chimney Rock, is our place. As we park and head toward the water, our hearts beat a little faster, knowing that soon we will find complete peace. After a few minutes of carefully negotiating your footsteps down the paths, the arrival at the river welcomes us with sunshine and the first thing I want to do....lay my hand on the rocks and say hello to our old friend.

It's here that we take the biggest breath of relief in the past few months. That we release our worries, even if momentarily, and allow our beings to relax in the knowing. We watch a pair of crows that are diligently working on building their nest, and relate to them as we quietly watch their movements.

They fly high over our heads back and forth and pay us humans no attention as they focus on their task, maybe reminding us to do the same.

We walk a bit over the large rocks and boulders, each step taken in reverence, at the beauty that surrounds us. Few words are spoken on this trip, they aren't needed. It's here that we remember who we are with one another and enjoy the peace that is emanating between us.

The waters are clean and cool, cleansing for the body and soul. John drinks from the river and meditates briefly while I am pulled to go explore.

As I head the other way I feel pulled to a quiet place where I feel the presence of a bear. No, I do not see him, but feel him in the woods on the other side of the river, watching us two-legged ones with interest. With my camera in tow, I take a few shots of the water that just glistens with sparkles of light dancing along the top and I think of the old Cherokee stories of the wee ones and where they may be hiding.

Soon we feel it's time to leave our spot. We have been here long enough, are replenished with balance, and it's time to give it back to those that live here.  So grateful for the day, beautiful and warm.

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

The Best Part of Being an Artist

Waking up at 4am this morning, is my prodding to write before I start my day. Sometimes it may be a poem, a short story, a blog post, or part of the book that I am writing that seems as if it is taking forever. I love this part of the day, when everything is quiet and you feel as if you are all alone in the universe, except for the gentle stirrings of life nearby..the birds rustling in the trees, a lone car going down the road. This morning the rain is the only thing that is awake, gently pattering on the roof and bringing a chill to the mountain.

As I make my tea, I think about the creations I am going to work on today in getting ready for this weekend's show. And although most everyday is filled with the passion of Art which I dearly love, I know that I work harder and longer every day than I did when I worked  the typical 9-5. The difference with doing something you are in love with and just working the "job"...I don't get burned out. The creative flow is continual, which makes me yearn for more hours in the day. But if asked, "What is your favorite part of being an artist?" my reply would be sharing it, watching and listening to those that view it. I love to stand off to the side and watch and listen to how people engage with it, what is makes them feel, what it makes them remember. A silent conversation that  goes on between us, a part of my soul communicating with a part of yours.

When I create my art dolls, I want them to speak to you, to tell you their own story. Their facial expressions are what people connect with.

It doesn't matter, man or woman, young or old, I am connecting with you on the most vulnerable level of me.

And while I am focused on the visual aspects, John's  primary medium is through his Native Flute music which is so absolutely beautiful. The biggest joy, playing music for the children and watching their smiles.

These are the things that connect us as humans, the stories, the laughter, the understanding of one another. This is what lets me know that it is indeed possible to be at peace with one another and leave our baggage and separatism at the door. This is why I love being an artist.

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

 

A Love Letter...to our home

Oh these Blue Ridge Mountains...hello old friend. We have missed you so. We have traveled long and far and our weary souls could feel ourselves getting nearer to your beauty and magical embrace.

In all of my life, I don't think that I have ever truly lived in such a place that could just make my heart sing the way these mountains can. We are so blessed to know this land, to smell their mountain breezes, to feel the warmth of the sun through the tree tops.

Your morning mists hold stories from long ago that we cherish and still tell to this day. The perfect place to hold a remembrance of the past while looking to the future, a remarkable balance in the circle of life.

Sometimes in life we have to go away in order to find ourselves, to understand ourselves. And I am thankful that the journey has led us  back to you.
It is so good to be home, and even though we have so much work to do to re-establish,  just stepping outside and being here...right here....I know that everything is as it should be.
We are blessed to know a love like this.