from the inside and from the outside

the may art bead scene carnival blogger's theme is 'growth'... a topic very near and dear to me - and hopefully is to you as well...


as 2009 came to a close, things were feeling different... i chose the word 'nascent' for 2010... not to define it by any means - for that closes doors and limits... but as a jumping off point... nascent meaning - 'emerging or coming into existence'... for many reasons that is what my life was feeling like... and i didn't and don't want that to stop... 

'if we're growing, we're always going to be 

out of our comfort zone.'

~ john maxwell

true, so take a deep breath and bring it on... at least you will know that you are a participant in your life... 

'all growth is a leap in the dark,

a spontaneous, unpremeditated act

without benefit of experience.'

~ henry miller

terrifying, yes... but also thrilling... 

sometimes growth has to do with trying things outside of yourself... but sometimes, it is more about going within... it can be hard to know which is scarier... peeling away layers to reach your authentic Self creates uncertainty but also freedom... it can leave you feeling vulnerable, but also stronger... 

growth inspires growth... confidence increases... sharing your experiences helps others - and that is what it is all about... i am constantly inspired by those who share their journeys - i marvel at the things they are creating, the choices they are making, the dreams they are making manifest, the people they are fully becoming... it bolsters me when i falter... 

'growth itself contains the germ of happiness.'

~ pearl s. buck

there is no way around it except to become stagnant - love yourself, challenge yourself, forgive yourself and keep going... 

'may your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome,dangerous,

leading to the most amazing view.

may your mountains rise into and above the clouds.'

~ edward abbey

p.s. i seem to have neglected something important, really important - growth is certainly fostered and even accelerated within some kind of supportive framework... even if you are facing great challenges, if you feel like you are able to connect with someone it can make all the difference... i want to thank the someones who have helped me to thrive... at almost 45 years old, i am feeling like my life is beginning... like a Self is emerging... and i am so appreciative of that...  

on passion ~

'there is a boundary to men's passions when they act 

from feelings;

but none when they are under the influence 

of imagination.'

~ edmund burke 

burke was a political thinker but also a philosopher... the abs carnival theme this month is passion - and in thinking about it, i noticed that passion is credited or blamed for things good and bad... we have acts of creation, love... and, um, acts of violence... 

passionate love feels exciting - but doesn't always last... 

these earrings with their rubies and raspberry garnets are meant to express innocence and tenderness in love...

'it is the passion that is in a kiss that gives it sweetness;

it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.'

~ christian nevell bovee



'if passion drives you,
let reason hold the reins.'
~ ben franklin

this ardent heart necklace was designed to represent the character grace from 'the house at riverton'... she felt deeply but was held back by circumstances of class and birth... 

having a passion for creating - now that is lasting...  fueled by imagination rather then just feelings, a fine line, but an important one... certainly we can get excited, frustrated to tears, intense while we work on something - but surely it was the imagination's spark that keeps it going... 

'logic will get you from A to B.
imagination will take you everywhere.'
~ albert einstein