thoughts for morning -

mjd - rise awaken and shine 2015

as the sun rises

and the moon sets

may i begin my day

awake.

may i move through

each moment

mindfully

lightly 

and with clarity.

a heart

bursting with love

a mind

propped open,

may i shine

to lessen

the darkness

of another being's 

suffering.

daybreak - mar. 2015

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

one small stitch at a time

makes for work that is intentional and time consuming 

in the best possible way. 

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

as makers we are gifted with the ability 

(with much practice and attention)

to speak our hearts and minds

through our willing hands.

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

how fortunate is that?

------

consider the strength of one stitch.

then consider the strength of many.

how much power resides

in each act of kindness,

each act of bravery (no matter how large or small),

each thought of gratitude,

each expression of love and compassion?

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

while one alone holds it's own integrity,

the accumulation over a lifetime can be staggering.

mjd 2014 - no act is too small

no act of kindness or generosity is insignificant. 

within the darkness

within the darkness - mjd - 2014

when you are ensconced in darkness

it may seem as if darkness is all that exists -

that there can only be more 

of what you are experiencing 

and feeling. 

but the truth of the matter

is that at the core of the darkness

one finds light. 

as long as you live and breathe

as long as you have choices to make,

it's there. 

you must trust 

and open,

because the light is you.

set yourself free

and shine. 

for when you do,

you illuminate your world. 

---------------

this focal is made with a vintage foil-backed cab - so that you might see yourself when you look into it. 

mjd - 2013 awakening

this is your life.

you stand inside the arena

whether you wish it

or not. 

some people move

in leaps and roars

others

on tip toes and in whispers

most of us

fall somewhere in the middle. 

mjd - 2013

it matters not

how you do it,

only that you do it.

that you participate

and you add your voice. 

that you share your living

your loving

your self.

at this moment

you stand inside the arena,

don't miss out

because you were asleep. 

whispers

ever softly - mjd 2014

a whisper 

uttered

oh so softly,

an embrace 

that holds you 

oh so gently

assuring that 

you'll be alright. 

-------------------

a talisman to ward off thoughts that a gentle nature is a sign of weakness - i don't know of anything stronger than an open, kind heart. 

international peace day 2013

woven flags and brass chimes - mjd 2013

honor this day

with the commitment
to practice 
peaceful 
mindful
connective
living.

spread it where you can.

it won't always be easy

but,

it will always be worth it. 

invisible cords

a thousand invisible cords - mjd 2013

'when we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe.'
- john muir

mjd 2013

just imagine what we would see
if we could make the invisible cords visible.

but
since we cannot, 
we have the heart to guide us
and remind us.

mjd 2013

the tugging we feel
in joy, 
sorrow, 
compassion, 
understanding

are all evidence
that we are connected not only to each other
but to all living things.

evening approaches

woven leaf - mjd 2013

the day draws to a close. 

a good day

fingers aching

from small needles

small pins

 & tweezers

used to coax fine threads 

in and out

in and out 

through

curving edges of warp.

i offer suggestions

as to how this form might take shape.

but in the end,

i am the one who accepts 

with appreciation

the beautiful curves 

that become

from the pact that is made

by the threads 

and my fingers.

an agreement that leaves

my will out of the process

altogether. 

it is good,

this learning of acceptance.

it can yield the most beautiful 

and unexpected of things.

leaves

patina leaf - mjd 2012

i have missed making leaves.

so i ventured upon 

an adaptation

using pin weaving
instead of metal heating
and beating.

pin weaving - mjd 2013

building a leaf

made of natural fibers

triggered meditation

upon impermanence.

woven fiber leaf - mjd 2013

the most important moment

is the one at hand.

loose ends

various fibers, hemp and linen paper

we are connected to others

through a tapestry of place and time.

before us are the ancestors - of all living things

and earth forms.

beside us are family, friends, the global community

and all that grows and exists.

after us is the future we help to (hope to) honor, create and preserve.

mjd - 2013

loose ends are not things left unaccounted for -

at least, they don't have to be.

give them purpose.

like hands reaching out

or a rope thrown to a drowning person,

they are available and willing

to any being who needs them.

creating ties where none existed before. 

changeling

'things do not change, we change.'

~ henry david thoreau

we bend but do not break... becoming all the more strong and beautiful for it... our lives intertwining with those of others and the fate of the earth by the choices we make...