leaf hanging - mjd 2013

balance

greys that calm 

building bridges between 

white and black.

soft threads 

fragile strength

for eons

providing humanity 

with exquisite

function

in the shape of mandalas.

crystals faceted just so

catching light

and releasing it

the dance of all 

that is open

reminders from the himalayas

that clarity 

of

thought 

word 

and 

deed

are critical

and bells,

lovely bells

softly ringing 

gentle reminders 

kin to birds singing

cats purring

leaves rustling

that life is best lived

awake. 

from benedictus by john o'donohue:

may i live this day

compassionate of heart,

clear in word,

gracious in awareness,

courageous in thought,

generous in love.

the open heart shines in the darkness -

guided by courage, it remains true.

though feeling deeply, 
it resists the urge
to hide
to build walls
to strap on armor.

love overrides all fear.

it is
beating
pumping
raw

compassion
come to life.




*please note: the use of images of adornment in these times of sorrow are not meant to promote my work. i process my feelings at the bench and so these pieces are merely visual representations of emotion and thought.

the bedrock i stand upon is peace and stillness.
from that place, i can open-mindedly assess whatever comes my way.

while it is oh-so-easy to get pulled off center,

you can always find your way back

by practicing that which you desire to be - 

and so we dance, round and round with ourselves
learning all the while...

the beauty of repetition

while repetition can be tedious 
we all know that there is a time and place for it... 


it is in repeating an action (or thought) that it becomes familiar... 
in familiarity it becomes known... 


in being known it becomes understood... 
and once understood it can be refined... 

and all of a sudden, it feels almost effortless... 


a beautiful pay off for diligence... 


ommmmmm...

conquering fear

i have a new practice i have put into place during my walks... imagining things/people i fear as the pebbles at my feet... rather than feeling the fear press down upon me... or close in on me from all sides... i imagine it beneath me... something i can view from a different, more manageable perspective... it allows for the light to shine while i think upon how i choose to handle each one... 

'you have brains in your head.

you have feet in your shoes.

you can steer yourself any direction you choose.

you're on your own.

and you know what you know.

you are the guy who'll decide where to go.'

~ dr. seuss oh, the places you'll go

repeat

'as a single footstep will not make a path on earth,

so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind.

to make a deep physical path, we walk again and again.

to make a deep mental path,

we must think over and over 

the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our minds.'

~ henry david thoreau

call it a practice like anything else, it takes perseverance and discipline to live the kind of life you want... to achieve peace, practice peace... over and over and over... 

i had thought i couldn't make anything personal this week - it felt too raw... instead, i found i couldn't engage in anything less... that art therapy thing again... and so happy for it...

lovely little bird by leann weih... these birds are really getting around - i have been seeing beautiful designs with them on many blogs... leann has made a connection with her handformed beads... and we are all so grateful! sorry that your studio has been so cold, leann - but not entirely...  who knows if these would have ever come to being? that old bittersweet thing again... 

thank you all so much for your thoughts, wishes and hugs this week... they meant so very much, and were very unexpected... my most heartfelt gratitude to you ~

'breathe' made manifest

a follow up to my last post ~ and for the wonderful comments received, i thank you...

one always feels better when something gets done after a hiatus of creating ~ am i right? you wonder if all inspiration has deserted you... it's there, just needs the opportunity, i guess...

here's how i used the tiny little charm that kept me centered... it keeps wonderful company with a stoneware link from mellisa at chinook jewelry designs, four different lampwork glass beads from mary ann at linden avenue designs & an ivory glass bead from cate at zippybeads... united with copper chain and wire that i antiqued to soften the effect... paddled headpins were made because i felt they had better 'flow' with their unbroken line... earthy, rustic, understated, natural - just like breathing...

thich nhat hanh, the vietnamese buddhist monk, teaches a practice of mindful breathing and has a meditation poem to go along with it...

in, out
deep, slow
calm, ease
smile, release
present moment, wonderful moment

the work of life

'i will not let anyone walk through my mind with dirty feet.'
- gandhi

'no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.'

- eleanor roosevelt

like meditation and yoga, self-healing is a practice... it is daily work... i have certain mantras that i use in different situations, while striving to do and not just to try... being immersed in my creative space can even temporarily free me from negative feelings or environmental conditions and guide me toward those more uplifting...

'at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.'
- albert schweitzer

i know i have used those words before, but they have a more universal application this time... that thanks go to family, friends, new acquaintances and members of this community... a reminder for me that those who extend compassion and/or empathy have their own lives as well... and it is critical not to drain their spirit... while never done selfishly, it is careless and unmindful... an extra amount of attentiveness to this is added to my list... for i definitely try to live by the 'first do no harm' principle & to be supportive of others... it is my sole responsibility to not let the tinders go out...

i know i am a bit of a quote hound, but i am inspired by the wisdom of those who have lived and lived well... so at the age of 43, here's a goal -

'i am not afraid of storms, for i am learning how to sail my own ship.'
- louisa may alcott