star stuff

mjd 2014 - fragile strength talisman/wonder

in the 1970s, dr. carl sagan opened our minds to the fact that we are star stuff.

now, building upon the legacy of 'cosmos', dr. neil degrasse tyson explains how we are stardust and connected to all of the molecules and all of the atoms in the universe, including the ones that make up you.

this should take your breath away,

give your life a feeling of humbling magnitude,

you are gifted with being alive - 

right here, right now. 

and none of us knows for how long,

we are created equal in that respect. 

be mindful of wishing for the day to be over,

for thinking the weekend will bring you more joy.

joy is an attitude. 
(but when you do feel like that, and we all do at times,
just find something in those moments for which you are grateful.)

be aware of the love that is ever present,

that is available to us all.

the birds sing for us,

the sun shines and rain falls - 

breathe it in

smile

accept

give thanks,

then give something back.

the 'how' is your choice,

but the possibilities are endless. 

detail - reference to the fibonacci spiral 

it gets no better than that.

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

don't forget about the giveaway - details are here.

a giveaway in the name of gratitude

be still necklace - mjd 2014

porcelain jiz0 - matt leavitt

the universe exists in a drop of water.

the universe exists in a fluttering green leaf.

the universe exists in you.

be still 

and know.

in appreciation for the support and care that comes from this community, i offer a giveaway of this necklace (made by me) and this beautiful jizo (made by matt leavitt). i will choose a name on april 15th, not for tax day but for the spectacular lunar eclipse that will occur that night. you don't have to post in other places, nor do you have to visit my fb or instagram pages. just leave a message here on this post. 

in thanks, 

mary jane

mandalas and growth

fragile strength talisman - awakening - mjd 2013

you are a part of something much bigger than yourself

but it wouldn't be complete without you.

never stop working to stay open -

let your heart space be a portal
from which love can pass freely.

you say you are afraid?

may we band together in this mark of our humanity
and gain strength,

marching forward
and 
experiencing the bittersweet
that life has to offer.

for only then
can we fully know
what it means to be compassionate
and understanding,

and to fully participate
in that which is bigger 
than ourselves. 

tap, tap, tap

small brass leaf beginnings 2012

the universe caught me off guard this morning while i was sitting at my bench...

like many of you, i am used to the tap on the shoulder (or between the eyes if i am being revisited) that lets me know i have perhaps veered from the path or should be paying attention because something not so ideal is occurring and i need to wake up... 

small brass leaf beginnings 2012

but this time, as tears welled up from deep inside of me, i realized i was being asked to pay attention because i was perhaps on to something... that i was beginning to really do the things i hoped to do... 

i was asked to make these leaves for a project that will help to raise money to build a children's hospital in west virginia... my youngest child was born at 23 weeks prematurity (4months early) weighing just over a pound... there were many surgeries, three years with a trach and respiratory support at home and other challenges... for us, the children's hospital of philadelphia is a home away from home - still... and when i was asked to use the word 'hope' it took me back to those first years... chop's motto is 'hope lives here.'

using words in my work causes me to be very selective - there are many that have become trite...

 i hadn't used 'hope' in years... 

but this couldn't have been more perfect... 

a couple of weeks ago i was asked to make a number of my petals for use as pendants...

petals 2012

these are for women moving through a domestic violence program... 

two causes that couldn't be closer to my heart... 

not too long ago i was musing on how i could really just make petals & leaves all day... (each form has its own meaning for me... ) i work them in a neck & shoulder-achingly gentle way... the challenge of keeping the form soft and delicate with a hard material is one i love... 

and people seem to be connecting to them... 

a personal aesthetic has emerged that seeks out simplicity that is packed with substance... it is something i think about and strive for... 

(and this post is feeling long-winded)

it was just such a wonderful feeling - having a moment of mindfulness where i realized that some meaningful things are falling into place... 

and i am oh, so, grateful... 

btw

nascent:
coming into being; evolving


after a full day of trial and error- mind mushy, eyes bleary - i have a piece i am satisfied with... it is now in the sealing stage...


we all contain boundless potential, awe inspiring wonder within us... 


it must be nurtured... 


meant to evoke the ripened/fecund belly of the earth mama... a spiral navel referencing the connection to the universe... 

coming into the light

as deep and dark as some places your path may lead

are those that blind with brilliant light... 

i believe in the balance of the universe

and embrace the totality of the experience... 

is there really any other way?

the ride

it's not the day you have to manage, but the moment.
it's not the dragon you have to slay, but the fear.
and it's not the path you have to know, but the destination.


what a relief, huh?
the universe 


(recent note from the universe from tut.com)

put it out there...

What would you think about today if you knew those very thoughts would command leagues in the unseen?

And what would you say today, if you knew each word you chose would send great waves into motion?

And what would you do today, if you knew I'd glean from the slightest of your moves, whether or not you believed in life's magic, so that I could prove you right?

No, no, you don't have to answer! We'll just wait and see...

Holding our breath,
    The Universe and friends

(from my daily messages  www.tut.com)

be brave - in  your own special way... 

connected

'what is that?' you might be wondering ... well, it is my orion (and if you click on the picture it becomes a bit more clear) - not a picture off of the internet, but one i took last night... and the magical thing was, on the display screen, the stars twinkled like they knew they were being adored and admired... 


this constellation has made me feel connected to the universe since i was small... it was right outside of my bedroom window all winter... and to this day, when i go out at dark, it is the first thing my eyes search for ... 

'there is only one corner of the universe 

you can be certain of improving,

and that's your own self.'

~ aldous huxley

being inside, we have objects that may inspire us or center us... but outside, well, the wonders are outside... the roaring ocean, the blowing winds, budding flowers, the immensity of that beautiful night sky... i have never been to the mountains, it is something i very much want to experience... i know i would love it... but having lived near the ocean my whole life, well, big sky is what i know... 

when i have one last child to pick up from an activity at night, tired, and dying to get back home - i look for orion... i feel like there is a thread from him to me... i feel a part of something bigger... and i feel calm... 

the funny/ironic thing is, when i went to take the picture & was playing with the settings, 'infinity' is what you need to choose... 

and so i laughed, because even my camera was reminding me that i was connected to something much bigger than any of us~