sharing love in passing

mjdodd 2017 door plaques

i quite literally vibrate with the potential these small plaques hold

by ceremoniously placing them and making a wish

for them to benefit all who pass.

mjd 2017 door plaques

within a doorway 

the energy they possess could touch each person 

moving in or out. 

mjdodd 2017 door plaques

we could cloak all the beings

in our world 

with love and peace. 

mjdodd 2017 door plaques

mjd offerings p. 42

it's ok to still be raw, be numb - i am. this was a shock - for me, the grief has everything to do with what was validated by so many. my heart is still fluttery with anxiety. but less than yesterday. 

so the fact remains -

we are here

now.

we are not in uncharted waters - history gives us much guidance for cases like this. 

we have seen that people with conviction, love and compassion can move mountains in the face of adversity. so let's start (in a focused and intentioned way) strengthening and stretching those muscles.

perhaps we begin thinking about metta practice or loving kindness meditation. 

the idea that 'just as i want to be happy, all beings want to be happy'

it starts with directing it towards the self - 

because how can we help others if we are not taking care of ourselves?

metta progresses - 

from "i"

to a benefactor

a being(s) for whom you feel love

a being(s) for whom you feel neutral 

a being(s) for whom your feelings are conflicted 

thich nhat hanh gives us this to work with:

may i be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit

may i be safe and free from injury

may i be free from anger, afflictions, fear and anxiety.

as your practice progresses, 

you will recite this with 'i', with 's/he' and 'they'.

but we aren't at the end yet. 

we're at the beginning. 

let's start with love - 

loving ourselves so we can extend love to others in a healthy way -

and kindness.

you are a light in the darkness

you are important and necessary

you are allowed to be sad and disappointed (or whatever you are feeling)

but please don't get stuck there. 

we can do this - 

together. 

it's been done before and we can continue the tradition. 

namaste -  

gentle strength at the seat of your personal power

mjd 2015 - morning mantra sterling shield

solar plexus amplifier

center of personal power

and location of the third chakra,

this heavy sterling disc sits there. 

mjd 2015

combine the location with the intention -

my morning mantra:

as the moon sets

and the sun rises

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. 

mjd 2015 - morning mantra sterling shield

imagine standing tall

chin up

shoulders back

feet firmly planted and set at hip width

arms raised -

I AM.

with absolute acceptance 

and self love,

putting aside any shame

that keeps you in the shadows,

with full knowledge not only

of your place in the world

but that your time is limited.

your life matters -

there are things you offer,

special things that make a difference.

get clear on your intentions

keep them front and center

make adjustments when necessary.

don't slip into inertia

and don't fear your abilities.

you are beautiful.

you are able.

you are. 

giving back -

*it seems i have been gone a while - but will be more present as i do love the blog format and miss catching up with those i admire.

mjd 2015 - peace&love collection

i am introducing a collection that will have its own section in my shop. a section designed to serve as a place for us to be of help together. while i truly believe that in the process of making, if one is intent, the feelings and thoughts travel. but ideally, to have the physical object leave my hands and go to another is a goal. my work is about connection.  

our world is filled with unspeakable horrors and great beauty. scarcity and abundance. poverty and wealth. illness and wellness. when our basic security and safety are threatened, the world becomes scary. i will be donating 20% of the proceeds of these items. my goal is to keep the section stocked as an ongoing humanitarian mission. if a piece of my work has the peace&love combination mark, it serves this greater purpose.

mjd 2015 - raw copper bowl

back with foot

the organizations will change because we experience different kinds of threats. natural disasters, terrorism, genocide, outbreaks of illness. but also domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, abuses against animals and forests. 

mjd 2015 - long necklace with gaspeite 
(sold, thank you! if you are interested in this piece
i can make another. just convo me in etsy)

the combination mark - or insertion of the & and heart symbols into the word 'peace' came to me one day. but i really did not want to use it haphazardly once or twice. i wanted it to represent something  special. (of note, this is an almost ironic thing for me as i was one of the few middle school aged girls who did not do their 'i's with hearts, but i did wear my heart on my sleeve.)  the older i get, the more vast and profound love and peace become. 

mjd 2015 - warm copper offering bowl 

back with foot

reads:

when your heart is filled with love

and your mind is filled with peace

you will find it inconceivable

to harm another. 

mjd 2015 - radiate peace&love

the first organization will be international rescue committee. it has its roots in the 1933 establishment of the international relief association by albert einstein. it was also rated one of 5 all star charities by forbes magazine. 

mjd 2015 - simply peace&love

i cannot imagine the horrors that drive people from their homes, and often with children or those who are ill or aging. fear and uncertainty often plague both those on the move and those who live where those on the move arrive. it can create a very counterproductive result. locals can worry about their safety & security, worry that their way of life will change due to an additional demand upon resources of products and services. irc helps with just this - in addition to so very much more. 

we can & must do better. these are known waters, it has happened before in history and will happen again. to close our eyes is irresponsible, they must be kept wide open. 

if you have read this all the way through, i thank you. 

with gratitude for the platforms that make reaching people easier than ever before

and for you - 

may you be safe and protected, free from inner and outer harm and danger.

may you live in this world happily, peacefully and with ease.

may you know love as it flows in giving and receiving. 

may you wish these things for all sentient beings and recognize that we are all connected. 

mary jane

surrender

mjd - 2015 - surrender - 

sterling with sleeping beauty turquoise & red coral

freedom is gained

in releasing.

life is change. 

our white-knuckled grip 

of clinging

to avoid that which is inevitable

brings great suffering.

our hands tire and ache.

mjd - 2015 - surrender

when finally we open them,

allowing our fingers to stretch,

we exhale 

and soften.

everything softens.

and in the act of surrender

we find the peace

we had been seeking

all along. 

the world is in need

mjd. 2015 present moment offering bowl

our world is in need

(always)

of peace

of love

& kindness.

while it may be beyond 

our abilities

to stop acts of evil and violence,

we need not participate in

promote

or empower them. 

in each moment

you have a choice

(we all do).

you choose your thoughts

your words

your actions.

learn to know yourself.

be vigilant.

use your moments

to nurture the world

and its inhabitants.

we create the climate

of our planet. 

you are home

mjd 2015 - offering bowl

there is no where else to go

there is no one else to be

you are home.

there is no treasure hunt 

to find yourself -

you are already

an inextinguishable light.

learn to be

grow quiet

dig in

right here

right now.

know that all you need 

to find inner peace

already exists within you.

inspired by warriors of peace

small metal pieces - 2014 mjd

we live in a troubled world

we live in a beautiful world

we live in a world where each one of us makes a difference. 

some people do it quietly

some people forcefully

but all do it courageously. 

find your way.

we notice the light most 

when it's dark.

we notice peace most

when there is chaos and unrest.

but each should be constant

however else the conditions might be. 

simple things can carry great impact. 

i try to hone my pieces so that messages 

are clearly stated

and the wearer will feel 'more' for having them.

i have this hope that my physical act of making marks in metal

sends the message out into the ether

like a chant in hammer strikes.

the new addition of scallops 

represents the way things can radiate - 

all those good things we can choose to put

out into the world. 

the shining sterling orbs

are physical representations 

of light and self realization.

peace, love, kindness, compassion, grace

coupled with accountability

abstract in nature,

but ever so real 

and ever so needed now. 

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

the recipients of the 2014 nobel peace prize were announced yesterday - 

one is the youngest ever. you can read about them and be inspired here. 

and might i share these words with you

that come from young holocaust victim  etty hillesm

ultimately we have just one moral duty:

to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves,

more and more peace,

and to reflect it towards others,

and the more peace there is in us,

the more peace there will be in our troubled world.

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

capturing stillness

fragile strength talisman/be still - mjd 2014

at first

we seem to catch moments 

of stillness

the way we did 

fireflies

as children.

seeing their flashing light,

we would run carefully

up to them

trying to catch them 

ever so gently 

in cupped hands.

exciting and unique moments,

we feel like 

it must have been the place

or time

that brought it into being

for us.

and so we return 

to that place or time

to find it again. 

fragile strength talisman/be still - mjd 2014

awareness

trickles in 

as we contemplate

how to return to to this place

of tranquility.

we begin to notice 

that stillness 

is not about

external circumstances

or

perfect states of being,

nor 

are they required to be 

present first for 

stillness to exist.

as our moments accumulate,

they grow closer and closer

together.

in the gathering awareness,

we come to realize

that moments of quietude

are always within our grasp.

fragile strength talisman/be still - mjd 2014

we hold the key 

to make them manifest.

and with that knowledge, 

we walk in light. 

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. 

work being finished for sept. 21

stamped discs - mjd 2013

the international day of peace approaches.

my plan was for a woven project,

but only metals could finish it off 

the way i saw it/heard it

in my head. 

the way prayer wheels are spun 

to carry the mantra out into the world,

i stamped each disc 

with something meaningful.

brass chimes - mjd 2013

i made small chimes

of shining brass 

and decided to give the elements 

a chance

of imparting their own patina.

woven peace flag - mjd 2013

a simple flag - 

with a bit of stitching

and an opening, 

that necessary opening,

to represent the wound

'where the light gets in'. 

thank you, rumi. 

the blog where projects will be shared

is as heartfelt and humble as they come. 

it isn't too late to join in

should you choose -

just send me an email 

and we'll get you set up.

or just stop in to see 

what talented souls

with peaceful hearts 

have made to honor the day.

small stash of metal bits discovered

karma - 2013

'actions send out ripples.

karma brings it back,'

so said a wise woman to me.

turquoise, amethyst and lapis

stones associated with karma 

 be still - 2013

in stillness,

one feels

both floatingly heady 

and deeply rooted.

our world, 

our lives

are fiercely beautiful

and command our attention.

are you present?

sparkling iolite and earthy vesuvianite 

joy - 2013

'smile, breathe and go slowly.'

thich nhat hanh

embrace joy.

turquoise and carnelian