Gratitude~Happiness~Spring

"Happiness cannot be traveled to,owned, earned, won or consumed. Happiness is...the Spiritual experience...of living every minute with loving grace and gratitude."

I copied this from someone somewhere. It's message resonates within me today and every time I read it. A reminder!

The smell of Spring is in the air outside of my back door. The daphne is in bloom..violets and long awaited daffodils. All these are gifts of Grace, it is up to me to provide the gratitude for the abundant gifts that are in my life. Often I rush...forget and loose myself in all the "things" that seem so important at the time. Today I give thanks to my angels that I found these words...this reminder.

SPRING???????

Winter has not quite finished with us! I finished journals while waiting for warmer weather...so I can begin in my garden.

These journals will be taken to "Sixpence" and to "Thea's". I used some vintage wallpaper on some. There are a lot more than shown here.

Next project...nests in glass and..?????

That is Winston helping me>!

Spring Begins

One of the first signs of spring in my garden is the hellebore. Called the Christmas rose but peeking out here after Christmas has past and before the daphne has begun to scent the air near my back door. I have to go looking for them in the chilly air of spring. Well worth the hunt and ever a reminder... look for the beauty even when life is less than inviting.

A new life has entered the world..a sweet new nephew , sad that his grandpa never got to hold his grand sons. Beautiful all the same. My 90 year old Aunt is preparing to pass...the sadness, yes but what an expression of love she has left me in caring for my dad in his last days and allowing me to care for her as she prepares. The cycle of life and the cycle of seasons all a little sad...a lot joyous as it renews itself. I just need to go looking. I thinks I will pick a sprig of daphne bring it in and let it be"forced" to flower a little early. Many things in life cannot be forced but aren't we lucky the gifts of the garden can.

Day of Love ?

I guess today is a day to tell those in our life.....LOVE YOU. Having lost so many of those I love I prefer to spread love more often. Sometimes life gets away from me.... and I guess it takes a little reminder . I do object to the" marketization" of expressing love....although~~~~some people have a hard time expressing how they feel! Would those people benefit from telling their loved ones in place of buying cards etc.? Would all of us look into the eyes of and take a minute to appreciate having those eyes in which to gaze******. One of the great things about getting older is not needing overt expressions of love...or maybe after years of dissappointment at not having love expressed"the way I want"...I have realized 33 years of day to day love beats one day of roses and candy!

My Expanding World

I seem to be spending more time in cyber world. This causes me to try and figure out what it is I want to accomplish. It all takes time away from creating but it allows me to contact a world"out there". A world of wonderfully creative and loving people. People who are living interesting varied and "spending a lot of time in the world of cyber space.

This seems so much easier for others than it is for me. It was a big step for me to begin to blog!! Now it is face book...I am not a good typist...am an "Old Dog" when it come to change and this new world changes a lot and fast. I am forever asking for help in maneuvering all of these new "THINGS" and still have the deep need to create. I guess I will just have to figure it out.

"Door to Grace"

In a past blog I told you about a wonderful group called "Door to Grace". They came to me via Laura and "Sixpence"and I was invited to share my art at a training for volunteers. At the time I met Teri and Lori I felt a kinship for them and this great endeavor. The girls/ women who have been caught in the web of sex trafficking have no shelter or trained staff to assist in the challenging work of not only rescue but recovery of " person" and self esteem that has made them so vulnerable those who use and abuse them. "Door to Grace" is stepping forward to meet the challenge. A much needed home and opportunity for these women to reclaim the spirits that have been so abused and begin to discover the joy that is a right for all of us.

The event was a big success and I am humbled in the presence of all the people who have stepped forward to face this greatest of tasks. They are truly blessed, as I am to have been invited.

New year underway and THANKS

New years is not my favorite...shall I say event[holiday], whatever. I have been trying to learn to face each day with a positive "stepping out" attitude. This for me is like learning a new language. Not all of us come from backgrounds that view the "glass half full". Learning THIS and other life affirming ways of thinking/loving/dreaming and being is a journey I have been on for some time and I want to leave this as a legacy for family and friends.

In my opinion.......I have felt soooo much pressure is placed on a single time/day. That pressure has sometimes caused me to look back and see the things that have been"challenges" as negative. I am choosing to change that focus and I have to give thanks to the positive "angels/souls" in my life that love and teach me new ways of being and thinking.

To all of those.ANGELS*** FRIENDS***sweet spirits who are leading and along for the ride, thank you ,LOVE YOU and let us "step out" into a new day each day....how about each moment?