Gratitude

Death changes us.  When we lose someone it can't help but re-frame our perspective and cause us to pause and consider what is really important in life.  I am reminded of this by the recent passing of a beautiful lady with whom I used to work.  We were not what would be considered close and had mostly lost touch since I left that job, which in itself raises feelings of regret and guilt, but she made a difference in my life.  Kate was one of those unforgettable people who made you better just by being around her.  She had a rare kindness and gentle wisdom and grace about her, and her smile and laughter brightened a room.  She was one of those who made going to work more of a pleasure and less of a chore.  Her passing leaves a void in so many hearts.

This sad loss made me think about gratitude and why we struggle with expressing it.  I never told Kate that she mattered to me; I never told her how much she brightened my work life: I never told her that I appreciated her kindness.  Now I can't.  

Like many who have been faced with their own mortality by a life-threatening health crisis, I am well aware of the "wake up" that such events cause us.  In the three years since having a heart attack I have done much soul-searching, and what I have learned is that Life is about the people, not the stuff.  We form relationships with everyone we encounter on our journey.  Some of these encounters last longer and give us the opportunity to create stronger bonds, but with every person we meet we are given the chance to make a difference.  Which brings me back to gratitude and wondering why our society struggles to give and accept thanks.  Is it such a bad thing to share love?  Is the fear of being rejected so great that we can't even try?  Wouldn't our all our lives be better if we could express our appreciation more freely?  I've learned that we never know when our time here is up and we need to be thankful for each breath we take and every new day we see.  Make the most of it!  Everyone deserves to know that they have an impact on others' lives and that they matter.  Life it short; don't wait, make excuses, or worry that you will be ridiculed.  Stop, take a breath, and be grateful.   If someone makes your life a little brighter, tell them; if someone shows you some kindness, tell them you appreciate it; if you love someone, tell them.   And, if you are on the receiving end of such gratitude, be gracious...and then pay it forward! 

Life is short: embrace it and make it count.  It is the hearts that we touch on the way, and those that touch ours, that make our journey worthwhile.   

Girls' Art Party

I am a new woman.  Tired, but somehow renewed and transformed.

I spent an extra-long weekend in Oregon with a group of incredible ladies who I met through online art classes!  I still can't believe that it actually happened; that we were all really there in person!  It started with the idea of how fun it would be to meet a friend who was travelling from England to stay at a friend's in Central Oregon.  From there the idea grew, and as the numbers grew, so did my anxiety...to the point where I panicked and defaulted to my usual "I'm not going".   This is where the transformation began.   After much discussion with my husband and friends, and much self-inquiry, I realized that this was the *only* chance I got.  This was it.  If I didn't go, I would never know, and I would never have another chance like this to meet people who I had grown to love.   So we found a way to make it less panic-inducing.  Hubby did the driving and we had places to stay.   We had a plan!

The twelve-hour drive was split to make it manageable and before I knew it I was walking in to the "Art Party" into the arms of my friends!  Wow!  It still seems unbelievable.  I had never met anyone there in person, and some ladies I didn't know at all, but I don't know that I have ever entered into a room so filled with love and genuine caring.  Talk about empowering!  It was a gathering of such like-minded individuals;  every single person there was a kind, caring, and generous spirit... as well as incredibly talented!  We talked, we shared, we created,  and we laughed...we laughed a lot!

Through this experience I am reminded of the power of women and the importance of community, and I thank all my "Art Party Sisters", and especially our hostess, for giving me this opportunity.  Once again the Universe demonstrated that the *WOW* in life exists just precious steps outside our comfort zone, and the if we stretch ourselves the reward is immeasurable.

Canvas Art

I recently had some friends suggest that I use my blog to showcase my art projects, so here goes!!  These are recent canvases: 

April 2011 - Made for an expectant friend

August 2011 - Joy

August 2011 - Dream/create/sing

March 2012 - FLY, the wind will be with you.

May 2012 - Mother's Day gift

The Gift of Being Open

This seems fitting as my first post; the idea of "putting myself out there" is terrifying, yet I know that it is a growth experience whose time has come. This is surprising as I am a private person, one of those who is leery of strangers and attention, one of those who views social media with mixed feelings. The truth is that I only went on Facebook 2 years ago to check it out and see if I thought it was safe for the boy! I have since discovered the joy of re-connecting with old friends and the excitement of meeting new ones...which brings me to the point.

This January I joined an online class called Book of Days, with the incredibly talented and inspiring Effy Wild. It is a free online art journalling class where we learn new techniques and are prompted to "art our stuff" on a daily basis. It is presented through three weekly newsletters and videos. These are truly wonderful but the most important part of this course for me very quickly became the community of women in the Facebook group of the class ("the Sisterhood"). I feel so honoured to be part of such caring, compassionate, talented, and generous collection of souls. A recent addition to the Book of Days is a Premium program, which for a minimal fee allows participants access to a more private meeting place than Facebook as well as a number of other perks. Today I was shocked, thrilled, and incredibly humbled to have been offered a place in the Premium Program through a scholarship offered to me by one of my "sisters"! I am in awe of the generosity of my sponsor, who I have never met in person and who I have known online for a relatively short time. I cannot thank her enough, both for this opportunity and for what her kindness represents. Her spirit has reminded me that the world is full of good people, and that when we overcome our fear and are open to possibilities, the rewards can be astounding.