Balance

It's hard to keep everything in balance (note the crooked balls on her head). I created this piece awhile back when things felt completely out of balance.  Tonight the temperature is 49 degrees Fahrenheit (thanks WriteStuff).  I feel happy.  I never knew weather could affect me so much until this year, and apparently, I feel joyful in cooler weather.

Fall represents beginnings to me.  It was when I was born, when I started school, and when I met my husband.

Juggling all life throws at you is difficult, but I'm glad to be alive and able to try.

Balance is taking that breath.  Appreciating what you've got and moving forward.  It's saying no to some things and yes to others.

I keep this little girl named Balance close to me, hanging on the lamp between my art table and bookshelves.  She reminds me to remember the treasures I have of health, family and faith.

What keeps you in balance?

FREE

I'm learning lots about being free.  It started by letting go of blame, false guilt, and control.  I'm finding freedom in love and honesty.  The ropes are torn, my wings are ready.

 

Dreaming of Ireland

When I dream of Ireland, I can't help but be enchanted.  I love imagining the magic there. With the Irish luck, Irish temper, and rumors of faeries--not to mention rolling hills, ancient castles and beautiful songs, who could resist?

Someday.  Some day.

 

Rain Dance

 

 Rain Dance

 

The last weeks of summer are upon us.  We've been melting here in the Midwest with the longest high temps in the history of the states and finally, FINALLY, it rained!  It poured!!  I've never been so happy to see water falling from the sky.  Right now it's 87 degrees and I can't wipe the smile off my face.  This painting is a celebration of gorgeous rain.  I had so much fun creating it with tons of drips like the rain dripping down my window.  Here's an "in progress" pic:

Check out more art fun at Paint Party Friday and Pink Saturday:

Comfort

 

I'm strumming fingers waiting on my slow computer.  I'm not angry.  I know how it is to try to process loads of information with little time to do it.  I feel as though I've been in overdrive for the last three months.  Next week my kids are going to a little thing my Mom calls, Cousin Camp.  They go on field trips, make art, and eat amazing meals.  My Mom designates a day per kid (fortunately there's only five grandkids) to pick what they want for breakfast, lunch and supper.  She has it all ready when they arrive. Yes, I know--it's amazing.  I did NOT inherit her genes of cooking or organization.  I think it skipped right over me and onto my daughters.

But what that means for me, is one week of quiet to process my thoughts.  Raging thoughts full of loss, hope and meaning.  I'm warily looking forward to it.  I'll miss my kids but I know I need solitude.

I created the above painting for a Pastor friend. There's something about it that's comforting to me; I hope it will be for you too.

The Unlived Life

 

I don't want to have an unlived life.  At times I can let myself get carried away with one lone activity and not keep myself balanced.  I'm a person who's content to be home tucked under covers reading a book or sitting with my laptop grazing the web.  It doesn't take much to entertain me--but that doesn't make for a good story.  I want my story to be full of love and pizazz.  Okay, not famous-in-the-spotlight kind of pizazz, just more of the have-fun-in-the-moment kind.

I want people to remember me laughing, listening and loving them. I don't want to stay huddled in my corner blocking the world from my heart.

But that corner is comfy.  And my heart's a little afraid to be seen.

So it takes great effort to tear off the covers and step out into the world.  To throw open the shutters of my heart and let the love shine out.  Huddling in the corner is all about me.  Loving another person and taking the risk to be honest is about loving them.

What does the "unlived life" look like to you?


Check out these sites with an awesome array of goodness: Paint Party Friday and Pink Saturday.