Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A creative spark

I did it. I signed up. I miss my creative spirit. I am hoping this keeps me on task. Keeps my hands busy, my mind open and my heart happy.

I have always had sort of a mental block when it came to being creative and finding my creative soul. I wanted it. Bad. But never thought myself capable or good enough.

As it turns out, I am discovering that I, little old me, is quite capable of being creative. I just needed to redefine and rediscover what that meant to me. Just me. Not anybody else.

I am going to fan the spark. I am going to participate.

Oh. And getting a new sewing machine always helps. Yes! Happy day.

Please join me. It will be a wonderful journey.

Blessings,

Christa

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Winter Wish

Wishcasting Wednesday

What is your winter wish?

I am one of those odd people who actually likes winter. I have lived the majority of my life in Minnesota. Winter is part of who I am. I don't see any point in hating winter as many people do. I would rather choose to see the beauty in winter. To appreciate her gifts.

So, what is my winter wish? I wish to let my spirit rest in the hibernation of winter. To slow down. To collect my energy. To enjoy the inner things. To give them strength and voice.

What is your winter wish?

Blessings

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

How dare you!


Wishcasting Wednesday

Today our wish is "what do you wish to dare?"

Oh me, oh my. Sounds dangerous.

I dare to continue to be myself. To speak my truth and seek truth. To not compromise myself in order to feel loved. I dare to love myself just as I am. I dare to follow my path. I dare to take the risks I need to take. I dare to be strong. I dare to make the hard choices.

I dare myself to think outside the box. I dare myself to create a life full of joy and happiness. I dare to be anything less.

I dare others to do the same.

I dare you.






Sunday, November 8, 2009

Play? Play! Play?


See that?  That is a wall.  Isn't it a lovely wall?  That girl.  That is me walking on that wall. Well, not really.  It's a stock photo.  But, this is what happened to me when I read the chapter on play. I hit a wall and in my mind, that is what my wall looks like.  Lovely.  It's a familiar place I hang out at from time to time. I like to walk on my wall.  Practicing my balance.  I find it fun.  It was something I loved to do as a child, come to think of it.  Trying to stay balanced as I walked on a narrow object.  Walls, trees fallen over streams, edges of the sidewalk.  I wasn't very good at it, but I liked to try.

So, back to the chapter on Play.   As I said I hit a wall.  I always hit a wall when I am presented with the thought of work vs career.  When I am told..."do something that you love and then you will have everlasting happiness.".....or something like that.  Those people who are always telling me that always seem to be doing what they love and making a very good living at it to boot. Don't get me wrong, I know there are people who can make that happen for themselves.  I know they worked hard to get to where they are at.  That is just not me, yet.

I have a job, or work.  I am thankful everyday that I have my job because I need to work.  But it is not play for me.  It is stressful and absolutely no fun.  But I do it.  It is what I need to do right now.  Support my family.  

I once tried to make something I loved into my job.  It didn't work out and that something I loved, I love no more.  So, I am a little leary of making my play into a career.  It changes it, for me.  But I think about it often.  

I understand what Martha was saying in this chapter.  That isn't the problem.  The problem is my sense of responsibility and reality of where I am in my life at the moment.  I accept that. 
And one day I hope that my choice of work is more play.  I think it will be. Someday.  Not right now. 

But in the meantime.  I am exploring my play.  I am doing more things in my non-working time that I love.  It keeps me balanced.

I am going to read what everyone else has to say on the subject to get more perspective.  Maybe something will get me over that wall so I can see what and perhaps who is on the other side. Maybe it will be someone  or some thought who wants to come out and play. 

Book thoughts

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A story about stories. Everybody has a story waiting to be told. Do we tell our stories or do we walk away from them and not give them words. Eventually, all stories want to be told. We can have a choice in that.
Beautifully written . Anyone who loves books, everything about books, will be immediately drawn to this tale.

View all my reviews >>

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Experiencing acceptance, life and joy.


Wishcasting Wednesday

Today Jamie asks, "What do you wish to experience?"

hmmm....that is a very good question with many answers. The first thing that came to my mind is healing. So I asked myself, "how can I experience healing?". The answer was a whisper. Acceptance. Not the kind of give-up acceptance, but the acceptance of faith. The acceptance of letting go and being at peace. Letting go of the things I cannot and never will change. Accepting with open arms who I am and loving that girl. Allowing life to unfold. To learn. To live.

To live! To experience life. All of life. What fun! What joy!

To experience joy. Working with Jamie on "The Joy Diet" has made me acutely aware of all the joy there is in life. The little things we take for granted and/or ignore. The things that make us smile and our hearts sing. Those are the things that have jumped to the top of my "to-do" lists. They are my priorities. They are my faith, my family, my friends. It is my creative energy. The energy that fuels my day. It is who I am.

What do you wish to experience?

I am wishing that for you.



Friday, October 30, 2009

Treats in the everyday.

Joy!

That is what receiving treats brings me.

Treats are those little pieces of kindness we give ourselves. They are the things that make me smile. The things that lift me up when I am feeling down or burdened. The little things. They surround me daily, when I step back and take notice. They aren't always material things. They can be kind words from a friend. Encouragement when I need it most. They can be a smile, a hug. The song of a bird. The look of "pet me!" from my dog. The sun rising, the moon shining. A moment of silence. The whisper of God. A great cup of coffee. A good glass of wine. Dinner with my kids. Holding hands with my husband. Reading a book. Creating with my hands. Doing nothing.

Come to think of it, everyday is full of treats. No matter how big or how small. Gratitude for the lessons, hard or easy, that show up at my door.

I just have to remind myself to take notice and receive the treats that abundantly come. To be open. To be thankful. And then to give as much as I receive.

What treats have you received today?