Bodhisartva ..... Art/Spirit/Life

Where's Your Enthusiasm?

As I observe that my level of enthusiasm for things/people/activities waxes and wanes, I notice several things.  I'm guessing some of you have the same or similar experience.

CONFESSION TIME

I tend to get easily enthused about new things and then just sort of fade away before I finish something.  Does this happen to you?

 

I think this experience tells me that:

1.    I was faking it, or

2.    It turned out to be more trouble than it was worth, or

3.    I just have too the heck much going on to take on one more thing.

I have so much stuff in my studio.

Stuff to:   Make books, Work in journals, Paint canvases, Transfer images, Apply stencils, Distress metal, Do ANYTHING to metal, to be fair - burn, pound, drill, fuse, solder, stamp, texture, Tape (just a few couple dozen 100 rolls of decorative tape), Zentangle, Encaustic, Sew, Knit, Glue, resin, seal, cold connect, Draw, pastel, crayon, ink, color pencil, Print, Photograph/Photoshop

Hmmm....how do I direct my enthusiasm in the face of all this stuff? How do I maintain my enthusiasm?  I often don't.  Or, I direct my enthusiasm towards organizing or acquiring yet more stuff (my go-to, knee-jerk reaction to any kind of stress).

 OK - Enough of THAT!

THE GOOD STUFF

Where does YOUR enthusiasm come from?

This post is part of The Declaration of You BlogLovin' Tour, which I'm thrilled to participate in alongside over 100 other creative bloggers. Learn more -- and join us! -- by clicking here.

It's celebrating the publication of "The Declaration of You" by North Light Craft Books this summer, with readers getting all the permission they've craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do!

Amazon

North Light Books

Time to start a conversation (and on June 7th, we'll be having one over on Facebook).  More on that later.

In the meantime, think about it:

• How does your enthusiasm fuel you?
• What's held you back from discovering your enthusiasm?
• What things are you enthusiastic about, but feel are "silly" or "wrong" for an adult to be excited by?
• What's your personal declaration around enthusiasm?

 One thing I am sure of.....I am very enthused about seeing this book by the incomparable Michelle Ward and the oh, so delightful Jessica Swift.  Thank goodness.  Something I can KNOW I am enthusiastic about and which will not fade.  

'Bout time, I say.

 

 

 

 

The Journey is the Destination

Not to get all woo-woo on you, but really, getting "there" can be as important as wherever there is. In this case, "there" is Santa Barbara, where my friend Maggie's friend Jane was having a photography exhibit. They haven't seen each other in a while, so we thought we would surprise her. Maggie has been dealing with some major health issues and a road trip seemed to be just the thing.  

The weather as we drove was what I guess they call a "lowering" sky - gray, ever moving, dropping some rain - very cozy actually.  The hills were a surprising green (we haven't had much rain this year) and there was that wonderful yellowy haze of new leaves on the bare trees.  Up hill and down brought us breathtaking vistas around every curve until finally we were running beside the ocean.

You can talk about a lot of things in an hour and a half.  You can get hungry too, so we pulled off at Summerland, a little roadside community.  And ran smack into "Sacred Space", a magical garden of peace.  Be sure to stop if you ever have the chance. You will never want to leave.

We finally did get to Santa Barbara and Jane's fabulous exhibit.  I enjoyed their reunion almost as much as they did. 

Luckily, I am a better driver than I am a photographer.  We did arrive back safely and the smile on Maggie's face was worth the entire journey.  Or maybe, that smile WAS the destination?

               

My Hands Are Open

Sara and Katie really surprised me on Christmas morning with these incredible hands.  Open.  Offering.  Sacred.

I cried.

Each day, I place one of these cards in the palm.  Each evening, I place the card in my journal as a prompt.  It settles my soul.  It really does.

 

 

Amma Bliss

As I sit here aching with my youngest daughter's departure, I need to remember to put things in perspective.  Count my blessings.  As Jessica said tonight, "This is one of the bad things about having such a great family".  Yep, it hurts sometimes because you love each other so much.  A high quality problem, as my friend Gina says.

See you soon, Kato....Brooklyn does not deserve you.  But then, neither does L.A. - or any place else for that matter.  You are a rare gem.

It helps that a few nights ago, Jess and Bodhi and I received a precious hug from Amma.  She is such a pure soul and spending time in her presence is uplifting and calming.  I don't know how many thousands of people were there, but we got there at 5 p.m. and received our hugs at 4:30 a.m!  A hug from Amma is always worth waiting for and there is lots to do while you wait. 

I brought my journaling supplies to pass the time.

  Bodhi was so proud of himself for staying up all night (well, he had a little nap) that he's telling everyone about coming home as the sun was rising.  If you ever have a chance to visit with Amma, I recommend it highly. Her North American Tour continues through the end of July.

Tonight, he saw a newly bloomed rose in my garden, took a sniff and said, "It's smells like Amma!".  Yes, everything about her is sweet.