Posts Tagged ‘self awareness’

Oh My Word Mission update

December 17, 2009 - 9:05 am No Comments

11-09-cover

I wrote on the last page of  my current journal last night.  The cover on it is one of my favorite’s.  Writing in my journal is such an effective way for me to sort out reality from the crazy thoughts in my head.  As thoughts circle around my mind, thinking only sucks me into the whirlpool. But writing helps me get it out so I can organize them.  Once they are organized I can determine what is important, what is just crap and what needs attention.  Journal writing has kept me sane for a long time.

I am starting a new journal today, in anticipation of the “Oh My Word” Mission for 2010.  If you don’t know about it, you can read it here.  My word for next year is Acceptance.  I chose that word because I want to learn to accept myself just as I am today.  All of me.  But since choosing the word, I’m finding out that it is also about my accepting others.  Just as you can’t love others if you dont’ love yourself, you can’t accept others if you don’t accept yourself.  It is going to be an interesting year to discover all I don’t know about acceptance.

If you are participating in the Oh My Word mission with me, be sure you have a blank book of some sort to write in, OR a blog.  As I offer ways to focus on your word, you will need a place to record your reactions and thoughts.  I know several of you have posted your word, but if you dont’ have a word yet, just remain open.  Spend some quiet time listening.  I know that seems impossible right now with the holiday activities, but it only takes a few mins to listen.  While you’re driving, or brushing your teeth, just focus on being open and ready to hear your word.

Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in Journaling |

New! Improved! Classes

June 26, 2009 - 7:07 pm No Comments

I have just updated all the classes on a page, with new descriptions, and new starting dates.  All my classes will be offered at various dates in July, so take this opportunity to have some summer fun.  You’ll learn some things and meet some other artists in the online class groups.

Schedule of Classes:

Happy Feet begins July 1st

Creative Ways to Pray for Those You Love begins July 1st

Fun Art Journaling begins July 9th

Fun Art Journaling Continued begins July 9th

Happy Feet begins July 1st

Waking Up to the Real You begins July 15th

Journaling Prompt Cards begins July 15th

Find Your Personal Symbology begins July 22nd

For detailed information on each class, including price, go to the Classes page.

Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in Art, classes |

Buddhist practice of Maitri

February 26, 2008 - 10:12 pm 4 Comments

“When people start to meditate or to work with any kind of spiritual discipline, they often think that somehow they’re going to improve, which is a sort of subtle aggression against who they really are. It’s a bit like saying, “If I jog, I’ll be a much better person.” “If I could only get a nicer house, I’d be a better person.” If I could meditate and calm down, I’d be a better person.”… But loving-kindness–maitri–toward ourselves doesn’t mean getting rid of anything. Maitri means that we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That’s the ground, that’s what we study, that’s what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest.”

~ Pema Chodron, on the Buddhist practice of maitri… ~

 

I had never heard of Maitri until a few moments ago.  I met a woman with this as her name and she has a beautiful blog called Magic and Moments at the Dragonfly Cottage   She is a fiber artist and animal rescuer with a beautiful soul!

I was so happy to read the quotation above.  Even though I write ecourses that I label as "self improvement" and often talk about "progress" there has been something in me all along that didn’t feel comfortable with this idea.  I have never been able to put my feelings into words.  But this says perfectly how I believe it should be.  We should embrace ourselves JUST as we are, first and foremost!!!  That is far more important than "improvement".  However, many of us are dissatisfied with things in our life, and we can change those things if we want to.  Having the knowledge of that power is important, lest we accept a victim stance in life.

Please print out that quotation and put it some place where you can see it often.  And make it a priority in your life to accept yourself.  Truly accept.  Love yourself unconditionally.  And if you keep hearing that critical voice, find a partner that will join you in the acceptance.  Help and encourage each other to accept yourselves. 

That is my wish for every, single, breathing human being on earth!

Sincere thanks to Maitri for introducing me to this thought!

 

 

 

 


Tags: , , ,   Posted in Art, Reflection |