Lost and Found

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” -Thomas Merton

If art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves, I can’t help but think of how life would be if we treated it as a work of art. I don’t know that we ever truly lose ourselves, but continuing to learn to accept the deepest parts of ourselves is art. In a way, that could be considered finding ourselves over and over again.

I personally live my life as if this is my art. That’s what works for me.

What do you think about treating your life as a work of art?

The Writer and The Reader

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” -Edgar Degas

I love the idea that we the reader and I are working together throughout this entire thing. For years, I’ve been quite the solitary person just writing and working on my craft. Universal themes, which make for good writing, require you to constantly bare your soul to yourself. If you are not conscious of yourself, how can you be conscious of anything universal? So writing definitely requires solitude. But then there comes this point in time when you get to share your work with the world. I only understand that on a small level. But I do feel like the readers complete the work of art. They bring it to fruition when the work gives them vision. When their imagination begins to rev up and create a new world in its own way, that is when my work is complete.

Words and Art

“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” — George Bernard Shaw

You’re supposed to be writing.

The longer I write and the more I read about art and their own mediums, the more freedom I gain with words as my art. Every book about art is another book giving me permission to be the artist I am. Exactly as I am. They are my mirror outside of time. And that’s exactly what you are, a mirror outside of time. A mirror to little you. A mirror to other writers, dreamers, thinkers, and artists that find little pieces of themselves in your words.

Who’s your favorite artist?

Your Self-Expression is Sacred

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” -Carl Jung

I’m going to stop apologizing for my self-expression. It’s time for me to hold it as sacred. And so now I’ve been trying to think about how I can talk about my work. I’m sharing something that is an extension of me. I need to remind myself that authentic self-expression is valuable.

So while I’m working on it, I want you to know that your self-expression is sacred. Don’t apologize for your work. Don’t warn people or prepare people for what’s to come. Invite them into your world and remind them that they get to be part of something special.

I’m still learning what that looks like for me.

Writing Content

For me, the writing process is the same as the reading process. I want to know what happens next. ” -Neal Asher

Writing has taught me so much. It’s taught me how to read. It’s taught me how to use my imagination. It’s gained me writing friends. Writing has taught me to ground myself in the present moment. Before I throw words on a page, I sit for a moment. I try to think of what I wasn’t able to say or what I wasn’t able to take the time to feel. Then I feel through it. Sometimes that’s where my writing content comes from.

How about you? Does writing bring you into the present moment?

Happy Birthday, Simon

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”  -Isaiah 41:10

Happy Birthday, Simon!

We had a jam-packed weekend, and we still get to celebrate you!!

Thanks for consistently showing up for our family! We get to experience this world because of all your hard work and dedication! Your efforts show through the smiles on our faces even while the world is lit up by chaos. We choose you!

Eye Level

“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.” -Henry David Thoreau

I miss being a kid and just hanging around outside looking at bugs. We even collected them and put them all in a hole just to watch what would happen. I was more of an observer in that situation. I’m a bit too squeamish for all that. Playing, learning, and figuring out what we would try next.

Now as adults, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in everything else but the things that slow us down and ask us to quietly observe. Taking quiet moments is a small commitment to yourself. Giving yourself little gifts of observation can be just the moment you need in the middle of it all.

There’s no right way to accept nature’s invitation. I think the most important thing is that you find little moments to appreciate.

It’s My Birthday

I’m bringing a lot with me into my 40s! Mostly maturity, boring nights, and a lot of candlelit baths. I’m literally just happy to be alive. I didn’t really plan to be here at 40, but the best thing about making plans is finding better ones! I mean, what’s the best that can happen at this point?!

Here’s some of my favorite parts of today:

I shared a huge piece of chocolate cake with Simon! It was so big that I had to take some home.

Saw a flick “One Battle After Another” – I liked it.

And checked out the cutest little library with my Sala Rosie. We read an Alice in Wonderland pop-up book and tried to build a car out of Legos. Success!

Thanks for being part of my journey. 😀

Why Do You Write?

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde 

This is why I write. I write to learn more about myself. I write to learn how I can better understand those around me. The more I accept the details about myself, the easier it is to accept those around me. The more I am a friend to myself, the more I can be a friend to others.

Accepting yourself in fine detail is a sure way to find peace.

Why do you write?