Wishcast Wednesday:What do you wish to give yourself permission for?

Hi fellow wishers and dreamers.
Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is What do you wish to give yourself permission for?

WOW Jamie that is a BIG one. So many women I know speak of having that internal permission needed gene in them, myself included, where it comes from I don't know.
Maybe it was put there by our families or society, who knows but it is a pain in the arse.

So in a world filled with wishing the things I would wish to give myself permission for are:

1. Permission to be ME, the me that is not out to please anyone but who does the right thing for herself. I am not talking about selfishness, I am taking about doing what feels right to you not going against your grain to please someone else.
2. Permission to create and explore my creativity and to not feel like it is a waste of time, that is not my true voice saying that.
3. Permission to speak my words, to be heard, not to feel ashamed or embarrassed by my sensitive side or my anxieties. To know what I feel is true for me even if it does not fit other's ideas of reality.

You know I think I am going to stick to 3 for today, there are many more things I can add, but these are 3 big ones. I will let these sit and be wished upon for a bit.

So my fellow wishers what are you giving yourself permission for today.

Namaste,
Karen

Blog it Forward: What inspires me?

Hi.
I am participating in a blog it forward mash up created by Victoria over at SFGIRLBYBAY
and the prompt is "What Inspires You"

I am inspired by so many things and people I will try to organize my thoughts here to list a few.

1. Nature: I am so inspired visually by nature, the colors, the textures, the sounds, all of it. I am especially drawn to trees, here is a mosaic of some of the pics I have taken of trees.
(click picture to see detail)


2. Blogging and the blogosphere, I have met so many wonderful people here through e-courses and blogging in general. I am daily inspired by their creativity, courage, wit and humility as the deal with life's ups and downs. I am especially grateful to Jamie Ridler over at Jamie Ridler's Studio. I have met many wonderful bloggers through her Wishcast Wednesday and Full Moon Dream board group, and it just goes on from there you meet someone and then find someone else through their blog. It is overwhelming at times keeping up but I love all that I have seen and heard.
There are too many blogs to list each one here but the ones I read and visit I thank you for the inspiration.
I have also met many bloggers through these e-courses:
Mondo Beyondo: The safe space and community that Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher have created over at Mondo has been a blessing, Unravelling (see #3) and Leonie's Goddess School: the magic and creating going on over at the goddess school is so cool. These are the e-courses I have completed I have some others in process that I will write about when I finish those classes/projects.

3. I have been very drawn to photography and poetry lately. The two sites I visit regularly for inspiration on photo taking and poetry are:
Susannah Conway over at Ink on My Fingers and Jen Lee over at Jen Lee. I had the great experience of taking Susannah's Unravelling E-Course and I can honestly say it has changed the way I look at myself and the world around me. I have also met some wonderful people in the class that I am honored to call friends. Jen Lee has been such an encouragement to me in getting me to write, just writing anything simply by saying to me, "What is the Worst that Could Happen if I Let Myself Move This Pen Across Paper?" Thanks Jen.
The best part is that I will be taking "live" classes with both of these amazing women at the Squam Workshops.

A favorite poem from Rumi:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.

4. Music, Dance, art - love all styles, rhythms, beats, there is something to be found in all of them.
Here is a great Flamenco Video.

5. And for fun I have to add Johnny Depp to my list because to me he is an inspirational actor especially in the way he gives his all to his characters.
There is something soulful about him and well he IS Johnny Depp!



I now blog it forward to Design Candy, for your blogging viewing pleasure.

Namaste to all,
Karen

The Happy Book - What made me happy this week?

Hi Happy bloggers..Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio I am participating in "The Happy Book" Blog group.

I am sneaking this post in from work, it is so busy here now. I work for an accounting office so the next 2 months will probably be a little crazy.

The things that made me happy this week were:

Attending Jen Louden's Virtual Retreat:

This was an audio retreat with about 10 or so hour long sessions with different speakers, I tuned in live for about 6 of them and then we can listen to the others whenever we want.
Here is what I wrote about it after the weekend was over:

"Thank you again Jen for creating and holding this retreat space. I had no idea what it would be like to participate in an audio retreat, I have only done live or video before. I had various other activities over the weekend and I thought fitting retreat time in was going to be difficult or the weekend would feel like it went by too fast.. Well the odd thing is my weekend seemed longer and more restful than most and I think that is because of the times I spent in live retreat, it actually slowed down time for me.. very interesting.."

I will write about this retreat more on my blog when I have processed it all.

Another happy moment was coming across this man through another bloggers site:

Alvin Toffer: On the wikipedia page this is the quote that really made me happy, happy in the way that it made me think and feel about myself, especially since I have been made to feel bad about being emotional by some in my life.

Toffler explains, "Society needs people who take care of the elderly and who know how to be compassionate and honest. Society needs people who work in hospitals. Society needs all kinds of skills that are not just cognitive; they're emotional, they're affectional. You can't run the society on data and computers alone."[4] Toffler also states, in Rethinking the Future, that "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."

Another happy was finding this book "The Awe-manac, A Daily Dose of Wonder" by Jill Badonsky.
Here is a brief description of it from amazon:

"A playfully practical guide that’s a refreshing twist on the revered Farmer’s Almanac, The Awe-Manac provides daily forecasts and directives to help readers make life more creative, amusing, gratifying, and extraordinary—every day of the year! Through 365 days, readers are encouraged to think more brilliantly, laugh more often, make art or write creatively, and simply add a lot more “awe” into daily life.
Brimming with Jill Badonsky’s colorful, whimsical art, and filled with fun features like “Soul Vitamins,” “GlumBusters,” “Daily Toasts,” and “Doses of Mirth,” The Awe-Manac will be an enchanting “companion” throughout the year—a perennial guide that invites its readers to find the joy and amusement in every day."

So what were the moments of happy for you this week?

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday:Where do you wish to make a difference

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is "Where do you wish to make a difference?".

This is a very hard question for me because it brings up feelings of anxiety in me at the thought of having to actually do something.
Making a difference requires some kind of action and I have become used to living my live in RE-ACTION which actually consists of a lot of in-action followed by a burst of action in response to a situation or a crisis.
This served me well at times in my life but now I am trying to break away from that pattern.

So this brings me back to the question, "Where do you wish to make a difference?" I would love to make a difference in the lives of other women by sharing my story and being witness to their stories, just letting them know and at the same time reminding myself, that we ARE NOT alone out here in the world, there is compassion and understanding to be shared.

Since I don't have my own children I would also love to make a difference in the lives of my nieces and nephews by supporting them and letting them know they are loved and they have my arms to hug them in good times and bad.

The other place I would like to make a difference is in my environment, my home, my marriage my relationships by showing up and being present in the way I treat the people in my life and also the way I treat the world in which I live.

So my fellow wishcasters where would you like to make a difference?

Namaste,
Karen

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing you all many chocolate hearts today!

Here is a fun, cheezy blast from the past love song:
I Think I'm in Love by Eddie Money

And here are some romantic kissing scenes with a Harry C song.

The Happy Book - What made me happy this week

Hi!
Over at Jamie Ridler's I am participating in the book blog "The Happy Book"

This week while I wait for the book I will share some happy moments.

The Big Happy of the Week was a SNOW DAY smack in the middle of the week, school's closed, work closed, no one on the roads, it was bliss. Here are some pictures for you to share in my happy. The last one is an art project I am working on, I was able to spend some time on that during the snow day, extra bliss.

What were your happy moments this week?

Namaste,
Karen

CLICK ON PICS FOR A LARGER VIEW

Wishcast Wednesday: Where do you wish to Travel?

Image: Rachel Mallino The wishing tree.

Hi fellow wishers and dreamers.. This week over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is: Where do you wish to travel?

I think I have a few answers to this one...

The first is quite literal, I would love to TRAVEL period. I am working on my fear of flying and when I overcome it I would love to travel to California, Seattle, Washington,Austin(TX), Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain...to just name a few ;-)

The second not quite so literal, I would love travel into the past and steer the younger me in a different direction a few times, now I know the person I am is a direct result of where I have been and I am doing pretty good so somewhere along the line things did go right. The thing is that I would love to save that young girl some hurt. This is just wishful thinking because I am grateful for who I am and where I am and in reality changing something would make me a different person.
So instead I would just go back and comfort that girl and let her know things are going to turn out ok.

And lastly I would love to travel the depths of my imagination and embrace the creative well that is there just waiting to be explored. I could start by keeping a dream journal, our inner critic tends to be turned off while dreaming.

Just one more thought on travelling, there is a wonderful blog called "The Hermitage" by Rima who is an artist, her and her partner are travelling through Europe in their four wheeled house selling their art. It is a wonderful blog and it even starts, "Welcome Travellers".

Thanks again for a thought provoking prompt Jamie!

So my fellow wishers where would you like to travel?

Namaste,
Karen

Creative Process: Space Spray painting

Hi!
It is always a pleasure to watch someone in creative process.
One of my friends had this posted on her facebook page, very cool.
I hope you enjoy.

Namaste,
Karen

Spray Paint: Space Painting

The Happy Book - What made me happy this week

Hi! Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio I am participating in the Happy Book Book Blog. As we wait for our books to arrive we are checking in each week and giving a shout out to what made us happy this week.

So for this week some things that made me happy were:

1. Eating Chocolate pudding GUILT FREE as I was recouping from a pulled wisdom tooth.
2. This song: Let it Rock - everytime I hear it I want to break out in dance. This is the best version I could find on youtube. LET IT ROCK
3. Creating my Full Moon Dreamboard. Click on picture for better view. I really gave myself the gift of time on this one, I spend hours on the process.


4. Surprisingly happy moment, joining in on the rant over at Suzie the Foodie's blog. Who would have thought venting would lead to a happy moment.
5. Finding out that I got my first choice classes at The Squam Art Retreat. I signed up for Susannah Conway and Jen Lee's classes, I can't wait.

These are just a few. To my surprise I listed some happy moments that I found surprising: turning getting my widom tooth into a happy moment with the chocolate pudding, finding a happy dance beat within a song that has rap, which I don't always like and finding happiness in ranting about a situation in my life that is a source of unhappiness.

I was so glad to give myself some moments in creative space as I have not done that for awhile. I joined a few different classes online and then I just did not give myself the time to do them. Funny how I can find plenty of time to veg out on the couch to the boob tube but not to create. What the heck am I afraid of, and I do feel like it is a form of fear that keeps me from creating. Well that is for another day because this week I did give myself some time to create and next week maybe I will make some more time.

The Happy Book is already working it's magic and It is not even in my hands yet.

What were some of your happy moments this week?

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday:What story do you wish to live or let go of?

Picture: Back Door Designs

Good Wednesday my fellow wishers and dreamers. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is "What story do you wish to live or let go of?"


I think the story I wish to let go of is the story that I am prone to anxiety and fear, this is a story created in my youth, a story others told me about myself and a story I kept telling about myself. I am ready to let that story go.

The story I want to live is the story of my present and future, a story of courage, faith, trust, good health and love. I want to start living the life of the authentic me, the story I know is deep inside me, the story I was born with.

I know creativity is a door that will lead me to the story of the authentic me, I have had peeks through the cracks in that door from time to time and the view looks pretty good! Now I only need to open that door and walk through to the other side knowing everything will be alright.
It is ok to let go of the old story, that time is over. A new chapter is beginning....


So fellow wishers what are the stories you are telling?

Namaste,
KAren

Full Moon Dreamboard - Jan 30

PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER VIEW

Today over AT Jamie Ridler's Studio is Full Moon dreamboard. This Jan 30th Full moon is the Wolf Moon, wolf in the medicine cards stand for knowledge and learning, they are teachers.

So I set the mood with my candles, music and magazines. I took a few minutes and thought about what I was seeking and what my heart was yearning for, two of the things Jamie asked of us in the new moon post.

Some words that came to me were:
What are you seeking:
Freedom to be me, creative soul, good health, positivity, security, fun.

What is your heart yearning for:
love and intimacy with self and husband
connection to spirit
community
to be open
healthy environment
to write/create

As always I am surprised by the results, I chose 3 pictures of woman in motion, especially being open in motion, I really love these images. The two lovers I believe represents the intimacy I am yearning for. The little girl playing dress up represents me getting touch with my inner child, the one that loved to create and have fun. The artist in me is represented on the left with the reminder to "fuel your desire". The middle path is leading to a bright future filled with love, trust and happiness. Some of the other images I am not sure what they mean I was just drawn to them.

I have a really hard time getting a good picture, I think this was the best of the bunch I took, so please click on the picture for a CLOSER look.

Namaste friends and dreamers,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to awaken?

Hello fellow wishcasters and dreamers today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt is "What do you wish to awaken".......WOW........

These words are just what I needed this morning. What do I wish to awaken?

I think I simple wish to WAKE UP to myself, to my connection to the universe, to my creative soul that is full of healing, love and compassion. All that is needed is for me to WAKE UP and start living my life.

Honestly I feel like I have been asleep on some level for a very long time. I feel the urge to wake up getting stronger this last year.
My mind is still resisting the call and my body still prefers to hibernate, but the stirrings are there.
I just need to grab on to them and hang on tight and as our fellow wisher Sarah says "let fly".

And once I awaken to self, it is my wish that I don't go back to sleep as the poem below says. This poem came to mind immediately upon reading Jamie's words this morning.

So my fellow wishers what to you wish to awaken this fine day?

Namaste,
Karen

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.
"Rumi"

January Fog -

Hi fellow bloggers, wishers and dreamers..

I have been in such a fog this January, a fog of worry and colds and good intentions gone awry. I feel like I have not gotten the year off to the start I wanted.

But.. I am moving step by step forward even though it feels like backwards and sideways some days.. ;-)

I have so many creative endeavors lined up and no energy to partake in them.

So this weekend I am setting aside time to organize the different projects I am working on and that at least will be a start.

I think once I organize I will feel a little better. I am on serious information overload, even surfing the net and reading blogs seems overwhelming to me right now.

I also will limit my online time this weekend and just RELAX and nurture myself, my body is giving me a message to slow down so that is what I will do.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish for your family?

Good Day fellow wishcasters and dreamers.

Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the prompt for Wednesday Wishcast is What do you wish for your family?

What I wish for my family is to break free from the chains the past has on us and to start the day anew. Tough one I know but this is Wishing day and this is a big wish for me.

I want us to move forward with each other in forgiveness and love for each other and ourselves. To embrace each other for who we are now and to grow stronger together.

This wish is for my immediate and extended family who all share a collective past and for myself and my husband.

I CHOOSE HAPPINESS......................A NEW DAY...


May your wishes for yourselves and your families be so.

Namaste,
Karen

A little spot of happy today

Hi Fellow travellers.

I know the news has been heavy with a lot of tragedy and sadness and I have been a little blue in my corner of the world also. I just wanted a spot of happiness in my day and I found it in 2 places.

The first was at Wrightstuff's blog, she reminded me of the song "Pocketful of Sunshine" this song just makes me smile. And she posted a beautiful sun art piece that she made, it is stunning, you can see it on her blog through the above link.

The second was at Silke's Metamorphosis Blog, Silke gave me an award today to my surprise, and she called me and artist and and inspiration, Wow I was blown away. Check out her blog for her happy pictures for today. Thank you so much guys for the spot of happiness in my week.

Lastly but not leastly I am gearing up for Jamie Ridler's Next Chapter, "The Happy Book" You can read about it through the above link!

Namaste,
Karen

Haiti

It has been so heart breaking watching all the news footage regarding the tragedy in Haiti. It has been amazing how social networking has helped loved ones find out information on their family and friends.

I saw this article on the Red Cross Website how you can text a $10.00 donation using your cell phone. I feel so hopeless at times like this. I know $10.00 does not sound like much but even this small amount can add up and anything helps.
With many hands around the world including the virtual world we can help each other.

Patti Digh says it better than I on her blog today, here is her post: 37 Days-Patti Digh

Here is some more information on how you can help via Good Morning America's Website.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti.

Namaste Friends,

Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: How do you wish to shine?

Hi fellow Wishers and Dreamers, today over at Jamie Ridler Studio's the wish prompt is: How do you wish to shine?

This is a little difficult for me this week as I am not feeling so shiny, I had so many good intentions for the New Year and then I started it sick and I have slided into a little of the January Blues, I am ok but everything seems to either make me cry or annoy me right now. I am trying to go with the flow and not fight it, but it is damn hard.

So I am going to think positive.....how....do....I... wish...to....shine??

I wish to shine within and without with good health, creativity, love for myself and others, prosperity, faith, trust, compassion and understanding.. And I want to reach out and be there for others as a friend, sister, daughter, spouse and lover. I want to shine that light right out of the darkness I am in right now and follow it to a brighter day.

Thanks for listening today and all the Wednesdays that we have shared.
May we all go forth and shine our light into the world.

Namaste,
KAren

Wishcast Wednesday: What dream do you wish to explore?

Hi my fellow dreamers and wishcasters. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio the wish prompt for today is: What dream do you wish to explore?

The Dream I would like to explore is a simple one, a dream where I KNOW that things are good just as they are and where I can trust and have faith that they will continue to be so even through challenges and changes.

A dream of exploring a release of the anxiety and fear that is a part of my life, so I can then truly be open to new and wonderful things.
I want to explore the dream of true Optimism, I am tired of always waiting for the other shoe to drop, it is exhausting. I wish to not worry about that shoe dropping and just live my life.

I struggle with some health issues and have some instability in my marriage and my confidence has been thrown for a loop. I don't want to put focus on that or waste time figuring out the whys of things. I want to just have faith and trust that things are happening just as they should for me. I want to step into the flow and let it go!!!

I write this as I struggle with a post holiday head/chest cold, I got so bummed thinking great I am starting off the year being sick but you know what, I will get it out of the way now and continue on with my year of RELEASING and OPENING.

Signing off for some soup now, what dreams are you exploring?

Namaste Dear Ones,
Karen

Something to meditate on...

I find myself home sick these first few days of the New Year and at first it got me down, thinking what a sucky way to start the year off. Then I actually stopped and changed my thoughts, I thought hey I have 3 days off of work so I have time to rest and recoup from this chest cold and get it out of the way before I get on with my year.

I have been reading alot during this down time and thought I would share quotes or passages from book and share my thoughts here. I will post these posts under "Something to meditate on".

Todays passage comes from Lao Tzu:

"If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

I really like this passage as I can sometimes get stuck in that feeling that I am not enough or my life is lacking in some way and now I would like to take the the time to look at what I do have in my life, there is truly a lot to be grateful for.

So this year I will try to notice where my thoughts start heading down that negative spiral and as best as I can I will try to change those thoughts and see the grace and gratitude in my life.

Signing off now for a chicken soup break!
Peace to you all.

Namaste,
Karen

Sending Fear a break up letter!

Click on Photo above to read letter
Hi All!

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and are home safe and sound.

I found this via Magpie's blog and it is truly inspiring, I think the original post was from Pen's blog.

It is a great way to look at getting fear out of your life, treating it like you are breaking up from a bad relationship, I absouletly love this idea!!

Fear and I have been together for so long now, I think my Mom passed it on to me at birth. Anyway I am done with it and want to let go of the unhealthy fears and this seems like a great step in the right direction.

So click on my picuture above to read my break up letter with fear, what would yours look like?

PS:Parden my french in the letter, but it IS a breakup letter.. ;-)

Namaste Dear Ones,
Karen