Wishcast Wednesday: what do you wish for the New Year?

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Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is "What do you wish for the New Year?" 

Today's wish had me reflecting back over this year which was filled with many cracks, breaks and openings, some were expected and welcomed while others simply rocked my world.  I am still trying to find the balance over here in my little corner of the world.  It comes as no surprise now that my word for 2010 was OPEN; I almost want to rephrase it as "BREAK OPEN"!  It will be interesting to see where these openings take me as I move into 2011.

Here is my wishprompt/poem for the 2011 New Year.

Simple wishes for the 2011 New Year

A year filled with more courage and less fear
A year filled with letting in joy and good cheer
A year filled with creative vision becoming clear
A year filled with really loving those held dear
A year filled with finding my truth and being sincere
A year filled with trust in the healing happening here

We had a blizzard here Sunday into Monday with snow totals close to the 2 foot mark!  The picture above was taken from my living room and it shows the wild drifts coming up to the windows in some places.  I love the way this came out, it looks cozy and comfy.

I wish you and your loved ones a very healthy and happy New Year, may it hold all that you wish for.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday Tunes: Nina Simone

Please enjoy the music styling of Nina Simone and her song "feeling good" for today's Tuesday Tune.  Her voice gets to me, you can  really feel the emotion in it and I am feeling this song today.
The above picture is from the blizzard we had here Sunday into Monday.


Lyrics:

Birds flyin' high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel

Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
yeah, its a new dawn its a new day its a new life for me oooooooo
AND I'M FEELING GOOD

Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River runnin' free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel

Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
And I'm feelin good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what i mean dont you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleepin' peace when day is done that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the crime you know how I feel
Your freedom is mine, and I know how I feel

Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
OH I'M FEELING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD


Enjoy your day.
Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What is your winters wish?

Heart SunFlare 2010

Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.  After recovering from my funky virus this week a close friends Dad passed away and I have been there lending support  so my shopping and holiday preparing time was put on the back burner, I just had to let it go.

I had finished some prior and will run around tomorrow finishing up what I can and it will be what it will be and that is OK. I am releasing the stress of the holiday season and embracing the community spirit of sharing this time with loved ones be it in times of joy or times of grief.

The picture above is one I took last week just pointing and shooting into sun. The sun flare produced a heart shape which was so cool and why I like taking flare pictures so much, you never know what will happen!

Ok so I venture back into my poetry/wish challenge.  I am a bit rusty but I am commited to sharing so here is is, my winter's wish: (PS:  I could not decide between these two versions.) 

Blooms of spring, summer heat and fall harvest passed
the time has come to prepare for winters blast
embracing the gifts found in this dark time of year
sinking into the stillness of winter without any fear
moments filled with introspection as well as community
Winters wish knows alone or not there is always unity

and

Blooms of spring, summer heat and fall harvest have passed
the time has come to prepare for winters blast
embracing the gifts found in this dark time of year
sinking into the stillness of winter without fear
moments of introspection as well as community
winters wish is filled with peace love and unity

I also wanted to point you in the direction of my friend Lisa at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams and the project she is working on putting into place for Half Sky Foundation which provides "individual care and stimulation for the children living in Chinese welfare centers".   If you would like what like to learn more and vote for Lisa on facebook please click Lisa's linked site above.

From my heart to yours I wish you all that you wish for this holiday season. Much love to you and yours.

Namaste,
Karen

Fearless Friday Self Portraits

TGIF my friends.  I am so glad this week is over, I was sick for most of it but feeling a little better today.

Inspired by Vivienne McMasters "You are Your Own Muse" e-course which I just finished I will continue doing self portraits here once a week on Friday.  The courage my fellow class mates and Vivienne show in their self portraits has pushed me to come up against my own fears.

I have struggled with self-esteem and body image issues on and off for years and Vivienne's class along with Susannah Conway's Unravelling  classes have really opened my eyes to myself and the world around me which is helping me to know that I am enough in each moment.

The above self portrait was taken today at work sans makeup, using my phone camera for this quick shot.  After viewing the picture  I kind of like the way it came out though  it's a weird angle and a bit goofy that's me in this moment!

Have a great Friday.

Namaste,
KAren

Something fun for you while I am still out sick

Hi from the sick couch!

Hi!
I am still recovering from some funky cold/virus over here but I wanted to post this great dance party video going on over at Joy Tanksley's Blog.

Joy is so full of life and fun and boy is she a brave one.  Enjoy the dance party.


Boogie with Eliza! from Joy Tanksley on Vimeo.

Wishcast Wednesday: How do you wish to Soar

here is my view from the couch as I recover from a virus

Hey my fellow wishers and dreamers. I am taking a break from wishing and poetry this week as I am recovering from a virus but I wanted to pop in and say that I am here wishing you all that you wish for and for myself I wish to soar into 2011 in good health!!

I wanted to share this link over at Neil Kramer's Citizen of the Month where he has bloggers singing holiday music, it will make you laugh, cry and get into the holiday spirit. Enjoy!  (click below to enjoy the concert!)

Neil Kramer's Fifth Annual Blogger Holiday Concert!!!

Tuesday Tunes... Joni Mitchell

As I recover from a virus/cold (tis that season!) I leave you with this song sung here by Joni Mitchell. This song always gets to me and touches something in me and that is what I love about music, do you know what I mean?

Lyrics:
Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said, constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar

On the back of a carton coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed

Oh but you are in my blood you're my holy wine
You're so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

Wishcast Wednesday




Clouds over Squam Lake

  Hi!
Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studio's it's Wishcast Wednesday and the prompt for today's wish is:
"What do you wish to transform?"

In keeping with my commitment to writing poetry in response to the wish here is today's poem:

Transforming doubt into trust
By clearing out the mental dust
Transforming  fear into brave
By accepting all that I’ve forgave
Transforming tears into joy
By embracing all I that I enjoy

My goal is that by doing this practice of writing at least once a week with no judgement that writing will start flowing more naturally
I am also trying to use only original pictures that I have taken, this gives me a reason to go out and explore my world in a creative way.

All that you wish for I also wish for you.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday Tunes : Jonatha Brooke

Lyrics: Woodie Guthrie  learn more here:  Jonatha Brooke

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna sing like you
The whole day through
Oh little bird why can't I be like you?

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna be that brave
And never save
My loving for some other rainy day
You fly away
When it's cold and you can't find another way
But you will sing and you will love until you find a place
You can stay
You can stay
And sing your little heart out til your dying day

I'll fly away
When it's cold and I can't find another way
I will sing and I will love until I find a place
I can stay
I can stay
And be as bold as you until my dying day

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna sing like you
The whole day through
Oh little bird why can't I be like you?

Oh little bird
Oh little bird I wanna be that brave
And never save
My loving for some other rainy day

Oh little bird
Oh little bird now I will ne'er be blue
Because of you
Oh little bird now I can sing love true

Monday Inspiration over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams

Today is Monday and over at Lisa's Dandelion Seeds and Dreams that means sharing inspiration.

My inspiration for Monday is this video from Misty Mawn, it really struck a chord with me and I feel like I know what she means about being an artist, I just have to BELIEVE it!

Namaste,
Karen

Reverb10 Day 2 and 3

Self Portrait:  Soaking up vibes at Squam Lake

I am taking part in Gwen Bell's Reverb10, which includes daily prompts to help you reflect on the year.
Today I am doing Day 2 and 3 together.

December 2 - Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

Response:  Jeez what DON"T I do to distract myself from writing and creating, let me count the ways.  One big one that I can work on is cutting back how many hours I spend watching TV.  The TV is on from the minute I get home until the time I go to bed, even if I am not sitting in front of it that whole time it is just on in the background, always.
I am going to make a commitment to myself and leave the TV off next week from the hours of 4pm to 8pm, with the hopes that I spend some of that time in creative space.  I'll let you know how it goes at the end of the week.

December 3 – Moment
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

Response:  I was really surprised with this one, I thought I would not be able to come up with a moment that I felt most alive since this year was an emotional rollercoaster for me filled with anxiety and uncertainty but I came up with more than I expected.

If I had to just give you one moment in detail it would be when  Jen Lee read a blessing I pulled from her magic blessings container during class at Squam Art Workshops.  I still remember how it felt with her looking me in the eyes and reading TO ME.. really to me not just at me, do you know what I mean?  The blessing was:  "You don't have to get it right, just keep showing up with your whole heart!"   that moment felt sacred, like there was nowhere I could hide from that message and I was being seen for what seemed like the first time. 

It is so hard to describe this moment, I remember thinking Jen's eyes were so sincere as she spoke to me and the smell from the fireplace was in the air, the sounds were of the other participants waiting for their turn, the anticipation could be heard in their breathing but there was also a stillness, something big was happening. 

There were so many moments during Squam where I felt alive here are some more because I want to acknowledge them:

Learning from and geting to know the lovely Queen of polaroid Susannah Conway.
Being taught songwriting by the amazingly talented, down to earth Jonatha Brooke.
Elizabeth MacCrellish reaching out and holding on my hands as I struggled with some anxiety.
Sitting by the fire at the end of the night with my Squammie mates, who I feel are now lifelong friends.
Jen Gray making me feel so at ease when she knew I was terrified during the songwriting class.
Walking through the woods with no fear morning, noon and night.
The wind and sun on my face as I stood on the dock looking out at Squam Lake.

This reflection has me seeing  that athough my year was filled with  much turmoil there were plenty of moments where I felt truly alive, even within that turmoil and not just at Squam.  This online community I have been a part of this last year has been more of a blessing than any of you know.

I knew I would not be able to just pick one from that weekend but heck this is my blog and rules are meant to be broken, right!

Wishing you all a wonderful weeked.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wed/Reverb10




Self Portrait:  Vivienne's McMasters class.  Blurry

 Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the Wish Prompt is "Where do you wish to go slow?"  In keeping with my goals to combine Wednesday Wishcast with poetry excercise here is my poem for today:

What a gift it would be to go slow
To have patience as I change and grow
What a gift it would be to go slow
To have faith even when I don’t know
What a gift it would be to go slow
To have compassion as I find my flow

I am also participating in Gwen Bell's Reverb10 and the prompt today is as follows:

December 1 One Word

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

My Response:

Word for 2010 = break.  There were many cracks and breaks to my heart and spirit this year through upheavall, emotional chaos and change.  November has been especially tough for me but as my friend Liz reminded me this is traditionally a time of harvest and contemplation.

Word for 2011 = open.  Though change can hurt at times I don't want to rush to cover up these cracks and breaks,  I want to sit with them and see where this expansion takes me.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday's Tunes

What I am listening to.  I love everything about this song, the lyrics speak to me loud and clear.
Enjoy!

King of Anything Lyrics

Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I’d say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by

You’ve got opinions, man
We’re all entitled to ‘em, but I never asked
So let me thank you for your time, and try not to waste anymore of mine
And get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe, but I’m not drowning
There’s no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

You sound so innocent, all full of good intent
Swear you know best
But you expect me to jump up on board with you
And ride off into your delusional sunset

I’m not the one who’s lost with no direction
But you’ll never see
You’re so busy making maps with my name on them in all caps
You got the talking down, just not the listening

And who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

All my life I’ve tried to make everybody happy
While I just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it’s my turn to decide.

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?
Let me hold your crown, babe.

Monday Inspiration Celebration

Late Afternoon Sun:  Self Portrait:  Vivienne McMaster's Class

Hi over at Lisa's Dandelions Dreams and Seeds today is Monday Inspiration Celebration.  Right now I am being inspired by poetry and this one below is one of my all time favorites.

This Poem just knocked me off my feet, It literally felt like a punch to the stomach, my reaction was so strong. It speaks loudly and clearly to something in me.


Here it is : The Author is Jewel Mathieson

We have come to be danced
Not the pretty dance
Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
But the claw our way back into the belly
Of the sacred, sensual animal dance
The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
The holding the precious moment in the palms
Of our hands and feet dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
But the wring the sadness from our skin dance
The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.
The slap the apology from our posture dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the monkey see, monkey do dance
One two dance like you
One two three, dance like me dance
But the grave robber, tomb stalker
Tearing scabs and scars open dance
The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle
But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
Shaman shaking ancient bones dance
The strip us from our casings, return our wings
Sharpen our claws and tongues dance
The shed dead cells and slip into
The luminous skin of love dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
But the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath and beat dance
The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
The mother may I? Yes you may take ten giant leaps dance
The olly olly oxen free free free dance
The everyone can come to our heaven dance.

We have come to be danced Where the kingdoms collide
In the cathedral of flesh
To burn back into the light
To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
To root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced! We have come."

~ by Jewel Mathieson from her book This Dance: A Poultice of Poems

Soulful Sundays: What I am feeling in this moment

Through the Mermaid Looking Glass: Self Portrait

Some days all I feel is empty inside
Can’t run from myself , nowhere to hide
Who will I be when I let go of others needs
What will happen when I sow my own seeds
Where will I go and who will I know
Unknown for now I’ll just take this time to grow

Wishcast Wed: what do you wish to invite in



loving taking pictures with sunflare.. they are magical

Hello my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is "What do you wish to invite in?

I have been very quite these last few weeks and I am coming to see that in November I slow down and instead of wondering what is wrong and why I feel down I am realizing it is a natural feeling for this time of year.   The days are shorter and colder and I just want to read a good book under the covers and eat LOTS of carbs! 
November also has the anniversary of my Dad's passing and my body holds that memory even if my mind doesn't  want to think about it, so this leaves me feeling a bit low also.

Next year I would like to remember this and honour my rhythm of slowing down this time of year by not taking on too many projects that I just won't finish and this way I won't beat myself up for not doing enough.

In keeping with my goal of combining wishcasting with poetry exercising here is my wishcast poem for "What do I wish to invite in?"

Invite in the stillness that comes with slowing down
Invite in the smile when I’m feeling the frown
Invite in the compassion the faith and the trust
Invite in the creative, this one’s a must
Invite in the expansion of an open heart
Invite in the knowing each day holds a new start

I wish all my American wishcasting friends a very happy Thanksgiving filled with love and nourishment and I wish my Canadian friends a happy belated Thanksgiving ;-)

Namaste,
Karen

Working my way of out the November Funk

I hope this Monday finds you doing well.  As I slowly emerge from my November funk I thought I would share with you this video.. I love this song and the video is very creative and cool.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to Celebrate



My Dad and Me...

 Hi friends. I have been a bit silent here as I give myself time to sit with the memories of my Dad who passed away 7 years ago today after a battle with cancer.  I was involved in all areas of caretaking while he was sick and I think my body holds the memory of that time since each year since I am very low energy and blue around this week.   I am going with the flow over here and being gentle with myself.

In keeping with my plan to combine poetry exercises with each Wishcast I wrote the below poem for my Dad and others in my life, those I knew and those who I did not get to meet.  The wishprompt was what do you wish to celebrate.

I wish to celebrate those who have gone before me
dear ones I knew and others I never got to see
they paved the path that now stands before me
each playing a part in who I’ve come to be
though they don’t know their effect on me
their stories are part of mine, that I can see

Wishing is happening right now over at Jamie's Ridlers Studios.

May all you wish for come to be.

Namaste,
Karen

Monday Inspiration:Girl Effect

Willow Tree at Storm King:  Willow trees have always been a source of comfort to me

Hi friends. I have been a bit silent here as I give myself time to sit with the memories of my Dad who passed away 7 years ago tomorrow after a battle with cancer.  I was involved in all areas of caretaking while he was sick and I think my body holds the memory of that time since each year since I am very low energy and blue around this week so I am going with the flow over here and being gentle with myself.

The Girl Effect organization is my inspiration this week for Lisa's weekly inspiration prompt over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams,  it is a great organization and is well worth taking the time to learn about.  The below video is Kidan from Ethiopia and her story touched me the most.  Some of the videos speak of how the girls turned their life around with going to school and working to help their families.  Kidan's story is a bit different as she would love to go to school and become a doctor which would be a great help to her community, instead her Mother  in another scene tells us Kidan cannot go to school because  she has already been engaged at the ripe old age of 13 and she doesn't even know it yet.  The family is basically marrying her off for cattle. 

This story stopped me in my tracks because something like that happening here is so unimaginable in this day and age and it is common place in these villages.   If you could spend a few moments learning more about this project and sharing it with others maybe we can spread the word and find out how to help girls and their families in developing countries learn how to help themselves in ways that don't endanger their children.

Thanks to Tara Sophia Mohr over at Wise Living for giving us the space to share our thoughts on The Girl Effect.  You can join in over at Tara's blog through this post on "writing your post about the girl effect"

Much love to you all on this day.

Namaste,

Karen

Wed Wishcast / AEDM Day 10

Hey Dreamers, Wishers and Creators.. I am checking in today with a post for Wed Wishcast over at

Jamie Ridler's Studios and AEDM DAY 10 at Leah's Art Every Day of the Month. I have been using Jamie's wishcast prompts as inspiration for poetry writing as I am a newbie and can use all the inspiration I can get.  Today's wishprompt was "How do you wish to grow older?  Turning this around a bit a wrote a poem to my older self, here it goes:

A note to myself as I grow older,
Did you stand in your truth as you grew bolder?
Did you share your story through image and word?
Did you keep speaking until you were heard?
Did you find healing in living the creative way?
If not that's alright.. there's always TODAY!

And the AEDM is another shape picture I drew, I have been drawing these to test different mediums.  Today I used watercolor pencils.  After shading in all the areas I then applied water to half and left half dry.

Have a great day and may you find time for wishing and creating.

Namaste,
Karen