Wishcast Wednesday: What do you with to focus on?

Beauty against a dark sky

Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift. – from Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver

Hi my fellow wish casters, today is Wednesday and over at Jamie Ridler’s Studios it’s a day to share our dreams and wishes.
Today’s wish prompt is: What do you wish to focus on? And wouldn’t you know it I was just thinking this same thing yesterday, it always seems like Jamie is reading my mind, lol!

It might sound weird but I want to focus on the gift of darkness that has been a part of my life for awhile now. I spend so much time distracting myself from it and pretending that I did not get that gift, like a bad pick of a grab bag I just wanted to return it. But you know what I am seeing now, this gift, I can learn from it and I have a feeling if I accept it for what it is I will indeed be happy to have received it for it will only make me stronger. Does this make any sense to you guys? Not sure it makes sense to me either, just the way I have been feeling lately.

I would also like to focus on my creativity, during the busy tax season at work I had little time to create and I am finding it slow getting back into it, but I am also strangely accepting this pace. I feel myself leaning into the flow of my life lately, my impatience is waning a bit, and I like it. I have been really finding my creative time being spent photographing trees and skylines and for now that is just perfect for me.

Lastly I would like to just focus on moving forward out of the quicksand that has been my emotions these last few months, I am seeing the rope there just out of reach but I am getting closer every day. I just need to remind myself to go with the flow and not against it that is the key to moving forward for me lately.

What are you wishing to focus on today? As always what you are wishing for yourself, so I am wishing for you also.

Namaste,
Karen

Poetry and Music speak for me today



Spring in my  backyard



Love lit a fire in my chest,

and anything that wasn't love left: intellectual subtlety,

philosophy books, school.

All I want now to do or hear is poetry.

-Rumi

Some days when I can't find my own words I turn to the words of others.  Today both this Rumi poem and this Bruno Mars song speak for me.

Namaste dear ones,
Karen

Want to see: "I AM" by Tom Shadyac

I can't wait for this documentary to come to my area, it sounds amazing.  The main concepts explored are:
1. it is scientifically proven that the human race IS connected. 2. It is human nature to be Cooperative NOT competitive. 3. You should always follow your heart to find where your passions lie...LoVE IT.

And I really like what he says at the end of the trailer below: "We started out asking questions about what was wrong with the world and ended up finding out what was right with it"





Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to tend?

Spring in all it's glory

Hello my fellow wishers and dreamers! Today is Wednesday and over at Jamie Ridler’s Studios we are sharing our dreams and wishes.

Today’s wish prompt is: What do you wish to tend?

The very first thought that popped into my head while reading this was that I wish to tend to the happiness of my soul, the part of me beneath all the bullshit, the heart of me, my spirit.

I truly believe that all the time I have spent tending to my anxiety, fears and doubts has caused some damage to my spirit. I also believe this damage can be mended by tending to the happiness of my soul.

So instead of worrying that this extra weight makes me unattractive to my husband I am going to cultivate my sensuality and sense of confidence just as I am.
and
Instead of giving certain people power over me and my emotional well being, I am going to spend more time with those who appreciate me for who I am and don’t want me to change that.
and
Instead of spending time in fear of what the future holds I am going to spend time in creative space tending to the part of me that is in awe of the poetry a tree branch can make against a skyline, that feels the emotions in the music, that loves the written word.

Yes.......this is what I wish to tend to.............the happiness of my soul.

So what are you wishing to tend to this spring day? As you wish for yourself, I am always wishing for you as well.

Namaste,

Karen

Tuesday's Tunes: Say Hey!

Dreaming of Blue Skies of last week

I am NOT going to let another gray rainy day get me down!  This song makes me smile and tap my toes.  It reminds me of summer days.  Enjoy.

On another note TAX SEASON IS OVER!!!!  I survived another season and now back to normal hours and getting to spend time in creative space.  Enjoy your day!



Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to read?

My book gnome guarding my bookshelves!

Hello my fellow wishers and dreamers. Today is Wednesday and over at Jamie Ridler’s Studio it’s a day to share our wishes with each other.

Today the wish prompt is: What do you wish to read? Ha Ha Jamie, the better question for me would be “What don’t you wish to read!” Reading to me is THE great escape. I have been in love with reading since I was a child, I would read everywhere including the dinner table. Even now I go through times when I am reading a few books a week and I almost always have a book on me.

Below is the list of books currently on my reading list. My plan is to read each one before the end of the summer and review them on my blog.

Inner Excavation by Liz Lamoreux
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Art and Fear by David Bayles & Ted Orland
Expressive Photography by Shutter Sisters
The Power if Focusing: A Practical Guide to Emotional Self-Healing by Ann Cornell
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
Art is A Spiritual Path by Pat Allen
The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron (someone just told me I should put this on top of list)
Women Who Run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
The Beauty of Different by Karen Wolrond
Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr

On the very tippy top of my list is “Finding Your Voice” by Jen Lee. This is a multi media package that you can purchase directly from Jen Lee at this link: Jen Lee – Finding Your Voice and you can hear about the process of making “Finding Your Voice” directly from Jen herself in the below video. I have had the pleasure of learning the art of finding and telling your story directly from Jen, through her classes and seeing her live performances. She is so gifted and present in her storytelling and compassionate and wise in helping others find their stories!


Content and Containers: The Making of Finding Your Voice from Jen Lee on Vimeo.

On another note I am happy to report the end of tax season is upon me and I am looking forward to getting back to my normal working hours and spending more time in creative space.

So my friends what’s on your reading list this year? As you wish for yourself, so I am wishing for you.

Namaste,

Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to transform?



These 2 pics were both taken yesterday, this is what Spring looks like around here.

Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers, today is Wednesday and over at Jamie Ridler's we are sharing our dreams and wishes.  Today's prompt is:  What do you wish to transform?

I wish to transform my attitude, my perspective.  Growing up I was such a positive girl filled with hopes and dreams.  I remember yelling at my Mom and Aunts for their pessimistic attitudes.  My Aunt used to tell me, "Stop dreaming, Karen, there is no white knight on a horse coming for your".  As an adult I can see now that she was talking to and about herself.  I never said I wanted a white knight on a horse to rescue me.

The thing is I am noticing as an adult I see myself being pessimistic at times (learned behavior kicking in!)  and I want to transform those thoughts, stop them dead in their tracks.   If you sink into the pessimistic thought it just starts a downward spiral.  I am becoming better at noticing them and right now I am cultivating awareness and this is the first step.   I am not saying that every negative emotion needs to be turned into a positive one; it is more about the self defeating ones, the ones that I turn on myself.

This past Monday is a perfect example.  I was just starting to recover from a back/knee injury and was feeling much better and noticing that.  So what's so bad about that you say?  Well I came into work Monday feeling much better than I had in weeks and I FALL right on my bad knee.  I was like WTF!  My thoughts starting spiraling into that pattern of why did this happen and I don't deserve to feel better and so on.

I am happy to report that after a few moments I became aware of those thoughts and changed them, this is so big for me.  I got out the ice pack, took an advil and thought of that Buddhist saying:  "Fall down 7 times and get up 8" and that actually helped.  This fall was not about what is wrong with me or that I don't deserve to feel better, it is about being sleep deprived and busy at work and not paying attention to where I was walking.  ( I tripped over a box)

On a lighter note I want to transform my wardrobe.  When I was a bit younger and lighter I used to wear more skirts and tights and boots and funky scarves.  As I gained weight I started dressing to hide my weight in bigger clothes and mostly jeans and pants.  I want to embrace the inner Boho girl again and I don't want to wait until I lose weight to do it!

Ok back to embracing the chaos that is Tax Season over in the office and counting down to April 19th when I can take a breath again.

So my friends what are you wishing to transform today?  As always as you wish for yourself, I wish for you also.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: How do you wish to be brave

"Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth"
— Pema Chödrön

Hello my fellow wishers and dreamers, today is Wednesday so over at Jamie Ridler's Studios it's a day to share our wishes and dreams.  The wish prompt for today is:  How do you wish to be BRAVE?

It's no surprise to me that yesterday I was thinking  about fear and how it controls my life and then today I see this is the Wed Wish Prompt, nope not surprised at all!

Fear has been a big factor in my life for far too long now, about as long  as I can remember, and I am so sick and tired of it.  I actually wrote a break up letter to fear awhile back , you can see it here:  Dear Fear Letter, and as with any break up it is taking me some time to let go of my old friend fear.

Lately I have been drawn to the words of Pema Chodron who speaks about fear and the effect it has on our lives.  For today and this wish prompt I am turning to Pema's quote at the top of the page and I am wishing to step bravely into my life and  to move closer to my truth.  I wish to be an active participant in creating the life I want to live, to no longer sit by and let my life passively happen to me. 

How are you wishing to be brave this day?  As you wish for yourself, I am also wishing for you.

Much love to you and yours,

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday's Tune:Om Mani Padme Hum

Today's song and picture are here to remind myself to give the same compassion and love to self that I give to others.  To have faith and courage in myself and my path. 

I  keep repeating this theme in my posts and wishes lately but the reminder is needed as I forget in times like these, times of insecurity and doubt, times when my core has been shaken.

The Om Mani Padme Hum chant has really touched me and it is a way to invoke compassion in word, in tone, in song.

Here is a link to a beautiful version by Ani Choying:  OM MANI PADME HUM

Here is a link to a site that explains about the meaning of the chant in more detail:  Dharma-Haven.

Much love to you and yours,

Namaste,

Karen

Trying to find the balance..and a song!!

Happy Sunday!


I have been trying to find the balance over here. I am so affected by my environment, soaking up the good and the bad that In times of stress, it is hard for me to find the balance. I came right out of an emotionally stressful time in my marriage this winter to the busy season at the accounting office. I feel off kilter and overwhelmed, like I haven''t had a moment to just stop and BREATHE.

There are so many creative things I could and want to be doing...but...I get home from work and plop on the couch with my fiction novels and just veg. I was starting to feel bad about doing this and then a friend said to me that it seems like I am in survival mode, and in a sense I was. The struggles in my marriage rocked my sense of security straight to the core. I have not had much time to process what happened and we have decided to try to work things out so that is hopeful but I still feel the effects of this in my body and spirit.

I used to hate to admit that I was a sensivitve person, like there was something wrong with me because of that. The reality is that I am a highly sensitive person and the sooner I embrace that fact the sooner I can learn how to honor my self and find balance during tough times . I now see there are many positive aspects to being sensitive also.

I have been able to spend some creative time with my iphone taking some pictures and I have found that music truly soothes my soul. I am sharing an old favorite here today. It is by Loreena McKennit and It is titiled "The Lady of Shallot" Her voice has a magical quality, it transports me.



Namaste,
Karen

Reminder from Jen Lemen: Its Ok to fall apart..

Can you believe I took this picture today!!  The first week of Spring 2011

Today I was paying a visit to Jen Lemen over at her blog and the first two sentences of today's post  reached out and spoke directly to me:  "It’s okay to fall apart.  You don’t have to know the answers" - Jen Lemen. 

Thank you so much Jen, I truly needed that reminder today.  (see full post here at Jen's blog)
While strolling around the blogosphere visiting friends I noticed over at my friend Liz's blog  that she was also touched by Jen's words.  It always amazes me how connected we truly are.

Jen's post brought me back to a poem I had written a few weeks ago (see below)
I am beginning to see and embrace that sometimes you just have to let go of the pieces and see what becomes of them. 

I feel like I’m in pieces
scattered around the floor
trying to pick one up
and then another falls
holding on to hope
I let go and let them be
curious to see what’s to become
of these pieces of me

Much love to you and yours.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wed: How do you wish to Sparkle?

Happy Wednesday my fellow wishers and dreamers.  Today is Wishing day over at Jamie Ridler's Studios and the wish prompt is "How do you wish to Sparkle"

I first want to say a big Thank you to Jamie and all you wishers out there, this Wed Wish Prompt has really given my the space to share and ground once a week.  Through a winter of illness and emotional upheaval and the busy season at work (accounting office) I have this calm space in the midst of it all and for that I am truly grateful.

I wish to sparkle:
In truth
In fearlessness
In wisdom
In strenghth
In flowy skirts and kick ass boots
In handemade jewelry and paint on my hands
In openess
In good health
In love
In light even in dark times
In song
In images
In words
In connection
In community

I wish to spread a sparkly wand over all your wishes and watch them come true! 
As you wish for yourselves today, so I also wish for you.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday's Tunes Dar Williams

Day 2 of Spring:  SNOW!



Hey Guys, today's Tuesday Tune is a wee late due to working overtime today.  The accounting office is slamming busy right now and I am STRESSED, one month left then I can get back into my creative groove!

So today's song is from a favorite artist of mine, Dar Williams, the song is called "When I was a Boy" and I am serious when I say it makes me cry everytime, just gets to me.  The lyrics are below.  Enjoy.



 "When I Was a Boy" by Dar Williams

I won't forget when Peter Pan came to my house, took my hand
I said I was a boy; I'm glad he didn't check.
I learned to fly, I learned to fight
I lived a whole life in one night
We saved each other's lives out on the pirate's deck.

And I remember that night
When I'm leaving a late night with some friends
And I hear somebody tell me it's not safe,
someone should help me
I need to find a nice man to walk me home.

When I was a boy, I scared the pants off of my mom,
Climbed what I could climb upon
And I don't know how I survived,
I guess I knew the tricks that all boys knew.

And you can walk me home, but I was a boy, too.

I was a kid that you would like, just a small boy on her bike
Riding topless, yeah, I never cared who saw.
My neighbor come outside to say, "Get your shirt,"
I said "No way, it's the last time I'm not breaking any law."

And now I'm in this clothing store, and the signs say less is more
More that's tight means more to see, more for them, not more for me
That can't help me climb a tree in ten seconds flat

When I was a boy, See that picture? That was me
Grass-stained shirt and dusty knees
And I know things have gotta change,
They got pills to sell, they've got implants to put in,
they've got implants to remove

But I am not forgetting...that I was a boy too

And like the woods where I would creep, it's a secret I can keep
Except when I'm tired, 'cept when I'm being caught off guard
And I've had a lonesome awful day, the conversation finds its way
To catching fire-flies out in the backyard.
And so I tell the man I'm with about the other life I lived
And I say, "Now you're top gun, I have lost and you have won"
And he says, "Oh no, no, can't you see

When I was a girl, my mom and I we always talked
And I picked flowers everywhere that I walked.
And I could always cry, now even when I'm alone I seldom do
And I have lost some kindness
But I was a girl too
And you were just like me, and I was just like you


Namaste to you and yours,
Karen

Spring is here..........

Happy first day of Spring.  I took the above picture today to document the first day of Spring, what a beautiful day.I have been seeing robins and even some bunnies so I am embracing Spring over here in my neck of the woods.  I love waking to more and more bird calls and having more light each day.

This winter has been really tough on my mind/body and spririt and I am so ready to leap into Spring.  I really feel like I am emerging from the dark night of my soul which I will write more about here when I can put words to it.

Enjoy this first day of Spring and may your and yours be well this day.

Namaste,
Karen

St. Patrick Day Goodies

Love the green color of mint, can't wait for this one to come back in Spring

An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  As a good Irish lass I will be celebrating later with a pint and some homemade soda bread (no corned beef for me).

I thought it would be fun to share some Irish/Celtic music.  I especially love Irish fiddle/violin playing. 







And here is a link discussing the great debate on Irish Soda Bread with some recipes included.

May you be safe and well this day and all the days to follow.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish for the world?

The beauty of the natural world.. Love the twisty cloud column, taken a few weeks ago with camera phone.

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers!  Today is Wednesday and we are sharing our wishes over at Jamie Ridlers Studios.

This week the wish prompt is:  What do you wish for the world?   I wish for the end of poverty, disease and war, these are the big ones that I will always be wishing for. 

There is not enough time and space for what else I wish for so for now I will also share what I have been wishing for myself this week, as these would be included in what I wish for the world:

I wish for the world to know and believe that we are all connected , we are not truly alone even though we may feel it at times.  Our actions can and do affect each other.

I wish for the world to know and believe as we send wishes for peace and healing throughout the world that there is someone out there doing the same for us.  I believe in the power of healing wishes.

I wish for the world to know and believe that WE ARE ENOUGH in each moment we are in.   I just shared my post on being enough over at Tracey Clark's, you can see it here:  I AM ENOUGH

As you are wishing for yourselves and the world today, I wish for you and the world also.

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday's Tunes: Blackbird




love the beauty in gray skies and blue - love the trees against the gray sky today

 Hi...

Today's song is Blackbird by the Beatles.  I love this version  that Evan Rachael Wood did in "Across the Universe."

Lyrics:

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
all your life
you were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

My favorite line in the song:  You were only waiting for this moment to be free

I am also so excited to share my contribution to Tracey Clark's "I Am Enough" collaboration.  It is the first time I wrote for someone else and I was so nervous.   I will write more about it later, especially how while writing this piece I struggled with feeling like I was "enough".

Wishing you and yours a wonderful evening.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What gifts do you wish to share?

soaking up the sun when it comes out

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers, it's Wednesday and over at Jamie Ridler's Studios we are sharing our wishes.

Today's wish prompt is "What gifts do you wish to share?"  This is a tough one because I have a hard time seeing that I have gifts, but I know we ALL do, so I will try to own mine.

I think it was Danielle LaPorte that once said that to find your true purpose in life all you need to do is stop and listen to what people are asking from you, this will be where your gifts lie.
When thinking about what Danielle said here are some thoughts I come up with :

* I notice my friends come to me when they want to confide something or for advice and support, they know I am listening.
* People are always asking me to find something on the internet for them because I seem to find things easily and I love to do the research.
* I have been told my intuition is strong and I am very empathetic.
* When people see my dreamboards/vision board or collages they seem to really enjoy them, I have had compliments on the composition and the way I put things together.

Ugh.. this is very hard to do. I think I will stop here because I am noticing this is making me feel uncomfortable so for now I will look at these gifts and see how I can best share them with others, maybe I could do some intuitive art work/collages for others, hmmmm, something to ponder.

In other news I went from chest virus, to stomach virus to a tweaked back.  I threw myself a roaring pity party on Sunday and now I am ready to pick myself up and get back to healing!  Hey I even had some creative fun with my back x-ray presciption, pairing it with a art box  which has the words courage on it.  (by Kelly Rae)

I leave you with a picture of the daily amusing Bella Boo!

Bella guarding her bear, giving me the back away from the bear look ;-)

So friends what are the gifts you wish to share?  As you wish for yourself, so I wish for you also..

Namaste,
Karen

Tuesday's Tunes: Fat Tuesday

Hi friends.

In honor of Fat Tuesday here are some Mardi Gras tunes for your listening pleasure, I have actually had the pleasure of seeing some of these artists live and they are all great fun.  I will be enjoying Fat Tuesday from the couch with my treaked back, but I am feeling better each and every day! 

Laissez le Bon temp rouler (Lazay Lay Bon Tom Roulay)

Let the good times roll

Been Following the Muse

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.  ~John Muir

Hi!

These last few weeks have been a bit busy at the accounting office as you can well imagine and I am finding it hard to fit in creative time when I get home but obviously the muse cares not for those excuses.

You see I have been quite obsessed with trees lately, they soothe my soul, always have.  I find myself driving to and from work looking at them and pulling over randomly to take shots either from inside through the sun roof or jumping out of my car.   Loving the way the tree branches look against the sky with the clouds and sun highlighting them.

It feels like I am compelled to do this if you know what I mean. I now see what people mean when they say they are following their muse, for me lately my muse is the trees, the sky, the clouds, nature in all her glory.

Where is your muse leading you these days?


And here is one of Bella just because she's a cutie pie.

Have a beautiful day..
Namaste,
Karen