focusing on the light..

I love reading D.K Brainards horoscopes each week.. Words for the People.

Today, part of it, pertaining to my rising Virgo and Uranus in my 7th house, I read this:

In his thousands of channeled readings, American mystic Edgar Cayce repeatedly said that art and creativity are the most powerful and clear ways for humans to bring Divine energy and intelligence into the world. With Uranus, the ruler of your 5th House of creativity, sitting on the volatile Aries Point in your 7th House of relationships, this is a sacred time in which your art (and artful response to the fear, polarization and uncertainty of the times) can inspire the world to envision and create a better future. The Aries Point, which the Sun further activates as we build up to Sunday’s equinox, always invokes the collective consciousness somehow. The picture I see here is that by choosing to radically shift your relationship energy and emphasize those relationships where creativity, innovation, optimism and transformation are present, you are actually shifting the foundations of our society and making a better world possible. I mean, how else is it going to happen?

My husband just called down to me from upstairs that my art was compassionate. Originally, my husband was doing the art show on his own and was calling it, Dark Matters... too negative for me.. and he invited me to share the exhibit and therefore of course we needed to add some light... Thus, The Dark and Light Matters became the title of the show.

Both do matter. We need them both. We need the dark to rest, to renew our selves so we can move into the light more refreshed. We need balance.. too much dark is not good.. we get depressed.

Balance. Yin and Yang.

I can appreciate the light.. Light.. so much more these days after experiencing some pretty scary "darkness"... and that's what our show brought out to anyone who views it.

I choose to focus on the good, positive side - compassion, love, light! This is what I say in my art. At least the mandalas.. not always with the assemblages.

It's nice to be validated here and with a nod from the Universe saying, Yes, you are on the right path.

thank you :-)

Art show

These are the pieces I sold in the show.. they went to good homes. I loved creating them and now, like children, I send them on their way...

Creating art and releasing it into the world is such a great feeling... and it makes room to create something new.. I am so very grateful for everyone who came and shared this wonderful experience.. I sold two mandala prints along with these three assemblages and I'm thrilled to have them out in the world :-) I created mandala cards.. all went out the door. Thank you.

John sold some of his work as well, so we both came home very happy.

Again, we find that we have very good friends... and made some new ones.
Namaste'

Art Show this weekend

Anyone in the area of Harrison, NY is welcome to our opening reception on

Saturday, March 5

at Masterpiece Framing

243 Halstead Ave. Harrison, NY

2-4 pm

My husband and I will be exhibiting our art including assemblages, mandalas and drawings.

Refreshments and music

(very excited :-)

The Awakening

Under the blanket of snow, seeds stir, break open.

One warm day, sprouts peeked through the ground, offering us their intention of renewal.

I too awake from winter's slumber...

ready to offer my internal messages,

my gleanings of this deep introspective time.

I bring what was buried inside, out into the world... my offerings.

Why am I here?

I have guessed this is a part of it...

...what brings me joy flows out into the world...

Awakening to the gifts and sharing them.

Thoughts become....

We have all heard that we are what we eat... but we are also what we think.

Our thoughts define us.

Where we put our attention is what we draw towards us..

Law of attraction.

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought.

The mind is everything. What we think, we become."

~Buddha

We become the light if we choose to focus on the light

and looking towards beauty begets more beauty.

When in fear and doubt,

turn.

Look out a different window.

It gives me a different perspective on thinking - that we can change so much in our lives by doing this and I wonder what keeps us from it..

"Wait..

I can change all this by changing my thoughts on it."

Enough thinking on the good stuff will change a belief.

Believing in this change has to accompany the thoughts, otherwise you will be counteracting it.

Can we change our whole perception of the world???

Can we all heal ourselves and others???

Can we create a world of peacefulness and joyfulness and love???

Move in that direction..

Let your thoughts be ones of gratitude.

Thank you for reading my blog.

(and turn off the TV :-)

Heart Chakra

Inspired by a conversation on color.. green in particular and what went with it.. I played with greens and pinks as these are the colors of the heart chakra. Challenging to limit myself to a few colors but there are 3 shades of green and used a burgandy as another shade of pink.
I've been wanting to do some mandalas that are focused on chakra and this one is for the heart center.. being grounded in love.
Love sets us off into flighty directions at times, making us feel light as if our feet barely touch the ground... but here I am saying that my love.. your* love helps to ground me. Gives me comfort and stability and helps me to keep my heart open and brave. Yes, you* give me courage and confidence to go out and be my Self and try new things.
I love you*.
you* = my hubby :-)

Mid point

We are at the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.. Imbolc.. Candlemas and the groundhog didn't see his shadow- supposedly we will have an early spring... mmmmm.
Tonight is the new moon and a great time to set intentions.
Mine?
They are to bring my inner Self out into the world more... let the light within shine.. it's a process that I keep working at and little by little I am bringing the me.. the real me.. out into the world via art and teaching and yoga.. and also not to play so small and safe but to open up and take more risks with my art.. my spiritual practice.
Ironically, it's all happening more from inside these days as again weather is keeping us in. But the internet.. definitely ruled by Uranus/Aquarius.. allows it to happen that we CAN share our true selves out into the world.. and to a greater audience... Community.. very Aquarian.
We can "be" with friends and all sorts of people we will never meet in person.. amazing, huh...
It's also a time for me to do some internal spiritual dwelling.. keeping myself clear on what exactly I should be sharing... my heart rather so much in my head..
Winter is a time to go within (nature being our example) and become less active, more receptive. The weather forces us all to slow down.... and so it is.
The art exhibit is in a month and preparation for it is my focus.. Exposure.
and then for tomorrow.. the Chinese new year.. Metal Rabbit.. so much to celebrate.
Here's to new beginnings!

Potential

This morning as I worked on my birthday mandala

I thought about

how we are born with the potential

to be... to do

become

whatever/whoever we desire

because we are born with

free will.

We get to choose.

My first title - the thoughts that rummage through my mind-

was "beans and buds"

they both have potential

beans into coffee

buds into blossoms

but only if there is nurturing

water, sun

some grinding..

and of course that thought gave rise to

am I using all my potential

all my gifts

Life is a gift

and in return for it

I believe we give back to life

all we are capable of

all the love and blessings of giving to others

in whatever way or form

we can

WE ARE THE GIFT!

Waiting Room Mandala

Waiting

for

you.

While I wait, it gives me time

to listen within

but instead

I hear so much outside my self

and try not to make judgements

Sometimes I find compassion rising

and other times

I learn so much more about myself

People come and go

but I continue to sit and wait for you

conversations change

but

I

remain

the

same.

This must be a record...

waking to snow again here in NY...
although I must say, it is really beautiful to look at...

it look so heavy

and so very full

clinging..

and now the fun begins...

digging out the car once again..

where do I put this stuff?!?!

community

Union

joining together

community.

These are the thought that entered my mind as I created this mandala.

Like-minded souls coming together

to share their piece of truth.

We live on the outer edge of the wheel

each of us going about our lives.

It is a special moment as we enter into union with another

or a group with common interests..

joining together

coming into the center

of

what truly matters.

Love.

Reap what you sow

Whatever seed you plant, that will be what comes to fruit. We all know that if you plant an apple seed, it will be apples that you will feast upon when the fruit ripens.
Why would it be any different with our thoughts... where my attention lies is where things will come to be.. my loving thoughts will manifest into loving attention on those things around me. If I look to the outside world focused on beauty.. that is what I will see.
Obvious.. no?
Well, why do we...I.. keep forgetting.. I won't speak for you. Only myself.
Sometimes we dig our heels in, stubbornly seeing only our side of the situation... only our own perspective.. and we know there is always another way to look at something.

I had in mind an idea... but for some odd reason, I could not find what I was looking for.. I looked and looked because there was this IDEA I had.. and I could not let go... I searched and searched. Moments of hope whithered away when I still turned up empty handed...
Finally, this morning I had a shift. Let it go. I wrote in my journal, did morning pages.. questioning the situation.. why, why could I not find what I was looking for.. did I even HAVE it.. doubts entered but nooooo, I do, I know I do... but the good thing was out of it came more unpacked boxes and I put more stuff away, progress of a different sort. It was good, very good that I was also finding other things.. things I needed to use.
Then another idea... If you continue to come upon a brick wall, take another path.
Change your mind.
I did.
I was planting a seed, but for some reason I expected a different outcome. Maybe it just isn't ripe yet and I need to wait with it.. be patient.
Instead with a shift in my willing to let go, something else entered into the picture and I became just as excited about it.
thanks for the lesson Universe.

layers

I was thinking about healing and how it comes in layers. I would love for it to happen instantaneously... but find it comes in waves.. in layers.
This is the second mandala I did while waiting for John yesterday.. the other one is here.
It is what helps keep me from worrying and freaking out by keeping my mind focused. The snow is what had me concerned, but mandala helped me get through it.. keeping me calm and using it as prayer.
I believe our healing abilities come when we are in balance, so I try to do what brings balance. Bring the body, mind and emotions into balance. Easy to say, not so hard to follow when you are pulled in many directions by the outside world. One MUST come to a point where you give back to yourself the nurturing you need... quiet time, good healthy food, rich relationships, and even having to say "no thank you"... to turn inward to find your own answers, live your own truth and find what makes you deliriously happy and go there :-)
We learn in layers. We heal in layers.. moment by moment... learning to be absorbed in each moment, being the best we can be.
Savor each and every one.
Namaste'
Doreen

Mandala's Magic....

The above mandala in the round is from my friend Kie and given as a gift to my husband for healing. Her mother in law made it and it is so very beautiful and special and hung where we see it all the time. Thank you Kie. My husband is deeply grateful.
I love mandalas - making them and seeing how they are made from others, from my many friends from the Mandala Oasis group to others found on facebook. They have the magical quality of calm for me. I become centered while making them and have been creating them in abundance this past year - one of the benefits of the year past.. thank you.
Looking back, there are those gems, those moments when you realize how strong you are, how you can actually move through a challenging situation and find yourself on the other end of it.
This is something to remember.
When you go through a crisis, and then know when another crisis comes around, you can say: I did it before, I can do it again... and this too shall pass. It always does.
There is always the other side of the door - grow through it!
There's where mandalas magic lies.. in it's presence.. a centering calm... a grounding... the Now.
Being in the present moment is the only place you can find peace.. never in the regrets of the past or the fears/worries of the future...never.
Only here.
Only now.
and that's where healing comes from. being in the now and enjoying this moment.
loving this moment.
being love.
and then sharing it.
I send a new year's message to you, my friends.. one that wishes you to always look to love for your answer. It will never steer you wrong.
I wish you all those deep dreams and desires to become manifested. To know your true north, your purpose in being and share it.
Shine a light on your talents
and may 2011 show you how wonderful you are.
Namaste'
Doreen

Winter Blues

Yesterday we had a blizzard.. and I had a fever. I slept most of the day. Today my temp is 99.
a good thing.. as I was a bit worried when it was reaching towards 104. Here's the thing, a week off to finally catch up with stuff around here, like finally finish painting the hallway and a curve ball comes... no, not today says the Universe.
I'm feeling much better thankfully and gearing myself up to do something, even if it's something small.
I'm not fond of winter or blizzards and having to dig my car out. Gratefully, I don't have to go anywhere. I am tempted to take the camera out for a walk though. That won't happen as the practical side of me says that is NOT a good idea today, so we take pictures from inside.
The snow has stopped, not so much the wind... which was pretty scary last night.
Where we live now is a side street, so the attention to the clearing of roads is not as great as the main street we used to live on. I'm noticing most have snow blowers here and I am hoping to borrow a shovel. I could stay in until the weekend when the temps are supposed to go to 50 and melt it all.... I could stay in and just do art :-)

Holding Love

My friend Chaska on facebook had asked a question about what made us smile. My reply was that anytime a child from art class gave me a hug because they loved to do art with me... and yesterday was another one of those days. Little 3 yr. old Ian got up from his chair making his claim that he LOVED art! and there's the smile... my heart danced!
There's that validation again... this greater gift of giving something that makes a difference.
Bringing a love of creating to a child.. My hands, his hands working together to create whatever our imaginations can conjure up. It's such a wonderful experience that fills me with love and I can share that love with another - a child who really appreciated it and let me know :-)
So, yes Chaska, another day with another smile.. never fails me.
Holding this love gratefully in my heart.

Dance of Love

Chose some Christmas colors to get me a mood for the holidays. I love the idea of giving, but feel we have it all wrong in that department. It's the giving of the self that is what this season is about and not all the crazy stuff we run out to buy.
It is a wonderful feeling to received a token of affection from someone showing their appreciation, but to be honest, a thank you.. a sincere thank you is just as good and one of those thank yous that come out of the blue... when you least expect it.. feels even better.
I just have a really hard time with the whole commercial aspect of the holiday and the craziness of shopping and being on the road.
I want to stay in during the weekends just so I don't have to deal with finding a parking space. Instead, I'm loving staying in and fixing up our new place and doing some art and spending time with my hubby, warm and cozy.
I'd rather stay in the Dance of Love... the real message of the season.. to love one another, to move towards a greater peace.
If you are going to "gift" someone, why not make something, or give them some of your time.. but, if a gift is in order, buy in your own community, supporting the beauty of real personal service from a small business owner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
and if you have to be at the mall, I hope this happens to you.. click the above link for joy in the making.
May you be blessed with the abundance of love and dance in it joyfulness.
Namaste'
Doreen

Layers

Finally coming back to mandala more consistently thanks to my husband. I had started out doing mandalas every morning until the middle of October. Life went into hyper speed, kitchen got torn down and rebuilt. I painted in the art room and continued opening boxes and putting stuff away... and then I got sick.
My husband attributed it to not stopping, running myself down and not eating right.. so I stopped... even my mandalas.
The thing is, this mandala making is what I really needed to do to slow down, take some time for my self. I knew it, but didn't do it.
Then I noticed each morning, my markers and mandala book were laid out on the table ... waiting. I noticed, but there was too much to do... later.
Next morning and for a few mornings after that, he consistently set up my supplies.
He is so supportive, I thought and let him know that I appreciated what he did and then I sat.
I sat a made mandalas. I sat for a few minutes... caught some free time in between "obligations".. and began sitting longer and longer.
I paid attention to what came up... layers of feelings, peeling away like an onion... layer upon layer.
Let go of resistance, stop pushing the river, let my impatience fall to the side.. it all gets done in due time... little by little, step by step... layer upon layer it all unfolds, it all gets unpacked, gets painted, put away.
Forgive myself.
Forgive others.
I drove by the most beautiful sight. A tree caught in the sunlight, looking like it was ablaze and it took my breath away. Darn, I don't have my camera... I'll go back.
There are times I just want it all.. I want to embrace the whole of it, bite off way more than I can chew.
I went back.
Most of the leaves fell and although the beauty lingered, the moment was gone. I came across this quote today and it spoke volumes to me

"At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough."
-Toni Morrison
I sit with this today, taking it to other levels.. sometimes one has to say, "enough".. stop. rest.
unpeel layers to find the core of what truly matters.
Love.
gratitude.
Thank you to my wonderful supportive husband :-)

the last pages

To really appreciate Lila's work, click to get a close up. These beautiful watercolors are stiched upon and then layers of fabric added.. Lila, I love the bird.. I am a bird LOVER!

This last page in the journal makes me laugh. Gemma's happy elephant with her full trunk.. You KNOW me Gemma :-) I always have a full trunk... and I love that purse charm! This one cheers me to no end..... love it. Thank you. Travel well....

and now to work on the cover.

and more pages :-)

Karen's Collages remind me of how much I want to begin doing soul collage. I've been saying this for a really long time. So much can be said with a few images.. simple, strong statements. I have enjoyed Karen's collages as they came by me.. thanks Karen
And Carmen! Carmen who initiated the whole process. I have been following her blog (she has a new one) for quite a while now. She is one to go to when you need a lift! Her positive look on life is contageous. I always feel good after leaving her blog. Thanks Carmen for inviting me to join you in this journey and happy to have you as a friend! Thank you.. Thank you