Shop Update

I've added several new mixed media pieces to my Etsy shop today. You'll find the link to my shop on the right. These new pieces all have lots of great texture and are sealed in beeswax which is just yummy!

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Check it out and let me know if you see something you like!

Beautiful

I need for this to sink deeply into my heart... and stay.

Abandonment

Could I ever give myself with such abandon as this?

(mosaic by Daryl Lynne Wood)


Father, I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all Your creatures -
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,

For you are my Father.

prayer of abandonment - charles de foucauld

My Prayer

More holiness give me,
more striving within,
more patience in suffering,
more sorrow for sin.

More faith in my Saviour,
more sense of His care,
more joy in His service,
more purpose in prayer.

Philip Bliss

~~~

Procrastination

I listened to a podcast online recently about procrastination, a topic I am personally very familiar with. The speaker had a couple of guests on his show that had differing viewpoints of the various causes for procrastination.

One guest said it is a character flaw. A weakness of the will. That folks (like me) who procrastinated did so because they opted for instant gratification (say playing online computer games) rather than working on a project (say setting up an Etsy shop to sell art) even though the project completed would bring much greater rewards.

Another guest suggested that procrastination was related to perfectionism. Perfectionists often have the attitude that if a thing cannot be done perfectly or if they doubt their ability to perform perfectly, they opt not to do it at all. An all or nothing mentality. Or perhaps it is the perfectionist's fear of failure or performing sub par that keeps them procrastinating.

Another view from a caller was really interesting to me. This gal suffered from a generalized anxiety disorder and described facing a task or project that she was procrastinating on was like a game of rock, paper, scissors. The anxiety over beginning was great enough to keep her from performing. But when the anxiety over the consequences of NOT doing whatever the task was became greater than the anxiety to begin, then she proceeded full speed ahead and felt she often performed better under that pressure.

I don't know which of these theories is the "truth." My truth is, I can see myself in all three. And I know procrastination has cost me. It has cost me opportunities, money, accomplishment, and joy.

Several things have fallen into my lap recently...NOT coincidence I have learned. A conversation with a good friend, a Bible study, a couple of quotes arriving via email over the course of a few days have spoken to me and have encouraged me to begin what has been my heart's desire for the past couple of years.

On the sidebar you will find a link to my Etsy shop. I've listed several of my art pieces and have several more to list as well as some other vintage/artsy stuff. I'm going to make a commitment to work on this "business" side of art over the next few months and see where it takes me.

Words of encouragement welcome. ;~)

~~~

"You must take action now that will move you toward your goals. Develop a sense of urgency in your life." Les Brown

"To speed your success, twice a day form a clear mental picture for two minutes of the one thing you want; and tell yourself it's already yours. Imagine it is." Author unknown

One Thousand Gifts

What does it mean to be poor?

Isn't this what you saw in your mind's eye, or something like it?

Or maybe this?

Or even this?

When we think of the poor, we think of those who are without: without homes, without clothing, without food, without money. Without all the material things that most of us have an abundance of and take for granted.

If you ever have the opportunity, spend some time among them: in Mexico, on the Navajo reservation, in Haiti, in Kansas City or whatever city you live in. You don't have to go far. Reach out. Share a meal. Talk to them. Take the risk. Get to know them. You may go in thinking you have something to give to them.

But the truth is, they have something extraordinary to give to you.

They will show you that being "poor" means relying on God for every need, every day. It means to be watchful for God's provision, knowing that everything that comes into your life, every need met, has been delivered from His hands. It means giving thanks for every. small. gift.

~~~~~

I believe, WE are the poor. Our lives are so busy with work and family, little league and dance class, committee meetings and ministry. We are always in a hurry to get from here to there. We miss so much. We miss every small gift that comes from God's hand. Yet we are not satisfied. We are not content. We think there is never enough. Not enough space, not enough money, not enough stuff, not enough time. WE are the poor.

So here is my dare to you:

Begin a list of the things you love, a list of the things you have to be thankful for. Open your eyes and heart to the little gifts from God that are hidden among the deadlines and the dishes. When you see them, write them down. Nothing is too large or frivolous. Nothing is to small and insignificant. Because it all comes from Our Father who loves us and knows how to give good gifts. Begin thanking Him in all things, naming them one by one, until you get to One Thousand Gifts.

It will change you. And when it does, I'd love to hear back from you about your journey into thanksgiving.

Prayer for Healing

Thy name is my healing, O my God,
and remembrance of Thee is my remedy.

Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion.

Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor
in both this world and the world to come.

Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful,
the All-Knowing,
the All-Wise.

a baha'i prayer