Archive for the 'Do Something, Already' Category
-image-Summer Reading
I love books; I love books so much that I suffer from a perpetual bookshelf problem. That is, I never have enough book shelves for all of my books!
Not only do I voraciously love to buy and read books, but I (generally) feel a need to collect them. It doesn’t matter that I have read this book before; I must still keep it and own it. Owning books makes me feel happy - even if it does press upon my bookshelf space.
This year I’ve been forced to do a couple deep and hard purges to clear room on our poor overburdened shelves. I can’t tell you the sadness that comes from letting the well-loved (even if not recently read) books go. But, it had to be done. Now that the store is open (and I’ve moved most of my professional books there) I actually have space on my bookshelves (don’t worry, it won’t take me long to fill them back up).
Still, old habits die hard. I’m still catching myself weighing and measuring a book: was it good enough/liked enough to take up valuable space on my limited shelves? Hmm…
Recently I bought and read a novel that I enjoyed - I mean, it was well written - but I was a little disappointed in (I didn’t like the story, not the writing). I always pre-read my books (at least the beginning) before I pay good money for them, but you can’t always predict what you’ll think halfway through can you?
I finished the book a few weeks ago, but it’s still sitting on the floor by my bedside table. The other day it occurred to me that I hadn’t put it away yet because I didn’t really feel I wanted it on my precious bookshelves… what to do? I had paid good money for the book!
That’s when it came to me. I’ve decided to host a Summer Reading Swap!. I’m sure there are other bibliophiles out there who have perfectly good books that just didn’t measure up to their snuff, or maybe you just need to prune some space into your shelves too. So why don’t we trade books?
Here’s the rules:
You will sign up to trade 1-2 books of your choice (they must be in good enough condition to be read and books you feel are still worthy of reading). I will collect all the names and then post the swap information on the blog so you know who to send to. You and your partner will then swap books. That’s it!
No need to buy new books etc… etc… If you have more than two books you’d like to swap let me know and I’ll put your name in twice. Also, be sure to indicate if you aren’t willing to trade outside of the US/Canada.
Next Sunday (June 22nd) I’ll post the partners list, so you have one week to comment and let me know you’d like to participate in the summer reading swap. Looking forward to hearing from you!
I can hardly wait to read my new book!
Posted by Megan @
10:31 pm |
-image-Synchronicity and All That
If you’ve read Tuesday’s and Yesterday’s posts then you are all up to speed on my current topic of trying to make changes that stick in my life.
Tuesday, (before I went on my walk actually) I took some time to read a bit of Creative Visualization (Shakti Gawain) before I got on with my day. (Almost a month ago I said that I couldn’t buy anymore books until I had read at least half of my unread collection - that’s 36 to be read - and I’ve only completed one since then. As you can tell, reading is the other thing that’s been slipping in my life so I’m trying to make sure I read a bit each day.)
I’ve discovered that you can always tell (if you are caring to pay attention for these things) what the next thing you should be working on is because everything starts to point in that direction; it pops up randomly in all kinds of places and just won’t leave you alone. Synchronicity, coincidence, a giant flashing neon sign, God Winks - whatever you want to call it. I always find it to be very cool and exciting.
It seemed fitting to share with you what I read (seeing as I’ve shared everything else too) - I know a few of you are going therough the exact same thing as me so maybe it will be useful to you.
Accepting Your Good
If you find yourself feeling awkward, ugly, fat, skinny, too big, too small, or whatever, it may be a clue to the fact that you aren’t loving yourself enough to give yourself what you truly deserve - the best.
…
Creative visualization is a great way to work on any physical problems you may feel you have. For example, if you feel you are overweight, you could use two approaches simultaneously:
1. Through affirmations and loving energy, start learning to love and appreciate yourself more as you already are.
2. Through creative visualization and affirmations start imagining yourself as you want to be - fit, healthy, and happy. These techniques can be extremely effective to making real changes.
(Keep in mind that weight problems and many other physical issues often have deep emotional roots as well, and it may be important to reach out for help from a therapist or support group that specializes in these issues.)
Remember, you are a new person at every new moment. Every day is a new day, and each one is an opportunity to realize the wonderful, loving, and lovable person you truly are…
Timely….
Posted by Megan @
6:15 am |
-image-The Official Contest Announcement
I thought I’d give the Girlfriends Art Contest it’s own post to make sure you hadn’t missed it, cause I’d sure hate to not get to see all the beautiful and lovely things you would have come up with!
So, for those of you who didn’t know: I’ve decided to hold a Contest. I’m putting together a small line of greeting cards especially meant for women to send to other women. I’ve got a creative line already set up with art and words, and I’ve got six fun and quirky cards written - but no fun and quirky art. I was pondering this dilema yesterday and decided that the solution must be to simply hold a contest for greeting card art. Let’s call it the:
Here’s how it works, I’ll share three of the insides I’ve got here for cards and you pick two (or all three) that you’d like to illustrate. Then draw whatever comes to mind. Send me your art at muse @flamingrenaissance.com (without the space obviously) and I’ll judge the contest (well, not alone, Wakizashi and a few nameless others will help me). The winner of the contest will have their art published on a small line of greetings cards that will be sold through Everyday Renaissance - and besides the prestige of saying you won and being able to show people your cards you’ll get a contract for 20% royalties on all the cards sold.
Phew… You may submit original art, or you may submit works you’ve already done that you feel suit the cards (as long as you still own the rights to that art). I don’t want to give you too many constrictions (and lose out on a potentially great idea), so instead I’ll give you four words to guide and inspire you. Think: Girlfriends, Cute, Quirky, Fun!
So, if you are interested then here’s the final piece you need to get to work:
Card Text #1 - “Just a little note to remind you that You Matter to Me.”
Card Text #2 - “Shine, Baby, Shine. There’s no one more fabulous than you!”
Card Text #3 - “Laugh and the world laughs with you; Cry and I’ll be right over with the ice cream.”
Submission Deadline is September 29th. Winners will be announced by October 6th.
I can’t wait to see what you all have to send in!
Posted by Megan @
6:42 am |
-image-Calling All Artists
Yes! I actually did paint; a little bit yesterday, and more today. It felt (feels) wonderful! Sigh…
Tell me again why I didn’t do this sooner?
Today I finished up a very old project. You may recall all the way back in February (yes that’s - five, six, yes seven - seven months ago) I posted about this nameless painting which I was going to do larger. Well, I finally finished the larger version of it.
Yesterday and today, as I was working on the petals I found myself thinking that maybe I didn’t even know how to paint any more. This little (nasty) voice in my head kept suggesting I work on something pointless until I got the hang of how to manipulate the paint again. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped back to look at the finished product - I think I like this version even better than the first.
I’ve scanned it for you so you can see it to, but it’s really very sad because neither of these scans (the old one or this one) have come out true to the painting. The first smaller one is completely washed out and you can’t see the beautiful blue and yellow shading in the flowers. On this one you can see everything, but it looks like I painted it in an ugly grey color when in truth the flowers are all done in Ultra-Marine (and look stunning if I do say so myself). Try to imagine the washed out grey as a lovely mellow blue and you’ll be closer to the original.
I also scanned the simple drawing I did the other night. She’s called, “I Believe…” and is part of a project I’m working on for Everyday Renaissance. I’ll have to tell you more about that later, but for now I just had to share her. I’d love to hear what you think.
I Believe…
Pen and Ink
I knew I wanted a sillouette, but didn’t know how to begin. So I did a line drawing in my sketchbook, traced it (so as not to loose my original in case I needed to rework it), and then began experimenting with filling it in). It’s simple, but it turned exactly as I had envisioned it in my head.
Beholder
Watercolor on Hot-press Paper (I was experimenting, I’ve decided I prefer cold-press)
You know how you can tell that you’ve done a really good job on any particular piece? It’s when you just can’t stop looking at it. Maybe this isn’t true of all visual artists, but don’t you find that when you’ve done a particularly good piece everytime you look at it you are a little shocked at how perfectly wonderful it is? When it’s lovely everytime I look at it, then I know I’ve done what I set out to do.
Speaking of art, I’ve decided to hold a Contest. I’m putting together a small line of greeting cards especially meant for women to send to other women. I’ve got a creative line already set up with art and words, and I’ve got six fun and quirky cards written - but no fun and quirky art. I was pondering this dilema yesterday and decided that the solution must be to simply hold a contest for greeting card art. Let’s call it the:
Girlfriends Art Contest
Here’s how it works, I’ll share three of the insides I’ve got here for cards and you pick two (or all three) that you’d like to illustrate. Then draw whatever comes to mind. Send me your art at muse @flamingrenaissance.com (without the space obviously) and I’ll judge the contest (well, not alone, Wakizashi and a few nameless others will help me). The winner of the contest will have their art published on a small line of greetings cards that will be sold through Everyday Renaissance - and besides the prestige of saying you won and being able to show people your cards you’ll get a contract for 20% royalties on all the cards sold.
Phew… You may submit original art, or you may submit works you’ve already done that you feel suit the cards (as long as you still own the rights to that art). I don’t want to give you too many constrictions (and lose out on a potentially great idea), so instead I’ll give you four words to guide and inspire you. Think: Girlfriends, Cute, Quirky, Fun!
So, if you are interested then here’s the final piece you need to get to work:
Card Text #1 - “Just a little note to remind you that You Matter to Me.”
Card Text #2 - “Shine, Baby, Shine. There’s no one more fabulous than you!”
Card Text #3 - “Laugh and the world laughs with you; Cry and I’ll be right over with the ice cream.”
Submission Deadline is September 29th. Winners will be announced by October 6th.
I can’t wait to see what you all have to send in!
Posted by Megan @
7:45 pm |
-image-Afraid of Myself?
Have you ever heard the expression, “She’s afraid of her own shadow.”? I think that most of us are truly afraid of ourselves. I think we are all afraid of ourselves for different motivations and reasons, but I think deep down inside most of us struggle with a profound fear of our real selves (to some degree or another).
Yesterday, I babbled on a bit about my issues with Silence (both past and present) and while writing it I had the profound realization that my discomfort with being silent by myself might, just might, have to do with the fact that I’m actually afraid of myself.
You know the Marianne Williamson quote, the one made famous (though misattributed) by Akeelah and the Bee:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? …
I think those of us who are uncomfortable in silence are really being pushed face to face with this very fear. In the silence our heads and our hearts meet (which is exactly why silence should be such a valuable tool in our lives) and we are terrified at what they might have to say to each other.
We are afraid that if we spend enough time in silence we will no longer be able to ignore the siren song of the part of ourselves we’ve been repressing (because mother said ladies don’t…, or it’s unacceptable to… in my circle, or because being a… won’t pay the bills - you feel free to fill in the blanks). Better to keep distracted, to keep going, then to have to fight that back down.
We are afraid that our hearts will ask us to change our lives, that they’ll start to ask for more from us. Whatever life is or isn’t, at least we’ve got this system down pat and it would just be a whole lot of trouble to have to start all over again and disrupt our routine.
And Marianne Williamson is right, we are afraid that we might just be gorgeous, brilliant, talented, and fabulous - and then what will we do about it?
There is a time when Dory’s “Just Keep Swiming” song is nothing more than a distraction and coping mechanism (rather than the encouraging tool it’s meant to be). Keeping busy (or noisy in my case) really is a fabulous way to keep from connecting to your heart and actually listening to yourself. (By the way, this is also the time and place that we really, truly, hear from God, most of us are missing out on his guidance simply because we don’t know how to stop and listen.)
I think there is a direct correlation between how comfortable I’m feeling with who I am - and with the direction my life is going right now - and how comfortable I am being in silence.
I used to think that I was just incapable of being silent (of course, my mind isn’t really ever silent, it’s more a different way of letting thought happen than not actually thinking), but after I experienced it a few times I realized I could be silent. So, now I’ve come to wonder, why was it so difficult before? And, I really, truly believe it was because I was scared to hear what my heart had to say to me.
I think that the rest of Marianne’s quote has the perfect response to that fear too:
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us…
I think, more than anything, my ability to sit in silence with myself - and to be comfortable doing it - is a sign of how much I’ve lined up my external life with my internal life. It’s like a flashing neon sign on how comfortable I’ve become with myself. I’ve come a long way baby!
Posted by Megan @
3:30 pm |
