Almost always it is the fear of being ourselves that brings us to the mirror, Antonio Porchia.

So being that I am on the Simple Abundance path, I am trying to work on meditation. Something I find very scary at best. I have a hard time quieting my mind. I also have a hard time putting aside time for myself to DO it. My goal is to work on my discovery journal, something I am already excited about. I do however have a lack of photos and such to put in it at the moment. BUT I am working on it!

Meditating is going to be harder, but I am going to give it a serious good shot. I am shooting for 5 days a week, possibly week days as I seem more organized on week days. It would be easier to make time for it then, I hope!

Golden mirror meditation is something I think any woman can benefit from. Visualizing yourself surrounded by white glowing light, positive, strong, happy and vibrant. Checking in with that woman possibly when you are feeling down or weak. Reminding yourself just how strong and vibrant you are. I know I can benefit from it!

Lately I found myself happiest in the water in Mexico, it was freeing and very uplifting. All those bright, cheery fish zipping about.

Collective Vision

This week the Collective Vision show is running at Coast Collective gallery. I was pretty honored to be invited into this show. This piece as well as three others in currently showing at the gallery until Feb 14th. There are a lot of very talented artists in this show, stop by and have a look if you get the time. It's well worth the visit!

Knowledge of what you love somehow comes to you. You don't have to read nor analyze nor study. If you love a thing enough, knowledge of it seeps into you, with particulars more real than any chart can furnish. Jessamyn West

In preparation for my discovery journal I cleaned the studio today. It started out as me looking for some postcards I'd been saving and exploded into a full blown tidy up. I hung some new magnetic organizers I got for Christmas, cleaned out drawers, found lost art cards and a couple sticker I forgot about.

I am excited and a bit anxious about a discovery journal, being an artist I tend to think I'll over think it. But I'll give it a go and see what develops. I've been saving bits and pieces of things to add to it.

One thing I seem to love it uplifting sayings and bright happy photos. Flowers, animals pretty much anything happy makes me smile!

Writing?

I will write myself into well being, Nancy Mair

So today I find my new years resolution to journal more daunting.

Maybe it's the neighbors dog that barks at 6 am every morning, it's made me tired.

Maybe it's the cat sitting on my laptop, my arm, my back then back to the laptop. He is adorable isn't he?

Maybe it's lack of motivation because of the weather?

Maybe I'm just a whiner? But I did make a resolution and darn it all I am doing my hardest to stick to it. Something is calling me to journal, I am not sure what as I've never been a writer. But today I found something telling me to drag my laptop onto the bed and type. Maybe that's good, maybe that's bad? You tell me, are my ramblings insane?

One World One Heart

Have you heard about the One World One Heart blog event? It was created by Lisa Swifka to bring together bloggers from all over the world! It's a way to meet people from all over the world. This years theme is a magic carpet ride, get on your carpet and join in the fun!

Since I just came back from Mexico, and was drawn to ll the sea life there (its SO colorful) I am going to give away a sea themed key necklace. Post a entry here and I'll use a random number generator on Feb 15, 2010 to draw the winner! Please make sure when you post a comment you leave a link back to your blog, I welcome comments from all over the world. This necklace can fly (or swim!) anywhere!

Come on people jump on and join in the ride whhhhhhheeeeeeee..........!

Which path

Take the gentle path.

George Herbet

As I get older I move slower, worry less and enjoy more. At least, I try to! I used to sweat the small stuff, do several things at once and often feel stretched to the limit.

I've tried to slow down, take in the small simple, enjoyable things. The sound of rain on the roof, the smell of blooming flowers. Take time to appreciate things you may not slow down enough to see.

I was amazed at the creative towel creatures we got on our bed every day while in Mexico. They were always different and very unique. My favorite was this dragonfly.

New beads!

I've got some new beads in my etsy shop! They are sterling silver plated pandora/troll style beads. Perfect to jazz up your bracelets and very reasonable!

My life was not poor in Mexico!

If your everyday life seems poor, don't blame it.

Blame yourself, admit to yourself that you are not enough of a poet to call forth riches.

Because for the creator there is no poverty and no poor indifferent place.

Rainer Maria Rilke

I managed to relax and enjoy my vacation. Not an easy thing to do when your husband is VERY high energy and has never had a vacation. He did his dive certificate, which allowed me some time of my own to relax on the beach and snorkel.

The sound of waves can put me to sleep at any time of the day I swear. The people watching was pretty good at the beach though, kids playing in the water, snorkelers all over. You never lacked for something interesting going on.

Under the water, well that was amazing! I snorkeled with turtles and tons of fish! The turtles are so calming, they seem so serene.

There was a protected beach just down from our resort that you could take a guided snorkeling trip to so I had to try it. It was pretty amazing!

Bless

Bless a thing and it will bless you.

I was blessed in mexico! We had colder weather for the first week so we did some excursions, then I tried tackling the water. I have a fairly un rational fear of open water. Dark shapes (rocks) scare me, even if I know they are safe.

I managed to see a lot of fish and wildlife even with that fear, so I figure I was blessed. I was awe struck at the amount of color right in the ocean in front of our resort. Maybe by the sea creatures blessed me!

Accept

Everything in life that we really accept undergoes a change. Katherine Mansfield

Accepting what, what and where we are is often the quickest way to start change. When you accept your circumstance you start to relax. I find if I relax my mind can think about other things, allowing me to look for other avenues to expand. Often that's when I think of some new, interesting thing I'd like to try with glass.

Limits

What do you think limits you?

What do you think you could do.........

if only you had more money

time

talent?

You can do it today! Be your own diamond and go for it!

Woman must be the pioneer in this turning inward for strength. In a sense she has always been the pioneer. Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I doubt Anne was talking about this particular pioneer but I often check out the Pioneer Woman blog. Her recipes make me swoon (and gain 10 lbs if I cook them!)

I enjoy reading about her families adventures out on their farm. It makes me jealous often, then I think about how much work all those cattle and horses would be and I come back to reality, I kinda like having 3 horses and a cat!

Diamonds

Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas, they are in your own backyard, if you dig for them. Russell Conwell

We each can be our own diamonds. If you believe in yourself you can do anything, achieve anything. You just need to believe in your diamond, or amethyst, ruby ........ maybe iolite? I am not a diamond kinda girl. But show me a amethyst, maybe a iolite or tanzanite and I feel the need to sigh. I find myself spinning my ring on my finger often, the tanzanite sparkles all purdy when I do. Maybe for now on with each spin I'll mutter "be your own diamond"?

Can you be your own diamond?

Living in the present

I the hustle and bustle of today it's so hard to live in the present. It's easy to get caught up in work, schedules, calenders and clocks. Every now and then I have to stop all the drama and breathe. Usually it involves a good book and the cat!

Today it involves the beach and some sun!

Beauty

You agree - I'm sure you agree, that beauty is the only thing worth living for. Agatha Christie

There are so many beautiful things in this world. Currently I am searching out art that moves me. I am absolutely in love with the Duirwaigh website, their art, their video's all of it. I just love it! They are offering e courses starting in the spring and I am so tempted to go for it!

Wax and Wane

The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides. Arthur Schnabel

Wax and wane, ebb and flow, teeter totter

Give and take, rest and relax

The back and forth of life can often get frustrating, some take more than give. Some never relax, and I'll admit I like to relax. I find it's the down time that makes my mind wander, thinking of something new to create, something different.

I often think I should jot own ideas as I get them, since they flit back out of my head often as quick as they came in. But I just cannot seem to get into journals, and lord knows I've tried. Maybe this blog will become a bit of a journal?

Order versus clutter

Order is the shape upon which beauty depends. Pearl Buck

I like tidy spaces, my husband is a pack rat. Somedays I want to strangle him, he's often bringing home junk he's picked up at a garage sale. To him it's treasures, to me it's junk. I firmly believe if I haven't used it in a year I don't need it!

I have had a hard time organizing my studio. I've got several storage type units, one I use often for shipping related goods. The other I just can't seem to get sorted out. Often once I put something in a drawer I forget about it and can't locate it when I need it.

But I like tidy spaces, what to do? Any neat freaks have some de cluttering tips?

Tis a gift

Tis a gift to be simple

Tis a gift to be free

Tis a gift to come down

Where we ought to be

And when we find ourselves

In the place that's right

Twill be in the valley

Of love and delight

Shaker Hymn

Gratitude

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. Melody Beattie

I am great full for this trip! The beaches here are fantastic! There is so much to be great full for, good health, sun, fun and joy! The more I find myself thanking the earth for it's gifts the more gifts I see.

Eyes wide open

The eye of my eyes are opened. E.E Cummings

There is beauty everywhere! The beaches, the sun, the water, the waves. Soothing and relaxing, opens my eyes to look for beauty in more places!

I am trying to take more pictures and will add them later on, I never remember to take my camera out, but with all this beauty I am reminded to try and capture it.

Missing my cat!

I am missing my cat, as I said in a earlier blog post I chat with him pretty much daily! He's at home, snoozing on the bed, or hunting for slow moving bunnies. He's pretty much a couch potato so hunting is not his strong point. I'm ok with that I am not fond of "gifts" left at the front door in the mornings.

Give your pet a scritch, pet or a treat for me!

Pessimists Baugh!

No pessimist ever discovered the secrets if the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit. Helen Keller

I'll admit pessimists drive me nuts. Constant negativity can make my head hurt, my brows start to furrow and I find myself tuning them out. I find myself tuning a lot of things out some days, I think it must be the slight loner nature from being an artist. As an artist I spend a lot of time alone in the studio. The cat and I have some great conversations, which is NOT a good thing.

I made a commitment to myself this year to try and get out more this year. I am taking a beginner stained glass class at the Coast Collective, I am really looking forward to it! I am looking forward to trying something new, and meeting other artists. I think just engaging with others helps keep our creative juices flowing.

Live it up!

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. Elisabeth Kubler - Ross

Living it up in Mexico! We've seen the Tulum Ruins, they are amazing! The little beach there is also fantastic with beautiful views from the cliffs. It's a bit of walking to see all the ruins but well worth it.

Grab each day and do one thing fun, one thing that makes you smile! Even if it's a simple thing. A good cup of coffee or tea, stop to admire that bundle of flowers at the market. Heck, BUY that nice bundles of flowers at the market!

Up up and away!

Today we are on or way to Mexico! We'll arrive at our resort at around dinner time. I am hoping to head to the beach to check it out, have some dinner and relax! I may have to teach Roddy (my husband) HOW to relax. Relaxing is not something he's used to doing!

Is happiness a duty?

There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits on the world. Robert Louise Stevenson

I like the idea that by being happy we spread happiness. I'm not fond, however of happiness being a duty. Sometimes we just aren't happy, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

I am hoping to smile till my face hurts over the next couple weeks, enjoying sun and fun in Mexico. This time last year we were recovering from a snow storm.

Going from wet weather to sun should make me smile don't you think?

Happy is as happy does

Perhaps if one really knew when one was happy one would know what things that were necessary for ones life. Joanna Field

Happy is as happy does, or so I like to think so. I still believe in the power of positive thinking and try and look for the good in situations. Stress can sometimes let us know what we are really made of, sometimes it can let us know we need a break!

Happy around here often revolves around a nap. Having only geld

ings now things have slowed down. This is a old picture but every day the boys settle down for a nap. Indy (the large black one resembling a moose) sleeps propped up on the sandpile, or in his stall. Redman (the RED one duh!) will sleep anywhere and often snores and twitches in his sleep. Eazy (the old fart we all love) often snoozes standing up leaning against his stall.

I am looking forward to a break! We head to Mexico in two days and I am counting the hours!

Happy?

The thirst after happiness is never extinguished in the heart of a woman. Jean Jacques Rousseau

Happiness is sometimes something we chase but rarely feel like we have caught. I am trying to slow down and take more time to be happy, more time to laugh and smile. I appreciate my studio more and my time spent in it.

Little things can make me happy. The soft nose of a horse waiting for his morning greeting

before he eats his breakfast. The sound of rain on the roof (but only at night!). A bead coming out of the kiln much like I had it envisioned in my head. The cat purring (and snoring) while he sleeps.

What about you? What little things make you happy?

Who am I?

Many women today feel a sadness we cannot name, though we accomplish much of what we set out to do we sense that something is missing in our lives - and fruitlessly - search "out there" for the answers. What's often wrong is that we are disconnected from an authentic sense of self. Emily Hancock

I sometimes wonder how I became who I am today. Life moves so fast! I turned 40 this year, how did I get so OLD? It still sounds weird when people ask how old I am and I say 40, some say I don't look 40. Not sure if that is a compliment or not?

I've morphed into a much different person from who I was in my 20's and 30's. I love gardening now, have become and artist. Horse have become a hobby instead of a business, something I am very happy with!

For the most part I don't feel sadness I feel shock and wonder and who I have become! I am moving forward, trying to develop my art form, and a customer base (not easy in this economy!) I am blessed to have good friends in the industry who've helped me along the way, and are still helping me!

The glass world is an amazing place, just today I got this wonderful gift in the mail, from Offilia Cinta. It's one of her stunning fish! Her name is Sassy, she sits on the shelf in my kitchen gazing out the window!

This ain't no dress rehersal

When you perform, you are out of yourself, larger more potent, more beautiful. You are for minutes heroic. This is power. This is glory on earth, and it is yours nightly. Agnes de Mille

Are you like me? I often buy a scented candle, nice towels, a pretty bath oil on sale............ then save it. What am I saving it for? I spy a wonderful shirt, maybe on sale maybe not. But it then it sits, rarely worn, heaven forbid I wear it out.

Lately I've been cracking open the heavenly scented bath oils, lighting those candles I've been saving for months. I love scent, smell takes me places I've been or hope to go. It brings back memories, it makes me sigh ...... long ......... relaxing sighs. My current favorite bath bombs are from Lush. I love the Sex Bomb bath bomb, the pretty little rose it my makes me feel pretty darn girly! Treating myself once and a while makes me smile. And being that life isn't a dress rehearsal shouldn't we smile often?

Simple

Simple (adj) without embellishment, clarity of form and thought, fundamental.

My beads tend to lean towards a simple style, well I think they do anyways. Lately I've been working on a goddess style with a simple, more elegant flow to it. Nostalgic Tale is one of the beads that I believe has a more simple flow or style to it.

I tend to me a "inside the box type thinker and these beads have more flow to them, they often go in different directions than I originally had planned. They stretch my mind (often confusing it!) and seem to send me someplace serene and comfortable.

Work it Right

You live only once, but if you work it right once is enough. Joe E Lewis

I wonder, do I work it right? Work life, love, happiness? CAN you work it? What's right? What's wrong?

My ongoing goal is to remain positive, to try new things, to find the good in any situation. That can be hard! Looking back on 2009 my hot air ballon ride with Andrea in Turkey is a positive thing. My trip there with a good friend is something I'll cherish forever, and being afraid of heights getting in a hot air ballon (and STAYING in the ballon) is a major life achievement for me.

The years questions

There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.

I hope that this year answers some questions for me. The end of 2009 was rough for me and my husband. We had sick horses from June onward, one died and one is still not back to normal. The ongoing stress of dealing 24/7 with animals we really couldn't seem to help set a toll on me. My creativity and motivation suffered. Studio time felt like a chore instead of a joy. I've taken some time off and had planned to re evaluate the beginning of the year. Now we have a Mexico trip planned and I am so excited about it I can't focus on the studio once again.

My hope for this year is to focus my studio time more effectively, set out a business plan (YIKES!) and try and be more effective about promotion myself and my work. The answers this year may give me are, is my foray into glass really going to grow and flourish. Or, should it just be a hobby?