Dinosaurs

Fox

Paper birds: Phoenix

Werewolf-head sword-staff

Night sky

Indominus Rex

Sea creatures

Flamingo

Art Therapy

You should be free

But we aren't there yet. 

Free to run,

To sleep,

To be beautiful 

In your own skin,

To go to church,

To work,

To school,

To go grocery shopping,

To get a massage,

To create.

Don’t Look Back

In the past few years, we have had family, friends, neighbors and classmates affected by California wildfires.  When you don't know what to expect, what to start packing, or where you'll go, especially if you have littles to care for, there's a lot to figure out in a short amount of time.  

If the hills are on fire, if you're in the path of destruction, if you're in the midst of swirling chaos...

An angel shows up, specifically takes you by the hand, leads you safely out of a disaster, and says, "Run for your life!  Don't look back, and don't stop! Run for the hills, or you'll die!" 

- Do you just keep running for the hills until you are safe? Are you able to press forward, lean into the possibilities of everything ahead?  

- Do you take a moment to negotiate?  Your life has just been spared, and yet you aren't sure that you can endure any more. "But I can't!  I won't make it!  Can I just...?"  

- How far do you get before you wonder, " What just happened?"  Are you able to never look back?  Do you long for what you once had? What used to be?

I can't help, but find a little relief in Lot's story.  He needed a little nudging, a little hand holding along the way.

Do you need a moment to hesitate? In all of the chaos, do you just need to gather your wits about you?  To make some sense of it all?  To simply, just catch a breath?  A slow, deep inhale. And the gentle, patient release. 

You are allowed that moment of pause.

It's in that moment of hesitation that someone takes you by the hand, brings you out of catastrophe, to give you the courage to simply follow.  How much clearer does it get?  Am I riding on the faith of others?  Will I reach out to grab someone by the hand when they're stuck?  

I enjoy the fond memories of many trips and moments of joy teaching art to children around the world.  But even now, I also learn from what was, what happened or didn't happen. How things unwrapped and what resulted.  I could have ___.  I should have ___.  But don't get hung up on those moments. We're allowed to hesitate. To not know all of the best outcomes. Don't just long for what was lost or what once was. Don't stay in that place.  Look forward. 

I know that we are making the most of our time together, yet apart, quarantined through Covid-times. I know that this is cultivating a foundation for what is next.  But when it's time to run on my own, I don't want to look back or stop short. For now, I'm holding on in faith. Take a moment and grab hold!

Forward

Some people start with a vision board.  I usually steer clear.  But a magazine arrived, and I was inspired.  This turned into a lot of fun!  It was like crafting a puzzle, carving it into a dream for the year:

PLANTING FOR TODAY,

PLANTING FOR TOMORROW 

Because I was the only one who could help.  

foundational lesson: We need to listen carefully when Someone asks us to do something.

FORWARD

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE.

The inspiration to write my first 

expressions of connection 

>>>> 

writing skills that only I possessed.

discover a surprise gift instead.

You already know

lifelong dream 

... Is Coming!

anticipating it, but she wasn't surprised.

shared her story.

I'm an officer of content and engagement

create brave spaces

pass on core values

Cultivating

focus

activates empathy

opportunities that others overlooked

SURVIVE

thrive. 

deeper 

wonder

honor

character

adventure

time reading 

creating

external beauty and strength are secondary to internal character and virtue. 

cherish your daughters as much as your sons, And teach them both to stand up for what is right and to be brave and not be out down. If at first you don't succeed, then you try and try again."

grows 

within

helping them gain a deeper understanding - the most important 

pursuit 

simply listening

thirst for 

trustworthy 

and good. 

they didn't have all the ingredients 

and so they had to get a little creative. 

simply ask questions. 

move fast and pivot quickly 

- and do so in a way that is authentic and real. 

no surprise. 

The responses to these questions can lead to some pretty remarkable discoveries 

as they make crafts or holiday treats. 

asking questions is a profound way to grow and learn.

Goal #2: We want to support 

we are proud to help

The silver lining is that we have a better understanding of our strengths and how we can become even stronger advocates and allies

I have a voice, and I shouldn't be afraid to use it.  I asked for 

an even greater 

perspective 

gave her actionable feedback on the spot, encouraging her to stick with it and keep writing.  She did.

Step by step, she has made a difference 

to action through her relentless pursuit of justice, 

reflection, and consideration. 

she was relentless

hope to learn anything about strength and courage from those who preceded her

We don't have to wonder whether our efforts have an impact.  

perseverance.  

it is something all of us do without noticing.  notice

outcome 

Anticipate

January 12

Second starts

require a perseverance when the power of courage calls. Relinquish the disappointment and the weariness. Don’t give in to the daunting loom of the unknown. The anticipation offers an opportunity for an even stronger stride, a clearer vision with a refined intentionality, and the grace with which to pick up and start again.
A focus undeterred and a destination chosen in an effort to thrive are the beginning of the next phase.
Look up.
Look forward.
Receive freedom to imagine
explore
anticipate
hope.