Inspiration Stirring?

When I think about artists, true artists, whether that be painting, sculpting, molding, songwriters, singers, musicians, designers...anyone who creates something that speaks to us or captures a feeling or captures a moment; I envision them seeing the whole picture first.  I always thought if you're a "real" artist you could see/hear/feel the final product before you even began.  I think a lot of artists do, they can see it in their minds before they start; but I know some artists create as they go...like songwriters.  It's whatever process works for the individual, and a majority of the time it's created from some sort of inspiration the artist receives.

Inspiration could come from anywhere or anyone.  Inspiration is different and unique to everyone...just as we are as individuals. My inspiration comes and goes like most of us I assume.  Of course, a pretty flower arrangement or even a single rose could give me a moment of inspiration, but to really create something I need sustained inspiration.  I need something to keep the spark alive, to keep the motor of excitement or intrigue moving, and I need it to sustain itself over a period of time.  Most of my inspiration is short-lived.  How about you?

I've never considered myself an artist mainly because I could never envision the whole thing.  I'm a half visionary...ha!  I can see and sometimes feel what I want to do...with a canvas, a room, a home...but, there's always a piece missing or an uncertainty about the whole thing.  When I was younger I would consider myself crafty.  I loved doing crafts although we didn't really call it that back then.  It was just fun making new things and doing new projects all the time.  Yes, I weaved pot holders, made shrinky dinks (remember those), of course made paper dolls and had an Easy Bake oven, loved using paint pens, made my own jewelry, and loved using paint pens to decorate t-shirts and sweatshirts.  Oh the glory!

But, my writing inspiration has waned since writing my first book.  I've tossed around ideas for the next book or even if I wanted there to be a next book.  I've kind of just let it float along the surface for the past several years until I found some real inspiration to try again.  Well, maybe all that time has finally bubbled up to this moment, new inspiration has finally hit me!  I won't go into details now, as it might only be momentary as previously mentioned, but at least there's a little spark there.  So yes, I've started writing again!  I don't know where it will lead or if anything will actually result from it, but it's always nice to find some inspiration again.  I think we all need that in our lives, something to push us forward, to look forward to, or to get us excited about what we can do.  So, I'm going to put my head down and just write for the next several weeks and we'll see what happens.  Hopefully the words will flow freely, eloquently and creatively!  Wish me luck!

May inspiration find you this week and bless you even if it's only for a moment!

Back To School

Summer vacation is coming to a close for all the kiddos and it's time to go back to school!  Yes, new pens, pencils, back packs, lunch boxes, hair-cuts, clothes, and hopefully lots of excitement...along with a few nerves to start.  I remember the feeling well.  Those "first day of school" jitters of excitement, but more nervousness every new school year.  The careful consideration of your outfit for the first day of school, seeing who were in each of your classes, meeting new teachers, and getting into the groove of extra-curricular activities. 

For me, that was dance and then drill team in high school.  And drill team started with summer camp, a week-long intensive week of learning numerous new routines, performing those routines for ribbons at the end of the week, long days of practicing and perfecting, and finally performing.  Those were also the days of strict discipline, smiling at all times until your cheeks actually started to go a little numb, bonding with your teammates through stress and sometimes tears, eating a lot of junk food late at night and then staying up until the wee hours of the morning to practice and then practice some more.  How in the world did I survive that?!  It's helps being 16.  Now, the long nights, junk food and wear and tear on my body would definitely do me in...after one day!

Then, we'd kick of the new school year with a tea hosted at someone's house that included our moms which was always special since they were fully entrenched in everything we did...from wearing their school spirit/drill team attire to all games and performances, to helping with fundraising, sewing costumes, pinning hair/hats/costumes, attending booster meetings, and so much more!  It was definitely a team effort.

So, as the new school year approaches (and may have started already for some), I hope all the kiddos out there have a fabulous new school year!  I hope they learn from tireless teachers, have fun in their extra-curricular activities, make new friends, and reach out to any student that is sitting alone or seems to be alone.  Make it a great new school year!  May blessings of courage, anticipation, friendliness, compassion and grace be with all students starting a new school year!

Thoughts and Prayers, Again

It's a cruel world out there.  Some days, like yesterday it feels all too familiar, sad and overwhelming.  Another mass shooting...and then another.  What is going on in this world?  Is there that much hate swirling around us that we can't even go buy groceries or go to a restaurant or to the movies or to a concert or to school or to church?!  When will it stop?  When will lawmakers have the courage and morality to choose human life over money?  When will our leaders take action instead of offer excuses and inaction?  

Yes, my heart is heavy, my frustration is high, but I have to have hope.  We have to have hope...that our voices will be heard, leaders will stand up for human lives and that action will be taken to prevent these tragedies from happening over and over and over again.  It's too much.  It's too often.  It's too real.  And, it's becoming too normal.

And yes, I'll be praying and praying and praying some more.  Stand up for change!  Stand up and let your voices be heard at the ballot box...vote, vote, vote, vote!!  Lets make a difference together!

May God's peace and love comfort the families of all the victims that were lost so tragically this weekend, and may be provide strength and courage to all those that were injured during their recovery (mentally and physically).  Bless all the first responders, hospital staffs, friends and family that have been affected in El Paso and Dayton.  May we all find more compassion, understanding and respect for our fellow human beings.  We are all human...not left, right, up, down, red, white, black, blue...we're not the labels that society places on us.  We are all human beings with blood running through our veins and each life is valuable.  Peace be with you and may God bless us all through the first full week of August.

Promises...

As I tried to get in a couple more hours of sleep this morning, I started thinking of God's promises.  "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)  This scripture always sticks out, but there are obviously SO many of God's promises throughout the bible.  So, if you need a reminder of those promises it's a good day to open the good book.

After getting up and going for the day, this is what was on my Instagram feed "Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)  Thanks for the affirmation!  Then I scrolled down a little more to read this "Lord, please give me strength in my weakness, give me faith in my fear, and give me power in my powerlessness. I am trusting you."  AMEN!

And then this, "Be thankful for the bad things in life.  They open your eyes to see the good things you weren't paying attention to before." Yes, indeed!  All messages I needed to see this morning and there they were!  HE is with us.  HE never leaves us.  HE is good.  HE will provide.

May the messages you need to hear this week come to you.  They could come in any form so keep your eyes, ears and heart open.  Wishing you many blessings as another month comes to an end and another begins!

What Do You Collect?

When I was younger, I remember going into my Grandma's sewing room where she had souvenir plates from states that she and my Grandpa had visited displayed on shelves on the wall.  And any gift you gave her, she would put a piece of tape with your name on it on the bottom or back of whatever it was so that you could get it back after she passed.  As for those souvenir plates, on one visit to her house as an adult she asked which one of those plates I wanted.  All of the grandchildren could pick a plate and she would put our name on the back.  I chose the one from Maine since it always seemed so far away I never knew if I'd make it up that way.  I still haven't made it to Maine, but I have that plate displayed in Grandma's china cabinet that is now in my dining room.

As I got older and started traveling I decided to start collecting something, but thought plates were too big.  So, I chose shot glasses.  They were small and easy to pack.  I figured I would take a page from my Grandma and collect shot glasses from everywhere I visited.  I don't know how many I have, but I have a lot...especially when I was traveling every other week when I managed events for IBM.  I have some from my international trips, but I think I forgot to get a few from some of the countries I visited.  I guess I'll have to go back!

I haven't picked up a shot glass in what seems like a decade now.  My new collection obsession has been recipes.  I'm completely obsessed and don't know how to stop!  Seriously!  I see SO many good recipes online every day that I want to make that I've printed out WAY TOO many to count.  Other than to say, I have close to 20 binders filled with recipes I've printed and put into sheet protectors, so you do the math!  Gulp.  I keep thinking that I won't even live long enough to make all the recipes I've printed more less from the 10+ cookbooks I have, too.  Sheesh!

What do you collect?  Are you obsessed with it?  Baseball cards, dolls, stamps, coins...whatever it is does it make you happy or crazy?  I think I'm on the verge of crazy so I'm going to have to figure out how to stop at some point.  I hope!

Blessings to you this final full week of July!  Stay cool out there! 

Reset? Re-do?

We're halfway through the year and there's only about 25 weeks left.  Are you feeling like, "Where has the time gone?" or time is dragging and it's only going to feel longer through the 'dog days of summer'?  I think I'm in the former wondering how we're already into the middle of July already!  How did that happen?  It just seems like yesterday everyone was making their new year's resolutions...again.  The same ones from the year before...you know the ones.

So, at the mid-point of the year do you reassess, reanalyze your yearly goals?  Are you crushing your goals or did they fade away before the calendar flipped to February?  Is it time to reset?  Are you ready for a re-do?  A mulligan?  I am!  I'm ready to start again...reset my goals, my mindset and just try to be more consistent.  I'm good for awhile, but then I hit a speed bump and get off track.  But, I always dust myself off and keep going.  Try again.  Get back up...again and again and again.  That's just life.

So, good luck in reaching all your goals as you continue or reset them.  May you overcome the bumpy roads and keep on going until you reach your end goal...and then set some new goals.  Inspire.  Motivate.  Persevere.

May blessings find you this week and may you be a blessing to someone who needs it! 

Back-to-Back Champs!!

I believe that we will win!  I believe that we will win!  We WON!!!

Congratulations to the United States Women's National Soccer Team for repeating as World Cup Champions!!! ⚽🏆

Fantastic tournament.  A lot of heart, determination and grit.  Teamwork makes the dream work.  Believe.  World domination.  Confidence.  World champs!!!

These ladies PROVED they deserve equal pay!  Make it right.  Make it happen!

SO, SO proud of these athletes, these warriors, these women!!

May you be inspired by the performance of our World Cup Champions to rise to the occasion and do great things in your own life!  Blessings to you in reaching for your goals through hard work, determination and commitment.