you are never alone

You are on a journey

And there are times you may feel isolated

Unsure

Lost on your path

But know that no matter where you stand

How afraid you are

How lonely you may feel

Know that you are not alone

You are never alone

There is always someone

Ready to take your hand

Willing to guide you home

Do not be fearful of reaching out

Asking for help

Speaking from the heart

Leaning on others

We are not meant to do it alone

There are others out there just like you

When we come together

We are stronger, braver, wiser

Together stand together along the shore

Look out to the horizon

Dream big

And step forward, together

shine

There is so much love in your heart
Share it with the world
Open up
Watch as you bloom others around you bloom
Do not be fearful to shine
Stand in the light
Reach up
And grow
The world needs to see your beauty
The world wants to see you shine

postcard from the road

Feast of Words

This past weekend I hosted my very first Feast of Words 

Joy and gratitude are overflowing from my heart

I am blown away by the honest wholehearted writing and sharing that occurred in my home

We warmed up our writing muscles with some tasty appetizers

And quick fun prompts

Gently easing into the writers mind

We then gathered around the table, which was set with intention
and a special piece of art from dear friend Kelly Barton
We shared stories, giggled, and savored a delicious meal prepared by our very special Chef

We found a comfortable place to write

Hands nervous, hearts unsure of what was to come

But together we took the leap

Words poured onto the page
Individuals who said they weren't writers wrote the most beautiful things
Hearts expanded and love swirled around

There was no judgment or criticism
Only a common understanding for each other
As ears openly listened and hands feverishly wrote

It was a night filled with compassion
Heartfelt writing
And a delicious Feast on Words

I am so grateful for each individual who took a chance on this night.  Arriving with an open mind and delving deep into writing.  I am also grateful for my chef, Alice who prepared the most delicious meal and helped the night run smoothly.

Together we laughed, cried, and feasted.  It was a night to remember.

postcard from the road

guest post: Elizabeth Kenney :: My Mother Taught Me ::

photo credit: Elizabeth Kenney

:: I invite you to sit down with a cup of tea and soak in these heart warming words from Elizabeth Kenney who has participated in the Love Notes Post Card Project twice.  At first she wasn't to happy with the second writing prompt that I sent out, but boldly she worked through it.  I love how she seeked out the good and how she let the page catch her words. Through writing bring light to things we may have tucked away or never really wanted to look at to begin with.  Elizabeth dove in and was able to find beauty.  I love this! ::

I signed up for the Love Notes project on a whim and this is my second round participating.  Professionally, I'm a textile designer and love how it gets me out of my normal creative groove and connecting with strangers in a caring, giving way that also helps me find surprising places inside myself I didn't know where hiding there.  I look forward to each new prompt and love 'letting myself go' artistically speaking while making each note, imagining the smiles it will bring on the other end. 

I was excited to see what Jennifer's second prompt would be but completely froze with apprehension when I read it.  It was titled 'What My Mother Taught Me' and asked us to share wisdom we've gleaned from our mothers.  Her examples were all so lovely and positive and all I could think about was how my mother and I were at odds.  In fact, I was furious with her at the moment.  My mom has had a difficult life and always done her best to be a good mother.  That said, it's not always been easy being her daughter and I've spent much of my adult life trying to come to terms with our relationship.  We are different in myriad ways yet there are the nagging similarities that will always be there (even if I hate to admit it!)

I took a deep breath and thought how life has a way of bringing you exactly what you need in the moment.  As frustrated as I was, I look out the backyard window and thought, in every person, in each relationship, we can always find something good if we seek it.  I considered what my mother does well - her beautiful garden - and how much growing things in the earth means to me.  It's a love I share with my own daughter as we explore the backyard eating warm, sweet raspberries on summer days and she squeals with delight, her chubby fingers pulling worms from the soil. 

I pictured my mother's hands, slender, and my own, more sturdy, and considered how regardless whose hands work the ground, if its done with love, beautiful things will grow.  Each seedling may look different as it sprouts but like us, they come from a mother fruit.  It took a moment to write the poem and in creating the whimsical drawings to go with it, I travelled full circle with my feelings and realized I am a separate, beautiful person in the image of my mother yet very much rooted in my own life.  One of the best things I can hope is for my own daughter to grow and flourish and one day, perhaps, she'll look out her own back window and think of me, with love. 

Elizabeth and her family live and garden in Brooklyn, NY where she designs fabrics inspired by what grows there.  You can see her work at http://www.elizabethkenneystudio.com/

guest post: Kris ::Create What Is In Your Heart

:: I have another wonderful post from one of the participants of the Love Notes Project.  I was so delighted when I read these words from Kris and just know that they will touch home for a lot of folks who do not believe that they are artist.  I invite you to soak in her words and know that each of us are artist, yes even you. ::

I am 64 this week and just beginning to re-connect with my creative energy after years and years of ignoring it.  I was one of those people who thought "if it isn't perfect, then I am not an artist."  As my three grand daughters came into the world and I began to "create art" with them (at any and every given moment!!), I realized just how much I enjoyed the creative process and how we are all artists --- it's just a matter of definition.  As a result, I have set aside expectation of the outcome --- that's some of our big life lessons, isn't it?  It's not about the destination --- enjoy the journey!!

As for this wonderful Love Notes Project --- I have so enjoyed it.  It reminds me of the "good old days" when we had pen pals in school!!  It's been fun for me to read the prompts and see what comes up instantly in my mind.  That's what I end up doing --- no second-guessing myself.  It's intuitive.  The words and images just pop into being. 

In the past, if the words didn't look like they were calligraphy, I couldn't/wouldn't put them out there.  If the shoes or feet didn't look "real" I would either re-try and re-try or give up.  Not the case anymore and it is so freeing.  I think a lot of that has to do with all of the women who are creating what's in their hearts and are not afraid to put themselves out there and part of it is where I am in my life.  I no longer care what others may think -- It's so much more about how I feel. 

Thank you for this fun and important connection between women.  I look forward to your next one.  And the one after that and the one after that!!!