This is definitely a work in progress.  I used watercolors on pastel paper and then added pastel over the watercolor.  I am sure that if I started with the correct paper it would have made a difference but that's ok.  It's fun to play and every time I do, I learn something new. So tomorrow I will add more pastel and see what it looks like.  It is amazing how taking a picture and putting it on my computer helps me to see what I need to change or redo. 

It's almost Friday so it is time to take a minute to reflect on what I am grateful for this week.  I really had to think about what to write.  Not that there isn't something every second of the day to be grateful for because there is.  But the one moment that stands out happened in yoga earlier in the week. The yoga teacher had to leave for just a second and she asked me to start the class for her.  Do you remember what it was like to be line leader in kindergarten?  That's what it felt like. I was so excited because I knew I could do it.  When I started taking yoga I used to hide in the back of the room and pray that noone turned around. Now even if it was just for a second I knew I could lead a class and that not only would they be ok but I could actually do it.  It is such a great reminder not to give up if something seems difficult or I can't do it perfectly.  It took a lot of lessons and a lot of mistakes to feel confident in my yoga practice.  But I knew it was important for me to do and no matter how many times I was turning left when everyone else was looking right, there was always someone in the room who gave me a smile or encouraged me to continue.  So now if my paintings don't look just right, or if I am not sure whether to add a comma or leave it out when I am writing a blog post, I know it will be ok.  And for that knowledge, I am most grateful.

It is Friday time to join all of the wonderful artists at Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day.  I know they would love to meet you.

                                                        If you want to be happy, be.  Tolstoy

The weather where we are today is not good.  Rain, thunder, and worst of all tornado warnings are all around us.  So there were no real walks today - just a picture from a walk last spring in the arboretum not too far from our house.
 
I did have a wonderful art class today.  One of the things that I took away from today's lesson was how important it is for me to be present when I am outside. I need to look at the bark of the trees, the leaves of the flowers, and the petals themselves. I need to take the time to see and appreciate all of the colors that are around me. I need to feel the different textures and hear the leaves as they rustle in the wind.  To become a stronger artist I need to slow down and see where the light is coming from and watch the shadows it creates.  I need to be in the moment and then I need to remember the moment. Most of all I need to enjoy the moment.  No rushing through it, no running from place to place.  Just taking time to be! Just taking time to appreciate and enjoy all of the beautiful things that surround me each and every day.  It really was a special class that I know I will remember for a very long time.

     “We are not supposed to all be the same, feel the same, think the same, and believe the same. The key to continued expansion of our Universe lies in diversity, not in conformity and coercion. Conventionality is the death of creation.”

                                                                                                                                ― Anthon St. Maarten

I love the above quote.  When I was teaching I was constantly advocating for differentiation.  It was so important to me that each child was seen as an individual with his or her own strengths, gifts, and talents.  Now, that I am working with adults I feel the same.  We are all different.  We all have unique gifts and talents!  It is when we recognize our own gifts and talents and share them with others that the world begins to grow.  And when we celebrate the gifts and talents of others, the world grows and expands even bigger.  As you begin this week, take a minute to celebrate your own uniqueness.  Celebrate what makes you, you.  Be proud of who you are.  You don't need diamonds to make your light shine brighter and brighter.  It comes from knowing who you are, what you love to do, and sharing your dreams and yourself with the world.    Remember when you share who you are it makes it easier for others to do the same!

Several weeks ago at my art class I painted this picture using acrylics.  It was fun and something different but I wasn't entirely happy.  I don't know much about acrylics and I wasn't sure the brush strokes looked as they should but it was a good class and I enjoyed what I was doing.

Last week our class was cancelled so I decided to recreate the above painting only I used pastels instead.  I changed the colors, took away a vase, added taller flowers and although it is far from perfect I did like the change.  I especially liked working with pastels again.  They are my favorite.   

Today I got out my watercolor pencils. It has been a long time since I have used them and it felt good to experiment and to see what I could create. I especially liked working with the Derwent Inktense pencils.  Their colors are vivid and rich.  

It was fun working with all three mediums on the same concept and is definitely an exercise I will do again.  While having fun, I learned a little about painting and alot about myself as a creative person.  Who could ask for more? 

Along with joining the other artists at Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day, Friday is also the day I blog about what I am grateful for experiencing this week.  This week I saw and heard  the word expand three or four times.   I began to wonder if the universe was trying to tell me to expand what I am doing. Should I write more on my blog?  Should I try to coach more people?  Should I take more painting classes or write more.  I kept asking myself, "How should I expand my world?"

Then I realized maybe the message wasn't that I should expand more but that I should take a few minutes to recognize and celebrate just how much my world has expanded in the past several years. Since retiring I have met wonderful people from all over the world through blogging.  I have taken classes both online and in person on subjects that fascinate me and help me to grow.  Many of the classes I have taken on the internet have been free offered by talented people who are sharing their passion and their knowledge.  Just the other day my husband and I were able to take a yoga class given by a doctor who specializes in pulmonary hypertension.  She showed the poses, along with modifications for people with PH.  Now he has the information he needs to begin practicing yoga again safely.  It was an incredible experience that can change how he feels every day. 

So this week I am very grateful that my world is expanding.  I am grateful to the all of the people who help it expand each day.  And although I do want to continue to expand what I am doing, this week I think it is enough to sit back and reflect and enjoy just how big my world has really gotten because of all of the wonderful people who have taken the time to share their world with me.   To all of you I would like to say, "Thank you!" 

I would love to know what you are grateful for this week. 

For me life is all about learning and changing and growing.  It's all about recognizing who I am, what I want to do, and finding a way to do it.  It is about family and friends and the world at large.  It has become very much about creating and communicating with people in ways that I never knew existed.  It's about having fun!

My blog is one way that I have been able to meet new people.  When I began writing it I had no idea what I was doing.  But I took a leap and began.  Since I started writing Special Moments In Time it has changed slightly but the concept has stayed the same - recognizing and celebrating the special moments that occur each day.  Since I became a coach this year this concept has become even more important to me.  It has already been so wonderful to work with people and share the moment  when they recognize all of the special moments that are already in their life and walk beside them as they begin to create a life that enables them to add even more special moments each day.  

Wednesday's Walk started as a way to share the pictures that I take as I walk.  The pictures that are on my blog on Wednesday are just that but I've added something new to my Wednesday's post.  Each Wednesday I like to share something I think about as I walk.  It is a coaching tip or strategy that I use in my own life that has worked for me and for others.  Awareness has been this month's theme.  Knowing who you are, what you like, and what works for you are incredibly important and helpful as you go through life. Take just a moment to answer these questions:  What is the most important part of the day for me?  Now, ask yourself  Do I take time to enjoy this time of the day or do I rush through it?  If you are enjoying it, congratulate yourself.  If you're not ask yourself,  What small change can I make so that I have time to enjoy ________.  It's ok if you don't have the answer right away.  Take your time and let it percolate.  Write a journal page about your question.  Look at pictures in a magazine for inspiration.  The answer will come, the important part is that you took a small step and asked the question.  Awareness, small steps, and small questions are all strategies that help us create and live the life we want to live.  Have fun on your walk this week.  I would love to know what you discover. 


I've added a coaching page to my blog.  If coaching is something that you have been thinking about, this page may answer any questions you have.  If you have ever thought of working with a coach, I would love to talk to you about my philosophy.  I am excited about coaching and sharing with others what I have learned!   

                     Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine with you. 
                                                                                                                                 Anthony J. D'Angelo
                     .
I love this quote.  It is has been rainy and dreary all week.  I was hoping for snow but it didn't come and so we were all disappointed.  Friday the sun came out and people started to come out of their houses.  I heard people in the coffee shop talking about how different they felt now that the sun was back and I understood what they were saying.  And then today I decided to find a quote about sunshine and this made so much sense to me.  I can bring my own sunshine with me  no matter where I go or what I am doing.  I don't have to let the weather affect how I feel. On rainy days I can remember how much I love to curl up with a good book and read with a cup of tea or coffee.  I can also remember how much I used to love to jump and play in the puddles when I was little.  Just the memory may be enough to make me smile or I might need to take a walk in the rain and if not jump in at least stomp in a few puddles along the way.

Bringing our own sunshine with us can take on so many different meanings.  Think about how a sunny smile can go a long way to cheer up a grumpy person or how a sunny personality makes others feel just a little bit happier even though they may not know exactly why.  When I look at the sculpture above it reminds me of so many things that make me feel like I am experiencing the warmth of sunshine.  Friendship, sharing, creating, teaching, all make my world sunny. 

Someone just told me it is supposed to rain again Thursday.  But this week I won't let it bother me because today I was reminded that no matter what I can always bring my own sunshine into any situation.  I hope you have a sunny week filled with lots and lots of special moments.

What brings sunshine to your world no matter what the weather?

It's almost Friday which means it is almost time to celebrate with my friends at Paint Party Friday.  When I was working, Friday meant it was time for the weekend which was always something to look forward to.  Now every day can be as special as the weekend used to be and that is something I don't take for granted.  Last week I painted a similar painting using acrylics.  I liked it but I wanted to see what I could do with pastels.  This painting definitely has a different look and a different feel to it.  I think for next week I will use my watercolor pencils and see what I can create.  Then I will post all three and compare the differences. 

Friday is also the day that I share some of the things that I am grateful for experiencing during the week.  This week has been rainy and dreary. The weather has been cold and damp but today the weatherman announced a chance of snow.  That is all that it takes where we live for everyone to get excited.  The stores are full of people making sure they have enough bread and milk.  The kids (and the teachers) are running to the windows and listening to the news to see if there will a snow day.  There is just a difference in the way people look and act.  Most of the time everyone is disappointed and it doesn't snow.  But when it does snow it is exciting.  So this week I am glad that there is even a chance of snow. It's been fun waiting and watching and hoping for that first snowflake.  Fingers crossed, nose glued to the window, I am sure it will be here soon!

I'd love to know what you are grateful for this week.

                                               We create our tomorrows by what we dream today.

When I walked through the above gardens last spring I was overwhelmed by what one man was able to create.  He had a dream and he made his dream a reality not only for himself and his family but also for others to share.  Making our dreams come true is not always easy.  It doesn't happen overnight but many of our dreams can come true.  As a teenager my dreams were very traditional for the time.  And many of them came true.  As we age our dreams continue.  They grow and change as we grow and change.  I think it is a good thing to think about the dreams of the past . It is important to remember all of the steps that we took to make those dreams come true.   It is good to celebrate those dreams; just as it is important to make new dreams.

Today I am dreaming of helping other woman to know who they are, what they want to do, and through my words support their efforts.  I am dreaming of writing and painting and becoming a better photographer.  I am dreaming of being inspired by other creative entrepreneurs and in turn inspiring someone else. 

It is fun to dream and to plan and scary to take that first step.  But every big adventure starts with a first step.  Begin today by taking a minute to listen to your dream.  Write it down.  Look at it.  Enjoy it and be excited by it.  Maybe it is time to take the next step.  Maybe just writing it down is enough.  You decide.  But remember:  You are creating your tomorrows by what you are dreaming today.  I believe that magic happens when we share our dreams.  I would love to know what you are dreaming today.

                                        Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

I have just finished taking Kat Sloma's Fuel Your Creativity Class.  On Friday the  assignment was to set an intention for noticing one particular thing that day.  It could be a color, design, word, whatever you wanted to notice.  I decided to be aware of the words or signs that I read as I went through my day.  On Friday a few words spoke to me but yesterday I saw a small sign in a restaurant that I though conveyed a really powerful message.  "Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful."  How often are we looking for the perfect day, the perfect dress, the perfect class?  And how often are we disappointed when things don't turn out perfectly?  Perfection is a hard thing to accomplish and a harder thing to maintain.  But as the quote says, just because something isn't perfect doesn't mean it isn't wonderful.  I hope that this week you have many wonderful days filled with special moments that bring you happiness.  Remember:  Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.  And neither do we! 

Wow, this painting certainly looks different than what I usually post.  Art Camp is back in session and this week we worked again with acrylics. It was fun trying something different but I realize more and more how much I like working with pastels.  What I think I will do is try to recreate this using pastels and see what happens.  It will be interesting to compare the difference in both the process and both of the final products.

My word for this year is laughter.  I want to find and enjoy laughter wherever I go.  Last Sunday I spent time with my three grandsons.  The baby loves to be with his big brothers (who are not that big) and he laughs at everything they do.  When his middle brother decided to "rock out"  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the keyboard the baby thought it was the funniest thing he had ever heard.  By the time the song was done we were all singing and dancing and laughing.  It was the perfect way to spend a day. So week one of the new year included lots of laughter. And what I just realized is that if I wasn't keeping this gratitude journal I might have truly enjoyed the moment but then moved on to something else.  But writing it down and sharing it with others has helped me to enjoy it all over again.  And for that I am very grateful.  

I hope you will take a moment to share what you are grateful for this week.