This is a pastel I did at class on Monday.  I feel like it is a collaborative piece since my instructor and I worked on it together in so many ways.  On Wednesday I wrote that I knew I would be inspired by the picture I took of the sky and when I looked at my painting I realized that I had been because the mountain reflected so many of the colors that were in the picture.  It was a great reminder to me of the importance of being aware at all times of the beauty that surrounds me.

On Friday it has become my practice to share with the world what I am most grateful for this week.  This week it is again for the people who have come into my life.  I know that I have written about my husband's illness before.  The medicine he has to take has serious and very unpleasant side effects but he is committed to doing whatever he can to feel as good as he can so he never misses a dose.  He has talked to many wonderful health professionals about what he could do about the side effects but nothing has worked.  The other day he had a call from someone new to check on him and he again explained what was happening and asked if this person had any advice.  And they did.  Something as simple as rinsing out his mouth after taking the medicine has made a huge difference. I am of course so grateful for this person and their knowledge.  I am also grateful that they took the time to listen and had the ability to understand what was happening. 

It think this is such a great life lesson in so many ways.  It reminds me that if I have a problem I should never give up trying to find a solution.  It reminds me of the importance of finding the right person with the right answer.  It might not be the first, second, or third person I ask but eventually I will be able to find the answer or at least some type of information.  It also reminds me of how important it is to listen to someone and how if I can offer just a simple solution to their problem I can make a huge difference in their daily life. You never know when the information you share will have the power to change someone's life for the better.  I hope that you have had a great week and will share what you are grateful for experiencing this week.

                                           I have linked this post to Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day.
 

"There is a fountain of youth.  It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love.  When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age."                                           Sophia Loren

As I walked out of the grocery store the other day and turned to get in my car, I looked up to see the incredible colors in the sky.  I have learned to always have my camera with me so I quickly captured what I was looking at.   I know this sky will inspire me when I am painting this week.  As I was looking up into the sky never once did I think about my age or how I looked at that moment.  When I am writing or painting or taking pictures, I am not worried about anything.  I'm just enjoying the moment and what I am doing or creating. Not only am I defeating age but also so many other things that may make me age prematurely.  Creativity is relaxing.  It's fun.  And if it helps me to find the fountain of youth, that is an added  bonus that I will certainly accept. 

It is interesting how fuzzy this painting photographed no matter how many times I took it or what I changed. I started this painting in an art class on Monday and then changed it once I got home.  I'm not sure I am finished.  I think I will let it sit awhile and see how I feel about it in a week or so.  This is something new for me.  In the past, once I started a painting I always felt like I had to finish it right away.  But I have learned that sometimes it helps to walk away and come back with fresh eyes. 
Several weeks ago my husband and I started taking Qi Gong classes and that is what I am most grateful for this week.  It is a wonderful experience that both strengthens and relaxes you at the same time. I can go to class feeling tired and grumpy and leave feeling full of energy yet calm and peaceful at the same time.  I love not only the movements but the visualizations and the sounds that you make.  I am so grateful that there is always something new to learn and then to share with others.  Qi Gong is definitely something that I would recommend to anyone.
                                          Each Friday I link my post to  Paint Party Friday wonderful site to visit.
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Each time I go for a walk I think I am going to enjoy it and the beautiful sights and sounds I see as I leisurely walk from place to place.  Often when I get home, I realize that I have just walked for an hour thinking about all sorts of things but not really enjoying the beauty that was in front of me.

This Sunday I set an intention before leaving for my walk.  I decided I would really concentrate on the colors that I saw as I walked.

I never get tired of looking at the sky.  Sunday I purposely did not take my camera with me so that I could concentrate on the colors in front of me instead of getting the best shot.  Of course now I wish I had pictures which could really illustrate what I saw on my walk.

The summer flowers are still beautiful but since we are expecting a frost this week they will soon be disappearing.  Each season brings different colors and something new to enjoy.  The bright pinks and lime greens will soon change to purples and orange and browns.  Each color is beautiful and each deserves its place in the sun.

I really enjoyed my Sunday walk.  I came home refreshed and inspired.  I took a painting class on Monday and I don't think it was a coincidence that my work was full of bright colors.  Whether I am enjoying the beautiful fall colors of yellow and orange and brown, or the soft pinks of spring or the bright reds and lime green of summer there is always a color to be enjoyed and cherished.  I just have to take the time to see and appreciate it. 

This week I don't have a new painting to share but I do have a painting that I did a long time ago that I wanted to write about.  When I first started painting I was very self conscious about what I was creating and I can still be but I'm getting better about this.  When I painted this girl, I knew there were so many things technically wrong with the painting but I still liked it.  No one else in the class said anything about it (good or bad) and it didn't matter.  I just liked it so I framed her and hung the painting where I could see it but not really in a prominent place where others may also enjoy it.  Because of the comments many of you have made over the course of the time I have been visiting Paint Party Friday, I think I'll move her where others can see her.  I've come to realize (because of your comments) that my work doesn't have to be perfect for it to mean something to someone. One painting I posted reminded someone of a lake they went to when they were young.  The same painting reminded someone else of the ocean and how much it meant to them and a third person a river they sat by when they wanted to relax. They all saw the same painting, they all saw something different, and they all were reminded of a place they loved.  If my paintings, whether they are technically correct or not, connect with others and remind them of something special, or peaceful, or exciting than I am very very happy and I have accomplished what I have set out to do.  

I am very grateful this week for so many things but I am just going to mention just one.  It's fall.  The weather is cool in the morning, warm (not hot) in the afternoon, and cool again in the evening.  It's my favorite time of year and I am going to enjoy every moment.  How about you?  What makes you smile this week?  
        
                                                   I am linking this post to Paint Party Friday a very special place.

  

Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler's Studios posted this on Facebook today.  I thought it was such a great reminder that I wanted to share it with everyone.
                 Osho Zen Card - Success - Enjoy every drop of happiness and take the future as it comes without regret.

As I go through life I realize that every day comes with great challenges which turn into great opportunities all of which can lead to great success.  It is the small steps that we take that lead us to interesting adventures and exciting journeys.  The important thing for me is to actually notice the difference that each small step makes in my life.

Several years ago I began taking yoga.  I was by far the oldest in the class, the least flexible, and the most self-conscious.  But with a wonderful and caring teacher and lots of practice and dedication, I now feel that I can truly call myself a yogi.  Yesterday, I had the privilege of working with two women who are new to yoga and together we had a wonderful session.  It is amazing what opportunities for growth life offers us if we are open to new ideas. Yesterday was really exciting for me and I hope for the others. 

With a lot of hard work came success.  At the end of the session, I truly enjoyed a great feeling of happiness that I will call upon the next time I need to do something new and challenging.  As you go through each day, take the time to notice the small challenges and accompanying successes that you are experiencing.  And then take a deep breath and experience the happiness that accompanies the moment!  It feels great!

Last week I took a short break from blogging.  It was an unintended break but a break just the same.  Today I realized I missed blogging and missed hearing from all of the wonderful people I have met since I began this blog three years ago.  So I am back and excited about writing again.  Sometimes just a short break from something, even when we love doing it, is just what we need to get the creative energy flowing again.

Last week I decided to also take a short break from pastels.  I thought I would try creating a zentangle.  I read a little bit about them and thought that they were made for me.   I was a great doodler in high school and still love to draw.  In the short amount of reading that I did, it said the purpose of the drawing was to relax you, thus the name Zentangle.  I enjoyed working on this tiny piece of art but soon realized that I was taking my zentangle just as seriously as I did my pastels.  Since I am studying to be a creative coach with Jill Badonsky, I decided it might be just the right time to put into practice what I am learning.  I stopped trying to make my zentangle perfect, took a deep breath, and enjoyed the time I spent creating.  If you too have even a little bit of perfectionist in you, and who doesn't, maybe Jill's quote above will help you too.  I hope everyone has a great week filled with special moments and creative endeavors.  Talk to you again on Wednesday.