May 10, 2012

all well be well

“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” ― Julian of Norwich

“Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death.” ― Rumi

Let me tell ya – the past few months have been a little bit of a challenge for me, and for my family.  Nothing over the top horrible, mind you, just, well, difficult.

Sort of like a drip in the bathroom faucet that, no matter how many times you repair it, will start to flow again after you walk out of the room.

My belief is this: patterns are God trying to tell us something.

So, using the faucet metaphor up there, this stuff that has been working on our family has just been a slow drain on our daily life.  Like the rhyme goes, “we tried going over it, going around it, going through it, but we still couldn’t get away form it,” that is how this little nagging feeling has been for the 6 of us.”

My mom (*waves to my mom* – a devoted reader and pretty cool lady) told me something the other day that has stuck with me.  Let me paraphrase it for you…

“Sometimes people don’t like it when you are trying to do something helpful for others, or trying to good.  That is when you need to put on the armor of God and remember that their unhappiness is not your story.  Your story is different, and let it take you to higher places.”

And what did I learn in the past few months?  Well, first off, I figured out that it is okay to be strong, and that being a Princess from time to time can be a could thing.  On top of that the whole family realized that if you give negative experiences your attention, and dwell on “how bad it is,” then, most usually, your daily routines will stay unpleasant (as well as your experiences with others).

And then, very slowly, lights started coming on over our heads.  We do not have to engage in the drama of others.  It is not our path to engage someone else’s story.  At any time, a page can be turned so that a new plot line forms.

Or, as I stated earlier this week, you can quit being active in your own drama (or the drama of others), and move forward into a new path; a new day.

—

Today I invite you to act in a one-person play.  Give yourself direction in leading a positive and Grace-filled life.  Who cares what someone on Facebook said, or what is in the news, or how funny that hair on your chin looks — be fully in the You that You are!

I’ll sit in the front row, cheering you on!  And when you come to take your final bow, there will be roses waiting for you off-stage.

Thanks for being a RockStar!

—

A little update on the “do what you love” experiment.  I’m at Step 2 – “Expand your tests”

If you want to see how I did that, just check out my random and unusual Vlog post below. :)

Lots of love to all y’all!

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Filed under becoming, daily art and words, E.G., ZH - do what you love

May 9, 2012

the one and only you

“That’s what has happened to humanity. Everybody is pretending. Authenticity is lost, truth is lost, everybody is trying to show that he is somebody else. Just look at yourself: you are pretending to be somebody else. And you can be only yourself–there is no other way, there has never been, there is no possibility that you can be anybody else. You will remain yourself. You can enjoy it and bloom, or you can wither away if you condemn it.” — OSHO

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” — Psalm 139:14-16 ESV

This morning’s contemplative time brought up some emerging thoughts on what I see on coaching sites, in commercials and in social circles as what I’m calling The New Authenticity.

With certain social trappings, some well placed statistics, and a healthy dose of product placement, you, too, can be totally authentic like all these other people!  Hooray, let’s all be authentically authentic together!  See us all getting along in our authenticity.  We are AUTHENTIC!

Okay.

However, in my thoughts, there is no authenticity without self-acceptance.  Sure, you look authentic on the outside, but what is going on underneath?  Sort of like that iceberg graphic from old psychology books about how much of our mind we really use each day, we only give off what we can at any given moment.

Today I’d like to share a secret with you.  Now this is a very big secret, so don’t tell everyone what I’m about to say.  Okay?  Good…now that we’ve made that arrangement, come closer to the monitor.

Closer, still…

You are perfect just the way you are!  Seriously!  Don’t conform to The New Authenticity.  Instead, go within and lift up the you that you are.  In fact, I’m going to through a party in your honor!

*hugs*

So, for the rest of today, celebrate yourself…because you are the only you that you have!

Lots of love to all y’all!

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May 8, 2012

dreaming with tom joad

“Man, he lives in the jerks– baby born an’ a man dies, an’ that’s a jerk– gets a farm an’ loses his farm, an’ that’s a jerk. Woman, it’s all one flow, like a stream, little eddies, little waterfalls, but the river, it goes right on. Woman looks at it like that. We ain’t gonna die out. People is goin’ on– changin’ a little, maybe, but goin’ right on.” ― John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” — Exodus 31:1-5

We are called to be storytellers.  Along with this, we are called to be creative.  Time and time again there is reference to the Divinity of Manifestation.

Oddly, in the modern culture, it is the artists and writers that are often the least respected.  How many times have you heard the phrase, “Oh, you know how artists are,” and “Writers are just those who’ve failed at everything else.”  However, folks crave and yearn for the ability to be creative.  They’ll even go as far to say, “Oh, I’m not artistic at all.”

Ha!  Everyone is artistic.  Everyone is a Divine being full of Grace, and the ability to create is part of our DNA.

Last night the Dreaming was pretty interesting.  After quitting that which wasn’t helping me be authentic, I got to sit at a campfire with Tom Joad.  He looked a bit like a mix of Peter Fonda and Keanu Reeves.  His voice was supernatural, and he spoke to me about the importance of living one’s spiritual gifts, and honoring the gifts Grace provides.  In the background was a song by Rage Against The Machine, and at one point the Tom Joad archetypal person mouthed the lyrics.

Now, this may have something to do with my conversations yesterday about Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, or how artists and writers create a sense of the Sacred, or the sharp divisions in the demographics of those getting their share of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”    Really, the inner workings of the mind are a mystery, not just to me, but all of science (“Science!”).  If we really had an idea about that big old glob of stuff in our skull, our world would be drastically different…I think.

Anyway…

Today I invite you to have a conversation with Tom Joad.  Tell him your problems, what you wish to create in your life, and how you feel about Faith.  And, if you can, have a bonfire.  After that, ruminate on how you can help others by calling forth your creative self, allowing your dreams to help lift up others in need.  And…if you listen closely enough…the ghost of Tom Joad might have some good advice for you. :)

Sending out big buckets of love to all of y’all!

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Filed under angels, artist, the dreaming, ZH - do what you love

May 7, 2012

it is okay to quit

“As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.” — Emmanuel Teney

Sometimes it takes a lot of faith to do what is right for you, your family, and the world at large.

Today I invite you to find something in your life that is no longer being of service to you.  Sit in prayer and contemplation about it, and ask Grace to guide you.  Trust me when I say this, you will know very shortly whether or not you need to keep that albatross around your neck. *grin*  As the day goes on, let go of your worries, fears and doubts.

And, if after all of that, you still can’t see any benefit to what is causing you stress, then quit letting it run your life.

“A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge” — Proverbs 14:6-7

Today I’m lifting you up in prayer, allowing Grace to guide you in a way to peace and wellness.

Hugs and lots of love to all y’all!

 

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May 6, 2012

library dragonfly

“It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you’ve known forever don’t see things the way you do. So you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on.” ― Nicholas Sparks

So you know, the coolest things happen to me, and to my family, at the library.

Yesterday was no exception.

As I was walking out to get some things from the car, most likely books to return, I heard this incredible noise in the vestibule by the doors.  Honestly, it was sort of scary, and it sounded a bit like a chainsaw.  Seeing no one nearby with a chainsaw, I started to walk away.

Again with the sound.

Looking around again, there as a gigantic dragonfly (not the one pictured above).  It was trying to get out of the glass enclosure of the vestibule, and was tiring out greatly.  I, the big huge and most likely gonna-eat-up-the-dragonfly “thing,” stopped for a moment, which made it all the more scared.

My momma instincts kicked in, and immediately I went into, “there is a hurt and scared thing that needs some momma-love,” and started saying things like: “Don’t worry, you can get out of this,” and “Let me help you.”

Seconds passed and the dragonfly hopped on my finger.  I was so shocked, and in awe, that when I tried to get a photo of it sitting on my hand, I nearly passed out.  (seriously)  As quick as it landed, it flew off.

That whole experience changed my life.  Drastic as it sounds, or as weird as it sounds, that moment impacted me.

No matter what we do in our life, or how we decide to incorporate our path into that of everything around us, we make an impact.  We can make the choice to stand at the window, looking out, afraid of everything, or we can let someone else help us when we need it.  Along with that, life is too short to be caught up in drama(s), or who-is-better-than-who, and we should be thankful for every moment.  And finally, which will make my mom happy (*grin*), is that being a mother is one of the coolest jobs ever.  Seriously.

Yeah…all of that in a 60 second interaction with a dragonfly at the library.

(side note: If you are local to Bullitt County, please visit the wonderful library system.  To find a location close to you, please see the Bullitt County Library’s website.) 

Which brings me to this quote that came my way this morning.

“Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” — Albert Camus

Nothing very special about it, other than it is really a cool quote.  And, in some random universal pattern, it kind of sums up my time with the dragonfly…

—

In other, “this is so exciting news,” Dream Tree Artworks is in the finishing stages of being ready to roll!  In fact, please enjoy this informative video about what is coming next.

What you’ll see over the next few weeks will be funny, informative and quirky…with a heavy emphasis on “quirky.” :)  My goal is to support and life up folks on their life journey, no matter what that journey may be.  Using creative tools such as art, writing and interpretative dance – okay, maybe not with the dancing, but there will be animated hand usage – folks with get companion coaching work to teach self-mentoring.

Oh, and just for fun, the little ones and I watching the moon rise last night.

—

Today I invite you to step into the fresh green grass, eat a sandwich with fresh avocado, and hug whoever is closest to you as you read this. :)

Love to all y’all!

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May 5, 2012

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” — Joseph Campbell

“Life consists in learning to live on one’s own, spontaneous, freewheeling: to do this one must recognize what is one’s own—be familiar and at home with oneself. This means basically learning who one is, and learning what one has to offer to the contemporary world, and then learning how to make that offering valid.” — Thomas Merton

“I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” ― Philip Yancey

Well…yesterday was an interesting adventure in web work, and I got my consulting site moving in a healthy and real direction.

As the day went on, more and more Signs From Grace (as I call them) kept popping up.  One little miracle after another, and by the end of the day, when some really great news came, it was apparent that the path taken was the right one.

Now comes the testing.

Yep, that’s right, the testing.

When you go to those “this is how you should live your life” sites, there is usually no mention of the places you will go *after* being supported and lifted up in your decision.  After being caught by Grace and all Its many helpers, you still have to navigate your life.  There are no free rides in this realm, or any other realm for that matter.

However…and this is one of those big However’s…staying true to your vision, to yourself, and to your believes will make the journey much easier.  Don’t let others, the culture, or some kind of “expert” tell you that being true to yourself and your path is wrong.  Using your spiritual gift is something only you can know and understand.  :)

So, yeah, there you go.  I did it.  Go, me!

Today is full of fun, trips to the grocery, and a little more work on my site.

I invite you to stop, give yourself a hug, and say, “I am loved!”

Hugs and lots of love to all y’all!

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Filed under artist, listening woman, Philip Yancey, quotes, Thomas Merton, ZH - do what you love

May 4, 2012

you can walk through doors

“Nothing is secure but life, transition, the energizing spirit.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Ideally a painter (and, generally, an artist) should not become conscious of his insights: without taking the detour through his reflective processes, and incomprehensibly to himself, all his progress should enter so swiftly into the work that he is unable to recognize them in the moment of transition. Alas, the artist who waits in ambush there, watching, detaining them, will find them transformed like the beautiful gold in the fairy tale which cannot remain gold because some small detail was not taken care of.” — Rainer Maria Rilke

My wonderful husband, aka Mister The Mister, sent me a wonderful link yesterday.  On the page were 16 great ways to just go and live your life.  None of them were earth-shatteringly amazing.  In fact, these steps are almost like my work with clients.

In college a dear mentor shared with me her thoughts on living life fully.  There was no science to it, nor was it loaded up in spiritual dogma.  At the time her words were a bit frustrating — sort of like when something is so easy, you go and make it harder than it should be — but I pondered them daily in hopes of gaining a fuller understanding.

The formula she offered was nothing more than knowing that each human has a Divine spark within.  And, residing in the spark, is a beautiful gift.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:2

Once she had help me understand that we all have gifts to share with the Universe-At-Large, the next step was to open my eyes to truly living the gift authentically.  Let me tell all y’all something…it sure is hard to live in that state of Grace in each moment.  There is much sense in the Buddhist teachings of being present in that ever mutable location of Now.

“Life is available only in the present moment.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Doesn’t Scripture (of all flavors) speak to us of being in the deep and healing breath of timeless presence?  Furthermore, when we are in this place, our hearts can become open to love, hope and human legitimacy.

(thank you for sustaining your readership as I wax philosophical in this post *grin*)

What it boils down to, I think, is that God is trying to tell me something.  Being a Listener, I’m very prone to engage that what comes into my listening space, and then act accordingly (if the information is for me).  So as I sit and listen to the small and quiet voice, I see that it is mirroring that which my heart wants.  In a great big soup pot of love, all these things are showing me that it is time to walk through another door; look out onto a new field.

Yesterday evening it was very apparent that the Authentic Divine Spark O’ Kim deeply misses helping others.  Along with that, I really, really, really miss consulting and doing companion work for those in need.

So, over the next few weeks, I plan to engage the 16 steps listed in the article my husband sent (see link above).  Today I’m going to try #1, which is: “If you don’t think it’s possible, do a small easy test.”

With that, I’m off to get my testing done. :)  Tomorrow you’ll have an update on how it went.

Today I invite you to look at the doorways around you.  What lies beyond?  Can you turn the handle, or walk over the threshold?  Write about your experience, or paint a picture.  Whichever way you decide to go, know that you’ve got a large support team, and that I will be cheering for you!

Love all y’all!

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Filed under co-creation, cycles of time, E.G., grace, hillbilly unchurch, life mapping, ZH - do what you love