  Negative Voices Negative voices can be heard ringing through the world right now. This is not a political or some sort of cause type of post. This is a conflict of another kind. It is the struggle for good and light over something that may seem trivial, but really is consequential. In recent days I have heard, more than once, “I am not “Pollyanna”! I do not only look at the good side of things.” I am saddened by the negativity about such an incredible young girl. As if focusing on blessings is shameful and a waste of time. So, though this may seem trite, hear me out as I defend and advocate for the life message of a Pollyanna. A message that changed a town just by showing them that perspective matters. In these, our dark, scary current times, where the news has nothing of hope or light in it, we need Pollyanna more than ever. Let me show you why this “Pollyanna Perspective” should be something we want to seek. Chasing Light If you want to see what I am talking about, you should definitely go to your “Disney +” account and watch this classic movie. It’s old school, but therein lies the charm. They, quite frankly, were simpler times.  Recently, I watched the movie again, wanting to give a well-rounded report on why she impacted me at such a young age. In the first moments of the film, you see old fashioned cars, kids climbing trees, all the women in fancy dresses, wearing gloves, and lovely hats. Throughout the show, the children go fishing on a Sunday with a pail full of worms and a stick for a pole. They eat fried chicken and have ice cream on Sundays. They visit people who are low in spirit, thus creating relationships wherever they go. PollyAnna becomes a bright spot in a dismal town. The film is light. And light is what I chase. If you’re paying attention you can see through the movie that PollyAnna had EVERY reason in the world to be depressed, downtrodden, with no zeal for life. Her parents were killed, and she was orphaned. She tells a story of wanting a doll and instead, she gets crutches. All she ever knew was hand-me-downs clothing from the church donations. Her clothing is too big and not in the current fashion. Yet, these things did not drag her down. Why? Because, she was taught by her loving father, a Preacher of God, the power of attitude and gratitude. Attitude is everything. Gratitude gives a significant mental boost for those suffering with anxiety and depression. The science is there. Don’t we need that these days? You can be changed when you alter your mindset or attitude and the way in which you confront struggles or approach life.  Lessons to be Learned There are so many lessons learned through the themes, the storyline, and the characters. Among a few of them that have stuck with me over the years, I learned to play the glad game, to find the good in people, to think about living not dying, and to always take sunshine and flowers to those who are not happy or well. Even if they don’t want them. 1. The Glad Game - The Glad Game is essentially taking stock of your blessings. Also known as gratitude or counting your blessings. We now know that listing out what you feel makes your life positive and worth living gives the human mind and heart hope. Hope is light in the darkness, even darkness of the mind or spirit. I aspire to always be glad that I have a beautiful home, excellent family and friends, a job that supports and sustains us, rather than succumbing to the mental darkness that takes over when I do not take my medication. Granted, I could just be angry all the time that I have to take pills to function normally. (Which I spent a lot of years doing. Fighting the meds and the persona of not being normal, and being crazy). I grew up in a time when mental health wasn’t talked about or popular. It was tough. Over the years I have come to value being able to leave my house to teach, shop, socialize instead of hiding in the darkness of my mind and room. I am GLAD I live in a time that pills, therapy, and a multitude of psychological studies help me to function like everyone else. The Glad (gratitude) Game will change your life. I promise.  2. Finding the Good in People - this lesson has served me well. I remember as a teen going through a phase where I absolutely hated my parents. I know this now to be a pretty normal time in a young adult’s life. But, I REALLY hated my parents. They got divorced when I was 12. My mother tells me I had always been a nurturing spirit, but I remember being bitter at 18 that I had spent most of my life taking care of my younger siblings. I felt my responsibilities worsened when my parents ended their marriage. I didn’t really know who I was or what I wanted outside of what others expected of me. Newly graduated from high school, I went a little over the edge trying to figure it out. One day, later in my first marriage, I realized that my parents were just people doing the best they could. They were just like me trying to find my way through parenting and cohabitation. Sorting out how to hold on to myself while merging my life into a marriage with two very different people. In that moment I forgave them and found the good in them. I let them be human, and have always tried to do the same with those people who surround me, aggravate me, or make me angry with their own demons. Finding the Good in people, I learned that from Pollyanna.  3. Think About Living NOT Dying - This one is huge and until I hit my 40’s, I don’t think I really got this. I spent some of the best parts of my life wanting to die. I felt so different from everyone else, so flawed. I was either up or I was down. I didn’t know how to function at an even level. I self-medicated with lots of sugar and caffeine all through high school to maintain the energy I needed to. I didn’t understand that it was okay to be down sometimes. I didn’t have the skills to pull myself out of the dark downtimes. When I turned 18 it got the worst of me. I attempted to commit harm for the first time. After years of just “thinking about dying” I started to act it out. I am a proud survivor of three suicide attempts throughout my life, of which I was hospitalized over. It wasn’t until I basically lost everything, my children, my shoestring of sanity, my marriage, and my faith, that I realized I HAD to stop thinking about dying and start thinking about living! There is a very important moment in the book or movie “Pollyanna,” when she tells a woman who is always ill that she must do the same. And she does. So I did. I found my purpose, my why, my I have to. It was my children. I began living and fighting for them. Find your why friends. Find your purpose. Then think about living your best life and stop thinking about dying. All you have is right now, so make the most of it. Cliche, I know.  4. Always Take Sunshine and Flowers to Those Who Need it - even if they don’t want it. To me this is simple. It is the age-old message taught to us by our savior Jesus Christ to serve others. When you serve others you don’t have time to worry about yourself. When you give yourself away to someone in need, your cup is filled. I find this every day as I work in the public field of teaching. I have been teaching for 13 years, and every time I reach a child who is lost, lonely, struggling, or just looking for the kindness they are lacking, my cup runneth over. They don’t have to verbalize their gratitude, I don’t need a thank you. I can see it as their step lightens, they go forward with purpose knowing that someone believes in them and that is always enough. It is the same when we serve our fellow man. We are all consumed with ourselves in this current culture we are living in. There is so much darkness, hate, and ugliness in our world right now. It really makes it hard to be positive, find light or hope. What if we all started serving each other more? What if we listened more and talked less. How much better would the world be if we “seek to understand” as we serve others? I am not the first, nor the last to say, we must stop being focused on self and serve. It DOES make a difference. Not only in the lives of those we serve, but in our own. It changes everything. Light the Way
In summation, I hope you can see the merit to the story of “Pollyanna.” Even at the end of the show, when she wants to give up because of a tragic accident, you see that all the good you create and give out, lights the way for others. In return, they perpetuate that light and illuminate the way for you when your days become dark again. Dark days will come again. They will. However, you control what you let in and out. You can learn to filter out the negative and live a Pollyanna Perspective kind of life my friends. Being aware of the world but not being "in it." And believe me when I tell you, that there is nothing wrong with Pollyanna's way of living. Give the girl some props for being ahead of her time. The lessons of gratitude, looking for the good in people, living life to the fullest and sharing your gifts, along with serving others, these are the traits that can light our way in a darkening world full of hate and hurt.
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Most of my artwork “comes” to me. It begins with the tiniest thought. Such a whisper on the wind is creativity. I can best relate the feeling by this allegory. Once, I stood on top of a bench in the Swiss Alps, above the town of Interlaken. As I looked down at the darling houses that speckled the snow covered hills, I noticed a cloud swiftly gliding up the side of the mountain towards me. I smiled, playfully, as the cloud drifted right up, over, around and through me. It was the most miraculous feeling. It took my breath away. The little droplets of moisture in the cloud kissing my face as it flowed. I have nothing but the fleeting memory of such a beautiful moment. However, I will never forget its sweetest touch. For me, this is how being a “maker” works. It starts like fluffy white clouds floating towards you.You start to feel a childlike glee at the possibility heading in your direction. You think on it, let it land and float around you. Swallowing up in the moment. When the heady rush is gone, you get to work. When the product is complete, you stand back in awe of what has been made, through your hands. Not for or because of you. For you my friend are but a vessel taking whispers of creation in to your heart and then hoping to make something of them. Sometimes, my work comes from sources that are not my own at all. The gossamer wings of hopeful creation lands on another, who may feel they lack the ability (practice or knowhow) to be the creator of the whisper. This is where my newest watercolor painting originates. With another, bringing an idea and asking, please make this for me. I am always awed and grateful to have someone believe in me enough to be the hands for their creative seed. It is a gift to my sensitivities. For it is through creating, that I find the kindly light of peace in a tousled mind. So today, I present to you the digital image created for Natalie Murdock. It’s design is of her mind and spirit. She was inspired by a moving speech given about mothers in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints October Women’s Conference. Elder Eyring had quoted the beloved Prophet President Nielson, by stating how mothers are makers. I want to share this art with the world. You may purchase yours here. Though the original will never be anyone’s other than it’s vessel. It’s message is beautiful, unique and touching. It relays how so many of us feel about our own mothers. We are masterpieces of their internal and spiritual design. This whole process has been a gift from the Highest Power of Creation. I truly treasure the ability to feel at a depth and breath that I believe is a gift from God. I know that this process I speak of, is directly connected to all the wonderment He offers. It is almost otherworldly to work within His light. I believe all creation is of Him. To Him goes the truest credit.   I have been chewing. Not the watermelon-hubba-bubba-best-bubbles-in-the-whole-world kind of chewing. Deep think chewing. I call it chewing when profound thoughts float by like a feather dancing with the wind. A feather, not a bubble. Bubbles pop and leave you wanting more. A feather however, floats in the air then rests there where it lands, or you pluck it out of the sky and admire it. In all it's beauty it makes you ponder upon the bird it came from or how it came to be. I have been chewing. Millions of tiny thoughts. At this moment I am trying to pin them down for you to create some artistic eloquence that will cause you to chew too. I teach middle school. Every day, I drive "Little Red"(my chevy spark) to school. I only live two blocks away. I love driving Red, even if it is two blocks. Silly I know. (Silly is one of my best qualities). The other day I was walking into the school from the back door and realized I didn't have my keys. I had left them in my classroom. This meant that I would have to walk, all the way to the front of the building and then back down the hall to my room. “Oh well,” I thought, “I needed a walk anyway.” (This is my Pollyanna Perspective. I will write about that another day. You should go watch the movie if you haven't seen it. “Pollyanna” by Disney.) Well, my school has sidewalks for days. Not just one sidewalk and you can only take that path, but sidewalks that can take you to the front of the building on several differing routes depending on which path you choose. I always walk on the sidewalk. I always take the same route, keeping to the sidewalk, being sure not to walk on the grass. I wouldn’t want to wear a path in the perfectly manicured laws. (Lawns for days!) Most days, I would say I am a rule follower. Don’t get me wrong, there is an inner rebel living and breathing in me that has on many occasions pushed an envelope too far with dark results to follow. I guess that is why I follow rules loyally now. I know what lies ahead if I don’t. Consequences and tears, that I have no say in, come into my life. The outcome ultimately resulting in excruciating sorrow, loss, apologies, repentance and the plaguing of past pain long into the future. Ya, I think I will pass. However, on this day, I was late getting back to my room from my break. As I took my first step out on to the grass, I thought to myself, “Sometimes, you have to walk on the grass.” There it is. The thought that started my chewing and has continued for, going on a week and a half. I am an absolute Christian. Through and through. No doubt about it. This thought can carry gospel undertones and discussion, comparisons etc. It can also resound within our inner most wonderings. For me, on this day in November, “Gratitude” month, I need to say this: “Sometimes, walking on the grass is okay.” It doesn’t make me evil. It won’t ruin the lovely lawn. It won’t even get me in trouble with the principal. It may however, get me to my room on time, with wet shoes mind you, but on time, still the same. On time to teach, smile, love and play with a class full of students who needed me. (The load of the young people today is absolutely staggering. They do need us. They need us to show up. Truly.) There are seasons in our lives, where we have to take a different road than we are used to. It may even be one that not everyone agrees you should take. No one can foresee where that path will lead. How you will grow spiritually because you chose that way. No one can predict how it will shape who you are to become. How it will make you better than you once were. Not a soul could tell you how the heartbreak of that path will make you stronger and more empathetic towards others. In my life, this is the case. Today, I am grateful for the times I chose to make my own trail. Each step I have taken has led me to this day. This girl. Each hill, fork or compass check has created the woman who loves, lives and creates, with every single breath, in the fullest way possible. Friends, please walk on the grass. Of course, not all the time. But, when you need a fresh perspective or a new view. When you feel strongly that it is the direction meant for you, because it speaks to you. Take that road less traveled by. Robert Frost was right you know. It will make all the difference.
  Just Be. That is my topic. I haven't written in a while. I will explain. There are a couple or three reasons. First, life happens. I have had a very busy spell. You know, those times when you are just getting by, and then you start to let things slide that don't seem too terribly important. Things that will be okay, if "I just set these here for a while. Don't worry. I will be back," I whisper reassuring words to that portion of my life as I walk away. Weeks later... it's a sad story right? Especially for a creative. (Which we all are by the way.) Second, I have been hit by low spell after low spell. The definition of a low spell for me is a period of time when I feel nothing. Down. Dark. In fierce need of solitude. I swear someone keeps leaving the door to Azkaban open and the dementors keep attacking my heart and brain out of nowhere. It's really starting to tick-me-off. I keep thinking, "No one wants to hear you ramble about how crappy you feel all the time." So, I don't write. Enough! I'm writing now. Down or not. Truth is, always up and cheery isn't real. I said I was gonna be real. Then, I took it back. I am sorry. I recommit to living my true-self and sharing that with you despite my chemical brain imbalance and its daily forecast. (Yes, there really is a daily forecast. Today it was cloudy in the a.m. and cleared out by 4 p.m. Beware the new moon.) I know it's been said a lot, but I have been deep thinking it lately. You know how life on Facebook or Instagram is generally a lie. We all post our positively perfect moments and portray them as our "actual" lives. I'm guilty. But, I mean, who wants to see a photo of me lying on my pillow trying to give myself the pep-talk of the century just to get out of bed and function. Are we being real? I was reminded today that it is important to show our truest selves. Be vulnerable. Open. Genuine is my favorite word. Just be. Be who you are, because who you are, may be just what someone else needs to see, hear about or can relate to. Life is shit sometimes friends. Heck, sometimes? More like most times are just plain crap. (I am sorry for my language. You are going to have to forgive my "farm words" occasionally. I promised I would be me. My gram told me once, they are just farm words. Let's be honest, sometimes you just need to yell those farm words at the top of your lungs. Yes, it can really make you feel better. I'd provide research for that, but I have already spent too much time on this squirrel moment.) My point? I'm not perfect. I'm tired of pretending to be. Aren't you? Why can't we all just silence the voices outside our heads that eventually become the truths we tell ourselves. If you're having a bad friggin' week, I wanna know about it. I want to see that frizzy hair you couldn't tame. I want you to share that failed recipe. I want to see your tired, worn out face just as you are. You're beautiful without it. No lie. No makeup, especially no lipstick, put that hat on your head and JUST BE. I want to see that version of you. I think she and I could be friends. That girl I can relate to. I dedicate the days to come to sharing the crap. The crap is interesting, raw and real. Sometimes stinkier than necessary, but it's truth. I need more real. Don't you.  Here is my right now face. Just me in my blanket, no make-up, no filter, or facade, should-of-been-in-bed an hour ago face. This is me.
Reminding you, to JUST BE.  MAKE TIME FOR YOU Finding my way in a world where "sensitivity" isn't always seen as a positive trait has had its challenges. At times it has been lumped together with my depression. It's been named as the source of the blue moods I battle. I know different now. But, as a teenager I could not distinguish the difference, nor did I have the tools to cope with either taxing inner trait. Lucky for me, I had loving parents, who were aware of their inability to deal with and help me. They did their best to lead me to professionals that could help me gain important coping tools for depression. Intime, I realized the two ARE separate, they do feed each other, but require alternate prescriptions. I do not have the luxury of letting myself go. I can't just quit the meds because my moods are regulated and I am feeling great these days. Nor, can I neglect my inner introvert, who has a sensory (sensitivity) overload at least once a day. Over the past 30 years, I have discovered that finding time for myself, alone, in the silence, is critical to properly caring for my spirit. The part of me, that makes me tick. Sensitivity is my greatest strength and most challenging weakness. FIND A SPACE What do I do then for the tender hearted part of me? For me it's finding some time to escape to the fresh mountain air (or the salty sea, but that for another time). I live 20 minutes from Aspen trees and ponderosa pines. For real. Mountains or outdoors are the best medicines for clearing my mind and tending to my sensitive soul. That and a hammock with a war blanket. YOU DONT HAVE TO BE A PRO I don't really believe that I'm a professional artist. No way do I rank up there with Monet and Van Gogh (my heroes). I heard in the past year that selling your art qualifies you as a professional. Up until that point, I just thought of my art as a way to release my tensions. They made me happy. So, the way I see it, I am no better at doodling than your average student sitting in class. It is my strong opinion that given the right tools and time for practice, we are all artists. We were all creatives, without fear of judgement, when we were toddlers. We just forget with the weight of time told responsibilities. I can Also say with a surety that one valuable thing I have learned, tools do matter. TAKE THE RIGHT TOOLS I wish someone would have shared their secret tool of mass creation with me when I started. I would buy the cheapest tools I could find. Cheaper is never better. Unfortunately. If you really want to get the most out of alone moments you will need 1 bag full of colored pencils from Prisma because they blend. Did you know colored pencils can blend? I didn't until about 3 years ago! No lie! You don't really need more than the basic 12 - 24. You can also find them on Amazon. You will need art pens by Sakura called Micron pens. I prefer size 3 or 5. They do not bleed through the page and are waterproof if you choose to apply watercolor to your page. (On occasion, during me time, water just finds it way from my face to the page so these pens come in handy). JOURNAL Please do not neglect the value of a dot journals from Michaels crafts either. I choose Michaels for my journals because the price is right, the size is perfect for any bag, and they have colors to choose from. (They are also perfect for decorating with your favorite vinyl stickers too.) Wow! I am not normally that kind of blogger, but I believe in sharing secrets for the benefit of others, and these are mine. There are studies that show having an attitude of gratitude and journaling are GREAT for your mental health. Don’t be afraid to try it. TAKE THE TIME YOU NEED If you can't get away for a couple of hours, because realistically how close are we really to the mountains or the ocean, find a time-out spot. There have been periods in my life where I needed seclusion on a daily basis. I remember as a young mother, I would hide in my walk-in closet, sit on the floor and just breath. That moment of stillness was enough to quiet my mind and the minute to minute demands of motherhood. I remember my 3 year old calling my name through the house until he knocked on the closet door and asked, "Mommy?" To which I replied, "Mommy is having a time-out." This totally made sense to his 3 year old mind. Even now I have been known to take a minute at the end of my work day, lay on my bed and catch up with the world via social media. That 5-15 minutes helps me to sweep away the busy noises of my classroom, before I begin fulfilling my home duties. The importance of finding ways to unplug for your mental health is crucial. It is one of the top 10 ten tools to care for yourself, according to Mental Health America. They call this taking care of your spirit. I can testify to the value of a good time-out. I am twice the woman I am and can be when I create space for me amidst all the madness. Afterall, I'm important too. I urge you, make time for you friends. You will never regret it! I've included links today to make your search for tools, and articles for reference easier. You can fact check me so that you know I am not just making this all up. I don't have the degree. Just the experiences to share.   Every day is an adventure! Am I right?
*inaudible grumbling* I guess it all depends on your attitude. The last few weeks have felt like I am coasting down a hill. You know that "look mom no hands" kind of feeling. It's fall, my favorite season. I have made a new friend. I have a grandbaby living with me for a while. My job as a school teacher brings me purpose and joy. My home is warm and inviting. My new town seems to like me so far. Everything it seems is status quo. So...Is this the adventure part? I would venture to say, No. I feel like adventure is when the road gets bumpy. Think of it. This road trip is going smoothly and then out of nowhere the roadway changes. Immediately, we become irritated at the uneven, thumping pathway. We hold the steering wheel a little tighter. We are trying to control which way the car goes, when really we have no control at all. If we can get through this rocky bit we know we will enjoy our destination. Right? Sometimes. Often times we have no idea where this road is going to take us and what is on the other side of this mountain in front of us. It's the getting through that is the crummy part. It's also the part we learn to trust the trail. We grow and get a little tougher through the process. We find the potholes, and learn where to ride the ruts up top. This is where I tell you that you really need to breath and remember to "Enjoy the Ride." I have been reminded of this quote by my new friend. I had all but forgotten it. We were having a discussion about not letting our anxieties (ruts) rule us. It was afteward that I remembered that I even had a piece of artwork representing this development in our pathway. For my friend and I, we are discovering new locations and special spots in our friendship. We are learning to trust the pathway. We are braving the new terrain. I am grateful for new friends, and old favorites. Friendship is really a wonderful thing. It's hard for me to open myself up and expand my circle. I am comfortable with my people. Why do I need anymore? But, I do. When I see that my higher power has brought someone new into my life worth keeping, you can be sure, I make a friend for life. People who are genuine, real, who love me despite my warts, forgive me of my struggle to keep my eyebrows plucked, support me in good days and bad, and give the best hugs in the world, those are my people. Who are your people? We really do need friends to travel with in this life. They make the road trip sweeter, and worthy of joy. They are true North. When your road gets rough, ponder on the people who love you. The people who need you. The people who want you around for-ev-er, and keep in mind even bumpy roads get worn down after a while. When you travel again, to this soon-to-be new favorite destination, the drive will be much nicer. The memory of the trip before and the people you were with will be pleasant. Friends, it's time. Sit back, and do your best to enjoy the ride! Love and hugs to my people! Thank you for your constant support and love. You're my favorite.  It's funny. Today is National Mental Health Awareness, and I almost typed that in my title. Then, without batting an eye, changed the title to "Self-Care Means Self-Aware" at the last minute. Why? I think because growing up in my 80's kind of world the word "MENTAL" anything carried with it completely and totally negative nuances. I realize daily that I still carry some of that with me now. Being "mental" meant you were crazy, and boy did I feel that way at times. Believe it or not, I have even been called "mental" by mean individuals in my life. I can promise you that it was not meant in a funny- ha-ha kind of way, rather it was intended in a you're-flat-out-nuts connotation. Growing up with depression in a time when we still weren't giving "real talk" in society, was actually really difficult. I know for myself, I battled every day from the age of 17 to just to take my daily medications. I remember being diagnosed as Bipolar at one point, and being hospitalized. I felt insane, abnormal, completely crackers. I remember being angry a lot of the time because I couldn't be "normal." What in the Helen Keller is normal any way? And who gets to decide what normal is anyway? Is there a committee? Where do they meet? I have a few things to say to them! **Deep Breath** But, really friends, I am constantly in awe of the awareness of the world now. Today. 2019. It's like we have our eyes wide open. All those mean things we called each other as kids, that were actually really traumatizing, they are officially not okay to say anymore. I like that. Now I know some may say we are turning our children into pansies in this generation. Being to soft and such. And I can see the prior generations point of view. I get putting on your boots and going to work, even if you don't feel like it. I do. To some extent I completely agree with it to. Nothing that you can't "work" out, right? If we are being "real" though, there truly are things you can't just "work" through or out. Sometimes you have to go through it, the storm, the battle, the best way you know how. The best way you know how isn't always the same for everyone. When it's darkest in my mind, battling looks like me in my pajamas, for the second day in a row, with the lights off in my room, barely breathing. Darkness of the mind is like a black hole with no end in sight! It's sucks the joy, light and life right out of you. By the way, did you know it's genetic! (More to come on that topic later). It can't and doesn't always go away with "work." Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we should all just give up normality and sit around eating dark chocolate and ice cream in our pj's with the lights out everyday. What I am suggesting is that when you can't fight, when it's just to heavy, and you need to focus on just breathing in or out, do that. Just that. You have my permission. Being Self-Aware is Self-Care. Do what you need to do. Tell them I said so. Now, I am going to go change my title back to Mental Awareness. Or should I? What do you think? Let's all end the stigma. In commemoration of the solidarity of this day, I am attaching a free coloring page. All you need to do is download the file. P.S. Only love not viruses included. Be you. Be amazing.  Blessings abound in my life. I am paying attention. I am awake. I have a strong sence of gratitude in my hear. These blessings have morphed into a creation of me. I believe I have been evolving into this creation of myself, I guess you could say, all my life. However, it has been crystalizing a bit more rapidly here in the last 2-3 years. It really is incredible how time passing, wisdom gained through a myriad of new trails, and the professionals you are lead to, all join together to create an authentic self. My true person, the real me.
My sister is one of my strongest, silent supporters. She has always encouraged me to believe in myself and my dreams. Her quiet example of blazing your own trail to becoming has always inspired me. A few years back, she had me create this graphic for her. Authentic. I used watercolor as my medium and made it into a digital image. I also created vinyl stickers, which she promptly purchased. I didn't really value this power word at the time. It didn't really hold meaning for me. It did for her, and I loved how it turned out. (It is interesting how your art is always better when you have purpose or meaning behind it. I love my sister, and that love shows out in this original artwork.) For me, the meaning of this word has only touched my frontal lobe in the last 24 hours. Today as I sit here, creating my very first blog post and splaying myself out for the whole world to see, it occurs to me how important it is to hold true to my real person. To be my authentic self. As I reflect on this, I am reminded of a new friend I have made in the past few weeks. She is teaching me that it okay to say it how I mean it. I am learning to be more open and honest with my good days and my bad. These lessons couldn't have come at a more prolific time in my life. I am grateful each day for the gift that my higher powers hand is in my life. I know I have been lead to these remembrances, and people for this purpose, at this time. Maybe, these lessons aren't just for me. Perhaps they are meant for you too. Oh, I know all the things I am "supposed" to say and do to be popular out in the realm of cyberness. I see what the world expects outside my door. But, I know me. I know I am not great at these things. Mostly because they are fake. Being a true introvert makes me awkward and nerdy, and I think that is okay. I guess you could say, I am still evolving. You are too. So, instead of another blog that tells you what you want to hear, see, do, be and then expects you to respond appropriately, I am giving you permission to just be yourself. Be free. Be authentic. Let's all just be real. In the words of my favorite poet, Robert Frost - "Yet, I, I chose the road less traveled by." And I, Jodilyn, I think it really will make all the difference. |
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