In thinking about the letter “E,” the words energy and endurance came to mind. As I started working on my image, I wasn’t sure which one I was going to talk about, or what I […]
Tag: Recovery
Better Together — Out of the Ashes
It is DAY ONE here at Out of the Ashes, a brand new collaboration in it’s infancy stage, and we welcome you to come and follow us along. Life is full of “new beginnings,” and […]
I Choose Peace
Image by Patou Ricard from Pixabay I’ve been hemming and hawing for weeks (or months), the pendulum swaying back and forth; from feeling as though it’s my responsibility (as a human being) to talk (or […]
Where am I going?
Is anyone else asking this question lately? The featured image here is pretty significant, as it struck me in several ways. First, I took the photograph several years ago and—until yesterday—never even knew that the […]
Thoughts, Thoughts . . .
And more thoughts! This morning I woke up tired of thinking. That doesn’t happen very often. In the short time I’ve been awake, I felt droopy, slightly discouraged, and have been questioning some of my […]
Stealing the Spotlight
The shy and the extroverted have this in common—that they both fancy they are the center of attention. Robert Breault I think that quote is excellent. In Developmental Psychology we learned about the imaginary audience […]
The Exhibit
Let the fire inside you burn.
I’m having a fun time with this new series. The possibilities are endless, and I think of new things every day. I’ve recycled some older pieces for today’s Everything Red. The red abstract is from many moons ago, and the shadowy aesthete is my youngest son—posing in a photo I took over a decade ago, at an art museum.
Rescue 27
Sometimes a dramatic rescue is a simple act of showing up. This piece is all about Gil. I think of him when I see red, especially if it’s an emergency vehicle. He’s the kind of […]
Faded Blues
The authentic self is the soul made visible…
Trust with a capital “T”
The Story An American business man was vacationing in a small coastal fishing village. One morning he stood on the pier and watched as a small boat docked. Inside the boat was one fisherman with […]
Perspectives on Possibilities
I’ve had some cool insights and exciting ideas while thinking about the Alphabet Game, and I must say that the letter “P” has been one of the most enlightening thus far.
BUT… I have to back up and talk about the “M” word first… Memories. I realize now that some things really ARE worth forgetting—mainly things that I learned (or absorbed into my unconscious) when I was younger.
The Jubilant Journey
This Alphabet Game is great because it prompts me to explore words. Words link to other words and—as I follow the trail—ideas literally spell themselves out. I thought it would be fun to share my […]
My 3 Keys to Happiness
Happiness. What a great word. I perused the web to see what people had to say about the “Keys to Happiness.” It was an interesting experiment, because everyone had different opinions. People have their own […]
Dreamers of Dreams
D is for Dreams
Everyone knows what dreams are, but I wanted to find a more personal way to describe them. Not the dreams we have when we’re asleep; the dreams we dream when we’re awake. I poked around google and found exactly what I was searching for:
A synonym for dream is HOPE.
Contentment
“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”
Guillaume Apollinaire
I’m on the letter “C” today and this quote is perfect. I’m starting with a word that I’m not necessarily a fan of, but I won’t make a habit of that.
Contradiction: a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.
Sometimes a professor will say something that totally contradicts what another professor said. That’s confusing, and sometimes annoying, but that’s not why I brought it up.
The Excursion
This morning I drove into Pasadena. It wasn’t a major excursion, but it was in the opposite direction of where I normally travel and everything was unfamiliar. I wish I had taken my camera. It’s the perfect place for street photography, but it was just TOO hot! I wanted to get in—and get out.
I went there to pick up the kit for my drawing class. I’m already enjoying the course. It’s not so much that I’ve learned anything yet (it’s only been two days), or that I even see the possibility of getting really good at it. It’s the fact that I’m putting aside my fear, putting the pencil to the pad, and making an effort.
A Haiku of Faith
The path is twisted,
But there’s a cross, in the light,
Guiding my footsteps.
And an update for the road—
My summer break is coming to an end. School starts Monday, and my bag is already packed. It’s been an interesting season, and I’m glad I took the time to refresh and recharge.
On the Edge
I think the definition of artist is a bit enigmatic. I’ve never called myself an artist. I’ve said things like “this is some art I created,” or “I love to create art,” but that’s as far as it goes. I think the first explanation that pops into my head is the fact that I don’t use pencils, pens, or even brushes (although that may change after the new semester).
Living the Dream
Chaotic workday— a scuffle with friends,
Five o’clock traffic— the stress never ends,
Pressure to do well— fearing failure, too,
Stuck in a pattern— afraid of what’s new,
Plan for retirement— look forward to rest,
Where children once played— is now empty nest,
Dating disasters— a marriage from hell,
Lack of investments— there’s nothing to sell,
No regrets linger— My head’s not for rent,
All of these moments— are evanescent,
March forward, full steam— toward what is unseen,
Faith is eternal— I’m living the dream.
Clear Vision
Something eye opening happened recently.
I had been holding off on writing a life-journal update because it seemed there was nothing exciting to share. Eventually I did—in my No News is Good News post—but by the time I sat down to write I was tired. What I failed to mention is that I had one of those aha moments just prior to writing.
No News is Good News
The Journey Continues…
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated my journal. On the one hand, it means that nothing exciting (or newsworthy) has been going on. On the other hand—and more importantly—the old idiom rings true: No news is good news.
Today marks 1,229 days of sobriety… so that’s good news!
Nurture
RDP Thursday:
verb: care for and encourage the growth or development of.
noun: the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.
My featured image is kind of random! I did so many assignments in the past semester that the rebel in me has been fighting to break free and do something that’s just “because.” No judgement, no grade.
