begin the begin

I took a break from a rather bazaar day to write a Thanksgiving email greeting, selected a photo to go with it, blind-copied hundreds of people who are on my mailing list and hit send; a message popped up to tell me that the email could not be sent because one address was no longer valid. Really? Which one? Was this a cell phone limitation or something with the carrier? I gazed at the phone exasperated and then just lost it realizing that because I had BCC’d recipients, I had no way of seeing who I had selected to receive the greeting. I would have to begin again. As I cursed for no real reason, a deep felt understanding that my agitation had nothing to do with an unsent email and everything to do with a few days of unexpected happenings silenced the rant. In the stillness, I decided not to start over on the same email path choosing instead to post my message here.

During this season of gratitude, be thankful and thoughtful

and may you find time for tranquil moments.

Happy Thanksgiving and…

keep your peepers open!®

ps…several hours after I posted the above, I sent the following message to less than a hundred people whose email addresses I knew were correct -- “be thankful, be thoughtful, be tranquil…happy thanksgiving.”

tranquility

resting…

…until wednesday…

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day break

One of the things I admire about the people who make up my team at work is their creative energy. Last week, each of us received a copy of the same page from a book along with a box of colored pencils. The directive was simple -- use words from that page to create a written piece and, if we were so moved, some art to go with it. I love a word challenge, dove right in. Maybe 30 minutes passed before all pencils rested and the sharing commenced. The first thing I noticed was how we each approached the task. I skimmed for words and phrases that jumped out, felt connected in energy and spirit; someone else zoned in on one word and the words that followed it throughout the text while another chose to read the entire narrative. Though seven distinctly different creations were plucked from that same page of words, I noted a connecting thread that linked the pieces, was pleased with the synergy that flows between us without uttering a word.

Now the art thing was a whole other matter; I struggled for a few minutes then let loose with abandon so whatever wanted to come forth could find its way to my paper. I was less impressed with my childish doodles than I was with...

electric jolt sensations
meticulously spiked in wild pink patterns
represented her journey.
images telling stories
evolving over time
realization that the butterfly is
free.

Breaking from the workday for creative expression is quite a refreshing break. Try it and...

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holiday best

I officially began my holiday season by meeting some of the best girls for lunch then the movie The Best Man Holiday. Listening to the music selected for the soundtrack reminded me that I forgot to share something I emailed to friends well before I went on vacation...Hey music lovers...OMG...mellow, a little sexy, serious laid back groove, sittin' in my office working and found myself zoned out, head boppin', swayin'... oh, oh, oh... yeah...get/download this one! George Duke has been part of my soundtrack for so many years. Though this CD is not new, it was to me when I happened on it. I eagerly snatched it up to add to my collection much like the way I snapped up a ticket for the movie several days before to ensure a seat in the theater opening weekend; it didn’t and as stated neither does the CD disappoint. Check them out, share with the best in your lives and as the holiday season gets underway…

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sand in the hourglass

I say this often and it’s true…I just can't keep up with how quickly the days pass! Only a minute ago, or so it seems, I found myself traipsing barefoot in the wet sand along the Jersey shoreline in Cape May,

a second ago trekking through the smooth auburn sands of the Sahara (by the way, the shadow to the far right is me on my camel!).

Yesterday, I found myself moving swiftly along an urban street to escape the chill in the air as the forecast called for snow showers, no sand on any corner as time rushed by in the whirl of the wind. Yet, I still make it a point to slow down, taking long pauses to bask in Autumn glory while it lasts...

...because the sand continues to run down and in less than a quick glance, the leaves will be gone and there really will be snow on the ground (unless you live in places where the seasons are not so distinct), so...

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sassy

Back in early September, I promised to share a goddess collage commissioned for auction for a fundraising event once said event was over. Sitting through an auction of my work was somewhat surreal; I ate breakfast without knowing what entered my mouth, chewing faster than my heart was beating as the auctioneer called for bids. I am pleased to note that the piece sold and will hang in the very center that commissioned me to create her. The Capitol Breast Care Center’s mission is to “provide culturally sensitive breast cancer screening services and health and wellness education guided by evidence-based practices to all women in the Washington, DC area, regardless of their ability to pay”. It was my honor to create a bold piece that represents the strength, courage and resilience of every and any woman. Without further ado, meet "sassy!"

Between "sassy!" and my return from an inspiring holiday abroad, my creative fire is burning so…

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return to center

may the heart’s garden of awakening
bloom with hundreds of flowers.
- thich naht hanh

While working on a project, I came across the above quote; it brought me back to my morning mindfulness practice that I had gotten away from while on holiday in Maroc.

There is comfort in coming home.

keep your peepers open!®