Coffee Thoughts...

I know I usually list the 5 things I am grateful for on Sunday, but today, I am having coffee thoughts instead....Although I am grateful for more than 5 things today I am prompted to write about something else as I am drinking my 3rd cup of Joe!!
I have been taught that crying is a sign of weakness...that one must be strong for not only yourself but for others...So today, I ask you....when was the last time you had a good cry?? I don't mean the silent kind...I mean a good all out sobbing....the kind with the nose-running cry?
And why is it that we allow our self to believe that something terrible is going to happen if we let go and do this???
Now, some of us only cry at funerals...some of us cry at happy moments (weddings..births) ..some of us cry at commericals and movies...but it has come to my attention this morning that crying is a very cleansing thing! For one thing it removes pollutants from our body (yes, there have been studies done about this!!...and they have found that we let loose different chemicals for the different emotions that cause us to cry...but real tears contain a level of toxic substances that the body is eliminating through crying) It is a way to get rid of the "junk"...
I think most people don't show unpleasant emotions...we are somehow programmed to "put on a good face"...don't let anyone know that things might NOT be as rosy as they appear on the outside.
I for one happen to cry a little more when given that I can expose myself to a stranger...they really don't know me so they do not have the ability to judge me as being weak or strong...I also tend to cry if I have had a cocktail or two.... Letting down my defenses...(not always the best thing, but it does happen to the BEST of us)
Crying can be both isolating and liberating....but I am finding and reminding myself that it is a good thing to do...a healthy thing to do because you are being true to your self...it is a normal thing to do and a natural thing to do....So I am refusing to feel shameful or weak or remorseful...
It is an important part to finding ways to bring us peace in our life...its a stress reducer and it actually...scientifically has been found to be good for you....
So, if you need one...go ahead...grab the kleenex and have yourself a good cleansing cry...before...after or even during your cup of coffee.
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Regain Peace

I have not drawn a card from any of my many decks of meditation cards in a very long time. This morning I was called to do that...I shuffle the cards...play a little 50 card pick up by spreading them on the floor...close my eyes...and allow my hand to skim the surface of the cards...usually I get a very warm feeling on the palm of my hand and that is the one I pick up...and today, was no exception....This card is a perfect card for me today. With many stressful things going on around me I have not truly been focusing on myself...my energy levels have been going to others...Today, I am reminded as I study this card to let peace flow through me. To repeat the words of peace...purity...hope...love...tenderness...Often times when we are in the middle of something that is stressful we try to find a way to control it...Control is something that we cannot do...we have no control over what is going on with others...we really have no control of so many things...Today, I am willing to give up my need to have control over what is going on around me....I set my mind in a different direction...I set my intention to look at the peace that I can feel in order to better serve myself and others....I set my life back into a motion that is familiar to me by listening with strength to my messages....Today, I am grateful that my message was to draw a card...A card that leads me back to my center....A card that allows me to envision a softness of life...A card that allows me to feel peace. Today...I breathe a deeper breath...I breathe life back into myself...
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

PS: Can you find a way to regain some peace in your life today???

Believe in Yourself...

Believing in yourself is not just for you, it's for every person
who has touched your life in a significant way, and for every person
your life will touch the same way...five minutes from now, or five
centuries from now." ~ Jaye Miller

This quote came across my mailbox via my friend Cheryl....and hit a cord with me....Hope it does the same for you....Thanks to all who have touched my life...especially at this moment I am surrounded by love and gratitude...
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Reminder...

This is just a gentle reminder that the PINK ARTIST DRAWING is going on....the fabulous things about this drawing are:

1. The money is going to a cause that has touched each and everyone of us and will help to find a cure for our daughters...our grand-daughters...our sisters....WOMEN!
2. You don't have to donate a lot of money or be the highest bidder to win a prize!!
3. Fabulous first prize...and fabulous other prizes!!
4. You are giving something from your heart to someone else!

Please take a run over and visit Monica...and all of us who had a artistic hand in this!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

5 Things I am grateful for today

As I sit here this morning and listen to the quiet I am reminded to write the 5 things I am grateful for today....Because today is a beautiful day!!

1. Being able to witness the beauty of nature...the wonderful plants and growth that is both beautiful and new to my eyes.

2. Not leaving to many words un-said....being able to comfortably say all that needs to be said.

3. Watching as a little one tells adults to "say your sorry" ..."you have to love each other" ...simple words that one should not loose sight of.

4. Having my son here not only for my birthday celebration, but to come and visit and laugh and remind me of having fun!!! (he lives out of town)

5. Getting back into the creative mode....(you know when that block happens...and the lull comes in and then...one day...BAM!)

My wish is that you take a moment today and discover 5 things you are grateful for....and let me add a 6th...ALL WHO ENTER HERE TODAY!!!
Artfully yours,
Pattie

Coffee Thoughts...

I receive a newsletter from Robert Glenn and this one was so good that I had to pass it along...
RULES TO LIVE BY !!!

What a remarkable clearing house this twice-weekly letter is. After that last one about building a factory, this old factory computer was backed up with creative folks who positively get off on the factory life. Almost no one disagreed with me. This could be a bad thing. Truckloads of related items that came in as well. Louise Nel Phillips deposited John Cage's "Rules for Students and Teachers." Here they are:

1 Find a place you trust, and then try trusting it for awhile.
2 General duties of a student--pull everything out of your teacher; pull everything out of your fellow students.
3 General duties of a teacher--pull everything out of your students.
4 Consider everything an experiment.
5 Be self-disciplined--this means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
6 Nothing is a mistake. There's no win and no fail, there's only make.
7 The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It's the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.
8 Don't try to create and analyze at the same time. They're different processes.
9 Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It's lighter than you think.
10 Break rules. Even your own rules. Leave plenty of room for X quantities.

John Cage (1912-1992) was a composer, print maker, performance artist, writer, philosopher, editor, teacher, mushroom expert, collaborator and poet. Fact is, John Cage had a lot of fun in his factory. Considered one of the most influential composers of the twentieth century, he produced works with one note, no notes, notes by chance, and a noted organ composition that takes 639 years to play.

Thinking about the life and "happenings" of John Cage, it's not difficult to see that joy, imagination and brilliance flow from factories. "Life," he said, "is a workshop."

To receive letters from Robert Glenn...go here and sign up!! Always inspirational!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

FLY...

This is a beautiful necklace that my friend Brenda Bliss made for me for my birthday!! Now, to say that I am a lucky girl is somewhat of an understatement when it comes to my friends. I am blessed to have such good friends in my life...friends who have supported me over the years, who have counseled me..who have consoled me...who have cheered me on and cheered me up!! Brenda is one of those friends...I met Brenda some 4 years ago at a retreat...and we have been building our friendship since then...She is a fabulous artist (although she doesn't give herself enough credit for that!!! just like most of us!!) but most of all she has a heart that is HUGE...she gives of herself without thought...She is one of my tribe...Thank you Brenda!!! You know what the heart and wings mean to me!!
I am sure you have a friend out there like this...pick up the phone today and give a shout to them...let them know how much they touch your heart and your life.
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Saturday...coffee thought..

As I sit and drink my coffee this morning in the studio and see the things that I am working on...I realize that no matter what I am following my bliss...I am doing what makes my heart SING...
I allow myself the time to create (even if it means I sleep a little less!!) Because I have come to realize....I know no other way to live my life!!
And YOU....are you following your bliss??

Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and dont be afraid... and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.
~ Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) ~
ARTFULLY YOURS,
Pattie

Simple Truths...

1. Playtime is a VERY IMPORTANT part of each and every day!
2. People make the best pillows!
3. Accidents and mistakes happen!!
4. Mind your manners!
5. Kiss a boo-boo! (it makes the hurt go away!)
6. Dreams CAN come true!
7. Screaming hurts your ears! (and other people's ears!)
8. A nap will make you feel better!!
9. No one should feel or be left out!!
10. Friends are SO important (even imaginary ones!)
11. Happiness can be any color!
12. Every drawing is a masterpiece.
13. Everything is better with whip cream and cherries on the top!!
(May you have one of those days!)
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Sweet Smell...

These beautiful roses came from my wonderful friend just a few minutes ago...They are so beautiful...My heart is full of good wishes and wonderful friendships on this the day of my birth.
I am truly blessed in so very many ways....Today, I reflect on those blessings as I see the beauty in the roses of life...
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Winning Streak....

I am on a winning streak!!!!!!!!! I just was notified that I won a print from Cindy at A Purple Daisy. She has a contest every month on her blog...so run over and comment on her site!! She is a very generous and whimsical artist...And it is my birthday month so, what more could a girl ask for!!! I had a hard time picking which print I wanted, but decided on this one titled A VISIONARY ARTIST!! I am going to hang it in my studio to remind myself to stay the course...and to continue to paint outside the lines!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie