Happy Luau

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Share the Joy Thursday: Even in Pain...

Writing a post about joy first thing on a Thursday morning sets the intention for joy for the whole rest of the day. It is a beautiful spiritual practice, and I'm grateful to Kim and Meri for thinking of it. 

I found a post that spoke to me on Kathryn Antyr's blog the other day, Collage Diva. It is about grace, and joy, and how people are hurting because this is the human condition. It is about feeling joy and bringing it to others.

Joy is so vital, isn't it? I'm glad we celebrate Thursdays and allocate it as a day specifically for joy.

It is supposedly summer here, but the warmth hasn't arrived yet and the garden is confused. Things that I usually have a lot of (strawberries) I have none of and other things (our cherry tree) is heavy with fruit. Here are some cherries I got from my cherry tree--about 4 pounds!





After your comments on my last post, I decided to delve into my art again and see what would come out. I hadn't done anything since mid-June. I found two uncompleted projects and worked for a brief bit on them. I am going to post them here mid-way completed and then again for you when I'm done.

This is a castle I made out of some packing material and the tops off of the syringes my hormone creams come in. I don't know why, but I love it. It has a ways to go yet.


This is a collage I made out of packing materials. It's hard to see and just barely started, although I've been working on it for so long (maybe a year). It says "joy in pain" (the letters have glare on them). I hope you'll enjoy seeing both of these two projects when they are done.





We are so blessed to be here, as Rebecca said, and to find joy...even in pain.


And as always, this Thursday I share the joy of:

Being alive still another day
Anticipating the day as being "good" :)
Being able to see
Feeling like we are all connected (because we are)
YOU

If you are reading this...today...I wish you JOY!


14 comments:

patti said...

So many cherries! Nature constantly brings us joy!

The colours on your castle are amazing O! I'm all about color and your art really appeals to me.

It will be good to see the finished collage too...

Thanks for a joyful Thursday :)

Ani said...

I'm glad you decided to work on your art again. The castle is so whimsical and gorgeous. Have a joyous Thursday.

gma said...

Your cherries look delicious. I just bought some here for over $5.00 a lb.
Yes to your idea of finding joy even in pain and suffering. Here's to our today...full of JOY.

CrystalChick said...

How wonderful that you get so many lovely cherries right in your own yard! We ate alot this year but went to a farm to pick them. Now, blueberries and peaches are in abundance! And hubby's garden is doing very well. JOY!!
No warmth there? I'd be happy to share! With the heat index, we're going over 100 today and tomorrow.

rebecca said...

dear olivia,

your welcome here is like armfuls of unexpected bright and delicious fruit.

i love to see your art returning to an active part of your days. to loose oneself in the creative process is healing balm to ones very soul!

love your jOy coloured castle!

Meri said...

Your cherry harvest would make you a most popular woman in my house. When I buy them, they disappear as soon as I pour them into the fruit bowl. And yes, I'm a firm believer in cultivating and harvesting joy.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your creative projects O! The castle reminded me of Caroline Myss' meditations and book "Entering the Castle" which you may be familiar with. http://store.myss.com/entering-the-castle-p1241.aspx

The weather on the west coast has been so interesting this year...I find myself with mixed feelings about it...missing the blue skies but also OK with the rain too, as I just immerse myself in my projects. I think I'm about 99% OK with whatever it's doing as, like the cherry tree, there are blessings to be found in "what is".

Thank you for sharing the joy you're finding in your art and life O.

Noelle Clearwater said...

Dearest Olivia,
Your art work is beautiful. I find myself feeling a great deal of compassion for you and wanting to embrace you in your physical struggles. I think that it is couragous of you to put yourself forth in joy and creativity which are both very healing. I believe that art is a very restorative endeavor. I think that Joy never exists by itself; it must always have its opposite waiting in the shadows, else we would not understand and appreciate it fully. Perhaps that is why my posts never quite fit the "Joy mold" the way they should. Today, knowing your journey, I believe that you have had a rebirth of sorts and have come to appreciate fully the joy of living when it comes to you. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Light and Sunflower to you today,
Noelle

deb did it said...

sweet juicy post....I want to come pick cherries with you

Kate Robertson said...

Sending JOY your way too my friend. I love the castle you are making, it looks like so much fun.

kate

Dawn Elliott said...

What a joy that you're being creative with your artwork again - it's such a healing tonic for one's soul. I wish I had some of those juicy cherries - yum! We have a tree, but no fruit this year...

Cindy said...

Olivia I am so thrilled to see you are doing your art again. I have projects I need to pick up and get to....there is so much joy here today. I am going to catch up on some of your posts. Today I have time, it continues to rain, and rain....those cherries look fabulous by the way. sending you a big hug. take care.

Unknown said...

I'm inspired! Art really is therapeutic isn't it?

Kim Mailhot said...

I have been away a bit, Olivia, but I love this post and how you celebrate your creative joy.
And yes, this connection to the hearts that are so open is such a gift.
Gratitude in it all.
Happy Weekend, Beautiful One !