Doing Art...Imperfectly

This is via Kristine Mays on Facebook, and it was so good I wanted to share it here. Note that it does contain some profanity. It is about doing art...imperfectly.

Radical Acceptance

This such a great quote on Radical Acceptance. Especially the last sentence:

Radical acceptance is not simply a cognitive stance or cognitive activity; it is a total act. It is jumping off a cliff. You must keep jumping over and over because you can only accept in this one moment. Therefore, you have to keep actively accepting, over and over again in every moment. 

If radical acceptance is jumping off a cliff into the deep abyss, then there is always a tree stump coming out of the cliff just below the top and the minute you fall past you reach out and cling onto that stump. And then you’re on another cliff’s edge, asking perhaps, “How did this happen?” Then, you jump off the cliff again. 

Radical acceptance is the constant jumping off, jumping off, jumping off and jumping off, yet again. Radical acceptance is also the nonjudgmental acceptance of the repeated grabbing onto the tree stump.

~Marsha Linehan via Bon Dobbs' blog "Anything to Stop the Pain". Marsha Linehan developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for use especially with people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and recently came out about having BPD herself. The quote was featured in this post by Bon Dobbs.

Photo via Joe Futrelle called "Jerry McSnudd's Falling Off a Cliff Hits"

Share the Joy Thursday: New Every Morning

A hundred small choices in the wrong direction can add up to a lifetime where our dreams are always one step in front of us. ~Debbie Ford 

Who wants to be continuing to repeat the same patterns over and over again so that our dreams are eluding us? Do you ever feel caught in a pattern? Today and lately I did and I have, but somehow I don't think that the pattern is real...or that the inevitability of my repeating it is true...I think it is just a story that I or someone else made up about it, and that I can just as easily choose to step outside of it and...choose differently...choose again.

For this, and for the newness of each day, I am grateful and full of joy. For new beginnings...right now...and right now...and right now. I want to encourage you today to step outside any pattern that seems to hold power over you; what if it is entirely your creation?

The photo for today IS joy, and how I feel:

~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark

As always, today I am grateful for 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!

See more "Share the Joy Thursday" posts on Meri's blog. 

Have An AWESOME Day!

I saw this TED Talk by Neil Pasricha, called "The 3 A's of Awesome". It is very inspirational, reminding me of Kelly Kikipotamus the Hobo's "Grace in Small Things" (GIST). Neil Pasricha also has a couple of books that are compilations of his blog posts that you can find here on his blog as well.

The video is under 18 minutes and worth it; it'll make you aware of things you may have overlooked. I've admired Kelly and how she does this for some time, wanting to have this same awareness for and appreciation of small, ordinary, everyday things. This video did help me, tremendously. I hope it does the same for you.

Sacred Life Sunday: Perseverance and a Father

This video is quite inspirational. I found it on Facebook via Patti Digh. Don't give up! I'm taking this as my own inspiration this Sabbath Day. If you haven't seen it, spend the 3:15 to be lifted up by Derek Redmond, as you will be:

I am especially moved by Derek Redmond's father in this video. In the past I'd often wish I'd had a father who would come alongside me as I'd go through life; I am blessed to have had a father-in-law who did this for me! 

Today I am also blessed to remember that I have a Father in Heaven who is like this, as do we all...for those of us that believe in a Universe, a Higher Power, and/or a Divine Center, you know what I mean! 


To each and every one of you, I pray that you experience joy and Sabbath rest today, and the companionship of those who love you; today, I am grateful for YOU!

Not Only Joy

A follow-up to yesterday's "Share the Joy Thursday":

"We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world."~Helen Keller (and she should know)

I want to feel it all, be grateful for it all, have a full life...God, grant me the strength and courage to accept the hard things as well as the joy...

~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark edited by me

Divine Mercy

"There is probably no other way to understand God's nature except to daily stand under the waterfall of divine mercy and then become conduits of the same flow." ~Richard Rohr



~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark taken in Kauai

Sacred Life Sunday: Surrender

"Surrender" was my "word" from Lori-Lyn's card pulling--she did one on Facebook on Thursday and it was so right on. Then I read this on "The Mercy Blog: Pax et bonum":

Jesus does not demand 

great actions from us 

but simply surrender 

and gratitude.

(St. Therese of Lisieux)

Surrender.
Gratitude.
Words to live by.
Perfect words for this Sacred Life Sunday.

Love is the Answer

I wanted to write about a comment that Kim left me about my post from yesterday, which was about how Love is always the answer. She wrote that I could love: 


(1) My hurt parts,
This is in fact a blessing because I wouldn't hurt so much if I didn't love her. I can focus on the years of betrayal and my discombobulated sense of reality or I can focus on how much I love her and how grateful I am to know the truth and be closer to her in her pain.

(2) Through what she [Calley] is going through,
She has been suffering for years and will continue to suffer no matter what--if she chooses to stay where she is and suffer the consequences--or if she chooses to recover. I can love her and support her no matter what, while I at the same time take care of myself.

(3) The courage she had to muster to finally live in the truth,
Every time someone chooses the truth over lies it is a cause to rejoice. And choosing authenticity is choosing a lot of other good things as well.

(4) The fact that she has me to love her.
I am glad to be there for her and that I have a love for her that is stronger than this. I will stand by her close or far-away (if it comes down to that). I hope that I can stay close. 


Thank you for this great writing inspiration Kim Queen of Big Love, for reminding me that Love is Always the Answer. 

One of the Most Beautiful Things I've Ever Read

This amazing poem was written by Kate Swoboda of the blog Your Courageous Life. I loved it; it touched me in a million ways, and wanted to share it here with you. I know you will love it as much as I did. Here it is with her introductory comments, reproduced with permission:

"The trickiest places, I think, are in those tangled and triggered human relationships. In every moment, we have this opportunity when we interact with other people sharing this world with us to act with integrity, to face our choices about the experience we will have with someone else.

Whatever we see in the world, that is us, too. Cultivate a willingness to compassionately drop down into the zero center of someone else’s imperfection, and you’ll see their pain, and piece of your own. We are not so very different. We are far more alike than we often believe. With courageous hearts, we can change the world. So here goes:

In the face of complaints, look that person in the eye and imagine what it might have been like to be raised to see only what is wrong.

In the face of selfishness, wonder what it might be like to walk the world with a feeling of lack, of depletion.

In the face of insults, consider where this person first learned that it’s okay to abuse others.

In the face of disconnection, think about what causes it, and ask if your response will widen the river between the two of you.

In the face of laziness, recognize the fear of living big dreams.

In the face of extremism or fundamentalism, see the clinging, as well as the terror-filled silence that would arise for that person if they risked letting go.

In the face of controlling behavior, understand the chaos that must have bred it.

In the face of “always needing to be right,” see how often this person was once made wrong.

In the face of arrogance or bravado, hold gently that still, small piece that says “I’m not enough.”

In the face of drama or attention-seeking, see the person who wishes so much to be seen.

In the face of accusation, imagine what it might be like to live life with suspicion.

In the face of judgement or comparisons, step into the opportunity the world has just provided you for practicing love and acceptance.

In the face of passive-aggressiveness, recognize the child that wasn’t taught a safe way to express their truth.

In the face of anger, see the pain of isolation from others.

Most importantly: In the face of ferocious hatred, believe in the possibility that there exists the potential for equally as big, intense, lovely and fiery ferocious love.

Okay. That is my love letter to the world, for today.

~ Kate"


Thank you so very, very much, Kate!


~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark

Life's Challenges

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are."---Bernice Johnson Reagon, Musician via The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin

Extreme Journaling

I recently discovered extreme journaling---which is a form of art, journaling, and extremely deep introspection---from Heather at A Creative Journal.

What is Extreme Journaling? Juliana Coles describes it here and lists supplies here.

Note that the supplies list, or the "destiny voyages packing" could be used for any type of artwork or journaling while traveling.

I am inspired by this form of art journaling, especially since I'm ready to begin Jamie Ridler's "Wreck this Journal" group on Friday. Any of you who'd want to join me would be most welcome.

Come, explore with me!

To Brighten Up Your Friday

Enjoy this video via Beverly Keaton Smith, guaranteed to spiff up your end of the week fatigue! It is of a "flashmob" in a train station in Antwerp.

"Flashmobs are used by forward thinking marketers to demonstrate a concept or launch a new brand. They have a guerilla / underground type of feel and if organised well and targeted properly they can really add power to an advertising strategy.

Flemish commercial television station VTM used a creative Flashmob approach to launch their newest reality television program “Op zoek naar Maria” which has been launched to find an actress to play the leading role of Maria in the musical version of The Sound of Music.

At the Central Station in Antwerp. A modern version of The Sound of Music hit “Do Re Mi” came through the speakers and a few started to dance to the music. Gradually, more and more dancers, disguised as commuters, joined them until the entire hall was packed with a dancing crowd."---from the blog Samro

Now, have a Fantastic Friday!

Sacred Life Sunday: Who Are You, Really?

As I'm envisioning having my own business, I am extremely focused on integrity and on being authentic.

This is from Seth Godin's blog called, "What You Say, What You Do, and Who You Are":

"We no longer care what you say.

We care a great deal about what you do.

If you charge for hand raking but use a leaf blower when the client isn't home
If you sneak into an exercise class because you were on the wait list and it isn't fair cause you never get a bike
If you snicker behind the boss's back
If you don't pay attention in meetings
If you argue with a customer instead of delighting them
If you copy work and pass it off as your own
If you shade the truth a little
If you lobby to preserve the unsustainable status quo
If you network to get, not to give
If you do as little as you can get away with

...then we already know who you are."---Seth Godin

Doesn't this say it so well and make you think? It's where we come from that makes such a difference in how we interact with others, isn't it?...it's who we truly are.

~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark

Be Inspired!

As I prepare for vacation tomorrow I wanted to share with you Molly Gordon's amazing reworking of Marianne Williamson's well-known quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are without resources.
Our deepest fear is that we are infinitely and completely supported.
It is our good fortune, not our lack of resources, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to benefit from the work and support of others?

Actually, who are you to do it alone?
You are a child of God.
Pretending to be an only child or an orphan does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about doing it all yourself so that other people won't envy or resent you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
And to shine in that way requires that we open our minds and hearts to infinite Love,
Love that is made manifest in the kindness of strangers, the support of friends,
and the brilliance of those who have gone before us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we allow others to help our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."---Molly Gordon via Melissa Gayle West

Wow. Wow. Wow. I think I like Molly Gordon's version even better. Both are empowering and inspiring! Have a wonderful day today!


~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark

Wellness Wednesday: Drill Down to What's Essential

I find myself caring more and more lately about the bare bones, about what is essential and real in life.

It all started when a good friend wrote me in an email:

"As Patti Digh referred to in an essay more than three years ago, Toni Morrison has the perfect phrase for framing such decisions: "What is it I must do or I shall die?""

Provocative question, indeed.

Then today I read in the amazing book Altar in the World, a book that will be a classic for those of us who are spiritual rather than religious, "Come tell us what is saving your life now".

It's as much in the questions we ask as in the answers we find.

Wellness Wednesday: Fearless

Do I have a treat for you today! It is from Heather of Fumbling for Words, a video that I guarantee will inspire you, no matter who you are. If you read the happyluau, you will be inspired. Guaranteed. Or your money back. This three minute video from Heather is intensely personal, and is featured here with permission.




I've watched it several times, and each time I am inspired in new ways, sparking me creatively to think about fear, how it stops me, and how I move beyond it in my own life. Thank you, Heather, for your generosity in sharing this with the happyluau!

Don't Miss This!

I just wanted to write another quick post today to tell you to please make the time for the "Three Great Things" I wrote about yesterday. It should take less than 10 minutes to look at and/or read all three, but they are ten minutes I know you won't regret. Go there..now!

Also, I wanted to let you know that I'll be having my first Big Giveaway here at the happyluau soon. So check back in the next few days to find out how you can get some really cool free things. I need to gather everything together and take pictures, but I promise I'll do it soon.

Three Great Things

I have so much to share with you, and today I want to share three really, really great things. I want to encourage you to make time to read/watch all three of them, because they are worth it and will inspire you to live your life better.

The first is a fantastic blog post called "Weighing In On Oprah" by Brene Brown, the author of the wonderful book "I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame", as well as the blog "Ordinary Courage". In her post, she writes about Oprah's recent revelations in O Magazine, as well as shame for women around body issues in general, and her reflections on her own recovery and 12 Step programs. I think there is something in this post that will touch you.

The second is a wonderful blog post by Lori-Lyn about perspective, something we can all use.

Last is a video by author Kelly Corrigan called "Transcending Words on Women and Strength". The video has had almost 2 1/2 million views and is 5:07 in length (get some tissues) :

Does It Ever Feel Like This?

I know that for me, sometimes it does.

This is a cartoon by my friend David Hayward, called, "Don't Be Afraid".