Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the week.
Vision: (noun) the act of anticipating that which will or may come to be.
This past weekend, my son had his friend, Tyler Baker, over to spend the night. Tyler is a 12 year old metal artist. He started welding when he was six and has created and sold many beautiful works of art at the BB&E farmers market as well as up in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
So, Friday night we’re sitting around my kitchen table doodling and talking about art.
The conversation covered stuff like how long it takes to make each project, all the different kinds of ideas we get from different everyday stuff, how our projects rarely end up looking the same as when we started, (they’re usually better!) and how some people will look at his projects before they’re done and say “Oh, that doesn’t look very good at all.” or ”That’s gonna look like crap!” We both got a laugh from this last part and Tyler sais “Yeah, they don’t know what I do! Man, I make really cool stuff! They just can’t see it.”
That’s when I had to grab a pencil and write this down ” Confidence is knowing that by doing your best, you will make it better.”
This young man has vision and enough confidence to do something with it. All of the work he has put into the projects of the past has enabled him to get better at seeing what he wants to make in the future. He doesn’t have to see it all ahead of time. He knows that by sticking with it, he will eventually make it into what it’s supposed to become, something AWESOME!
This diagram has really helped remind me to stay focused on finding the solutions to whatever problems come my way, while working on the vision of what my life can look like. The drama, problems and details will always be there. I just don’t feel like I’m drowning in them, anymore.
I hope this has helped you, my friendly blog reader. Despite all of the uncertainty and drama in today’s world, I hope you can focus on what the vision of your future looks like. You’re certainly worth it!!!
Thanks for reading! I’ll be back on Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.
xoxo Pam
Posted 1 year, 10 months ago at 8:53 pm. Add a comment
This song helped me remind my husband that he only has 2 things to do, provide for and protect me and our son. Like the saying goes “Take care of the important and the urgent will take care of itself.”
I hope you have a great day and I’ll be back on Wednesday with the Inspirational word of the week.
xoxo Pam
Posted 1 year, 10 months ago at 7:57 am. Add a comment
Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the week.
Kind: (adj.)
1. of a good or benevolent nature, or disposition.
2. considerate or helpful.
3. mild, gentle.
The passage of the health care reform bill this past weekend got me to thinking about the word kind. Especially because at one time, back in 1975, my little sister and I were wards of the state of California.
My biological mother had just turned 17 years old (but was surprisingly married) when I was born. By the time my sister came along, almost 3 years later, my biological father was already headed out the door. I don’t really remember much about him, but I do remember my mother was devastated and completely lost. Although her family lived fairly close-by, they were extremely dysfunctional. She had gotten married early hoping that would fix all of her problems. Instead, she ended up alone with two daughters and no education.
We lived on welfare in downtown Fresno. I can remember watching her sit on the couch smoking cigarettes and staring out the window. She would be quiet and sad one moment, and then angry and looking for a switch the next. Although she loved us and did the best she could, ours was not a very happy home. Fortunately, her ultimate act of kindness was to give us up for adoption.
I remember her sitting me down in the kitchen to tell me about how the next day we were going to go live with some other people who were going to help us find new parents.
“I can’t take care of you anymore” she said. “So you need to be good and take care of your sister. She’s little and can’t look out for herself.”
I cried and promised to be good, but honestly, by the time we got into the car the next day to go to the foster care, I had completely forgotten about the whole conversation.
We all went to a house that had a really, big garden in the back, and a dog!
My sister and I got distracted playing with the dog and looking at all of the flowers while our mother quietly slipped away.
Before long, my sister started crying “where’s Mommy?”
The foster parents took us inside to calm us down.
The next thing I remember is sitting on the bed, looking at the sunset, listening to somebody’s radio playing John Denver’s “Sunshine on my shoulder” and crying. I still cry whenever I hear that song. Dammit, I’m crying now.
*2 tissues later*
I am so incredibly proud of my country, and I’m especially grateful to the kindness of the people who created the foster care system that carried me and my sister. The people of our government showed responsibiltiy, compassion and caring when they put together the social safety nets that supported us and allowed our adoptive parents to find us, later that year.
It really hurts my heart to hear other Americans screaming about how angry they are at the government. I’m not saying that some people in the government haven’t taken advantage of their power and exploited the system(oh boy did they!) Although there’s an endless list of things that need to be fixed, the underlying principle of our government is to take care of it’s citizens.
All of them.
Especially, the little ones who can’t take care of themselves.
We have to start somewhere. The passage of this health care reform bill is just a small step along the path.
I’m proud to be among the people of this country who really believes that we can and should do all we can to support our citizens. All of them. It’s our duty and our gift.
Remember, there’s strength in numbers!
I’d love to ask all of the angry people to stop for a moment and realize that while they spend all of their time focusing on being angry and overwhelmed by everything that is wrong, they’re not focusing on taking care of themselves or their families. That’s not what they want to hear, but it’s true.
A person can’t think two separate thoughts at the same time.
Whilerage will eventually burn itself out, kindness heals.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain
Kindness is the best place to start, no matter where you’re from.
*I focused my energy this week and finished up a burlap art project designed to remind me to be kind
The quote inside the “mouth” (made from Japanese ink stained paper and embossed copper) says
“To speak well of another is a blessing to all”.
The project is 3′wide x 4′long. It’s made from a burlap sack, purple, hand-dyed Mexican jute and green batik cotton fabric. It’s hanging from half of a pool cue. Purple pillow fringes make the hair. Green felt and fusible web with silver buttons make the eyes. Red feathers make the eyebrows. Half of a Brasilian seed pod makes the nose. I used black, silver, green, lavender, red and pearl white beads to decorate it. Purplish-blue eyelash yarn and white silk daisies make the hair. Overall, it probably took me 10 hours to put it together.
What do you think, my friendly blog reader?
Do you believe in the power of kindness? Do you think art can be healing? How about music?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments!
Thanks for reading along and I’ll be back on Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Pam
Posted 1 year, 10 months ago at 9:19 pm. Add a comment
(click the link above to watch the Official video on YouTube)
I was watching Life on Discovery channel last night with my son.
We got to talking about raising offspring and how much time and knowledge that goes into it.
Mother Nature has a way of ensuring the survival of the species. Hormones and seasons, the life on our planet seems hard-wired to make babies. It seems to easy to do, looking from the outside in.
We have a different set of circumstances because we’re human. We have a longer maturity period that requires us to learn, as well as teach for a much longer time.
“So, do you just ‘know’ how to be my mom?” my son asked.
“Not really. You made me a mom “I answered. “Mother nature has kicked in to help me out, especially in the beginning, but basically, you’re teaching me how to be a mom everyday by just being my kid. By listening to you and making sure your needs are taken care of, I’m figuring it out day by day. Just like you’re learning how to be a good kid by doing the best you can and listening to me every day. Our family is a team. Our best bet is to work together and try to remember that we are here to learn from each other.”
We both agreed that we are extremely lucky and blessed to have been given each other! Aaaaahhhhh!
Thanks for reading along, my friendly blog reader. It’s writing for you that is making me into a better writer and I couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for your support! xoxo
I’ll be back on Wednesday with the Inspirational word of the week.
Pam
Posted 1 year, 10 months ago at 6:48 pm. Add a comment
When I was a kid, I just assumed that when I grew up, I’d have all of THE answers. I’d know what I wanted and how I was going to get it. I thought that there would come this magical time in the future when all of my questions and fears would melt away and I’d know I was going to be happy, no matter what.
Well, come to find out, that day never really comes.
The truth is the only way I know for sure that I’m going to be okay is by having faith in myself to handle whatever comes along and by forgiving myself when I screw up.
Because I can’t avoid screwing up.
I’ve made mistakes in the past and I’m pretty freakin’ sure I’m gonna mess something up in the future too!
The only thing I really truly have any control over is my own attitude.
If I approach a situation thinking “Oh Crap! This is gonna SUCK!!” then chances are that my attitude is going to poison the situation and make it even worse. Like the rudder on a boat, my attitude defines my destination.
The best I can do is to ask myself the question “How can I help?”.
I’m trying to look at every day as another chance to allow my struggles to develop my strength, because it’s only by going through them that I’ll get the wisdom of knowing I can handle it.
That doesn’t mean it’s going to be fun, just that it’s going to be worth it. (Happiness is a choice, after all!)
Because I’m going to make mistakes.
The only thing I can change is how I handle them.
Have a great weekend!!
Pam
Posted 1 year, 10 months ago at 8:54 am. Add a comment
Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the day.
Patience: (noun) 1. quiet, steady perseverance. 2. the ability to suppress restlessness. 3. the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune or pain without complaint.
I made this project way back in 2004, while I was still living in Mexico. I used Mexican jute, hand-made paper, leather strap and beads, some of which I made and some I took off of a necklace. The saying in the middle says “Actively pursue patience” with little black swirls made from Sculpey clay encircling it. (The black velvet “dress” didn’t get added until years later).
Honestly, I hated this project when I first made it. It seemed uneven and top-heavy. Although I liked the colors of the beads, paper and fabric before it came together, once I made it, I just hated it. The saying on it came from somewhere in my head. It could be the Universe, Allah, God, or my sub-conscious was trying to teach me something! (ya think?)
So I stuffed it into a box and forgot about it until after we moved back to Michigan. I came across it again a couple of years later while looking for something else. When I first saw it, I seriously considered throwing it out, until I thought “What it needs is just a little black dress.” So I cut the shape out of some scrap velvet I had laying around and put it together.
That made all the difference in the world.
This project is now one of my most favorite pieces, especially because I know how much I really hated it at first.
As a naturally energetic person, I have a tendency to get very restless when I feel stressed. My default reaction is to do more, do something, anything to feel like I have some control over whatever it is that’s causing my anxiety.
I have learned that sometimes doing more can make things worse,because freaking out and losing control only makes things harder because of the extra damage they cause.
Making this project (along with many, many others) has helped to teach me to “actively pursue patience” instead of trying to fix everything at once.
“But if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need!”
My darling husband came home on Friday and will be leaving again tomorrow afternoon. His project is in Israel and won’t be finished until sometime in June. It’s been a month since we’ve seen each other and will probably be another month before we go to see him over there.
What I want is for him to stay home.
What I need is a strong, healthy marriage.
So what I’m really trying to do is savor every moment while he’s here.
We’ve feasted, snuggled, watched movies and played. It’s been truly wonderful!
We can hold onto these memories to help remind us that the love we have never goes away as long as we keep it in our hearts.
I hope, my friendly blog reader, this week gives you an opportunity to try to find what you need.
I’ll be back on Wednesday with the Inspirational word of the week.
xoxo Pam
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So I’m trying to
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 10:04 am. Add a comment
Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the week.
Exuberant: (adjective)1. uninhibitedly enthusiastic. 2 abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous 3. luxuriant, abundant.
I made a mistake this week.
In my exuberance to share my idea for a drawing contest with everyone else here in Ortonville, I really didn’t pay enough attention when the sponsor/chair said “yeah, whatever”. Instead of taking the hint, I assumed she’d tell me if she had a problem with it. Well, apparently I was wrong. When I went in to talk to her about it today, she was mad and insulted that I didn’t bring it up to her “properly”. She let me know that putting together this art contest is a lot of work and not something to be taken lightly. She has years of education and experience at doing this. My adding on this drawing contest was unfair and not in-line with what she thinks the art contest should be about. “It’s just wrong!” she says.
Long story short, she’ll keep the art contest. For her, it’s about promoting her store and sustaining her livelihood. I get that.
The reason I chose to become an artist is because I believe the creative process of making art is healing and life-changing. I believe art can help people feel better (if they let it).
That’s why I wanted to introduce the drawing contest.
The idea of it is simple. Everyone is invited to fill in a supplied shape with pencil, ink, crayons or paint. (I’ve added the image of one I filled in last year using Prisma colored pencils. (oooh pretty!!) (Next year we can add seeds, glitter, fabric and cool stuff!!!!)
The night of the event, everyone gives me their drawing (only one allowed per person) with a dollar. All of the drawings will be displayed and voted on by the people at the park. Whichever picture gets the most votes wins all of the monies. The more people to submit pieces, the bigger the prize!
Ultimately, it’s a way to give people a chance to be creative, to get them to take their minds off of their troubles and focus on making something beautiful. It’s an opportunity to give people something fun to do! Not to mention the winner of the drawing contest could win a lot of money!
Plus, the Beets, Beats and Eats is in a park during the summer with musicians, vendors, mature trees, play equipment for the kids and a new pavilion to eat dinner under! How cool is that!!!
It’s my hearts desire to know that when I die, I’ll have used up every ounce of energy the Universe gave me appreciating my life as well as helping other people enjoy their time here on Earth. That doesn’t mean my job will be easy. My exuberance sometimes blinds me to the subtle hints and cues of other people. My challenge will be to keep trying to do the best I can with what the Universe gave me, which is an exuberant nature!
So for now the drawing contest will be held at the BB&E on our Community Building night on July 2. If you’re in town please come on in and join in the fun!
Thanks for following along with my volunteer adventures, my friendly blog reader. I appreciate knowing you’re there!
Have a great weekend!
xoxo Pam
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 8:45 pm. 4 comments
Here’s a creative question for you to play with in your head today………
What flavor was your influence today?
Thanks to my friends Debbie and Scooter, I’ve had a most excellent Zen Monday. Days like this are such a rare treat! Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I took a Monday off.
After we all had breakfast together at the diner this morning, we went shopping for sunglasses. Then we went to go see Alice in Wonderland. (Highly entertaining flick!) Debbie did the driving, so all I had to do was chill out and enjoy! I even managed to chat with Blake and get in my walk with Tootsie before getting my son off the bus. Sweet!
So, with spring coming along nicely, blue skies and happy friends, I think my influence today tastes like fresh strawberries, a seasonal favorite to be savored and enjoyed!
I’ll be back on Wednesday with the Inspirational word of the week.
xoxo Pam
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 8:12 pm. Add a comment
Although I picked this word because I really enjoy being creative, honestly, I’m stuck trying to find something clever to write about.
I think it’s because being creative is about more than just being clever, or smart.
Creativity happens only after you show up and put in the time. It’s not about being perfect. Or even good.
Being creative is about taking a chance, making an effort, and doing the work, everyday.
Some days are easier than others.
Sometimes the ideas flow so fast, it’s hard to keep up with them. (Sharpen your pencil and enjoy those days because sometimes just making dinner can be a challenge.)
The secret is to not give up. Recognize creativity in all of the many things you do.
Give yourself credit for creating the best life you can with what you’ve been given.
Create space within your heart to know that you are enough, you are doing enough and tomorrow brings another chance to try again. (repeat as many times as necessary to clear your head).
By doing something creative every single day, you must give up the idea of being perfect.
What a relief!!!
I hope you have enjoyed this, my friendly blog reader!
Have a great week and I’ll be back on Monday with the Inspirational song of the week.
xoxo Pam
*p.s. check out this wonderful talk from Elizabeth Gilbert about the creative process.
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 8:33 pm. 4 comments
So, with spring coming along nicely, blue skies and happy friends, I think my influence today tastes like fresh strawberries, a seasonal favorite to be savored and enjoyed! 
