My canvas is on fire

Flaming colours shouting across the waves a sudden intake of breath splendour expressed an uproar of movement rich and glorious perfection in chaos illuminating my soul making my spirit soar

Being comfortable in your own skin

Hello there, readers. Here is another message in a bottle, cast from the shores of New Zealand. I have been thinking about being comfortable in my own skin and expressing my inner-self outwardly in an authentic and congruent way. Just to contemplate this makes me feel a surge of hope and courage. I wrote myself a note and stuck it to my desk. On it is one word, "Become!" That word is giving me permission to feel what I feel, think what I think,and express my-self more fully than I ever have before. Words, actions, appearance, values, beliefs...I am not talking about imposing any of these things onto other people and it is not for others that I will become. It is answering the call of my DNA! Tiny messages in every single cell of my body that say who I am and who I will become given the right nurturing and validating environment. I am not waiting for anyone else to provide this for me. I accept who I am. I am committed to personal growth and to living a mindful life...not striving...growing organically. every breath a chance to embrace life in all of its fullness and every day a chance to live a life of creative expression. Experiencing the alchemy of creativity, transforming the mundane into gold. You may wish to join me on my journey. Peace. Sandy

survive and thrive

Hello where ever you are in the world. I am writing to you from a small group of islands in the South Pacific, called New Zealand. I attended a seminar today called "Survive and thrive". It was aimed at creatives/artists who wanted to learn from each other, exchange ideas, network and be inspired. For me it was like consuming a large feast. So much to take in. Serendipitous meetings and mind stretching concepts. Like-minded people and other-minded people. Some lovely contacts. A spirit of collaboration,wisdom and encouragement. What would the world be like if we could be like that always. The whole more than merely the sum of the parts. Living with our eyes wide open. Present to the now moment. Celebrating your existence on this gem of a planet. Peace. Sandy

sustainable mindfulness on a winters day

To whom this message in a bottle may reach. It has been about a month since I posted on my blog...a busy month. I have at last stopped to catch my breath, and notice my breath. Outside my window the rain is falling steadily, washing the trees and palms here to a brilliant lime green and the aloes hold orange torches along the driveway, thrusting them through the rainfall towards the sky. The heater by my side warms and comforts me. Its heat radiates across my back and holds me close like a comforting arm. I am grateful. I give intentional attention to a tv aerial far away. I then intentionally give attention to a ticket for entrance to the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, on my desk. My mind wants to go there and the floods of memories demand attention. I delay focusing on them and I focus on my breathing. Disciplining my mind to do what I decide. Strengthening my ability to notice and engage what I decide to. I can choose to widen my awareness or focus it. My emotions do not dictate to me. This is freedom. This morning I mindfully ate my breakfast. I had toast with ginger marmelade and coffee. I consciously chewed each mouthfull and actually tasted it. Not anxious to move onto the next thing or to find an answer to this or that question. One thing at a time, mindfully aware of the present moment and fully engaged. This is how I do winter. It is fabulous. I appreciate being alive. Peace to you today. Sandy

the mindful artist

Over the last few weeks, I have had a painting in progress. Sometimes when I have 'down time' between clients, or if I am at my office during the weekend, I engage with the paint and the canvas. Every stroke is mine. I own them. I intuitively work on the canvas, not knowing what each mark will add to the composition. I 'listen' to my impulses to place the colours here or there. I allow my pallet knife to mix different and unexpected hues as it glides and scrapes across the vista. I celebrate each colour and enjoy the smell of the oil paints. My painting rag becomes as beautiful as a coat of many colours and my easel is itself a sculpture of beauty...an instalation in my room that brings me joy. Something happens on the inside of me while I am absorbed with my craft. A contentment comes over me. I relax and breathe. I am in the moment. I am not striving to complete a prescribed or contrived idea. I am allowing whatever emerges to emerge, without judgment. I am present to the marks on the canvas. I am acceptable, I am loved, I am content.

emotional sustainability by maintaining a grateful heart

Hello there. These are some of the things that I am grateful for today. Shoes. Lentil stew with chicken and asparagus for lunch. The blessing of some really amazing friends. Daily work with clients. Friends far away in the Northern hemisphere. Freedom. New Zealand, beaches, cities, towns and sea and islands. The large comforting moon. The sun that sustains us. A room and a bed to sleep in. My children. Other people's children. Autumn. Love and acceptance. A computer that works. Our street. The house where I live. Somewhere to invite people into and make them feel welcome. Books. Shelter. Health. Warmth. The beautiful earth, our garden home. Sent with love Sandy

mindful moments

Hello there. I am really glad you found this message in a bottle Cast again from the shores of New Zealand, in the far reaches of the South Pacific. I did a mindfulness exercise with someone yesterday. We ate a grape each. Only one grape. It was an exquisite experience. We used our 5 senses to experience the colour, the texture, the taste, the smell...even the sound of the grape as our teeth chewed through it. It blows me away that every moment can be so full of rich and wonderful experience...and usually we are totally unaware that we are missing out on it because our minds are far away from our actions and existence in the present moment. Each 'now moment' has the potential for us to go deeper and deeper into the experience. Being present to the person, the activity, the task that is in front of us. Giving intentional attention to specific aspects of the now moment. This may take you out of your head (that is so used to constant worry) and back into your body, grounding you in the present moment, rather that having your emotional state dictated by thoughts of the future or the past. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, this way of life may help you. Love and peace Sandy