Catch up
It's been nine months since I last posted.
Question: Why?
Answer: Life
Seems I've been proceeding to find out what expression means to me--a me that, though an outgrowth of the previous chapters in my life, is quite different than every before as its synthesized, morphed and been culled. In the next few days, I'll share some of what I've learned. In return I'd like to hear from you about the form expression has taken this year for you.
Intentions of The Joy of Expression Blog
I intend this blog to be a means to communicate with you about your own creative expression--whether it be the living of a creative lifestyle, extending and experimenting with an artistic skill, helping others through your creative teaching, or . . . I will post pictures of the work I'm doing and you can learn more about obtaining copies of the stationery and other art projects I'm been working on by e-mailing me at my new e-mail address set up for that purpose: thejoyofexpression@gmail.com. See next paragraph to learn more. I'll be working the bugs out of the system, so stay with me. All suggestions and comments gratefully received.
An Invitation to write on my blog
What has been happening to you this year with your own personal expressiveness? Let me hear from you.
Announcement: I've opened an e-mail address that will focus on my art work and the art work of Alexandria and Zachary Weiss. Through this address you can order copies of the stationery, pictures, and three-dimensional creations we are being blessed to express. Contact any of us through: thejoyofexpression@gmail.com. I can also be reached by phone: 214-864-6961.
Nature Fairies
There will be more soon about the Nature Fairies. They are looking for their home and I'll will be asking for your help in doing this.
Posting Time
I antiicpate posting on weekend, so check your e-mail the first of each week.
That's it for today. Do take care and please lets dialogue about that wonderful attribute we call Expression.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Through the Eyes of a Creative One
Dedicated to DANG, our Mother-lode
br> Through the eyes of a Creative Person, the adult world may seem enormous, chaotic and can be hurtful and confusing, but love and respect make all of this tolerable, so much so that beauty and joy emerge.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
First Joy of Expression Group
Looking forward to the pilot Joy of Expression group in two days: Tuesday, Feb. 24th at 7. See DANG website. I hope to go public soon after than on a regular schedule. I need to find a place to hold the meeting, but I trust that will come.
Watching the movie August Rush tonight, I felt the sense of what it's like to follow the "voice" of the heart. In that movie, of course, it was music. Though we may not experience music the way the characters in the movie do, it is my experience that the sound of truth and joy that comes from doing something that pleases us, serves the same purpose--the purpose is to communicate in both sending and reception modes.
My dream through the discussion and mutual sharing in the Joy of Expression groups is to tune our ears to what we love within ourselves about our work, be it drawing, painting, design, modern, oils or whatever style, medium, experience level or technique. We can listen for the trueness of our work and, with that in mind, release any thought or feeling that gets in the way.
About this, I am excited.
Lynn
Watching the movie August Rush tonight, I felt the sense of what it's like to follow the "voice" of the heart. In that movie, of course, it was music. Though we may not experience music the way the characters in the movie do, it is my experience that the sound of truth and joy that comes from doing something that pleases us, serves the same purpose--the purpose is to communicate in both sending and reception modes.
My dream through the discussion and mutual sharing in the Joy of Expression groups is to tune our ears to what we love within ourselves about our work, be it drawing, painting, design, modern, oils or whatever style, medium, experience level or technique. We can listen for the trueness of our work and, with that in mind, release any thought or feeling that gets in the way.
About this, I am excited.
Lynn
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Coyote Day of Learning
Personal Sharings
Journaling this morning, I pulled a Coyote Medicine Card from Jamie Sam's book (Medicine Cards). Having followed this routine for years, I know that Coyote will bring me it's erratic and, at times, disturbing energy, yet will also give me a good laugh and cause me to look more deeply at all that I do.
Guess what I learned today: I learned about the Foolishness of Fear. What a rare gift. "What fears?" you say. Well let's start with the "Fear of Loneliness." But on second thought, I realized I'm never alone. To be truthful, there aren't always people around, but then, that can be good, too, depending upon who "the people" are. Today brought a dog, the Idea Angels, a U-Haul Storage provider and my apartment's wonderful office helper. I was blessed today.
Then there is the Fear of Scarcity. Egad, and in this time of depression era-remindings of layoffs, low interest rates, high prices and "out of business" signs, the energy of our environment is polluted with Scarcity Fear. Yet, here I am surrounded by abundance for the grass is growing and smiles still show on the lips of the people I do business with. Seems like more folks I come in contact with these days are helpful. And there was feedback about a proposal I wrote that reflected the very message I wanted to communicate. What wonderful, abundant gifts.
Let's not leave out the Fear of Not Being Good Enough . . . to be chosen, to win the prize, or get recognition, when actually I learned to like myself for who I am--perfect for Me. I don't have interest any more in being judged, critiqued, or awarded from outside myself. I have learned to like what I do or redo it until I do like it--whether it's the dishes, writing a story, or sharing a hug. I realized today that I am good enough for me.
What a statement by one who spent most of my life fearing judgments and criticism. It took the discovery that, if I stop criticizing others or judging anyone or anything else, my own fears of these things vaporize. Free of contrasting winners to losers, I focus on what I like and let the rest go to be shared with those who can like it. For are we not all different in what we like? It's not the picture that is good, but whether we like it. Personally I do not care for Mozart, but that doesn't make Mozart's music bad. It means that his music and my ability to hear it are not synchronized for enjoyment. No more nor no less than that.
And so, Coyote was behind all these insights turning lemons into lemonade and fears into learning opportunities. What a guy, huh?
But there is one thing I know for sure today. I like writing my blog as I sense you in my mind, whoever you are. And I'd enjoy hearing back from.
Have a great good day!
Lynn
Journaling this morning, I pulled a Coyote Medicine Card from Jamie Sam's book (Medicine Cards). Having followed this routine for years, I know that Coyote will bring me it's erratic and, at times, disturbing energy, yet will also give me a good laugh and cause me to look more deeply at all that I do.
Guess what I learned today: I learned about the Foolishness of Fear. What a rare gift. "What fears?" you say. Well let's start with the "Fear of Loneliness." But on second thought, I realized I'm never alone. To be truthful, there aren't always people around, but then, that can be good, too, depending upon who "the people" are. Today brought a dog, the Idea Angels, a U-Haul Storage provider and my apartment's wonderful office helper. I was blessed today.
Then there is the Fear of Scarcity. Egad, and in this time of depression era-remindings of layoffs, low interest rates, high prices and "out of business" signs, the energy of our environment is polluted with Scarcity Fear. Yet, here I am surrounded by abundance for the grass is growing and smiles still show on the lips of the people I do business with. Seems like more folks I come in contact with these days are helpful. And there was feedback about a proposal I wrote that reflected the very message I wanted to communicate. What wonderful, abundant gifts.
Let's not leave out the Fear of Not Being Good Enough . . . to be chosen, to win the prize, or get recognition, when actually I learned to like myself for who I am--perfect for Me. I don't have interest any more in being judged, critiqued, or awarded from outside myself. I have learned to like what I do or redo it until I do like it--whether it's the dishes, writing a story, or sharing a hug. I realized today that I am good enough for me.
What a statement by one who spent most of my life fearing judgments and criticism. It took the discovery that, if I stop criticizing others or judging anyone or anything else, my own fears of these things vaporize. Free of contrasting winners to losers, I focus on what I like and let the rest go to be shared with those who can like it. For are we not all different in what we like? It's not the picture that is good, but whether we like it. Personally I do not care for Mozart, but that doesn't make Mozart's music bad. It means that his music and my ability to hear it are not synchronized for enjoyment. No more nor no less than that.
And so, Coyote was behind all these insights turning lemons into lemonade and fears into learning opportunities. What a guy, huh?
But there is one thing I know for sure today. I like writing my blog as I sense you in my mind, whoever you are. And I'd enjoy hearing back from.
Have a great good day!
Lynn
Memories
To my Elder Club
Going down the Coast Highway, I got a feeling that is probably similar to what other elders feel when you “remember” something wonderful from your past, such as the gem-stones of Cambria (California) in the early1960s.
Trying to re-invent the feeling years later, I find the feeling is not the same and things have changed. It is then that I know I can only retrieve the feeling in my memory.
Perhaps that is enough.
Going down the Coast Highway, I got a feeling that is probably similar to what other elders feel when you “remember” something wonderful from your past, such as the gem-stones of Cambria (California) in the early1960s.
Trying to re-invent the feeling years later, I find the feeling is not the same and things have changed. It is then that I know I can only retrieve the feeling in my memory.
Perhaps that is enough.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Release of Creative Work--A Redtail Hawk Release
The first meeting of the Joy of Expression Discussion Group is set for a little over a week from now, scheduled for Tuesday, 2/24/09.
Preparing for this first meeting, I discover that I am eager, anxious, nervous, and hopeful, all at the same time. Providing an atmostphere that will let others open to sharing with "like kind" about hopes and dreams as well as worries and concerns means a lot to me. On the one hand I want to get the opportunity right. On the other hand, I know that to truly honor the people who come, I must take my hands off the control stick and let happen what will happen with only a slight nudge here or there to keep us on track.
It's always been a struggle to release the more sensitive, creative work that I love into the world. And it would seem that I have not yet gotten used to the idea. I'm no better at releasing outcomes now than I was in my early years. But, since I really want to open this opportunity to others as well as myself, I'll do it, fear and trepidation aside.
I'm reminded of a time when I was a volunteer at the Heard Museum Raptor Rehabilitation Center in McKinney Texas. The last day I was there, I was given an opportunity to release a redtail hawk back into the wild after months of rehabilitation. I'd fist fed the bird and come to appreciate its vulnerability as well as its true wild nature.
The hawk's talons securely curled over my leather gloved forearm, I leaned out over the edge of a cliff, gently swung my arm upward and away from my body and mentally released the bird in my mind. For a moment he did not fly--not until I said in my heart and mind, "Fly, you beautiful creature, fly."
Off he soared, drifting gently side to side as if he'd never been wounded, vulnerable, or dependent on us humans. I hope in the creative group that, like the hawk, each person, with care, support, and belief, will release the works from the depth of their nature to soar to their rightful place in the world.
So be it,
Lynn
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Joy of Expression Discussion Group Beginning
The Joy of Expression Discussion Group is set for launching in February. After a trial run, I'll be able to find some place(s) to run the group and then we'll see how it wants to go. I'm thrilled with the feelings and thoughts that lie behind the group. Here's the general idea of what it will be about:
Often experience teaches us to ignore our expressive self. We may fear we’ll not measure up or be judged to be inadequate. The object of this discussion group is to become more comfortable with bringing our creative work out of the file cabinets and closets where it’s been hidden.
Since our hearts and desires won’t let us creative folks stop wanting to be creative, we might as well join forces to gain support to be who we were always meant to be. We’ll use group discussion, tried and true strategies and shared support in a safe environment.
Both the beginner and the professional will benefit from this group. Remember secret doubts about adequacy and talent can override education, social class and experience level. Group support will encourage the creative self.
Check in for further announcements on this. Then we'll be ready to roll.
A couple of Thoughts
Today was a day to catch up on transferring some special thoughts that I've had in the last week during my morning journaling time to this blog. So here goes:
Often experience teaches us to ignore our expressive self. We may fear we’ll not measure up or be judged to be inadequate. The object of this discussion group is to become more comfortable with bringing our creative work out of the file cabinets and closets where it’s been hidden.
Since our hearts and desires won’t let us creative folks stop wanting to be creative, we might as well join forces to gain support to be who we were always meant to be. We’ll use group discussion, tried and true strategies and shared support in a safe environment.
Both the beginner and the professional will benefit from this group. Remember secret doubts about adequacy and talent can override education, social class and experience level. Group support will encourage the creative self.
Check in for further announcements on this. Then we'll be ready to roll.
A couple of Thoughts
Today was a day to catch up on transferring some special thoughts that I've had in the last week during my morning journaling time to this blog. So here goes:
- Recently, at 24 Hour Fitness:; A woman voted for McCain because she didn’t want her taxes raised. (She was overweight but obviously trying to do something about it.) And she was pleased with everything else about Obama.
I had commented that I was willing to pay more taxes to help things get right and that the system for use of taxes needed fixing.
Later, as I walked around Josey Ranch Lake, I thought,or more accurately, I saw in my mind’s eye a desert scene, sort of like Darfur with an old, clogged, rusty pipe out of which only a trickle of water issued. But that trickle was welcomed by those who are thirsty-life saving in need.
Should the water go un-pumped because the piping is in disrepair and thus deprive life to one seeking in thirst for a drop?
“No!” Even one drop can ease the desperation of the recipient and this has value to me. To be sure, fix the pipe, but don’t leave those in need to die while it is happening.
January 22, 2009
And another one:
- Elder Club: This is my new name for thoughts, awarenesses, and observations I've had in the last couple of months after I became aware that 2008 was the year I grew old. Now appreciating my "oldness" (and I did cross some kind of experiential line) , I am feel energized and more aware than I've ever been. So????
- When we try to do something we’ve not done in a long time, we bump into the memories, fears, dreams, hurts and unfulfilled hopes from an earlier time. This causes us to grieve for what happened, fear it will happen repeatedly and block us from going forth. But I'm here to tell you, "getting older" gives us the chance to get it right this time around
Hurrah!
That it for today. Take care of yourself and know I'm glad you were born. The world is a better place because of you.
Lynn
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Joy of Expression Discussion Group
Too often our experiences have taught us to ignore belief in our expressive self. We may fear we’ll not measure up or be judged to be inadequate. Some of us give up all together while others secret our work in file cabinets and closets. But I’m here to tell you, such an error message carried in our hearts must be vanquished, replaced by a Joy of Expression in our life.
Within the heart of many of us there is a dream or a vision that we wish to express.
Much like a shadow in sunlight that refuses to detach itself, it follows us day after day throughout our life no matter what else we do or who we become.
At times it may seem that we are hounded by this desire for expression. But the refusal of our heart’s desire to leave us stems from its total loyalty to the very core of who we essentially are.
The Joy of Expression Group is designed to elicit support and heal the roadblocks you carry within yourself that impede the process of your creative self. The group is designed to meet in four bi-weekly sessions. The format is participant discussion interspersed with comments and strategies by Lynn and others in the group in a supportive environment. Where appropriate, tried and true exercises will be incorporated to aid the journey to wholeness
4 sessions held bi-weekly beginning:
Two hours each session
Location
Time
Cost: $5.00/session for Dang Members*
$7.50 for non-members
Individual private consultation available: $25.00
You need not be concerned whether you are a beginner/amateur or a highly educated professional in the arts. The secret doubts you harbor do not respect the boundaries of education, social class, or experience level.
*Dang, Dallas Artists Networking Group
Within the heart of many of us there is a dream or a vision that we wish to express.
Much like a shadow in sunlight that refuses to detach itself, it follows us day after day throughout our life no matter what else we do or who we become.
At times it may seem that we are hounded by this desire for expression. But the refusal of our heart’s desire to leave us stems from its total loyalty to the very core of who we essentially are.
The Joy of Expression Group is designed to elicit support and heal the roadblocks you carry within yourself that impede the process of your creative self. The group is designed to meet in four bi-weekly sessions. The format is participant discussion interspersed with comments and strategies by Lynn and others in the group in a supportive environment. Where appropriate, tried and true exercises will be incorporated to aid the journey to wholeness
4 sessions held bi-weekly beginning:
Two hours each session
Location
Time
Cost: $5.00/session for Dang Members*
$7.50 for non-members
Individual private consultation available: $25.00
You need not be concerned whether you are a beginner/amateur or a highly educated professional in the arts. The secret doubts you harbor do not respect the boundaries of education, social class, or experience level.
*Dang, Dallas Artists Networking Group
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