There we were. My friend Miss Marie and I talking about my potted geranium outside my front door.
Marie encouraging me to take the plant in for the winter when the time comes. I’ve always admired her geraniums in pots set in wrought iron stands nailed onto the side of her garage. Me a not-so-green thumb wanting to learn how to keep a geranium alive over the cold months to see it bloom again next spring — just like Miss Marie does so very well.
So involved were we in the details of the process that we almost missed the sweet little creature not saying a peep.
But when I all of a sudden spotted him and I squealed with delight! Oh, Mr. Tree Frog, look at you, blending in to the green leave of the plant…. and eavesdropping on our conversation!
Those unexpected moments that lift you onto a cloud and make your heart smile.
I’m really beginning to think that Gidget is a Buddha who was reincarnated into a wiener dog body.
When something strikes me that I want to pursue, I tend to think I have to get it all done in one sitting.
Such was the case early this afternoon as I got excited about a project (and upcoming class/workshop) I’ve just begun working on in partnership with my friend and animal communicator, Dawn (stay tuned in the future for news about this!).
I went full steam ahead after a Skype call with her. Trying to make sure I captured all the thoughts running wild in my mind. And then they stopped coming.
And I tried to force more thoughts as if a deadline was looming in front of me within the hour. But it isn’t.
But this is how I can get. And why I’m so thankful for my dogs who remind me that pausing is good.
Going for a walk is good. Rolling in the grass is good (well okay, Buddha Gidget rolls and I let my bare feet soak up the energy of the earth). Letting my mind simmer is good.
Catching this photo of her as we took a break out in the yard centered me in an instant…
As if she was conveying to me to s-l-o-w down, take a deep breath, and trust that all will work out just fine, and in just the way it’s supposed to.
I bow in gratitude to my wise Buddah dog friend. Namaste.
Creativity is the essential expression of the human spirit, the rising of the soul, the essence of identity, the great equalizer, the source of one’s truth.
I began to find myself, to come of age, to free my own spirit when I came to understand that creativity is not an interruption of life or work, it is the the work. -Jon Katz
Talking creativity as author, Jon Katz did recently on his blog really struck a chord with me.
I just can’t imagine my life without it.
So many times I’ve heard others say they will write a book when they retire, or take photographs, or paint, or whatever it is that they are waiting until that “magical” day in the distant future to make it happen. But what if that day never comes?
I know well enough myself I’ve gotten caught in the trap that it will take too much time.
Today is the perfect example. I really wanted to write something for my blog. I love coming here to the page to share thoughts that run through my mind.
But it was a busy day and as the day began to wind down I remembered Jon’s post about creativity. I was upset with myself I’d not come to the page sooner. And I was also feeling tired and thinking I’d just let it go for the day.
But how can we not find a way in which to weave creativity into our days? It does not have to take up a half day, whole hour or half hour for that matter. It truly is like food for our soul.
But a concentrated effort to sit still for just 15 minutes and do something creative that we love can make a huge difference….
And pay attention to what that does for your soul for the rest of the day.
I know that when I find ways in which to weave creativity into each day they are richer—my soul feels like it is perched on a cloud, as if floating and I want to experience that feeling as often as possible.
Creativity does not have to be about art either. Hopping on my bike and riding around my small town, taking in the different sights and sounds always makes me appreciate and value where I live and all the beauty around me.
And one does not need to necessarily take lessons first or take a course on something you want to learn. I’ve been thinking that about wanting to learn how to use John’s really nice camera lately.
But instead, I decided this weekend to just pick it up and give it a try — see what pictures I could take. It wasn’t perfect and I have much to learn (and I can still take lessons someday down the road!). But it was fun and I saw the world in a whole new way through the lens of a different camera.
A snippet here, and a snippet there…. each and everyday…even if for just a few moments add up to a year of smiles for your soul that you may not have if you don’t just start.
Listen to what makes your heart happy… and just do it. Start today. I double dog dare you.
And see what happens. I just did and I feel refreshed and energized for having done so….and it only took me 15-minutes to write this post. But the feeling I have is worth a million bucks….and it is what makes my life so very meaningful.
