I Imagine A World Someday with Art as the Way

Posted May 17, 2016 by Barbara Techel

The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art. -Junot Diaz

Last night I started reading, Art as a Way by Frederick Franck – A Return to the Spiritual Roots.

He talks about how it wasn’t that long ago that an artist did not rate high on the crew-cut scale of American values. That they were seen as long-haired hippie types and you needed to protect your daughter from them.

And I still see this in the world at times. Though I try to only surround myself with those that are striving toward the heart of their art.

I imagine a world someday where art is the way. No longer will it be considered something one may do on the “side” or thoughts that someone couldn’t get a “real” job so they took up art instead.

I imagine it as weaved into the very core of who we are, integrated into every aspect of our lives.

I imagine that others will value it greatly and want in on it, too.

When creativity is a big part of my days its as if minutes and hours don’t exist. I never see or feel them tick by. I am just in the flow. Rather like nature – just being as I’m meant to be. Like I am right now writing this post, eager to talk about something I’m passionate about.

Though, in our culture I sometimes feel as if I’m swimming against the tide, not keeping up with the materialistic world. But wanting less so it does not weigh me down and yearning for more authentic experiences that light up my soul.

But I keep at it. Making choices that are right for me. Pushing away the naysayers and silently blessing them with peace.

And the thing is, art comes in so many forms. My husband, John, is a carpenter and a very good one at that, if I might add. But it is truly his art because it is weaved into the very nature of who he is. Most days he can hardly wait to get to his job site. This is a garden shed he built which is almost complete.

This morning I saw a photo that someone posted on a Facebook group I belong to called, Creative Group at Bedlam Farm. It is a group of people living creative lives with a wide range of artistic talents.

Justin Lynch, from the group, shared these pies he baked. Check out the decor on these! Now that is art!

And fiber artist, Maria Wulf from the group received a bag full of someone’s dresses and skirts they no longer want, and she is turning them into beautiful scarves.

When I see photos of someone’s art or listen to my husband talk about his art in the construction business, there is an undeniable feeling of joy that comes from the pictures and the thoughts being shared.

They are living from that place inside where peace and happiness reside – they are at the heart of their art.

And I imagine a world someday where more find that sweet, spiritual spot of existence and live from it so that it creates a wave of peace that washes over our world.

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What is Joy?

Posted May 16, 2016 by Barbara Techel

There is much that brings me joy, but in this very moment, I am inhaling a breath of gratitude and giving thanks once again for this quiet spot of my own…my dear, lovely writing cottage, and I say…

On this spring morning, the sun is shining, the birds are sipping from the bird bath and feasting at the feeders as a light wind kisses the perennials reaching toward the sun, and my little dog, Gidget is curled up on the wicker chair softly snoring — indeed, it is the simple pleasures that make my heart swell with joy.

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My Zen Writing Cottage. Phase Two Begins – Nine Years Later.

Posted May 15, 2016 by Barbara Techel

You know the saying, “Good things come to those who wait?”

It was late summer 2007 when my dear John built me my writing cottage. A place of my own, off the corner of our deck. My private sanctuary to listen to the birds, write, feel connected to the world, or just a quiet place where I can think or just be.

The world turned upside down in 2008 when the economy sunk to an all time low. We were so scared, like many, that we may lose so many of the things we worked so hard for – John’s construction business or our home, or both.

We had to make some difficult decisions regarding our retirement savings, but we couldn’t risk losing the home we had come to love so dearly- our safe haven.

This also meant any landscaping we wanted to do, plus a white picket fence I wanted around my writing cottage, had to be put on hold.

It didn’t matter. We had a roof over our heads. We learned to cut even more from our personal overhead expense and from the construction business overhead. And we knew we were so much better off than many. We had nothing to complain about. We would do what we needed to survive.

Though there was much uncertainty and at times scary, we grew by leaps and bounds. Our determination and love grew stronger. We were a team and planned to stay one, no matter what.

And today as I sit in my writing cottage, the Pandora radio station playing Tuscany instrumental music, the wind blowing a brisk breeze for May, the sun shining, and the birds a flutter outside my window, Gidget curled up on the wicker chair next to me, I give thanks for the life I have.

Just outside the long five foot windows of my writing cottage, my heart smiles as John puts skirting around the bottom of my cottage. And this week if all goes as scheduled, the landscaping with an English garden theme will begin.

The long wait, though frustrating at times, has made it all the sweeter. And oh, how I look forward to the warm days ahead to see the flowers blooming all around me as a warm breeze will soon blow through the open windows too– and I shall be sitting here in complete bliss inside this sacred space that means the world to me.

And I picture myself a bit like Tasha Tudor, who loved to walk around her flowers for a little break in her day, a corgi or two in the lead.

I do believe I just might think I’ve died and gone to heaven!

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