Freedom, art, and the magic of beginnings
“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings” Meister Eckhart
I love the shifting seasons (hello, fresh start and cooler weather!), and always use the season markers as an excuse to reflect back. I was happy then to receive the most beautiful reminder of what it is to take a journey right before the equinox.
Here was my reminder, via Facebook:
Love.
There are days when I feel like I’ve been on this path forever, others when I feel like I’ve just begun. Thank you Universe for the reminder that at the core of everything we’re all simply seeking joy and freedom.
I’m feeling major gratitude for my younger self and the decision three years ago to just begin. What followed that beginning has set my heart and life in motion in so many unexpected ways.
Trust the magic of beginnings.
I'd like to read more, please»Embracing imperfections (plus a new article, sketches, and more)
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together” Brene Brown
The last few weeks have felt full.
Appointments, lots of orders to fill (thank you!), a lingering cold demanding lots of naps, the start of the holidays, the end of the semester for Eric. My daily challenge has been to see the joy through the busy. So far so good.
Eric’s currently finishing up a photography class. Look at this set up I helped him with the other day. I dropped fruit into an aquarium of water so he could photograph the impact. Super bonus: I now get to eat tons of leftover fruit.
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Conversations that keep us moving
- At November 26, 2014
- By Elizabeth McDonnell
- In Dreams, Life stories
2
HOLIDAY BONUS! From today (November 26, 2014) through December 31, 2014: when you buy an original painting from my shop, you can pick 1 unmatted or matted print of your choice for no extra cost! Similarly, when you buy any unmatted or matted print, you can pick 1 blank note card of your choice for no extra cost. LOVE! If you’re looking to receive art before Christmas, my US shipping cut off date is December 19, and my international shipping cut off date is December 9. Contact me with questions!
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes” – Marcel Proust
My original mixed media painting Explore. A reminder that there is always something new to discover when we take the time to look around us.
Have you ever had a conversation that lingered in your memory for days?
I love conversations that encourage us to explore more deeply, that challenge us and inspire. I’ve always felt so strongly that one of the most amazing gifts we can offer another person is the opportunity to help him/her feel truly heard. To listen deeply and ask questions, without giving into distractions.
I have always loved to listen, and to provide that safe space for the people in my life. Not surprisingly perhaps, I have always been less comfortable when it’s my turn to talk about myself.
I'd like to read more, please»Finding my purpose
- At November 05, 2014
- By Elizabeth McDonnell
- In Dreams, Life stories
- 0
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso
This picture is from a trip to California that I took a few years ago to visit a dear friend and meet her baby for the first time. We were standing on the beach and I was struck by the color and texture of the water. By the expansiveness of the sky.
Even years later I love that this simple image of the beach can bring me back to a memory of welcoming this new little life and making a new set of memories. Of standing there with friends and feeling so full of love and purpose.
I’ve found myself lately collecting moments in my mind where I’ve felt that same sense of finding my purpose.
Maya Angelou said, my mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.
Imagine life when your mission is to thrive.
I’ve been in love lately with purpose-filled moments, both art and non-art related. When you fill your heart with purpose, the negativity has nowhere to grow.
So far my list of these moments is all about connection (to myself, to others, to the world): spending time with family, writing with a big mug of tea, creating new art, building my art business, long conversations with friends, taking the time to take deep breaths, reading novels, and spending time outside in nature.
I'd like to read more, please»How will you take action today? (plus a new painting!)
- At September 24, 2014
- By Elizabeth McDonnell
- In Business, Dreams
- 3
“The future is always beginning now” – Mark Strand
When was the last time someone encouraged you to take action?
Perhaps it was a friend or your parents, wishing to motivate you towards your next big goal? Perhaps it was you, ready to create your own version of change?
As I’ve become more aware of the concept of resistance, I’ve recognized that taking action can be just plain hard. I imagine most of us know the difficulty of starting to exercise or sticking to a new diet, but resistance also sneaks into much smaller, tougher to reach places, emerging when you’re at the most complicated stages of your journey.
My resistance pops up in subtle ways, as I reorganize my supplies or update my to-do list multiple times and somehow never get to painting. I can spend too long sifting through my emails, or letting my mind wander when I’m supposed to be writing. It would be too easy to say that I don’t have enough time to create, when really what I need is an honest look at how I prioritize my time.
Painting and writing are crucial to my happiness, but creating and sharing new work also makes me feel vulnerable. No wonder there’s a little resistance at work there! Knowing that this is a point of resistance for me is super helpful actually, because then I can choose to move beyond it.
I'd like to read more, please»Starting my own business: the six week update
- At August 13, 2014
- By Elizabeth McDonnell
- In Business, Dreams
- 10
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
I’m suddenly six weeks into starting my own business, which amazes me when I think about it.
After having the idea to begin painting and selling my art less than one year ago, and wondering if I dared to try.
After so many months of planning, and dreaming, and wondering if I have what it takes. After so many months of alternating between excitement and doubt, excitement and doubt.
While I still haven’t figured everything out, while I am still very much at the beginning of this journey, the bubble of self-doubt that has lived inside my heart for so many years is beginning to break down.
Working (and laughing!) in my studio. Photo by Elena Saraga Danyluk.
And the most amazing part is that the bubble of doubt is slowly being replaced by peace. I feel the peace-flickers popping up here and there: when I am working on a new painting or when I am answering one of your questions. When I am setting up my new Pinterest account (which is here! come find me!), or when I am writing these blog entries.
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