Following the flow
- At March 19, 2015
- By Elizabeth McDonnell
- In Life stories
0
“Think of all the beauty that is still left in and around you and be happy.” – Anne Frank
Here’s Eric and I on a recent snow walk. According to the forecast it seems like the snow isn’t done here in Philadelphia (sigh!), so I’ll do my best to embrace this chilly start to spring and keep waiting for warmth.
One benefit of cold weather is that I’m happy to stay inside and do all of my planning and dreaming, and so I’ve been doing a lot of reevaluating over the past few days about how to create more flow and ease in my life.
One of the things I’ve been feeling is that I want a more organic flow for my blog, posting when I have something to share instead of needing to wait until the next week.
I'd like to read more, please»Ease and trust (plus, personalized artwork!)
“Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence” – Osho
This week my heart has felt so open and ready to learn, and this is quite the sensation after spending so many years in the fog of the wrong work environment.
I’m becoming more aware that living through my art will mean always feeling slightly un-tethered, walking up and down and across a path where it’s my job to make up the rules. As a rule-abider for all of my working life, I continue to adjust and adjust. I continue to search for the ease in each day and each moment.
This week’s painting is all about ease and trust (I find ease in painting without judgment. I trust that listening to my heart will always lead me where I need to be).
When I finished painting, I wrote out the following message:
Today I painted something quite different. I’ve been feeling the overwhelm recently of trying to build my own business and I needed to simply play. So I did. This is not a polished painting by any means, but there’s a messy, happy quality to this that let me breathe a little easier. It says ‘dare to be you,’ which popped into my head so quickly that it felt like I was being sent the message I needed to hear. I’m going to take this as a reminder that it’s okay to loosen up now and again, as there’s always something to learn when you do.”
Setting your intention
“Our intention creates our reality” – Wayne Dyer
I decided many weeks back that my theme of 2015 was Intention. To me, setting your intention means more than simply picking resolutions. Intention comes from a deep, heartfelt place where goals are fully aligned with spirit.
I want to start the new year having already cleared away the clutter (both mental and physical), leaving my truest desires and dreams in plain view. I want to be completely aligned with how I want to feel in 2015.
And what I fundamentally want is to feel peaceful.
From peace comes joy, contentment, strength, and an openness to love. I don’t feel peace when my physical and mental worlds are chaotic or disorganized. I don’t feel flexible, generous, or able to believe in myself.
For me, a peaceful foundation opens the doors for so many new things.
I'd like to read more, please»Hold yourself close
“The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others” Sonya Friedman
Here we are, in the midst of the holidays.
This time of year, regardless of what you celebrate, can bring up equal feelings of joy, sadness. Feelings of stress and overwhelm intertwined with love and gratitude. For many, it can be a complex emotional time.
No matter what you’re experiencing this week, it’s a time for you to hold yourself close. To tune in, listen to what you’re feeling, and let those feelings move through you without judgment.
Be at peace with you, right now in this moment.
I'd like to read more, please»
Prioritizing healing
Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” – Tori Amos
Just when I thought I had fully transitioned into my new schedule, my body had other plans! I’ve been sick for days, and have been forced to spend lots of time under a blanket on the couch. The sickness has been a good reminder that going through major transitions takes a toll on your body, even when you can’t feel it at first.
In the spirit of healing, this seems like a great time to share some of the mind-clearing / stress-reducing techniques I mentioned last week.
My theme of last week was remaining open to newness – new experiences, new ways of thinking, a new schedule, new connections. I had to ride out an initial wave of discomfort about suddenly no longer having the security of a 9-5 job, and thankfully that wave has started to pass. To help move beyond the discomfort, I’ve gotten to work on a marketing plan and started to chart out my goals for 2015 in addition to filling new orders (thank you! thank you!).
Matted art prints ready to be shipped
And now: trying new things! If you’ve tried anything from this list, I’d love to hear about your experience.
I'd like to read more, please»Slowing down to create space
“Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace” – Joan Borysenko
As you know, this past week I went from having two full-time jobs to one, as I left my 9-5 to focus on my business. I can see a new future stretching out before me, slowing down to the point where I don’t work 15-17 hour days in addition to the time on weekends.
Part of me is tempted to fully pack my new routine. I have always loved lists, goal setting, and dreaming. I love checking off to-dos and feeling accomplished at the end of the day.
I also know, however, that my sense of life balance is in serious need of support after this long haul with two jobs. I’ve forgotten how to intentionally rest, how to simply sit on the couch with a cup of tea and be present without picking up my computer. I’ve forgotten how to prioritize going on a walk, or how to play a game.
Two of the main themes of my life and business in 2015 are balance and intention.
Standing at the crossroads
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Rumi
Before I talk more about what’s going on this week, I have news to share. I want to pass along this gorgeous gift guide. If you’re looking to support independent retailers this holiday season, check out the guide! My shop is included, but there are lots of great businesses to discover here. Also, lots of discounts and bonuses.
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»Finding joy (an experiment!)
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard
JOY: an original mixed media painting. A reminder that simple moments can provide us quiet joy.
Over the past few days I’ve been thinking about finding joy.
I have a tendency to always be five steps ahead of myself. This may be a productive way to live, but I find that if I’m not careful, I miss the opportunity to truly experience joy.
I’m sure we’ve all heard at one point or another to live in the moment. To stay present.
How many of us would love to live a life where staying present is possible in each and every moment? I know I would!
And yet, generally this is not possible.
So what to do?
I'd like to read more, please»
