Art in the Mail

The hurrier I go the behinder I get.  Who said this?  Wasn't it that wise philosopher Winne The Pooh?

My most recent aromatherapy class behind me, today I can feel the whirlwind in my head slowing down.   I'm ready to switch my focus to....

• finishing draft posts that have been piling up (don't you hate capturing an inspiration then having to cage it?)
• reading this week's Joy Diet menu item #3 on the inspiring topic of following one's passion
• getting back to my neglected art journaling. 

But first and foremost, I want to acknowledge Janet of Are We There Yet for the beautiful ATC cards she sent me in September. 

Janet has a penchant for collage (cupcakes, too) and her gift for putting things beautifully together on paper can be seen here, here,  here and in yesterday's post here.  Janet shares many more of her more creations on her blog ~ go and have a look!

Last month, I was lucky enough to receive
three lovely pieces of her handiwork. 

Please click on the pictures to see the detail in her cards.

and my favorite

Not only were the ATCs beautiful,
but the envelope she mailed them in was a work of art unto itself. 
You really have to click on the picture to appreciate the detail.

Janet, what technique did you use to give the envelope that antiqued brown finish?
Inquiring minds want to know!

And you've inspired me so much by your envelope that I just ordered this book!

Thank you Janet! 
Oh how I love my bloggy buddies! 

The Joy Diet: Truth

I loved this chapter.  I hated this chapter.  Telling the truth is easy for me.  Saying it out loud can get you in trouble.

Let me back up.  In the winter of 2007 I read Byron Katie's  Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life and I can honestly say it changed my life.  It had a powerful effect on my "stories".  In fact, I've found I no longer want to be in denial or lie to myself  since stuffing, twisting, contorting, painting and otherwise covering the truth is like throwing flowers on shit.  It may look good but it still stinks and can give you and awful headache.

So as I was reading our menu item #2 on Truth I thought, "Wow, this reminds me of Katie's stuff." Then lo and behold Martha Beck begins to bring Katie into the picture.  I was thrilled!.  Now I know that Martha Beck and I are on the same page and that I'm in the right place.

And because I'm so damn evolved in my truth-telling I decided that this week I would start to say my truths outloud.  To my husband.  Whenever he did something that annoyed me or said something that I didn't agree with I would clearly state "I feel angry when you channel surf during the commercial" or "I notice I'm feeling impatient when you don't answer me right away."  What did I learn?  First of all sharing what I feel can be a mask for control and that there really is such as thing as too much sharing.  More importantly, I learned that telling people what I feel about them is not nearly as valuable as sitting quietly in nothingness and noticing the truth about my feelings when emotions are triggered.

Instead of sharing every negative feeling and declaring it as "The Truth" I journaled about what was really going on with me.  

And magically my husband returned to his wonderful, adorable self.  

Huh.

The Joy Diet

photo courtesy of jamie ridler

I am spending more and more time at Jamie Ridler Studios, first with Wishcasting Wednesday and now The Joy Diet,  which is based on the book by Martha Beck.  One of my favorite books is another by Beck, called "Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live".   

From the inside cover of The Joy Diet:
"Welcome to The Joy Diet, a menu of ten behaviors you can add to your way of living and thinking to enhance every day's journey through the unpredictable terrain of your existence. You can add these behaviours gradually and watch your life become steadily more vivid and satisfying. Or you can go on a "crash Joy Diet" to help you navigate life's emergencies."

Over the course of our journey, we will spend a week each with:

• Nothing
• Truth
• Desire
• Creativity
• Risk
• Treats
• Play
• Laughter
• Connection
• Feasting

Check back for weekly updates as I travel this journey toward increased joy.