B is for Brave

Bravery often requires us to step out of our comfort zone and do something unfamiliar.  The times that we are called upon to be brave I guess we don’t really think about it but we act out of necessity.  We can also be called to be brave for others when sickness or bad news strikes for others, can you think of a time when you looked back on a situation and thought you were being brave?

I celebrate my life today for being able to get up in the face of what seems like adversity for making that leap into a career that is uncertain, but which I feel so passionate about.  I celebrate my bravery in being there for others in their time of need and not settling for how things ought to be but daring to be different.  I ask for your continued thoughts and prayers for the health of my brother Robert and my mother Mavis. 

In what ways have you been called onto be brave today.

Painting of the day

As promised I am sharing a completed painting each day, this one is an 8"x8" inches mixed media piece called 'Waiting'

  

 Blog Love

I am sharing some love with those who are also taking part in the challenge, it's not everyone whose blog starts with the letter B, but a few of them for you to start with....

 

By the Waterfall 

Books for Parents and Teachers 

Being Catholic

The Brown Recluse

Brinda Berry

 

 

 

A is for Admire

Well, today is my first day of the challenge, and I wanted to kick off my celebration of life by thinking about the qualities that I admire within myself.  We can usually find it easy to think about things we admire about others, we can also think about the strengths that others have that we wished we possessed.  I am not used to blowing my own trumpet, but think at some point or another we have to appreciate and applaud how far we have come.  When I look back on some of the things I found hard throughout my life I know that each experience impacted on me and deposited a quality that I would be able to be used at another stage.  That being said, I admire my strength and not giving up.  I am glad that I can find something to be grateful for in my life, especially when we can go through some of the most stressful times.  I admire my organisational abilities, I use to feel that there was too much conflict with being an artist and being organised.  But I can deal with that and see the benefits.  I admire being able to see some of the gems and the gifts, I don't catch all of them.  In my mothers journey with dementia, I have seen new strengths within me, seen myself grow in my art and in my writing. What qualities about yourself do you admire?

Painting of the day

As promised I am sharing a completed painting each day, this one has been done in one of my art journals and say 'Release your potential and walk into your blessings.!

 Blog Love

I am sharing some love with those who are also taking part in the challenge, it's not everyone whose blog starts with the letter A, but a few of them for you to start with....

Araelysia

Arlee Bird - Tossing it out

Andrea Coventry

Andi's Gardening Experiements

Apocalypse now

Surroundings - Creating in Faith

We can often look at our surroundings and feel that they some how do not match with where we feel we should be, or we may not appreciate what we have.  In both cases we might feel there is a miss match going on and search for a way to get out of what we consider is not right for us, some times we miss it because we needed to look at a different angle.    If there is confusion and chaos in our surroundings it can also indicate a troubled and unsettled mind.  This is not a post about clearing your clutter, and hoarding, but a call for us to really look at what we have around us and decide whether we can really see what we have around us, be it clutter or blue skies, either way do we notice them. For too often we miss what we have around us because we are rushing around, filling our lives with 'stuff', and all this 'stuff' that doesn't really have a positive impact on what we need to be doing with our lives.  Sometimes we are surrounded by sadness with illness and pain, and we are unable to take the breath needed to see the gifts that are sitting in amidst the ashes.

When you look out of your window in the morning, what do you see, really see.  What sounds can you hear - from the car passing to the rushing wind as it blows through the trees, do you hear the birds chattering or rain drops falling? can you hear the movement in your house, the door creaking, a cupboard closing, the laughter of your child?.  

Don't let another day pass without really taking note, how can you contribute in a positive way to your surroundings, and make it better for the next generation?  As you go about your day take the time to really appreciate what you have.

 

Tomorrow kicks of with the first A-Z April Challenge post, and its been great making the preparations for it.  Don’t forget that the clocks go forward today, so you gain extra day light.  It really does make a difference and the evenings will be brighter as well.

With April being a celebratory month for me my posts will reflect that, I will be holding a daily celebration of life and hope to encourage you in the process!

I look forward to seeing your comments and insights along the way.  The preparations have been made, the table set and all that’s missing is you.  You will definitely get something out of being part of the process come and take the time this month to share a piece of you!

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth... Psalm 121:1-2

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart ...Psalm 37.4

  

for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations 

Proverbs 27:24

A - Z April Challenge 2013 - Here again!

It has come round to that time of the year again, where thousands of bloggers around the world have made preparations for taking part in one of the biggest challenges of the year – the A-Z April Challenge!

If your new and have not yet heard of it, you in for a treat, and need to check out the A-Z challenge blog for details.  If you are an old hand and you’ve taken part before, then you know you’re in for a month of inspiration, connection, insights, laughter, creativity, passion and more as you visit and take part in what can be an assault course of planning, preparing and sharing your posts. There are some great tips in keeping yourself motivated, and staying with the challenge Here 

This is my third year and I must say I have been looking forward to it.  It’s a great way to visit blogs that you may have not come across, make new connections and generally feast on the breath of variety of posts that are sharing during the month of April.  Last year my posts were about my experience as a carer and I found it great to be able to articulate and share what I have been going through.  You are welcome to take a look at some of the posts I shared last year - Here 

This year is a celebratory year for me and I feel that despite what you are going through or have been through we have to celebrate our lives and the talents that we possess finding ways to use them to bless others. Each day for 26 days I will be sharing an encouraging word alongside a piece of art that I have been working on, and also linking to a few fellow bloggers that are also on this journey for you to check out. 

I hope to bring you a visual feast for your eyes that will encourage you to tap into your creativity, and encourage me to complete some more art work!  I look forward to linking up with you on this journey and encourage you to visit the many others that are taking part as well.  Check out my course platform and some of the FREE courses and digital downloads available for your art journals.

A - Z Challenge Reflection 2012

This was my 2nd year taking part in the A- Z Challenge, and it seems to have come and gone really quickly. We had over a thousand people taking part in the challenge and it was run by founder Arlee Bird and his A-Z Team, a big thanks goes out to them! 

Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh), Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas), Coming Down The Mountain (Karen Jones Gowen), Life is Good (Tina Downey), Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins), Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons), The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence), The QQQE (Matthew MacNish), Author Elizabeth Mueller (Elizabeth Mueller), No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow), Pearson Report (Jenny Pearson), Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp).


This year I decided to write about my experience with Dementia and caring for my mother. It was something I really wanted to do as I often find it difficult to express how I feel without a lump coming to my throat, even more so trying to imagine how my mother feels.  I often swiftly put my thoughts to the back of my mind while I get on with the practical tasks of her care.

What really helped in writing for the challenge was to be able to put things in perspective and face up to how I felt about my situation, show the person behind the label and give you a glimpse into our world. 

There was much love and support from those who commented which helped you to feel that you were not on your own. I would like to thank all those who visited, commented and decided to follow my blog. Its always great to make new connections and form friendships.

It was especially great to visit new blogs and get to read so many interesting posts. I didn't get to visit everyone, but will attempt to this month - looks like another challenge....!  If you didn't get to participate I encourage you to dive in next year, it's great fun and once you start you will be hooked.

Next steps for me....I find these monthly challenges really do encourage you to step out of the box,  stretch yourself and grow while interacting with people from all over the world. In June I will be resuming my Try something new for 30 days - and possibly try some new art techniques. Do let me know what your next steps are and I will come and be your cheer leader....Blessings!

What a Challenge!

If you missed any of the posts for the A-Z Challenge you can see them below.  I will be sharing about the journey with the topic being so close to me about my mother with dementia on the 7th May.   I will let the dust settle and reflect on all the things that came up.  I hope you have been blessed with the posts as much as it has blessed me to write, and your comments have really been encouraging.  Over the next few weeks I will also be sharing some news, I am quite excited about and its been a long time coming....for now blessings and hope you are having a blessed week.

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities P is for Purpose, Q is for Quietness, R is for Regret, S is for Strategies, T is for Tradition, U is for Understanding, V is for Value, W is for Websites, X is for Xerox, Y is for Yearn Z is for Zephyr

These posts were part of the A-Z Challenge which took part during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia. Do check back for a reflection post taking place on the 7th May 2012.

Z is for Zephyr

Zephyr - a soft gentle breeze of change 

It came on without warning, there were no loud noises a fanfare just a few tell tale signs.  It blew in as if on a gentle breeze, we all felt it as it brushed past us, noticing slight things but not really seeing as it settled at mums door.  Mum embraced all that she is and met it head on, and defines the world to mean something for her despite the situation.

She dances as it breezes through her memory, some became distant and others drifted in and out like the fallen leaves of autumn, yet, holding no regret she faces each day as new.  She has been a comfort and support as she still holds on to her humour and grace - she is all that she needs to be.

The dementia almost forces us to learn to use our senses in a very different way, learn a new language, see our lives differently.  We have each been called for a purpose, to touch each others lives, dig deeper make more effort, and go that extra mile as the lives of generations are changed.

Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities P is for Purpose, Q is for Quietness, R is for Regret, S is for Strategies, T is forTradition, U is for Understanding, V is for Value, W is for Websites, X is for Xerox, Y is for Yearn

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.