Gratitudes - Living your Life

It has been 2 weeks since my brothers home coming service, it was lovely to see so many people come out and show their love and respect for Robert.  We gave him a really good send off and everyone wore a touch of red which was one of his favourite colours.  It still feels unreal and I think about him non stop and it still feels like he is just a phone call away.  How precious his life was, and he leaves a legacy in his children and family, his love, warmth, passion, determination, peace and strength. 

I have been thinking about my own life, my journey, dreams and desires.  There are many things that I want to accomplish, I have still much growing to do in my walk as an artist - we all still have something to learn or a new technique to try.  I am reminded that I need to step out and ask myself 'what if anything were possible what would you do next, and then what?'  I have been working in the background trying to make sense of things and find my creative spark again.  When I feel sorry for myself I hear the many conversations I had with my brother and he would tell me to 'just go for it!

Well, that's just what I am going to do.  I want to share what I have been doing, in my art, do some videos of some of the processes, give myself some more challenges, write poetry, stories, photography, illustration, and just soar.  As I have said many times, we only have this one life to life, and we may as well live it to our best.  I will also be sharing what inspires me, and the work of other creatives, here on this blog, and on my wordpress writers blog.

Out of our pain and loss we have gained new insight into the life of those we love, those we have love and lost and the very meaning and purpose of our own existence.  It won't be easy and there might be some days where we feel like curling up and crying our eyes out, that's OK, its all part of our life that we acknowledge.  We don't have all the answers, but maybe I have a few that might be useful for someone else.   I refuse to hide and pretend that everything is OK or to brush anything under the carpet - that is not being real, I am greatful for each and everyday I get another chance to make a difference.  You will feel my story through my creativity and words, as I share we will go on a journey of uncovering together, sometimes you will get it, sometimes it could take a while or not at all, we all have our own 'stuff' to deal with.  What is most important though is that you show up ready to 'step out', accept the challenge, grow, laugh some days, cry if you want to, be inspired and be real to yourself.  What are you planning to do with your tomorrow?

A-Z Road Trip - Wednesdays Stops!

Well its the start of my road trip and I am geared up to travel all around the world as I pay a visit to all those blogs on the A-Z Challenge that I didn't get to visit.  There is a great variety of blogs, creativity and writing styles and I am looking forward to making some new acquaintances and renewing the old.  I hope you join me on the visits.  I will link to the sites I get to, show them some blog love if you are able leave a comment on their site as well.

Here are my stops for the day:

I start my first stop at Andres's blog -  All about the Words. Andres has a wonderful way with words, his writing is powerful and well thought out, you are definitely in for a treat.

Tina from Life is Good has been given a Sunshine award and in turn has to answer a series of questions.  It is always great to get to know someone better when they reveal a bit about themselves.  Here are some of the questions if you want to take part, you answer and pass on to 6 fellow bloggers who make your days sunnier.
 

What inspired you to start blogging?
How did you come up with the name of your blog?
What is your favorite blog to read?

Tell us about your dream job.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

If you could go anywhere for a week’s vacation, where would you go?

What food can you positively not eat?

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

How much time do you spend blogging?

Do you watch t.v. and if so, what are your favorite shows?

 (check out her site for the award image)

 

Shannon from The Warrior Muse and who was also one of the hosts for the A-Z challenge has provided a list of links for writers to some very useful resources, she got a Shine On Award and for all those who are into horror, she also got a Zombie Rabbit award.

 

Livia, from Leave it to Livia has a beautiful blog image she writes film and book reviews, which comes in handy as there are a host of new films being released this year and it's always good to see what others are saying about a film. 

 

Finally I stopped off to see Laura at My Baffling Brain from sunny England - and we have had a fair bit today, though it is still a bit chilly.  Anyway Laura shared last week about a blog hop that she was taking part in a blog hop called Celebrate the little Things  hosted by Tara Tyler, who is also a fellow A-Z'er that I didn't get a chance to visit during the challenge.   I think the Blog hop is a great idea in reminding ourselves of the things that are important and need celebrating every day, in this way we really value what we have.  Blessings for now I will continue the road trip and share where I go on Saturday.