I have over the years shared my journey with my mother who was living with Dementia for the past 20 years. It has been a journey and a half, insightful, sad at times, full of joy and laughter, and now loss, - You can see some of my posts in 'A Carer's Journey'
A Journey's End
My mothers physical journey on this earth ended on the 30th July at approximately 1am in the morning. She was 99 years old an amazing feat by far and gracefully slipped from our grasp as she now mixes and mingles with those who have gone before us.
Mavis in her younger days
During the month of August I stepped back from my usual routine to focus on what needed to be done - funeral arrangements, then dealing with the day, and what her no longer being physically with us meant for me and my sister.
Mum loved to draw
We have been reminiscing on the impact that she had on our lives growing up and how we move forward without all the routines and habits around her care that had been formed, and interacting with her on so many other ways from the expressions on her face, touch - holding hands to the words that she would share with us. The song 'Dancing Queen' by Abba along with 'One Love' - Bob Marley were two of her favorite songs and she loved to dance.
Always the opportunity to dance
We celebrated her life, and loves, with family and friends who had at one time or another interacted with her on so many different ways.
Sometimes you need to be still to take things in to be able to reflect and step back to take a step forward, and we laugh at her sense of humor and playful character remembering these times with fondness, and will continue to tell her story and share the memories for generations to come.
Many around the world have lost loved ones and continue to do so and I encourage you to think about the memories that you are able to form, continue to talk about your experiences and see where you can spend time with your elders and family members, who have so much wisdom and knowledge to pass on.
Mums memory and spirit lives in us and we will continue to celebrate the impact that she has had on our lives and that of her grandchildren and great grand children to come.
Welcome to the Arts and Wellness Café week where the word for this week has been Mindful. In the video this week we look more closely at the word and how it impacts on our creative processes, especially if we get distracted by events.
I show you in the video an example of an event and how you can get yourself to side step, see it from a different perspective and get on with your creative journey. It does take practice and can affect your whole day if you don't take it in hand.
Earlier during the week I share with you the Podcast recording which started us off looking at the word, you can listen Here or click on the link below
I also shared a book Review titled Intertwined
And you can also see some of the eco dyeing fabric that I have been experimenting with, I have been having quite a bit of fun seeing what plants in my garden will release their color so that I can use it on fabric.
Here are some of the flowers that I used, Mexican Sunflower, Bourgonvillea, Clitoria Tenae and Jacobs Coat (local name)
Here is some of the results of my activity, these are the plant dyes I created
I had previously used avocado seeds to dye fabric, I am still thinking about projects to create with them.
More recently I have been working with clay as a dye and combining with wax and fabric dye to create designs.
I also want to work with some stitched projects and see how you can create designs on the fabric as well as have the stitched design.
If you would like to see more of the 'behind the scenes' join me on my Patreon
Welcome to Episode 180 of the Podcast, the Episode today is titled Spirited
The video for this month with the Art Journal will be ready this week and if you want to play along in an Art Journal that you either are making from scratch, finishing off or from a shop brought one. There is no pressure, just want to get you to take the time for yourself to be creative. You can also think about how the words for this month speak to you and how they impact on the goals you are setting for yourself.
Creating
In Faith Encouraging Recordings are to bless and inspire you to be the best of
yourself. It can be really great to pull out your art journal/Journal and
express what comes up for you either with images and colour, with words or with
both.
If you would like to see some behind the scenes, images
and additional tips HERE
You will find the 2 art journal videos available to
consume at your leisure - the Making of the art journal for the month and an
art journal page process - Check these out HERE
You are welcome to join, it is a FREE resource and if you
have any activities or want to talk about your work you are welcome to send me
the information and I will see that it gets uploaded. You can create your own
profile on the network and connect with others who are passionate about the
arts in health too.
Creative Encourager - If you want to talk about
creativity and the direction you are going and need a listening ear, sign up
for a FREE 30 minute call http://bit.ly/Encoura
Welcome to Episode 156 of the Creating in Faith Episode on Realityarts podcast. Today's word is Space.
When I look at the valley, mountain, and forests and sea I know there is a God - you can look at the vastness of the universe or your home surroundings. While I don't have the mountains, or valleys near my home we can find the joy in other things that those environments can bring to us. What does the idea of space mean to you both mentally and physically? Check out the Podcast HERE and let me know what you think.
Creating
In Faith Weekly Encouraging Recordings are to bless and inspire you to be the best of
yourself. It can be really great to pull out your art journal/Journal and
express what comes up for you either with images and colour, with words or with
both.
_____________________
There are so many FREE ways in which you can support
the podcast and the work that I do on some of the other channels and it is
always a blessing when you connect -
listening
each week and leave a comment,
Subscribe to
any or all of my channels, visit the
YouTube
channel (remember to hit the notification bell)
Let me know
how the content impacted you and if you were inspired to make
changes/additions to your work or life.
I also have an Arts and Health NHS Network for information on activities and organisations working
in the field. You are welcome to join, it is a FREE resource and if you
have any activities or want to talk about your work you are welcome to send me
the information and I will see that it gets uploaded. You can create your own
profile on the network and connect with others who are passionate about the
arts in health too.
Creative Encourager - If you want to talk about
creativity and the direction your going and need an ear, sign up for a FREE 30 minute call http://bit.ly/Encoura
Welcome to the blog, hope it finds you in amazing health. I had been away and will be sharing more about my trip over the coming week. In today's post I will be sharing a book review. The book in question is Art Saves Edited by Jenny Doh and if you click on the title it will take you Amazon. It is a collection of stories and prompts by some inspiring artist and I hope you will be encouraged by it
You can listen to the podcast recording below.
If you are interested in other Arts and Wellness Wednesday posts I have listed them below.
In Episode 127 - Arts and Wellness Wednesday I share information on the sculpture that I created called Angel Walks
Each week I will be sharing a piece of art, it is so important that we share what we do and tell our stories.
The sculpture like some of my other pieces has the apprearence of bronze, but this has a wire and clay armature and is made from fabric. I really enjoy using these materials and creating a flow, and the way that you can get different effects from the different weights of fabric. I also use fabrics in wall hangings and other pieces of art.
This sculpture won the NIFCA silver award which I am very proud of
Angel Walks - Amanda Trought
The arts is something that is so important that we all take part in and I hope that my work has an impact on the viewer in what ever way possible, not only being in the physical presence of the work but also viewing it.
Angel Walks - Amanda Trought
Angel walks reminds us that we never know the number of people who come into our lives that are angels in disguise. We all have the ability to speak love and hope into other peoples lives and be a blessing and you may not realise that just by doing the things that you take for granted can be a real blessing to others and help uplift and change the course of their lives. Listen to the podcast recording to hear more about the Sculpture.
Angel Walks - Amanda Trought
Think about your own journey, and the times people impacted you life, those people that blessed you, the things that you did to be a blessing to others. Think about the things that you now regret saying because it had a negative impact, and whilst your not always able to go back and make things right, think about how you can pay the blessing forward.
Angel Walks - Amanda Trought
Stay blessed and be a blessing, visit my website to see some of the other sculptures available
Over the past few weeks I had been trying to push myself for
change. There are many things I want to accomplish and many changes that
have to be made so that these things can come into fruition. I shared in
my post previously about staring fear in the face and acknowledging your
feelings, and that is exactly what I have been trying to
do!. I am not and would never say that it is an easy feat, it isn't, it
is not an overnight thing either. There are somethings that I find easier
to do than others. When it comes to the practical sides of planning and
sorting out others I find this much easier to deal with than if I were to do
the same thing for myself.
Listen to the podcast clicking the link above or HERE . Think about the following:
What changes in your life are you trying to make
what words of wisdom have you been given along the way
What words of wisdom would you give yourself 10 years ago.
Who are you comparing yourself to? - remember that you are on different parts of the journey
Who do you admire in your field
What advice would you give yourself in 10 years?
This 'perfect', 'got it all together' person doesn't and will never
exist. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and at some point we
will all have a moment when we release an offering in the world that might be
less than perfect - so what - we pick ourselves up, we have taken that
important step, we learn from it and then we move on. This is so much
better than to not have tried at all and be asking yourself "what
if".
Think about what your strengths are and how you are going to be moving forward, ask those difficult questions and think about how you will encourage yourself to get out of your comfort zone more often.
Check out the previous Realityarts Podcast recordings on Wednesdays its Arts and Wellness topics and on Friday it is the Inspirational shorts to set you up for the weekend. Stay blessed and be a blessing.
Welcome to the blog. On my podcast today, while slightly late I posted an episode of Inspirational Shorts with the title Diversity, and also included some encouragement to help you go about your coming week. We all need some encouragement from time to time, reminders of how far we have come, how precious we are and not to give up on ourselves. I hope this short recording serves as the encouragement that comes just at the right time for you.
The title Diversity is a word 'just in time' or 'for this particular time' and it is for you to think about what that word means to you, the things that you are doing, does it remind you to do something, change something. Does the word speak to your personal life or business life or both. Take the encouraging words below as a reminder, and every now and then over the course of the week give yourself a reminder as you listen to the recording.
You are precious, a gift, you touch the heart of many. So many miracles have come from you - through your smile your warmth, your heart. Keep believing, patience is the key that comes in many forms and you hold the key to unlock the many blessings that are waiting for you. Everything will come together for good at the right time
Do remember to check out some of the links on the blog, check out my YouTube channel for encouraging videos to assist you in your creative journey.
Welcome to this
week's Friday Podcast - Episode 113.
Authenticity
The doors are opening, are you ready to walk through? The time is coming - you have put in the hard work, you stayed up late and got up early, you made the sacrifices and carried on making your mark despite the circumstances. The time has come for you to look back at where you came from, look at all your achievements, no matter how small, you have come a long way! Be proud of what you have achieved, be proud of your authenticity.
* * *
I thought I would give you an insight for the weekends,
and prepare you for Mondays. These
Friday podcasts will be typically under 3 minutes, and just a pit stop.
Each Friday I share
with you an insight or revelation and I hope that It will bless you as it
blesses me.Today it is to encourage you
to go out and do some exercise, in whatever way you want to do it. have a journal or art journal handy, so
that you can either make notes or create something from what inspires you.
When you look at the time that you have to be creative, what is it that you constantly find yourself saying. My words would be I don't have enough time, or I want to create for a whole day, but I will never get a whole day so what is the point!. When I started Caring for my mother who is living with Dementia I didn't think there was any chance of me finding the time to be creative, but I was wrong. I realized that I needed to see my creativity from a different perspective.
It is important to keep creating every day, especially if you have limited time. When you say 'oh I will do something tomorrow', it never comes so you need to find ways to create some quick activities that are your 'go to' ones, that enable you to spend some valuable creative time on yourself.
Those 5/10 minute slots that come up need to be looked at as valuable resources that can add to your health and well-being, and over time make up those hour slots that you want so badly - just broken up. Think - if you took two 10 minute slots a day to be creative over 7 days that is 2.5 hours of creating!! Think about the other things that you do with that time say when you are flicking the channels to find something to watch, why not have a art journal beside you to do some sketching, papers to create a collage - or sort through your collage papers - that's being creative, and you can do longer activities when you have more time.
What I have found is useful is to have a selection of activities that I can do, don't think about activities that you have to finish but ones that you can dip into when you get the chance.
Here are some of my 'go to' activities that I can do when time is limited.
You can also check out some of the videos below that may help spark your creativity and give you some ideas for what you can do with your limited time.
Creating with your Non-Dominant Hand
I always have an art journal handy, and I do a range of activities depending on the time - A great exercise is also to create with your non-dominant hand, doing everything with your non dominant hand gets you to just focus on play and will take your mind off things if only for a moment.
If you need to break it down you might decide to create the background with the time just laying down colours, another activity might be creating a figure, finding words or encouraging phrases to add to the journal, and just spend 10 minutes at a time.
Creating a Mini Art Journal
Having a mini art journal means that you don't have to worry about filling a large page, but you can do a series of mini pages in 10 minutes, these really do lend themselves to working with limited time.
Doodling
Who doesn't like doodling, OK I guess there are a few, but this is also another great way to spend some time being creative. In this Video I broke this activity down, I had spent the initial time creating the bird and using the bird to add some journalling. I then added some paint and colours in my session of the video, and I still left room to be able to come back and do some more work.
I hope that you will have found some ideas to get you going on your creative journey, remember treat those minutes as precious and see how you can take a creative activity to fill them for nurturing yourself.
Check out some of the classes on CreativeLive they have a series of Free online and on air classes that will spark your creativity and give you even more tips to get going! Let me know how you get on with your time
1.the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something:"their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition"
2.a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
I see Me - Mixed media Art Journal Page - Amanda Trought
It is funny how the simple small things we do can get us taking action, and I had reached what felt like a slump - I knew what I wanted to do, but couldn't seem to move myself into taking action. The feeling seem to linger and no matter what I tried nothing seem to work long term. It only takes a slice of cake After eating a slice of fruit cake one evening, I was met with the usual feelings of aching joints and lethargy which quickly followed by irritated skin. I vowed not to eat anymore cake, I was done! I thought of the pain I was feeling and I didn't want to feel it anymore, I wanted to finally take my decisions and life into my own hands. My family looked at me with amusement as they had heard it all before, they said they would believe it when the see it, but this felt different. I went further and told my son that if he were to see me eating cake he should rip it out of my hands, and then after thinking about how messy it would be I offered to pay him. My husband decided that he wanted to get in on what he saw as free money and they both rubbed their hands with glee mentally calculating how much they would make off me as I succumbed to the cake. I listened to their voices telling me that I couldn't do it and made a decision that I was going to do it, this time would be different!
Making the decision They laughed and joked about it, but the way I was feeling I felt for sure that I would stick to it. The more and more I thought about it I felt if I could give up cake then there were other habits that I wanted to address, it was more than just about the cake, and I was up for this challenge! After thinking about it for a while I realized that by paying them I was putting the responsibility of not eating cake onto them catching me. Rather than punish myself for doing wrongI needed to celebrate looking after my body and getting on with the things I wanted to do. I reasoned that if I really wanted to give up cake then I could, equally whatever other changes that I wanted to make I could put these in place as well. It all had to do with a mindset change that I needed to just go for it!
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage - Anais Nin
Flipping the switch
A switch flipped and I immediately felt different about how I wanted to treat myself. If I could change my mind about eating things that were physically affecting me then what else could I do. I decided that I needed to really look after 'me' rather than just talking about it, but I also had to support myself by gaining wisdom from others who had achieved their goals, and also create a little cheer leading team for myself.
Wisdom is like the baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it ...
When you are not feeling yourself other things are impacted as well, my creativity suffered the ideas that I would normally work on in my studio couldn't find me as I was dulled by inactivity and I really didn't feel like getting on with the very things that made me feel good or needed to get done. As I thought of all these things I knew that change and taking care of myself meant that I needed to really see who I was, wanted to be, do, and all the rest of it.
I SEE ME - Mixed media art
So my mindful acts are a way of getting to know myself, what I want to do, spend time doing the things that nurture and encourage, and included the following:
Daily morning walks
Getting to bed by 11.30pm - or as close to
Daily reading 15 mins minimum
Improve Diet -Wheat and dairy free diet, lots of fruit and veg and whole foods, no processed foods
Daily Art & Journal writing
Listening to motivational and inspiring daily recordings
Daily family time
End of day review and scheduling work and goals
All of these things on the list are to get me kick started to change, and to achieve the things that I have been saying I don't have time for, and get me back to the me that I wanted. When I focus on these things I am reminding myself that I do matter, that showing up for myself reaffirms my own value.
Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them - Hugh Miller
Making a Commitment
When I am feeling tired I remind myself that I made a commitment and that seems to propel me into action, I get my walking gear and within minutes I am out the door. I have been constantly reminding myself that each action is about showing up for me, and the time is much better spent. Even reading and committing to doing some reading every day means all the books that I have promising to read I can make time for them now because they are part of my schedule.
Every day that passes I am being shown new insights and ideas and I am learning to value the time that I do have and make the most of the things that I want to do, and celebrating my achievements! We are all given the same amount of time it depends how we use it, and the value that we place on on our lives. There is no replay button or do over, so we need to be getting on with these things today!
Walking in your blessings.....
I would love to hear about any changes that you have decided to make in your day to day activities,
What is it that you have always wanted to do but convinced yourself that you don't have time?
What ways are you going to nurture yourself today?
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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