365 Days of Colour - Flower for the Day 293 - 299

Day 293

 

Reflection 

What is the one thing you always wanted 

Quote 

Art is the flower of life and, as seed, it gives back life. ...Remy de Gourmont 

Scripture 

So that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What shall man do to me?’  Hebrews 13:6

Day 294

Reflection 

Do not hold on to anger or bitterness, they will destroy you. 

Quote 

Grace, not will power, is what ultimately empowers us to live loving lives. Creativity, both in what spawns within the artist and the artifact, can be a vital source of that grace. ...Rev. Ron Rolheiser

Scripture 

Righteous are you O Lord, and your laws are right.  Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.  Psalm 119:137, 140 

Day 295

Reflection 

It’s up to you!  

Quote 

Art must touch our lives, our fears and cares  evoke our dreams and give hope to the darkness...Frederick Hart 

Scripture 

God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power an love an discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7 

Day 296

Reflection 

You have the ability to step out, and soar....  

Quote 

Those rare souls whose spirit gets magically into the hearts of men leave behind them something real and warmly personal… the grace of a fine spirit pervades the places through which it has passed, like the haunting loveliness of mignonette....James Thurber  

Scripture 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our afflictions...

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Day 297

Reflection 

You light up the room, don’t hide.... 

Quote 

Art is about mystery....Marisol 

Scripture 

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:16 

Day 298

Reflection 

All things are possible.....do you believe? 

Quote 

Sometimes when you finish a painting, you look at it and it looks all right and that’s a touch of grace. ...Jack Tworkov

Scripture 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Day 299

Reflection 

There is a time for everything.... 

Quote 

I don’t see why we ever think of what others think of what we do- no matter who they are. Isn’t it enough just to express yourself? ...Georgia O’Keefe 

Scripture 

For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.  Deuteronomy 20:4

B is for Behaviour

We didn’t notice any changes in mums behaviour to begin with, it came slowly over a period of time.

Dad had passed away in 1992 and after a while everyone just got on with their lives and we assumed that mum got on with her routines without us knowing what they really were.  We assumed that she had a social life and activities that she participating in.  I remember ringing her up several times and asking her if she wanted to come to my house, she said she was busy and had work to do around the house.  In hindsight I think that she may have been depressed and felt more comfortable in familiar surroundings.  When we had our usual Sunday get together she would always make a remark about being on her own when everyone left, and you wanted to stay but the kids had to go to school the next day, so you parked those uneasy feelings that would creep up on you...

It was hard to understand why mum couldn’t remember certain things or that she had mislaid things and in the beginning it felt like she was putting it on for attention.   As the time passed we realised that something was wrong.  We have had to adjust to increase in decline that mum deals with on a daily basis and make room enabling her to have as good a quality of life as possible.  My mother’s behaviour is being changed by the disease we are being changed as we learn how to best communicate, and also find new levels of the relationship.

How do we relate to those who have differences, do we accept, ignore or try to accommodate these differences?  Sometimes we need to also look at our own behaviour and see if it allows others to really express who they were called to be.  

A is for Alzheimers

Today begins the month long A-Z blog challenge,  I will be writing about something that has been very close to my heart and in some cases still raw as it is an experience I face every day.

My topic for the challenge is Alzheimers and my experience being a carer for my mother Mavis who is 88 years and you will get to know more about her over the month.  She was diagnosed with having Alzheimers over 12 years ago and it is now in the severe stages.  When I first started my blog I shared in my post 'Journey of a Carer'

Alzheimers is the most commonly diagnosed form of dementia and the illness gets worse over time. Dementia describes a collection of symptoms including memory loss, loss of reasoning and communication skills and is an umbrella term to describe many other symptoms that occur when there is damage to particular parts of the brain.

There are so many emotions that you go through as a carer, and I believe the more we share our experiences the better placed those that want to be supportive and the healthcare professionals will be able to relate.  There needs to be an understanding of the impact that it can have on the life of the family as a whole and what it means to a generation of people increasingly suffering with the condition.  We also have to be aware of the individual suffering with the disease and how isolating it can become.  Statistics show that 1 in 3 of us either know someone who is directly effected by dementia or who is a carer.

As an artist I see the benefits that a creative activity can have on our health and wellbeing.  I currently use creativity in my role as a carer and share my experiences with those in healthcare settings.  I also run an Arts in Health network for anyone interested in finding out information about initiatives that are available, or want to connect with other artists in the healthcare setting. If you currently engaged in creative activities that impact on health it would be great to feature you in the network, so do let me know.

Over the course of the month you will gain an insight to my world as a carer, the one thing that has given clarity, peace and understanding is my faith and my creativity.  I do hope you join me for the rest of the month and over 1,400 other people as we take part in the A-Z Challenge it would be great to get your comments and feedback and I hope that you are inspired, encouraged on your virtual tour as you meet some great people.

Also check out the Art Resource Hub for a series of FREE courses and resources

A Friend Remembered

It doesn't feel like a year since my friend Barbara passed - 

Sunday 25th March 2011. 

 It's amazing how quickly the time passes.  I remember exactly what I was doing the day I heard, and sometimes not thinking about it makes it seem unreal and you hope will wake up from a dream....

Life is so fragile, we don't know when our time will be up, but we can make the most of today, be an inspiration, a blessing, make the seemingly impossible possible, and make the most of those dreams.  We also have to treasure the relationships we share with those we love!

  

All things are possible. As we step out in faith on a daily basis to make a difference we see how we can be better than we were the day before.  My prayers go out to the family and I know that Barbara would be proud of them, they have all continued to be an inspiration and a blessing.  

Here is Samara, Chanel and Jordan (Good News)
being a blessing with their voices...

Good News Worship Ident 2 from OH TV on Vimeo.

365 Days of Colour - Flower for the day 286 - 292

Roots 

We can put down roots in many places, form attachements and links, make sure you they are built on a solid foundation and use discernment, wisdom and understanding.  For what once seemed like a really great idea today with all the support, can tomorrow look like the worst idea you ever had.  Knowing the why, what and the who of your decision needs careful consideration.....

....a tree is known by its fruit

Day 286

Reflection 

You can create abundance in your own life, the imagination is a preview of what is to come... 

Quote 

Art can only be truly Art by presenting an adequate outward symbol of some fact in the interior life. ...Margaret Fuller 

Scripture 

Know therefore this day and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else  Deuteronomy 4:39

Day 287

Reflection  

What steps do you now need to take? 

Quote 

We’re all stumbling toward the light with varying degrees of grace at any given moment. ...Bo Lozoff  

Scripture 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires..Titus 2:11-12

Day 288

Reflection 

Lean not on your own understanding but on the word of God 

Quote 

What you call freedom is still nothing but choosing how to steer straight into the heart of what chooses you. ... Kate Gleason 

Scripture 

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

Day 289

Reflection 

Do not accept other people’s definition of happiness; carve out your own truth.

Quote 

It seems strange that some artists fear a blank canvas, when it has been a major contributory factor to great paintings. ...David Louis 

Scripture  

I am the Lord; I will speak and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass...Ezekiel 12:25

Day 290

Reflection 

Expect the unexpected... 

Quote 

Works of art are landscapes of the mind. ...Ted Godwin  

Scripture 

If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed..John 8:36

Day 291

Reflection 

All is well, all is at peace. 

Quote 

I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. ...Frank Herbert 

Scripture 

Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right.  Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.. Psalm 119:137, 140 

Day 292

Reflection 

Let go of that which is negative in your life  

Quote

I work in a meditative manner. My visual language is pulled from my unconscious and I express in my work what I cannot express with words. ...Pat Gentenaar-Torley 

Scripture 

So that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What shall man do to me?’  Hebrews 13:6

A - Z April 2012 Challenge - Get on Board!

I decided to take part in the April AtoZ Challenge again this year, it feels like only yesterday that I completed the last post in April 2011 and I thoroughly enjoyed it, met some really great individuals through their blogs and felt that I had grown somewhat from the experience.  See my post reflections.

As a newbie you should definitely check out the Sommer's hints and tips for preparing and pace yourself, writing as much before hand as you can to give you the opportunity to visit as many blogs as possible.  As you can see there are over 1100 people taking part and you will connect with some very inspiring individual, it was an online feast!   All you have to do is add your name to the list!

Think out of the box as to what you will write about, maybe choose something that your interested in.  Over the next week I will be sharing my topic and try to get myself physically as well as mentally prepared for the challenge

You will definitely have an amazing amount of fun taking part and you might even surprise yourself in the process.  Check out the FAQs page.  You can go see some of the participants and check out their pages and their advice.  I definitely recommend that you step out of the boat and dip your feet in, you will definitely come out the other end with a different perspective on things!  Sign up below and start thinking about what you might blog about!

Stay Blessed and be a blessing!  Amanda

Some more useful information.....

2012 A to Z Challenge Sign Up List

The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenges to post the 

letter of the alphabet every day during the month of April, with Sundays off 

for good behavior. Since April 1 falls on a Sunday, that will be the day we 

start with A. Whether you go with a theme or freestyle, your post must match 

the letter of the alphabet for that day. Add your name to the list, grab the badge 

, and when the Challenge begins, start by visiting the blog immediately after 

your own. Set a goal – we recommend five blogs a day, more if you are able. 

For more information and to stay on top of developments, we recommend you 

follow the A to Z Challenge Blog and the hosts: Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out, 

Alex J. Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs, Jenny Pearson at

 Pearson Report, Matthew McNish at The QQQE, Tina Downey at Life is Good,

Jeremy Hawkins at Retro-Zombie, DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, Shannon

Lawrence at The Warrior Muse, Elizabeth Mueller,Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs, 

Karen Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain, and Konstanz Silverbow at

No Thought 2 Small. We also have a Facebook page,, email address 

2012azinfo@gmail.com, and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge. 

This is a great opportunity to discipline yourself, grow as a blogger, and make 

new friends – come join us! 

Please enter code carefully so that it is accurate.  If you enter your link incorrectly please 

notify us so we can correct it.  You can find our emails in the CONTACT US tab on the 

A to Z Blog.  If you do not plan to participate in the Challenge during April or your purpose 

is to lure visitors to an advertising site, please do not enter a link as it will be removed

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 279 - 285

Misunderstandings 

Say what you mean and do what you say.  They say that actions peak louder than words and it is vitally important that when we promise ourselves that we are going to do something creative that we stick to our word, no matter how small, no matter how little time we have.  Being able to find the necessary time to nurture our creativity is far more important than folding the laundry!...

Day 279

 

Reflection 

The hard times in our lives helps us to grow 

Quote 

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood. ...Jean Cocteau 

Scripture 

For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death

Day 280

 

Reflection 

We can start over and begin again, everyday 

Quote 

All art, whether it pleases us or not, helps to add colour, excitement, joy, or sadness and, most often, a sense of awe to our life’s experience. ...Henry O. Dorman 

Scripture 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 11 Corinthians 4:18

Day 281

 

Reflection 

Live life to the full every day, don’t take anything for granted. 

Quote 

Grace has been defined as the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul....William Hazlitt 

Scripture 

....the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him 11 Chronicles 30:9

Day 282

 

Reflection 

There are still questions to be answered 

Quote 

I think the thing to do is to enjoy the ride while you're on it.  ...Johnny Depp 

Scripture 

As far is the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 102:12

Day 283

 

Reflection 

Tell your story 

Quote 

Art knows. Art sees beyond. Art points us in new directions that make us think and question. ...Warren Criswell 

Scripture 

Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 

Day 284

 

Reflection 

What are your preconceived ideas about yourself... 

Quote 

Whether we name divine presence synchronicity, serendipity, or graced moment matters little. What matters is the reality that our hearts have been understood. Nothing is as real as a healthy dose of magic which restores our spirits. ...Nancy Long 

Scripture 

He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber...Psalm 121:3

Day 285

 

Reflection 

What direction are you heading to? 

Quote 

There are no words, no paints to express all this, only a beautiful dumbness in the soul, life speaking to life. ...Emily Carr 

Scripture 

I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Be a Blessing

Sorry for the long absence, was missing in action, and felt snowed under with work, courses, and a whole host of other things that can sap you time.  I decided to give myself the time that I needed to reflect, and review.

I just did this mini video to remind myself that the many gifts and talents we are blessed with are to share with the world, despite how we are feeling in the moment there is always someone who is feeling worse and we are called to try and inspire and encourage each other. I hope you are having a blessed day what ever you are doing.  After much mist and a chilly start here in London the sun has come out, so I will be going to get my quota of vitamin D and get back on track.

Got lots to share over the coming weeks, will be resuming posting the rest of the 365 days of colour, been doing a few courses to share, new art work and more!  The video below was so easy to put together it would be great to see your efforts....


GoAnimate.com: Water Cooler moment - Be a blessing by Realityarts

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 272 - 278

Maturity
....Comes over time. As children we cannot wait to grow up, pretending that we are older.  When we do get older with all the responsibilities we appreciate when we were without a care in the world, we tend to the aching muscles and the not so 20:20 vision as we peer over glasses to read the fine print and we talk to the younger generation about the things they need to appreciate as they go through their season to gain maturity...


Day 272

Reflection 

What matters most right now in your life?

Quote 

As artists, we must learn to be self nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them- to restock the trout pond, so to speak. ...Julia Cameron 

Scripture 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him  2 Corinthians 5:21

Day 273

Reflection 

What is not working right now in your life?.. you can change it 

Quote 

A fine artist is one who makes familiar things new and new things familiar. ...Louis Nizer 

Scripture 

Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

Day 274

Reflection 

It’s time to focus on what really matters most 

Quote 

When I dare to be powerful… to use my strength in the service of my Vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.  ...Audre Lorde 

Scripture 

And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee  Psalm 9:10

Day 275

Reflection 

You have a choice, don’t let doubt creep in and tell you otherwise. 

Quote 

The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist.  ...Julia Cameron 

Scripture 

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Deuteronomy 4:39

Day 276

Reflection 

It is time to make a change in those areas of your life that are not working. 

Quote 

Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!  ...The Queen to Alice in Wonderland 

Scripture 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven  Matthew 5:3

Day 277

Reflection

It is never too late to make a change 

Quote 

Art validates us beyond what anyone else can do for us.  ...Anne Copeland 

Scripture

You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Day 278

Reflection 

It may seem hard at the time, but you can stand up for what you believe it. 

Quote 

One looks at life as a gift, a painting of lights and darks, each defining the other, not a series of good and bad things. Giving thanks, and often, frees the spirit and makes the heart secure......Fay Bohlayer 

Scripture 

Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10