ARTFUL GATHERINGS

Lesson learned in yoga....

 

 

 

Guitar Boy

I have been playing with yupo watercolor paper (translucent). It reminds of the mylar I used to draft on for interior designs projects years ago. I need to figure out what sticks and what doesn't.  

Listening

This my new obsession thanks to PJ. Apparently Lady Gaga has been playing the piano since she was four.

Rosemary

Legend abounds around this lovely perennial known as the "herb of remembrance." It is said that rosemary will grow particularly well in gardens tended by strong-willed women.  Greek scholars wore a bit of the pungent herb in their hair when engaged in study as an aid to increase concentration. The fragrant herb was exchanged between friends as a symbol of loyalty, and tossed onto the graves of departed loved ones.  Rosemary was believed to have magical powers to banish evil spirits. It was burned in sick rooms as a disinfectant, and was used to ward off the plague. answer.com.

This is my rosemary plant in my garden in Maryland. Rosemary typical does not grow this prolifically in this region. But I did laugh when I read the sentence highlighted in green.

Life is full of setbacks

Wow what a day and I think this journal page explains my sentiments exactly.....
Claiming to value something but not giving it full attention, and, in fact, giving attention to another, or many other, things is the exact opposite of Yoga. According to the Sutras, this divided attention often reflects a superficial, unstable mind and cloudy or conflicting values. Sadly, this condition is increasingly common in a world offering more and more shiny objects, easy promises, and a particularly toxic cocktail of unlimited freedom and diminishing accountability. 

Both the Yoga Sutras, and the Big book agree that samyama, or long-term sobriety (not mere abstinence, but actually thriving) is contingent on clarifying values (through meditation or the twelve steps), and living a life of integrity and rigorous honesty. For it is only when we are consistently able to choose, focus, and sustain our attention on those things which fill our lives with lasting joy that we can fully flourish, finally free of unhealthy patterns, habits and addiction. Now, that's enviable. Robert Birnberg 

 

November Roses

 "November comes 
And November goes, 
With the last red berries 
And the first white snows.

With night coming early, 
And dawn coming late, 
And ice in the bucket 
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn 
And the kettles sing, 
And earth sinks to rest 
Until next spring."
-  Elizabeth Coatsworth

Sunday

I started my day with Megan teaching me tricks on Photoshop Elements.

I then ventured outside to tackle the overwhelming amount of leaves and yard debris.
Five hours later I was exhausted and my body ached. My backyard looks beautiful, until the wind starts blowing.

I ended my day with dinner at Mama Lucias. 

 

Everyday life

I am currently reading Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender. This book caught my interest when I read.....

"I do not want to spend my life making a mess and then cleaning it up.

These incomplete tasks weigh on me-my mind often focuses on what I am not getting done rather than what I am doing"

 I am trying to de clutter and simplify my life. But here is the irony of this statement. I have recently committed myself to a structured exercise regime(which includes my yoga certification program), signed up for 3 one month long internet creative workshops. One on photo journaling which I am currently involved with, the second workshop is about painting and starts in a week and the third is about writing which starts in two weeks. One of my justifications for enrolling in these workshops is they will provide me content to blog with as I am trying to blog every day. Yeah I know basically I am nuts. In one breath I preach my need for quiet and simplicity and the next moment I am acting on my fear of not having enough creative inspiration in my daily life. My need for solitude is in direct conflict with my need to be connected.

 

  
 

Beauty

I am watching Shakespeare in Love. I am trying to write this blog at the same time   and this is not an easy task.( so please forgive my mistakes)  I had forgotten how beautiful (cinematography)  this movie was/is. Once again I am questioning content vs. visual beauty. Maybe a better way to phrase this question.... can you create the same meaning visually has you can with words? 

 
 

Design vs. Content

I glued the pictures in my journal and created the colors on the pages around the pictures and now I am stuck. I want to journal on the colored paper around these pictures but I cannot find the words to write. I have become so obsessed with how the words will look on the page that I have no idea what to write. So now I am wondering what is more important the actual design of my letters/word or the content of what I am writing?