Do You Hear What I Hear?

OK, I have to come clean.  Most people I know look upon Christmas with happiness and excitement and that's why I largely dedicated this December blog to a holiday theme with my journaling prompts and music playlist.  If I were creating blog posts for my benefit, I have to tell you there wouldn't be much about Christmas included.  It hasn't been a favorite holiday of mine for a very long time, and as I observe some of the things going on around me, the fondness decreases with each passing year.  I think my feelings are evident in my last intuitive journaling spreads.

Do you hear what I hear?  I wonder what people in mysterious places where I've never been might think about all this holiday hoopla.  What do they think about a holiday that promotes excess when they're looking for a safe place to rest or wondering when they'll get another meal?  Do you hear the cries of our brothers and sisters across this great planet who think only of surviving day to day?

Do you hear what I hear?  Do you hear the plethora of TV commercials implying that you're NO ONE if you're not buying expensive gifts for the people you love?  Do you hear the commercials of kids saying their parents are "nerds" if they're not driving brand new vehicles with all the bells and whistles?  Do you hear the commercials telling you that you can only be a "hero" if you buy diamonds for your someone special? 

Do you hear what I hear?  Do you hear the bombardment of "The Machine" telling you that the only way to have a successful holiday season is to spend a lot of money you don't have?  Do you hear "The Machine" telling you that there must be no signs of Christmas in public places?  Do you hear the hypocrisy?

Do you hear the songs of angels?  I know you do.  I refer to the songs of the angels you call your friends and loved ones.  Do you hear the content moaning of your angels after they've eaten too much of a meal you've prepared for them?  Do you hear the hearty laughing of those angels as fond memories are recalled or the compassionate sighing as they nod in understanding to your bad times?  Do you hear them say 'they'll always be here' with a warm embrace before heading back out into the cold to their own homes? 

Do you hear what I hear?  I hope so.  I hope that above all that is wrong in this world and wrong in your own life, I hope you hear the sounds of all that is good and decent and loving.  I hope you hear joy in the voices of the young angels in your life, and I hope you hear the warm echos of those voices who remain with you as just a memory.  Maybe most of all, I hope you hear the sincerity of my wish for all of you to hear the joy, laughter and love in your lives not just at this holiday time, but for every day in your ever after.  "Happy Creating!"

Enter the Twilight Zone

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind.  A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of the imagination.  That's the signpost up ahead - you're next stop, the Twilight Zone!"

~Rod Serling, Opening narration season 2 "Twilight Zone"

It's Halloween time, and what better way to celebrate than to produce some creepy, mysterious journal pages!

Enter your own Twilight Zone by applying your favorite mysterious color combination randomly to your pages.

Hold your journal at arm's length and stare into the random pattern.  Squint your eyes to alter the contrast.  What do you see?  Animals? Faces?  Unknown creatures?

Using paint or a marker, trace the outlines of the things you see in your page.

Continue working on your page by adding highlights and shadows.  If appropriate, add words and other images torn from magazines to further enhance your page.  

"Happy Creating!" and Happy Halloween week!  See you again on Monday.