Let's Get It Started!

The long awaited date is here!  The 21 SECRETS playground doors open late tonight at 2:00 am EST! 

Don't have your playground pass yet?  NOT to worry - there's still plenty of time to enroll and join the other 155 journalers who have registered as of today!

  Click HERE for more info and to register for 21 Secrets


   (Please use this link so I get credit for your particpation!)

"HAPPY CREATING!"

Summer of Change

When I look back at the summer of 2010, I think I'll look at it as the summer of change.  This was the summer that I decided to take my life back both emotionally, spiritually and physically.  This was the summer that I decided to make the choice to be happy every day inspite of the ridiculous things going on around me.  This was the summer I decided to make connecting with my "inner voice" a priority each day, and this was the summer I decided to lead a healthier lifestyle.  This was the summer I dedicated myself to walking every day (well, almost!), and this was the summer I made a commitment to myself to treat my total being with love and respect.

This was the summer that I dedicated to finding balance within myself and in my daily life.  This was the summer that I committed to daily blogging to share my passion for the music, the arts and life in general.  This was the summer I got to meet wonderful, new creatives on this same life path, and this was the summer that I hope I've encouraged you to trust yourself and express your own "Happy Creating!"

Scenes From an Autumn Day

Keith had the day off work on Friday.  We both love autumn and spent most of our courtship walking through the woods and taking long drives through Ohio and Pennsylvania.  This past Friday we loaded into my little red Mazda and headed off to our favorite Mom & Pop diner and treated ourselves to the breakfast special.  Afterwards, we headed south to Punderson State Park for our first glimpses of fall color. 

We weren't disappointed.  The colors were beautiful and it was peaceful in the woods.  We didn't walk far though - it was still 90 degrees and not quite conducive to an "autumn" stroll.  It was a great ride back home. I remember Coldplay on the radio and the way the sun cast long shadows across the horizon.  After dinner we went to the beach, comfy chairs and coffee in tow.  We enjoyed a good long hour before sunset, and the approaching cold front included a wonderful breeze.

"Oh, life is like that.  Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at it's zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters descend upon us." ~ Ralphie - "A Christmas Story"

That's right.  A wonderful, autumn day turned into a sprained knee, 5 hours at the ER, a knee immobilizer and a bottle of  Vicodin and a pissed off Angelia trying to find SOMEone who could help her dear hubby!  My poor guy is, for all intents and purposes, immobilized and in a LOT of pain.  Of course the family orthopedic surgeon doesn't have weekend hours!  You knew that without even asking though. 

 

But that's OK.  I made my hubby a big pot of chicken vegetable soup and he's getting lots of kisses and lots of TLC until we can get an appointment with the doctor - hopefully tomorrow.  Right now, I smell a roast that needs to come out of the oven and I hear a son that's here to check on his Dad.  So enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and "Happy Creating!" - even if it is just chicken soup!

I Can Fly

I can fly, and YOU can fly, too

"Wings To Fly" Acrylic on canvas An'Angelia Thompson 2008

 Look past fear.  Look past doubt.  YOU are the ONLY person like YOU in the universe!  Think about that.  No - Really stop and think about that.  No one else can stand in your shoes and see life in the exact way that YOU do.  YOU have the means to reach your potential.  I can fly, and YOU can fly, too!

"People Are Changing" Acrylic on canvas An'Angelia Thompson 2009

If you can see it, you can do it.  If you just BELIEVE it, there's nothing to it.  How do I know that?

"I WIll Follow My Heart" Acrylic on canvas An'Angelia Thmpson 2010

I know this because of YOU!  I could see myself helping hundreds or thousands of women find their voices through creative journaling.  I could clearly see that my contribution to this life, my passion in this life is showing others the way to their own creative nature and inner voice.  And I truly BELIEVED I could do it! 

There have been plenty of moments of struggle and wanting to "throw in the towel".  There have been plenty of tears and even fits of rage as I navigate my way through this Internet technology, but my BELIEF was always stronger and now I CAN FLY!  How do I know this?

I know this because of YOU!  I know this through your smiling faces and comments on my blog posts.  I know this because of the wonderful network of creative journalers I am so happily part of and I know I CAN FLY because of the love and support I receive from other creatives  who are on this same journey. 

I can fly, and YOU can fly, too!  So get into your "HAPPY CREATING!" and let not just your art shine all over the world, let YOU shine all over the world.  Give yourself permission to be YOU and fly!

Wake Me Up When September Ends . . .

Because right now I feel like I could sleep until October.  I'm exhausted.  Not so much physically, but mentally.  What usually takes me an hour took a couple hours today.  Maybe it's the change in weather that's plunged us back into summer with a temperature of 88 degrees forecast for tomorrow. . .

Or maybe my ruby slippers have lost their power.  All I know is I'm too tired to think straight.  So let me sleep until October, or at least until tomorrow.  I'll fill the well and recharge the battery.  Pleasant dreams to you.  There are lots of good things coming in October that are sure to fill you with "Happy Creating!"