Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Love is in the air...

Hi everyone!
Do you know that without a doubt, when you comment it makes my day!  It's so much fun to hear your thoughts (and know you are getting something out of my ramblings) that it keeps me going. So let's enjoy each other in this way when the topic is one you are moved to share your thoughts on; it's your unique perspective or experience we want to hear (I know, it's read, but I'm an audio learner more than visual after all these years of being a shrink).

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Do you feel  fear or resistance when you want to actually begin a new project? I know I do.  I feel it as I continue to work on an ongoing and important project too. It's easier to begin  if I'm in a classroom setting. I think that's because I can tell myself that this project doesn't really matter...it's just for practice. When I tell myself this in my studio it works too... if I believe it. 

Last month I delivered two public installation pieces that I had begun in the spring of 2010. They could have been completed in a few months but nagging fear of not being good enough to make what my mind's eye could see plagued me to the point of procrastination. I could sew, collage, write  and make other things no problem,  but these two quilts, flailed in the background looming very large on my conscience without touching ground. They were received with such joy and love, it was all worth it, but I would like to proceed in the future minus the fear and resulting guilt.

For those of you who might relate to what I'm talking about, there is a wonderful article on overcoming what might be stopping you. It's written by Lisa Sonora Beam. She's a San Francisco based  mixed media artist, workshop leader, and author on doing business as a predominantly right brained creative type or entrepreneur.

 "Why doing something new is scary - and how to begin" is the article. Take 2 minutes to read it then share your fear stories and tips on how you deal with it in the comment box below.

Are you wondering why I titled this post "Love is in the air...?" Most of you probably know there is a royal wedding coming up the end of April. I am excited about it. I can remember watching Princess Di getting married and feeling thrilled and envious of her, then. What a dress! What an entourage.. what a life. Needlesstosay it became a sobering situation as time went on. Both parties were forced into the wrong marriage. So very sad and a tragic outcome prevailed for her and her sons.

I want to support William at this time. Focusing my loving light filled energy on the couple and all involved  in giving the wedding  is how I will support them. It's the only way that I can. My imagination can do this and meditation. Would you like to support them too? Here's my suggestion. Leave a comment below describing the most beautiful wedding dress you can imagine and see Kate wearing it as she walks down the isle. Tell us about your vision in detail, the fabric, lines, shoes, jewelery, whatever it is that makes your heart fill with light and love as you think of her and the couple getting married.

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5 comments:

  1. Rich cream satin bodice cut straight with sleeves and satin skirt, with over lay of fine victorian lace with pearls the bodice will remain mostly satin princess waist with pearls, the train will be attached at the waist and removable for travel, a vail of course again fine lace and a crown of pearls and diamonds., the vail need not be flowing past the skirts train but it should layer giving a full flowing fluffy affect. Long sleeves with satin buttons up the arm pointed at end to go over the top of her hands, most important she must be comfortable so her beautiy will show. also a plain diamond tear drop with emerals on a simple gold chain, satin slippers

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  2. Delaine, I'm drooling over the dress you describe. My favorite parts are the fine antique lace and the covered buttons on the long sleeves. My vision sees the dress as a ever so slight pinky-creme rather than white in color. The dress says classic princess to me. Kate is such a beautifl young woman, she will look gorgeous in this dress. Thank you for sharing your vision and loving energy!

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  3. I'm not much at designing a gown but it was fun to read and imagine the one you described Delaine.

    On the starting new projects topic I had an interesting experience recently. I had planned a quilt to enter in a state level show for the Arizona Centennial. But when I was ready to cut I started thinking about how it wouldn't be creative enough, etc.

    It turns out I was taking a class on introspective writing so I wrote the story of that day of uncertainty. Interestingly once I had described what and did and my feelings in detail the anxiety lost it's power. I came to see it as a choice. I could make the quilt like I wanted and when I was done I could decide if it would go into the show or not. I think just making myself aware of my thought process about it made all the difference.

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  4. Hi Judy- you have described the power of journaling about one's feelings in the present moment. Your fear and worry and hesitation dissolved, as it should, when your "wrote them out" so to speak. Dr. Pennybaker is a well know psychologist and researcher who has repeatedly found that journaling our feelings about a current problem or dilemma will bring great release to us quickly. Thank you for sharing this super tip!

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  5. As a painter I know all about the fear of the blank canvas. Over the years I've noticed that my finest work was done on substandard surfaces ( inside cover of a notebook, a cardboard backing from some package, on the back of a "ruined" painting) just because the pressure was off. If it was 'just for fun' and completed on a surface that couldn't be reviewed or even shown, then my creativity took over. It is ultimately the fear of not living up to our own expectations that paralyzes us. Recognizing this is freeing and I can now work on the finest canvas with the best paints because I can tell myself the outcome will be exactly as it's supposed to be- perfect in its own way. If it isn't appropriate for a particular venue, so be it. I let myself hold the outcome with joy anyway- without expectations or judgements. I do this by remaining in the present moment. There is no judgement in the NOW. There is only color and light and touch and space and spirit.

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