I know it might sound a bit dramatic but “birthing” does seem an appropriate term for watching this dream of mine come to fruition.
In January of 2012, I began writing a business plan for a new art gallery in the Downtown Canton Arts District. It seemed the next logical step in growth for my art business. I imagined at that point that the gallery would open in June of 2012. I presented the concept to the local arts council and the chamber of commerce and both agreed that the idea was solid and the timeframe would work.
Ah… we all had so much to learn. Everyone started… gathering info and support. Investors were approached, funding researched. And everyone did their job well… it’s just that there were a whole lot of jobs to do and a huge number of people involved. Appreciation of the number of tasks and people needed to make a huge project happen is my lesson. See, rather than opening in June of 2012, I am very hopeful that we will open in June of 2013… just one year late! Now this might sound awful to you but I’m not complaining. Work progressed one logical step at a time. Decisions were made in the order they came up. It all just took a lot longer than we thought.
The good news is that no one gave up. No one really got terribly upset… we just kept plugging along. Granted there were times when I wanted to scream, jump up and down and have a tantrum… but tantrums don’t help people. They might feel good for a brief moment to the one throwing said tantrum but to the rest of the audience… well, you’ve been there, I’m sure. So I tried patience and discovered that instead of focusing on what wasn’t happening according to my plan, I could spend my time taking care of details that I hadn’t even imagined when I wrote that first plan. I learned that I have plenty to learn about this new business and that education will continue, I’m sure for years to come.
My gallery became “our” gallery because so many people got involved in the project. There are a few who are instrumental in this success… and there are many who might have just offered a pat on the back… and many somewhere in between but all were important. Jeff Dreyer and Mac Worthington were there at the beginning and have continued to encourage me all this time. Mike Gill at the Chamber/SID and Robb Hankins with ArtsInStark sat through my first presentation of the business plan and both have worked hard in so many ways through this whole process. Bad Girl Ventures, Cleveland, boosted me to a whole new level in so many ways. And there are innumerable people, some whose names I don’t even know, who did important jobs all along the way. My gratitude grows daily. I think I learned a lot about being a team player, about asking for help when needed, about holding my tongue, and trying patience and peace.
So at times it was painful and it took a long time… but this little dream has grown, blossomed and struggled its way into reality. The work isn’t done… but I’m very impressed and hopeful at what can be accomplished when you dream beautifully, don’t give up and take the patient, peaceful path. If you have a dream, and of course you do, remember that you must never give up on it… just keep visualizing that dreams do come true. Then work crazy hard and ask for help to make it happen.
Hopefully, next month, you’ll get to see photos of our new “baby.” Then the parties will begin. Welcome Journey Art Gallery, a creative destination in north east Ohio.
JourneyArtGallery.com
Rough Edges
This fall’s political extravaganza is having a different effect on me. (No worries… I’m not talking about any particular candidate or party here if you’re just sick of hearing about this or that platform.) I’m seeing that in one way, the political barrage this year is helping me. What??I have a friend who’s fascinated, even passionate about politics. Sometimes I ask in conversation, “So, how’s your guy doing?” This question often launches us into a discussion where quickly, inside my head, I hear myself saying… “Why did you ask that?” See… the conversation goes to places I’m not familiar with. He brings up issues I’m not really conversational about. Me, the eternal pacifist, feels dissension brewing. So I smile, and comment… “Hmm… never thought of it that way.” And because we’re friends, the conversation eventually shifts to some topic I feel more comfortable with.
But later, when I’m alone, those “uncomfortable” topics come back up. I find myself doing a bit of research about things I wouldn’t normally study. Or I ponder reasons why I’m uncomfortable or, even better, I explore more truthful replies than, “Hmm… never thought of it that way.”
Another dear friend of mine is exploring the concept of rough edges and she introduced me to the idea on a recent visit. The idea that when 2 very different places, people, or ideas come in contact, they can both be changed or they both can appear different for the encounter in ways that are beneficial and even beautiful. She’s doing research for a book on her perspectives so I won’t go there right now. But another clear example of this phenomenon is the work of Daniel Kukla, a photographer who had formal training in biological and anthropological sciences. His clever and beautiful project titled, The Edge Effect can be seen at http://www.petapixel.com/2012/09/28/photographs-of-mirrors-on-easels-that-look-like-paintings-in-the-desert/#rmuz1WOBZ92I9Uis.99
So, in my experience, I’ve realized that when I hang out with people who are like minded, who generally agree with me about a particular issue, then I see the issue as sort of solved or put up on a shelf. My opinions about it don’t get explored further. However, bring in that soul who (horrors) doesn’t necessarily agree with me, and I find myself pondering the issues again. And in doing this, I find my voice again. I may or may not change how I feel, but these ideas/issues that I might have see as “truths” get dredged up again. In the examining process, I’ve found that when I put some of my beliefs “up on the shelf”, I put a bit of my passion there too. And the “rough edge” that I encounter in discussing issues with person with another point of view, causes me to pull not only my beliefs off the shelf but my passion too. And therefore, I must admit that bit of dissension can be entirely refreshing.
And no, I don’t want to debate candidates with you. 😉
Peace and love
su
Getting by with a little help from our friends
I have a friend who’s going through a tough time. A group of her friends are organizing a fund raiser to try to raise a bit of money to help her out of a crisis. We’re so happy to be able to help. She’s so miserable that we have to help her. Yet, she’s always first in line to help someone else.
Weird how givers aren’t always good receivers.
Just pondering how our minds understand that if united we can do so much more to help someone in need. Yet when we’re in need, that same mind seems to think that we’re supposed to solve every crisis alone.
I also wonder why we get so ashamed that we need help, yet helping others makes us feel so useful, helpful, needed.
Somehow, do our hearts have 1-way valves on them letting tons of love pour out… but when the tons of love are ready to flow back in, depending on the circumstances, we feel ashamed to be the center of so much help. My friend mentioned that she feels like everyone pities her… when we’re just trying to love her.
If, as part of the human race, we are all united, related, one… perhaps we might all take a moment to check our hearts and make sure they are equally open to giving and receiving. If we let as much love flow in as flows out…somehow I think the universal river of love will be overflowing its banks, and the world might just be a better place to live.
love and peace
su
Image – Find a way to love by me at http://www.journeystudios.com
Finding balance in a hectic world
Hectic… yeah well, for many of us, that might sound like a pretty mild choice of words. Crazy, out-of-control, chaotic and sometimes frightening can also seem fitting when we look at our world today. But if the outside world is making your head spin, allow me to suggest that you were never intended to find peace outside of yourself. In today’s whacked out world, your connection to the divine, the peace, the answers, the new world… is right inside you. Yes, the world has gotten a bit more than exciting in recent years, so all the more reason to make some time for peace.
Many of you know that I teach meditation so you might be now expecting me to “crack the whip” and insist you sit in silence on your cushion chanting Om for 20 minutes morning and night. If that is what calms you, then go for it. But for the average Westerner… sitting and stilling the mind is a grand challenge. For me personally, chanting/singing kirtan is wonderfully refreshing and powerful when practiced with a group… but that group isn’t always hanging around my patio when the crap has hit the fan. So what to do?
The key to calm is different for each of us. But I think it often begins in the same place… to bring yourself into this moment. We can’t change the past, we can’t predict the future. We CAN enjoy this moment. So focus a bit on savoring this second. And remember to breathe. A teacher who kindly emails me daily, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, has convinced me over the years that I cannot maintain anger, anxiety or even fear if I breathe. So use those lungs folks… a deep inhale to fully inflate the lungs, even expanding the belly to relax more. Then exhale and release whatever needs to flow out of you. Five good, deep, slow breaths then breathe normally with attention to using more of your lung capacity is so incredibly calming.
Beyond this… pursue your passion, eat well, drink lots of pure water that didn’t come packaged in a plastic bottle to further choke our landfills. Sounds like I’ve got more to share in the future. Breathing. 😉
Enjoy your day.
Seek much love and joy on your journey
peace
su
Ebb and Flow
If you read this blog regularly, then you’ll know I’ve been MIA lately. It used to bother me more when I “wander off” but more recently I’m becoming more accepting of the idea that “there’s only so much a human being can do” and just as often “sometimes I’m just not interested in being interesting? ” LOL
Life is certainly cyclical. Up/down, ebb/flow, busy/busier… each day brings a new mix. In the past month, I’ve been so hopeful then mad as hell because someone stomped on my plans. I’ve been overworked to the point of barely finding enough hours to sleep then whisked off on a very lovely, quick vacation. I came back recharged only to be slammed by a sinus infection. Geeeezzzzz. What about consistency??
Oh, life isn’t about consistency. I think life is about resiliency. And personally, I think it is particularly about the willingness to regroup, rebound and try, try again. So lucky you, I chose to write today when I’m “climbing back on the horse” to ride yet again. I did not choose to write last week while wallowing amidst used kleenexes and one more empty bottle of OJ (organic OJ, of course 😉
And the “moral to this story” is just that if you’ve felt flattened a bit lately, realize you are not alone. We would love to live a life fulled with “standing on the mountaintop” experiences but know that sometimes we find ourselves sliding out-of-control down the mountain slope into the muddy creek at the bottom. Take the bitter with the sweet, the good with the bad…
BUT
never, never, never resign yourself to the down times. Never expect them, never wait for the other shoe to drop. While the downs come, keep your focus on the bright side. Savor the sweet, mountaintop moments. Visualize those amazing, fabulous successes. Because even though my ride has been a bit bumpy lately, the sweet has WAY outweighed the bitter and I think that I can affect the balance.
So if you find yourself lying in a heap, find the courage to stand up, dust yourself off and begin again. And as you begin, know in your heart that better times are coming. You can call the best of life in to you by living with these brighter than bright expectations.
Thanks,
much love,
mary sunshine
I am a wealthy woman
I am sad that our country is so money motivated. Many of the issues that I feel are crises in our world today seem to be greed motivated. Money, money, MONEY!!
Recently, a conversation with friend and author Gary Sirak* reminded me that wealth isn’t only about money. Thanks Gary for the jumping off point.
What do you want out of life? If you think it’s money… then I might challenge you to look further. Is it the things, the security, the prestige that you think money will buy? Do you see yourself as a different person… or wonder if you’re perceived as a different person if you’re wealthy? Do you really think that money will buy you happiness? Take a poll if you can… or trust me on this… lots of people with lots of money will be the first to tell you that the money doesn’t make them happy.
Of course, if you feel like your basic needs aren’t being met, then a bit more money could ease the pain. I understand that one- been there done that. But the way out of your pain isn’t necessarily winning the lottery. The way out could be a change in perspective.
Rather than focusing on the thing that you think is missing, try thinking about a joyful, full life. Don’t let the “yeah but…” comments stop you. Just visualize where you want to be. I’m not talking so much about specific “things”, I’m talking about feelings. How would you feel if you were living your perfect life? Imagine waking up every day feeling calm, safe and enthusiastic about what the day will bring.
Without worrying about “what if’s”, what would you like to accomplish? Are you the sort of person who lives to help others? Do you long to have a creative outlet? Do you wish for a bit more time for yourself? Want to commune with nature more? Desire more love in your life? Want to learn more about ____? Even if your vision of the ultimate you is a deep seated desire to race Porsches, you can play this game too.
And with these visuals on what you’d like to do/be in mind… how would it feel if you were doing these things? Now I’m challenging you a bit to stretch your imagination. I’m not looking for “oh, it would feel nice”… I want you, in your mind, to immerse yourself in your dream. Imagine how it sounds, smells, feels, looks. Picture yourself enjoying… participating… creating… loving… even racing if that’s your passion! And in your imagination, there is not a bit of room for anything but savoring these dreams.
Why do I ask this of you? Well… try this on for size. Thoughts are energy. You know that medical science can attach an electrode to your head and measure brain activity… so thinking is energy. Do you want this energy that’s lighting up your brain to be positive or negative? Worrying about what you Don’t Want to have happen is negative energy. Focusing on visualizing the best results is positive energy. Which sounds like more fun to you?
So now comes the part that sounds like “magic” to some. To some people, magic is a fine term… but to others, it sounds like airy-fairy nonsense. So first I’ll state the magic, then I’ll try to offer a bit of concrete explanation to you who need it.
I have found in my life, that I have been able to change my life by changing how I think. Simply put, thinking about what I want to have happen seems to encourage those things to happen. I spend my time thinking about what I want to come to pass. Now, I don’t wile away the hours daydreaming… I do this for a couple minutes in the morning and again in the evening. And I try to stay aware during the day to keep my thinking on the positive side. I put my thinking energy into positive thoughts for me and for others.
There is a scientific basis for my “think happy thoughts, people” mentality. It is based on the Double Slit Experiments** which have been conducted by physicists since the early 1900’s (and even before.) The field of quantum physics grew from these experiments. Quantum Physics, simply put, is a type of physics of the atomic and subatomic levels which means it’s the study of the very, very small. Normal physics do not apply at this level.
And before I lose you by going too far into the technical, these experiments taught scientists that their expectations of the results of the experiment controlled the results of the experiments. What? Yes, a laboratory of white coated researchers discovered that they could effect the results of the experiment with their thoughts. When I learned this, I thought… “this is big news people, why haven’t I ever heard of this?” And I don’t know why except perhaps that quantum physics isn’t always the most exciting topic for party chatter? 😉
But more recently, these concepts learned so long ago are becoming more palatable through the Law of Attraction movement. There are lots of teachers out there today trying to help us understand that our thoughts have great power to change our lives.***
So, I’ve worked hard to change my habits in thinking. I do focus on believing, visualizing, talking and writing about the amazing things that can come to all of us. I’ve been doing this for about 10 years. My life today is totally different than it used to be… in the best of ways. My dreams are coming true. And if that’s not wealth, I’m not sure what is.
much love in the new year,
su
ps. next time I’ll share with you what my Step 2 is.
————————————
* Gary Sirak’s new book, “If Your Money Talked… What Secrets Would It Tell?” has been recently published. I have read it and found it an insightful, enjoyable read. Check it out at http://www.ifyourmoneytalked.com/
** More details about the Double Slit Experiments
http://www.doubleslitexperiment.com/
http://www.bottomlayer.com/bottom/notebook.html – my friend Ross Rhodes was the first one to explain the Double Slit Experiments to me. While he’ll tell you that he hasn’t updated this site in years, it’s still an interesting resource.
*** My favorite Law of Attraction teacher is Mike Dooley. For years, Mike has sent out daily emails to people all over the world, encouraging them to believe his mantra, “Thoughts become things… choose good ones.” Mike’s emails and books are a great place to start if you want to explore the Law of Attraction simply.
http://www.tut.com/resources/
Gifts
The holiday season arrived so quickly this year that I’m just beginning to think about gift giving.
In pondering the value of gifts, the need of gifts… I started thinking about gifts I’ve been given. To those of you who know me, you may know that I’ve been sooo gifted recently. No… didn’t win the lottery. 😉 But the gifts I’ve been given are things I needed but didn’t really know how much they were needed.
The gift of acceptance, of support… a perfect word of encouragement at the moment I so needed it. I’ve been blessed with the gift of music and opportunities to share. The gift of insights from those with a better perspective or more experience than I. Friends, old and new, have surrounded me with love… now there’s a gift we never get enough of. Changing my work location has given me a gift of more time at the studio. People have offered their help… amazing.
And all these gifts, that I choose to savor again and again, didn’t cost much. No one had to sprain a credit card to gift me… they gave me the gift of their companionship, their wisdom, their time, their love. And so, I’m inspired to the same.
So, no need to fight the crowds at the mall… instead I’ll hope to find ways to gift those I love with things that will help them feel loved, celebrated and empowered. And perhaps, you might choose to join me in this venture. Who knows, we might enjoy doing this all year long? And the world will evolve into a brighter, lighter, more fulfilling place.
May the joy of the season fill you with love.
have fun!
su
meditate on this?
Meditation is a much misunderstood tool that can be used to calm your life. However, when many people in the West think about meditation, they picture this eastern Indian looking guy in orange robes sitting in full lotus position. They think they need to sit in that position and to stop their mind from thinking. And if they can’t accomplish either or both of those tasks, they tell me, “I just can’t do it.” And I bring the message to you, that indeed you can meditate… you just might need a bit more information.
Meditation is an amazingly powerful practice where one can connect with one’s higher self. Yes… there is a peaceful wise self floating within each of us, seated in a full lotus position and ready to calmly address any question that might arise in your life. Do you connect with that part of yourself a lot? Haha… yeah, that’s the common answer.
In the West, most people think of their minds as who they are. The mind, busy chattering to us day in and day out, is not who we are but just a tool that we use. The mind is amazing, sorting out details and memories, lists and decisions. The mind gets you to the office in the morning, helps you remember what to pick up at the store on the way home and hopefully doesn’t let you forget the birthday of someone near and dear to you? We could not exist without this amazing wonder that lives in our skulls. But once we’re home, fed and sprawled out comfortably in bed, it’s time for the mind to shut off. And for some people this is a problem. They’ve left the mind in high gear so long, that they can’t quite find the “off” switch.
In meditation, we begin by learning that the brain is a tool and as such, we should be able to mentally place it on a shelf and distance ourselves from its chatter. Imagine you are standing by a lake, looking at the surface of the water. When a breeze comes up, the surface of the water is rippled and you can’t see past that busy disturbance. But when the breeze stops, and the ripples smooth, then you can see into the depths of the water and appreciate the beauty there. It’s like that when you can begin to calm and distance yourself a bit from the chattering mind, you can begin to look for and listen to your higher self… your soul… God… spirit… the voice of the Universe… however you prefer to view this. But somewhere within, there is a calm part of you that is wise and beautiful. Meditation can help you connect with this part of you that you may not have met with in a very long time.
So, how to proceed? That’s the fun of teaching meditation. There are so many ways to approach it. I have studied meditation since I was a teenager. I’ve studied with gurus, teachers, books and recordings. And from all that I’ve come to the conclusion that one doesn’t need a guru (a teacher) or a long visit in the ashram (retreat house.) All anyone needs is a bit of information.
Meditation styles can be explored until you find one that resonates with you. There is seated meditation and walking meditation. There are breathing practices, visualization practices, and chanting practices. You can repeat mantras or calmly study the soap bubbles while you do the dishes. There are eating meditations and counting meditations. There are physical positions (asanas) to place your body into while you relax and focus. You can become mindful of just about any practice that is calming to you. So if brushing the dog is very comforting to you, you might just use that time to calm your mind. A walk in nature is wonderfully meditative if you focus on the beauty around, or the variety of colors or textures that you encounter. The meditative nature of a walk is missed if you a busy worrying about how to pay the bills next week instead of listening to the glorious song of the birds overhead.
So being mindful of what is happening in the moment is a wonderful place to begin your meditative practice. In the beginning, the goal is calmness… then a bit of peace. As you progress in your meditative practice, you ‘ll find you can enjoy the meditation for longer periods of time. Eventually the mind quiets beautifully and you’ll find comfort in that peace. And in time, you’ll begin listening… and then you’ll hear. And the one who is speaking to you is that higher self we might have almost forgot existed.
Meditation… anyone can do it. And the practice can calm and bring peace to us. As each of us becomes more peaceful, then the world becomes more peaceful. Do your part today to help our world.
have fun!
su
Light
For many in my community, it’s been a dark week. Local tragedy seems to be magnified by today’s reminder of tragedy 10 years ago. I don’t chose to relive either of those here.
Instead, I’m calling in the light… for myself, for others who might feel they need it, and for the world. While sadness and darkness may intrude into our lives without invitation… we can make a choice to seek out light.
What do I mean by light? I often offer those in need my promise that I’ll “send light and love.” To me that light is the energy of hope, love, and connection. Energy is a real and measurable thing. In the midst of sadness, we see the light as people gather together and share. The grief changes a bit as we realize we are not alone in our heartache. Stories, hugs… connectedness ensue. And soon in the midst of grief, we hear laughter, love and yes, there it is… that’s light.
I’ve been sad this week… a bit overwhelmed by emotions- my own and those of others. So today is my day for light. I find light through music, meditation, chant, art… even in clearing out a bit more of the “stuff” that is cluttering up the homestead.
How might you find light? I think step one is to turn away from the darkness. I mean, quit focusing on sadness and pick up something that brings you joy. Play music, play with your pets or kids. Call a friend, take a walk in nature. Create, paint, sing, dance… do that thing you love to do but never seem to have time for. Take time for you. Focus on love.
Light is about love and I think it is the essence of our connection as living beings on this planet. Focus on our similarities, our accomplishments, our joys. And don’t give an iota of energy to darker aspects. The world will not evolve by our focusing on our sadness, our perceived differences… the “us vs. them” misconception. The world will evolve when we realize we are all related- the people, the animals, the plants, the planet. And if we can just begin to get a grip on that idea, then we can begin treating each other with love and light.
At least, that’s my plan for my day. How about you?
sending light and love to you all.
have fun!
Follow your dream… even when you're not sure what the dream is? ;)
I’m in this fabulous stage of life. Seems so many dreams have come true that now I’m beginning to live in this feeling that fabulous things are coming even though I’m really not sure what those things are. So many people I meet seem to think they have to “figure something out” or even to use a familiar phrase from the 70’s “get their sh!t together” before their lives will begin to feel more happy, more fulfilling. I’m coming to realize that I don’t need to know what the next step is, I just need to believe that joy, fulfillment and love will always surround me.
I’ve learned some years ago about the Law of Attraction. If you aren’t familiar with the term, it means I can attract into my life those things I think about or focus my thoughts and spirit on. I learned this basic concept from Mike Dooley and his website tut.com. Many people learn about this idea from the movie “The Secret” and other books.
So for maybe 10 years now (?) I’ve been believing Mike Dooley’s mantra that “Thoughts Become Things” and because of that, I need to choose my thoughts carefully. I began visualizing for short periods everyday that my life was different. I visualized being an artist and now I have my studio/gallery in the art’s district downtown. I dreamed of finding a way to help people with energy and light, and now through my massage therapy practice, I do get to help people feel healthier and often find their smile. I could go on and on… I now play music and sing, I design clothes… I’m doing mostly just those things I’m passionate about. It’s very fun. These changes weren’t instantaneous. Now after years have passed I see that gradual transitions and certain decisions have brought me here to this place of amazement.
But now what… once your dreams come true, what to do? Dream More, of course. But now, I’m not faced with specific things I want to be doing that I’m not. So now, maybe it’s about “more.” More happiness, more love… and not just for me. Now I visualize more love, more peace for me and for you and for the world. I don’t know exactly how these dreams will come into fruition exactly. But based on my past experience… I know it’s going to be good.
So perhaps, if you’re wishing for your life to be different… you might not spend too much time figuring out the details. You might just believe and dream up a life full of love and peace and joy. And let me know how it goes for you! 😉
As always, Have Fun!
su