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Monday, September 7, 2009

My Spirit Garden

Patio Garden


I spent most of my Labor Day sitting on my screen porch reading and listening to the birds. I wanted to paint, but I just felt too inert to move. I realized that, like my summer flowers, my inspiration has been fading. I believe that inspiration is a state of connecting with the present world, while at the same time reconnecting to my Spirit. In order to open myself to inspiration, I need clear my mind of the negativity that has taken root. If I am preoccupied with stresses and activities that have nothing to do with inspiration, there's no room for it to grow. So I've decided to tend to my garden, to get rid of the weeds that have sprung up and to reunite with an uncomplicated world of Spirit. I believe that the harvest will be inspiration and a real and lasting happiness.


Perception is everything. I will look at the the world through the eyes of compassion.

I am what I think I am. Kind thoughts build a strong character.


Words are powerful. I will speak only constructive words.

No matter what I say, my actions reveal more about me than my words.

I will seek happiness by trying to making others happy.

Impatiens and Coleus

I will do my best at all times and have good will toward other people I will not waste effort on anything is destructive to myself or anyone else.

I will be more aware of my thoughts, words, and deeds. The only person I can control is myself.

Morning Glories and Black Eyed Susans

I will focus on one thing at a time. This is the way to peace of mind.

Creative Therapy

11 comments:

Nettie Edwards said...

Alberta, you know how much i love your garden. It looks far better tended than mine but getting mine back into shape was the beginning of personal and creative healing for me. It's hard not to panic when we hit a low-inspiration period but I think they're important part of a creative cycle and we just need to change focus for a while. You have set yourself some pretty big challenges so I hope that you haven't set yourself up to feel a failure. BTW, a small group of us over at Digital Art Quirks are going to do The Artist's Way together, beginning in October. I'm not too sure how I feel about it but I'm going to do it anyway. Why don't you think about joining us? Take care, lovely lady x

Pom Pom said...

I hear you. I have a hard time separating creativity from production. I think I have to have something to show for my dreamy time. I think you are very smart to sit and listen to the birds, ridding your heart and soul of all the pressures. I feel great pressure at school and just this morning (before reading your words, even!) I realized that there are people there I need to avoid. They are the school-y ones the "concrete evidence" ones. That's not what I have to offer kids and when I am influenced by them, I lose my verve. So, dear Alberta, I am going to my favorite truth place this morning as I have my coffee and prepare my heart for the day . . . thank you.

Kim Mailhot said...

Thank you for this prayer for inspiration and for keeping on the path, beautiful Alberta-Friend. I needed it and the Debussy this morning, so very much. (A synchronicity ? My father, Neil Young lover, rocker man, also loved Debussy. The music of my childhood...)
May your tending be so very fruitful...

Terri Kahrs said...

Thank you for this sweet "reminder" Sometimes the stillness whispers answers that I otherwise wouldn't have heard. I, personally, love to listen to the silence. It soothes my soul and centers my spirit. And I need to do that more often. Thank you for a beautiful post, Alberta! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Unknown said...

Your "words to live by" are ever so wise, and taking time to listen to your inner voice is undoubtedly the road back to creativity. Sometimes our circuits just overload, and it's necessary to "power down" for a bit!

*jean* said...

have you ever heard of the book "the four agreements"? it is a small book full of big advice but only 4 things to remember...

i have felt this vibe at many blogs this last couple of weeks...maybe it is a natural cycle we must follow...readying ourselves for the change...in the moon and the seasons...

my interest has changed and have been enjoying the ease & quirkiness of taking photos to reboot myself...

i love your happy buddha in the impatiens...lovely juxtaposition...

Lisa said...

Such beautiful words and wonderful advice. Thank you. :)

Cathy Spivey Mendola said...

Oh Alberta, what lovely words you have written. Your garden is certainly looks like a place where you can restore your spirit. This reminds me of my father. He always
had an old metal chair sitting at the edge of his vegetable garden where he would sit after dinner. He would just sit and stare at his garden until dark. When we would ask
him what he was doing, he would say he was 'watching his garden grow'. Which sounded very silly to a 10 yr old child, because I knew he couldn't ACTUALLY see it growing. But I get it now and love that he needed that quiet time with his beloved garden to center his spirit after a long day at work. I also enjoy sitting and watching my garden grow!
Hope your spirit is refreshed and renewed and your muse returns.
hugs,
cathy
p.s. you said on my blog that your grandmother taught you to embroider at a young age. so did mine. she taught me when I was about 8 and i've been embroidering ever since. and yes, in the 70's everything i owned was embellished with my flowers!

Taluula said...

With a nature as sweet as yours dear friend, you will renew sooner than you think.

blinkeeluna said...

Your wise and very true words fill up the soul, satisfying a hunger for meaning and wisdom, which some of us tend to overlook or ignore. Inspiration is indeed our way of connecting with the beautiful qualities of the present. Getting inspired is, I think our innate way of appreciating the joys of being alive and being immersed in the pulsating beauty of life.

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