In the fashion of Stephen Covey, Let us begin, this day, with urgent!

I hope, dear heart, that you and yours are safe, wherever you may be. Actually, I hope that all the time. It’s just that enough snow fell here to mess up my tiny corner of the world and the news from the California wild fires feels very close to home for lots of people in my heart.

So, huddled under my weighted blanket, I returned to my words for 2025.

Promise and Persist… in Good Trouble!

And I discovered that I needed some more words.

Process and Progress… also, of course, in Good Trouble!

And, yes… I’m an alliteration fan! And, also yes… there’s lots to Practice on!!!

All of which feels important to me, globally and in my tiny corner of the the planet where there seem to be more than the ideal number of time and mobility challenges. Thus, Progress and Persist have moved to the top of the list!

Perfect really doesn’t seem like an option. And, I suspect you may be feeling some of that, too!

So, the Legendary Husband and I have started moving some things hither and yon. (The bookcases are a big challenge, especially when they’re not going to have the same books in them that they had before!!!) And, yes… there’s a donation heap!

Then, there’s the place where all my words come together!

An Intentional Creativity® sister asked for paintings for an art show in a part of North Carolina hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Money raised will go toward supporting struggling victims of Domestic Violence which, sadly, often becomes more acute in a crisis.

This is an issue that hits close to home for me, for I am a survivor. A very fortunate one. So… a few not quite finished paintings eager to hold prayer dots of hope and intention! And symbols, like the slightly wonky triangles in this one.

Those are painted quilt blocks, known around here as Liberated Wild Geese blocks. They’re soothing to make and, in Celtic cultures, flying geese are symbols of the Holy Spirit!

When you boil it all down, I am persisting in practicing processes which support, and grow out of, my promise to make progress in the direction of Good Trouble!

Five words, which it looks like 2025 is going to need desperately!

And, a Phoenix rising!!!

ps… I’m awed by the courage and generosity and commitment of First Responders and, is often the case around here, that brings me to a new question. How can I respond??? Here’s one way – from now ’til Jan. 20, you purchase my new children’s book, A Creation Poem… sold in FierceArtWithHeart and I’ll donate the full amount of the proceeds, after shipping, to World Central Kitchen – trustworthy folks already on the ground in LA. AND the books are still buy 2, get one free. Translation – you buy 2 copies. I send you 3 copies. (Of course, you can always buy just one copy and I’ll donate the proceeds from that, too. Gladly.) World Central Kitchen gets to feed more people who need it! This is how WE can respond! Just click here. No special code needed – just put 3 copies in your basket and the elves will make the magic. This offer is limited to quantity of books on hand. (Questions…. email me! suesvoice@gmail.com)

I wrote a post for today. Ahead of time, even! It was a useful story, and we’ll get to it one of these days. Then, context happened!

Actually, context is always happening. It’s just that some days it’s harder to ignore. The Pacific Palisades fires are a huge example!

Like many, many of you, I have people I love in that place. And memories I still relate to. And I’m not sure I have words big enough for the tragedy that is happening there. What I do have is a story. A story from a meeting this afternoon. A meeting that blew my mind – in the best kind of way. In this moment, fix yourself a cuppa. You’re invited, too.

Twelve women from scattered parts of the world, in a Zoom room. All of us artists. Old friends. New friends. I was in charge of planning ahead. And I had a list! There were, however, technical difficulties. Blessedly, we’re a determined bunch and we stayed on our path. I think, perhaps, we all needed the company and the wisdom and the comfort.

We shared a profoundly deep meditation. We checked in with each other. We quilted together bits of prayers and wisdom in a space of trust.

One of our sisters had suggested to me, last night, that I bring my deck of Alana Fairchild’s Sacred Rebels oracle cards so we could pull a card, together. And, yes… this is another of those things they didn’t cover in nursing school or seminary! It felt right, though, so I agreed. Here’s what happened…

I shuffled. A lot. And then I asked another of our sisters for help. As I passed the cards through my hands, it was her job to tell me when to stop.

(This, by the way, is much scarier than – you know – picking a card ahead of time and knowing what was coming!)

This was the card in my hand when Cheryl asked me to stop…

I’m hoping you’ll take a moment to listen in…

No matter how powerful we are, how much courage and strength we have, there are times when we can’t quite move ourselves along to the next phase of life or creative exploration. At such times we need some divine intervention — a little help in pulling our trolley along, so to speak. When we are at the edge of our own limits and have no more personal resources, we might be left with only one spiritual power, that of faith. Fortunately that is enough.

As unlikely as it may seem, the invisible help from the universe is often more powerful than the physical efforts of a thousand men. That is because the invisible help is not limited by physical laws. It can shift, bend and move in ways that defy limitation. It can affect, evoke and influence situations through invisible, but undeniably persuasive means.

You are in a situation where you cannot ‘set right’ the course of events all by yourself. This is not an indication that you have done something wrong, not does this suggest that you are not strong enough. It is a sign that there is something bigger unfolding in your life, and your willpower will be supplemented by the power of life itself. Sometimes a bigger plan needs to manifest for the benefit of humanity and the earth. You need to shift your perspective to realize that you are part of the greater unfoldment of life, that your individual life serves the greater plan and that you are not separate from its genius. This is what is happening now…. the voice of life is now coming straight to your heart with this message:

“I have resources you know not of. It is safe to trust in my ways and in my wisdom, for I love you and I am guiding you into all that is rightfully yours. Know that what is rightfully yours is what your heart truly desires and you need not fear loss. Nothing that is meant to come to you will be denied and it is safe for you to let go and allow me to move you.”

The healing process which follows says this:

Say aloud: “I now ask that all disappointing experiences of the past that have led me to believe that life is not trustworthy or that faith is a sillly or immature way to deal with life, be released from my mind, body and heart. I ask for help to accept that I can and will attract all that is needed into my life, at the perfect time and in the perfect way I aske to be empowered to absolutely receive all that can assist me with gratitude and without shame or guilt. In doing so, I dedicate myself to be a clear, loving, open channel for the flow of life. I know the benefit in doing so is not limited to me, but will flow so that life can benefit others through me. I trust in this now, through unconditional love, so be it.”

It’s a lot, I know. And it may feel strange. And this world needs as many of us open to receiving and sharing as we can get.

So be me. And so be we who are willing.

ps… even though this is an increasingly complicated statement, the Sacred Rebels oracle cards are available on Amazon.

pps… the photo at the top is a glimpse of my Celebratrix #wip

ppps… the next Intentional Creativity® Red Madonna journey is planned to begin in April or May. Stay tuned!

I grew up believing I couldn’t see signs… literally. My first pair of glasses helped with the actual sign seeing. The belief that I couldn’t see them has taken a while longer!

Today, though, they’re everywhere. And by today I mean New Years Day, 2025. In the news, obviously. And on my easel! Even in my body!!! And, yes — interpretation is a huge part of the seeing!

And… drum roll, please… it’s a Filters thing!!!

It’s NOT your imagination! There IS way more coming at us than any of us can manage at once!

Intentional curating helps! So…. my immediate space holds some helpful images – ummm, paintings! And Joan Baez is singing along. (You do you!)

Context matters, too. Seasonal notions of resolutions. Or intentions. Focal words for the year ahead. You hear me! And, if you’ve been hanging around a while, and squint a bit, you’re likely to catch glimpses of the Filters diagram in the under-layers of what’s turning into a whole new painting.

If you’re new, Welcome! And hang with me, please. This is some of the best stuff in my Medicine Basket!

First, though, a new lightbulb, last night! Well, two new lightbulbs!

The practical lightbulb came from realizing that using a heavy body paint spatula and working horizontally on my canvas hurts my cranky right hand way less than the more usual vertical deal with a brush. (And, given the number of #works-in-progress I have going, this is really useful information!)

The more philosophical light bulb has to do with realizing that I’ve been getting ready for my current #PhoenixRising painting since 2017-18! My first #Legend painting had one, as did my #Muse painting! And they’ve been showing up ever since. Sometimes as a focal paint. Frequently as a cosmic wink in dark backgrounds. And, in this moment, carrying the wisdom and love of my ancestors!

Last year, one of them even appeared in a business card I designed. (I have a thing about the aspirational vibes of business cards!!!)

This is a new year, though, and I realized – about 4:00 am – that, whatever else 2025 may be, it’s my year for living into the stuff on the back of the card! You know – out in the big world! (And I don’t even need new cards!!!)

There’s more to come. For now, though, I need food, so I’m turning this space over to the Muse named Joan Baez, singing one of my favorite songs…

ps… inspired??? Got a vision??? Curious about Filters??? Let’s talk! 45 minutes. My gift. We’ll plan your next right step on the road to the place my friend, Fred, described as being where your deep joy and the world’s deep longing meet!” Just click here and ask the calendar elves to hook you up!

pps… the Phoenix is calling my name! Might she be calling yours, too???

I wonder if Creator imagined, when they spoke the world into being, how complicated we – the created ones – would one day make it!

I’m guessing not! At least the parts of me that have writing to do are guessing not. There are calendar issues and tradition issues and hemisphere issues and, frankly, body issues, and I’ll bet my last nickel I’m not the only one who’s noticed!

I mean, Have you ever felt like you finally had it – whatever it is for you – all figured out, and then discovered that there’s a whole lot more ALL than you ever imagined??? Welcome to my world!

So, a plan was in order… Around here, that means mind quilting… and you’re invited!

Whatever traditions you’re observing – or avoiding! – in this moment. Whatever stories you learned as a Little. Whatever hemisphere you live in… you are welcome here, with your precious scraps of memories and hopes, on the path of intentional newness.

Some introductions are in order. Blog readers, please meet Red Madonna sisters. And y’all meet some folks who are new around here, too. And imagine, please that we’re all sitting around the fireside of the Dangerous Old Women, calling in light.

Many of us (as Dr. Estes reminds us) are scar clan. Still standing. Still dancing.

And it is time, in this moment, to call in light, in all the ways!

Stars, of course. And candles. A bit more sunlight, day by day, for many of us. A bit more rest for many, many more. And a reminder – if we’re open to it – that light and rest both matter for growth… literally and metaphorically!!!

Here’s the challenge… the scrap that doesn’t seem to go with anything else in our mind quilt…

Growth means change and change can feel terrifying!

One of the ways that people have held power, throughout the ages, is by convincing others that they have to do everything the way WE’VE always done it.

Which reminds me of a new-to-me quote I learned from a wise friend…

Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire... Gustav Mahler

Now, I don’t even pretend to know what you will do with all these words in this moment, around this particular fireside, where all those who long to be here are welcome. And that’s okay!

What I do know is this… I must re-claim my need for both light and rest.

And that means not ignoring what I need. It means finding ways to give myself enough light and rest to stay on the path.

I have already begun by adding an intentional bit of light and shadow to each of my four paintings-in-progress at this moment. And I’ll add the same bits to the one I’m about to begin… and to all those I begin as I go forward.

Another thing I know is that Creator means us to keep learning. To keep asking questions. To keep being open to wonder… and I will, even when it’s scary!

And, one more thing… it really, really, really is all about love!

ps… know some littles who could us some of this love while they still have enough space to soak it up??? There’s a whole bunch of it – complete with art! – in A Creation Poem… and, while it’s a bit late for Christmas day, there’s still plenty of time for Hanukkah & the 12 days of Christmas and – well – just because! And the books are still buy 2 get one free! No codes needed… just put 3 in your basket and the elves will gladly do the math! Just click here… FierceArtWithHeart!

pps… stay tuned for a mini gallery showing, right here, on Wednesday. A bit of wonder from me to you, with much love!

ppps… coming soon – coloring pages!!! (The elves are inspired!)