Category: Guardians

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What do you want to be???

Posted on by sue boardman

It’s a big question. And one many of us didn’t learn to ask when we were the Littles. It always felt – at least to me – as though nobody asked what I wanted to be then… in that moment, and the next day, and the days after that.

Just, when I grew up!

Never mind, for the moment, that questions like that are really hard for people who haven’t yet begun, neurologically, to think abstractly.

Let’s think about it this way…

If you’d asked a four year old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I probably would have told you that I wanted to be the Romper Room Lady! You see, I was already becoming an expert at the moving thing and the Romper Room Lady moved with us from Cleveland to Pittsburg, which made me feel less alone.

A few years later, I’d have told you I wanted to be a teacher just like Miss Knott, my second grade idol.

By the time I was about 14, I knew! I wanted to be a veterinarian and help pets who loved their people. And yes… more moves and a Golden Retriever named Alice who was my best friend.

Things happened, as they often do, and I did not become (officially) any of those things.

What I did become, back then, was a college drop-out, single mom who needed a lot of help (and food stamps and student loans!) to become a nurse, only to get told I didn’t get paid to think, which left me just getting the hang of the abstract thought thing and knowing more school was in order.

About then, I met a guy named Steve Glenn. Steve taught me some things to do that began to shift my view of the world.

If you’ve been reading along for a while, you can probably say this with me, and I’d love it if you would!

If a teenaged child has 5 adults who will listen to them, take them seriously, and not shame or blame them for their questions, that child is practically immune from ever attempting suicide.

That was when it began to occur to me that perhaps the real issue was claiming what I wanted to do, while BEING ME.

Which, frankly, is a scarier question. At least it was for me.

So, deep breath! And fast-forward through years full of noticing and wondering. And becoming a grandmother. And frequent flyer miles with the knee surgeon. And being one of those 5 people as often as I could.

Which brings us to now. In a world where it feels like a whole lot of people are trying to cancel out people like me. Like us. To take away our choices. And silence our voices. And hide our votes.

Steve was right, all those years ago. And what I learned from him is quite possibly more urgent now than it was then. And the change starts with me. And you. And our versions of being one of those 5 people right where we are.

So, I’m turning my body into a billboard. And ordering a new batch of yard signs.

I am feeding myself… body, mind, and spirit. Homemade broth. Grown-up Fairy Tales. Prayer dots.

And, physical therapy. Even after yesterday, which was no fun AND helpful! (Already!!!)

And here’s what I want to do… what I intend… what I AM doing…

I am putting myself out there to listen to my peeps – the ones I know and the ones I have yet to meet – to take them seriously, and not shame or blame them for their questions.

To help them claim what they want, way deep down, and to rattle my Medicine Basket for just the tools that will help them get from their version of the Romper Room Lady to whatever expression of Good Trouble calls them in this world, now.

It’s going to take a whole lot of us. And I’m all in!

ps… the photo at the top, “Guardians of Fierce Compassion… Then. Now. Always.” is my best idea of what all this looks like.

pps… thanks to Daphne for modeling! And for agreeing to let me tell you that her name means Laurel Tree, and symbolizes love and protection.

ppps… it’s entirely likely that you, dear heart, have spent a lot of years trying to take yourself seriously, and not shame or blame yourself for your questions. And it’s hard to do alone! So, check this out! A circle of sisters to sit around the fire with, and paint what you’re learning with, and be celebrated on your road! And it starts soon!!! Fix yourself a cuppa, grab a red thread if it’s handy, and click here for a real path forward! I’d be thrilled for you to be you and join in!

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If I ran the liturgical calendar…

Posted on by sue boardman

I would welcome you to this day of prayer dots and Joan Baez!

In fact, I am welcoming you to this day, even though I don’t run the actual calendar! It’s a good way to be, especially in these days!

And, yes… the photo is my personal studio/sanctuary. Let me show you around… There are actually two paintings on the table, receiving their dotty edges, even though it’s hard to tell. Both of them newly completed. (I think! They’re kind of always works-in-progress around here! As are those of us who are paying attention!!!)

Here’s a closeup of Our Lady of Fiercely Compassionate Abundance… the one on the top… from my recent #Filters workshop for #Origins, known as #OIC!

And, barely visible, just below her (I’m painting edges!) is She Who Has Ears to Hear.

She is our story for this day!

Part of a year-long journey known as #RedMadonna, she has taught me so much! Or, perhaps more accurately, they have taught me so much! A Prophetess with the owl and tortoise who insisted on joining the journey.

I know… you’ve heard about them before. And there’s new news today!

First, though, a bit about process, from Owl…

I really, really wanted to be in this painting! Sue agreed, after I begged one night in a dream. She looked up pictures of owls for guidance. The first me was, well, cute. And way too small! So Sue made me bigger! And then she read something from her Indigenous Shima friend, Maria Yraceburu, about heart-faced barn owls and I got to be one of those! You see, I represent wisdom and intuition, magic and prophesy. Since the whole painting was about our prophetess, I obviously belonged there! Just between us, I was a bit of a challenge for Sue to paint. She even looked up how many toes I needed! Four on each foot. Two pointing forward. One pointing back. And the fourth one able to point either frontwards or backwards, depending on what needs doing! Really!!! I think tortoise was happy to have me along on this path. She has a big task… to be a bearer of spiritual medicine, guiding us on a transformative journey of finding stability, seeking protection from harm, and embracing the art of living. (It’s amazing what Sue can find out online!) I think tortoise and I make a good team! And that’s a good thing because there’s another journey about to begin. And you’re invited!

You see, #RedMadonna2024 is beginning!!!

A whole year in virtual circle with amazing women. Community. Learning. Creating. Growing! With our whole selves!!! And, whether you’ve been in that circle for years, or are utterly new around here, you’re welcome.

Our theme is Celebratrix! As in, intentionally celebrating life along the way. And I’m deeply honored to be part of the leadership team. Tortoise has already volunteered to help since celebrating is a great way to embrace the art of living!

So… please fix yourself a cuppa and grab some Red Thread if it’s handy. Then click here to hear some of the stories and see some of the art and just let yourself wonder if this is, indeed, your next step.

And, yes… I’d be delighted to answer your questions! suesvoice@gmail.com

ps… tending my Spirit, intentionally, with paintbrushes and pens and celebrations, helps me tend my body and my community, too! Really!!!

pps… you really don’t need to know anything about painting. We’ve got you!

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Where IC® meets M Sec!

Posted on by sue boardman

Or… symbols of many sorts!

Things are a bit crazier in my studio than usual. In my head, too, I suppose. You see, many things are wrapping up on my calendar. And a whole lot of new ones are about to start. (Stay tuned!!!)

You probably know how new things are… Long before they officially begin, there are lots of things clamoring for attention, like hatching and bread rising and soup bones bubbling.

Which is kind of a reminder that births, of many sorts, take a while!

Just between us, I feel more than a bit like the tortoise who is appearing on my Red Madonna Prophetess canvas. We’re making progress, she and I. She’s considerably bigger than when we began, and I’ve pretty much got the puzzle pieces of her shell blocked in.

I seem to have gotten braver with time. You see, she’s not my first tortoise. The first one was born when I took a black & white photo of a concrete garden statue, re-sized it, printed it out, and decoupaged it to the canvas. (It works!!!)

This one insisted on being painted, like the banyan trees she’s standing amongst. And we’ve got some more painting to go. The first attempt at facial details turned out likely to terrify small children, which is okay because it’s #wip Wednesday!

I love Wednesdays. Thousands of Intentional Creativity® artists from around the world get together and claim that on-the-way is sometimes even more helpful than finished!

For me, it’s like celebrating all the things to be learned on the path to where we thought we were going. And sometimes we wind up there. Sometimes, somewhere else.

It kind of all boils down to the very em-power-ing realization that I like choices!

And, when it’s time for paint to dry – or my hand to commune with essential oils or ice – I frequently hang out in the land of Madam Secretary! It’s different neighborhood full of women choosing choice and voice and sovereignty. A lot like Intentional Creativity® and requiring considerably less wall space!

To be honest, those are not really concepts I grew up with.

They are, however, concepts I’m doing my best to spread like dandelion seeds, all over this world my grand-teens are inheriting.

For this moment, though… another new choice I made!

Here’s the thing… I have a freezer full of bone broth, which is great. In order for it to be lunch or dinner, though, it needs some more stuff. Often leftover roasted veg and wild rice. (Yum!)

Sometimes though, we’re short on leftovers and time and energy. I know… this probably doesn’t happen at your house 😉 😉

But, since my recent adventure with the “blasphemy” of Instant Pot broth, I learned some more!

Way more veg, even on hard days! (Or days when the easel is calling!!!)

Here’s what I’m doing so far… about 1c. of broth and 1/4 – 1/2 c. of miracle dehydrated veg. (They’ll grow!) Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veg are done to your liking, 20 min or so. Season as desired… it probably won’t need much! Enjoy! (And congratulate yourself for upping your comfort level and nutritional density!)

Choice and Voice and Sovereignty are all pretty yummy, too!

ps… here’s a choice I’m really excited about! And you’re invited, too!!! Click to check out this FREE opportunity to paint with Shiloh Sophia and get a taste of what’s up in the land of Intentional Creativity® And, if you get excited enough to join the big adventure, please mention my name!

pps… the dandelions are growing abundantly in my yard and on a canvas with some very cool friends! The original of that 24×36 inch mixed media painting is available for adoption! If you’re curious – or a button freak – let’s talk before this gets listed in my shop! suesvoice@gmail.com

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’twas the night before Easter and all through the house…

Posted on by sue boardman

You guessed it!

Not a creature was stirring… not even a mouse. (Blessed be!)

Instead there is paint drying, which is always a hopeful sign. In this case, a dove, needing quite a bit of adjustment. One layer at a time!

There is broth bubbling on the stove and a veggie experiment waiting in the wings. We are, however, without baskets and bunnies, though there is really dark chocolate!

Our kids have made it safely home from Spring Break in Columbia. The country… not the Seminary! (Hallelujah!!!)

In the way-back days, I used to think Easter meant Mom making dresses and insisting that jelly beans – especially the black ones – were utterly essential. Yuck! (Which I wasn’t allowed to say…)

Then, I learned a lot more stuff, and Easter felt more like a Divine gift for having survived Lent and Palm Sunday and Holy Week and an extra service or two for the big day… all in shoes that hurt. And, ironically, it often seemed like the story of that first Easter got lost in all the hullaballoo.

Lately, I’ve learned some more stuff… much of it having to do with realizing that the “point” of any story has a great deal to do with the vested interest of the particular tellers of the story, through the ages.

Then, on Friday evening, I heard a version of the Easter story I’d never heard before, thanks to my enlightened Canadian buddy, Natalie Moyes. I’m so hoping you’ll listen deep!

Early on the first day of the week, Strong Tears (Mary) from Tower of Creator’s High Lodge (Magdala) came to the burial cave early in the morning while it was still dark.  When she saw the stone had been removed from the burial cave, she ran to find Stands on the Rock (Peter) and He Shows Goodwill (John), the much-loved followers of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).
               -John 20:1-2, FNV

Time out for tissues and one of my favorite bits of wisdom from Frederick Buechner:

That sudden flash of tears is the surest sign of truth we get!

And, yes, wise reader… it’s a filter thing!

To make space for the notion that an unaccustomed voice might shine new light on an old story…

A voice aiming to make the circle bigger, rather than smaller. To be open to new language and names and possibilities…

Which, when you get right down to it, seems a lot like the point!

In a moment, I’ll add the info Natalie sent me about the FNV or First Nations Version in case you’re curious.

For now, though, a question:

How do we BE wonder and hope and good news in this world, now???

Here’s one of the ways I’m working on exactly that!

She’s not quite finished yet, but agreed to show up… complete with the dove who landed on her knee, right after Natalie read me the words from the FNV Easter Story. (Really!)

Officially, she’s the alchemical being arising from the journey I’m leading, known as …

Oh, I See… Consciously! The path from “If only…” to “I am!”

We’re about to conclude this first adventure and I’m already shaking the calendar for the next right time. You can read all about it here!

Think of it as some very cool learning, and help creating your very own Alchemical SuperPower Self Portrait to guide you on your path.

ps… if you just can’t wait for the next group to begin, I have space for 3 brave individual adventurers! (suesvoice@gmail.com)

pps… here’s more of the story on the FNV reading…

In 2021, a group of Indigenous clergy, scholars, church leaders and members, published a new translation of the New Testament, called the FNV or First Nations Version. The group consists of individuals from a range of denominations and Indigenous nations in both Canada and the United States. As the quotation above from the Gospel of John reveals, the FNV is not a literal translation of the New Testament but a “thought-for thought translation, sometimes referred to as dynamic equivalence” [1] as the Indigenous group explains in an introduction to the text. They make an effort to write with a story-telling cadence, familiar to Indigenous readers. Throughout the translation, insertions may be found that help elucidate the text (such as by the bracketed inclusion of more familiar Biblical names) but also to provide contextualized information for Indigenous readers, such as may be found in other Bible translations that employ headings, footnotes, and marginal notes to aid the reader. There’s even a very brief summary of the Old Testament written in similar style to the main translation which is included as a prologue. Importantly, the authors emphasize that the FNV is not only commended to the use of Indigenous Christians but to all members of the Christian community who they hope will find the FNV insightful and enlightening in their own study of holy scripture.

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Making “orders” easier to follow!

Posted on by sue boardman

So, the “O” word really isn’t one of my favorites.

Flashbacks, I suspect, from when the scrub-clad people shouting orders were known as, Sir! and were all too happy to tell me I didn’t get paid to think, while trying to grab my butt.

Not all of them… but way too many for my comfort!

Through the years, though, I’ve found several different ways to deal with the orders my various orthopedic challenges keep putting in my path.

Take yesterday. Newly negotiated orders from my highly enlightened physical therapist, having more than a little to do with knees and feet. Moving, as you might suspect, was involved.

I’m not coordinated enough to paint while simultaneously doing the point and flex thing with my right ankle. And there’s a lot of painting to do!

There is also sunshine today. And flowers blooming! So, instead of following orders, I took myself on a stroll through the garden, camera in tow! My intention was appreciation and pleasure, which feels a lot more inviting than however many reps of the ankle thing! And, I even stood in the space between the sage and the roses and did some more official ankle stuff.

Then, I found more fiddleheads! They felt like magical, fairy tale surprises!!! Like Creator at play!

There really was a lot to appreciate out there! Including the hiking pole which helps me not – you know – fall down!

Here’s the big message, though…

I learned much of this shift in perception and strategy at my easel, in the magical land of Intentional Creativity® !!!

Would I kid you about this??? Not a chance!

And the counselor/coach part of me is thrilled!

Shaming and blaming people is no way to help them become who they long to be. Even when they are we!

All of which is a huge reminder that my old friend, Steve Glenn, was right! Here are his words from back in the mid ’80’s when I worked with him…

If a teenaged child has 5 adults who will listen to them, take them seriously, and not shame or blame them for their questions, that child is practically immune from ever attempting suicide.

I’ll bet my last nickel that, if Steve were with us today, he’d absolutely agree that the way to start doing that for others is to begin by doing it for ourselves!

So… a question!

What is YOUR version of a walk in the garden while the paint dries???

I really want to know! For this moment, though, I’m off to witness some fabulous artwork from my Red Madonna sisters. My Prophetess is still in the #wip Wednesday phase, but agreed to drop in to say hi. Squint and you might glimpse the beginnings of an owl and a tortoise who insisted on joining the party.

I’m okay with orders from The Muse!

ps… need a reminder that you matter??? This one holds tea or coffee or cacao!!! And it has lots of friends to check out! Take a break and wander through FierceArtWithHeart!

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Muse on a roll!

Posted on by sue boardman

Or, when your being turns green…

No. Not that kind of turning green! The paint kind… This is where we were late Thursday night, before the next video adventure planned for Friday.

I was excited! You see, I’d had a huge ah-hah! on Wednesday. Which means you and I need a quick Red Thread circle in this moment! Grab a cuppa please. And a bit of red thread – literal or metaphorical. It all works!

We’ll begin with a quick reflection on the notion of Context. For this purpose, let’s agree that context is all the stuff going on around us while we’re in the midst of doing our version of you do you! (And, yes, you – wise soul – detect the notion of seeing consciously… of Filters in the background.)

You see, I got a bit of new input from my world. Or, rather, I intentionally let a new bit in!

I was wrestling with the ConvertKit elves to send my latest painting demo video to the courageous humans engaged, with me, in the journey known as Oh, I See… Consciously!

And, when I managed to get all the right buttons pushed, I got so excited that I did a new thing. A thing I’d actively – if not entirely consciously – been avoiding.

I watched the video!

Yep… me, the recovering camera-phobe! And, I was thrilled!!! Not thrilled as in expecting an Oscar nomination. Thrilled as in I showed up for something that matters deeply to me. Real. Effective. Empowering. And that, dear heart, is a pretty big prize!

So, Friday, it was time for the next video. My buddy, Natalie, beamed in as chief in charge of moral support, eye contact, and waving of the occasional very helpful sign with cryptic messages like, “Zoom in!”

We got it done! Even the part when a dear neighbor came to the door with these gorgeous flowers!

Then, it was back to my usual world of news and dinner and swearing at more news and a whole lot more painting, despite my grumbling hand. Then it happened. I just couldn’t do any more. Even Madam Secretary wasn’t comforting enough to keep me on the road!

The Muse was on it! I literally heard the words in my head… Princess Diary!!! And, no… this is not a usual strategy for me! Sometimes, though, we get to a point where even not-usual feels worth a try.

And so, with a bit of button pushing help from the Legendary Husband, I watched. And I heard, in the voice of Julie Andrews…

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear!

And, that, dear soul, is a belief I will gladly claim!!!

Then, because sleep was still only an aspiration, I hunted up Princess Diaries 2, which I was surprised to note had been written, in 2004, by Shonda Rhimes, of Grey’s Anatomy fame! And I set down my absolute favorite tiny pouncing/praying paintbrush and watched that, too.

Talk about context in a tiara!!!

The whole story is about choice. And voice. And – in a slightly different way – sovereignty!

Women’s choice and voice and sovereignty!

And, yes, I’d seen it before… somewhere along the line. But I heard it a whole new way in the context of this moment. I heard it with the same ears that heard State Senator Eva Burch (D, AZ) courageously recounting – on MSNBC – her current experience of needing – and receiving – abortion healthcare, now.

And I watched and heard and wept through the filter of my grandmother-heart.

Here’s where I put my brush down…

And, when I picked it up again, on Saturday, I went straight to the roses. My symbolic map of reality. The image of the part of my awareness which “decides” what gets in through my filters and what is left out of my awareness. And I made it, intentionally, clearer and more focal.

It’s way easier to do with the canvas laying flat! And hugely important, however many do-overs it takes for such an image to get created!

Choosing our maps, with consciousness and love, is hope for the future!

What are your hopes? Really! You can leave a comment, below, or email me! suesvoice@gmail.com

ps… for those of you who live, as I do, in a place where this day is known as Palm Sunday, the words in big purple letters, above, might just feel, somehow, even more relevant.

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Alphabet soup! Really!!!

Posted on by sue boardman

A couple of hours, last night, were devoted to editing the manuscript for my word #wip… the portfolio I’m working on as the adventure known as Origins draws to a close.

Blessedly, I had help! My dear red thread sister, Natalie Moyes, is much better at pushing buttons and laying out things with photos than I am. (I’m the one who knows what I want when I see it!)

The fact that we’re having this adventure a couple thousand miles apart is both a miracle and a complication. Then there’s me, needing new glasses. On! Off! On! Off… you get the drift.

Picking the cover art was easy! The group of women – quite possibly grandmothers – gathered in the portal of HOPE that you see, above. (Maybe I should learn the Hebrew word for choice, too!)

Getting the Canva elves to see things my way was a bit more challenging!

By the time I encountered my pillow, my mind was busy quilting all the bits into something that will carry the energy of all I’m learning.

And that reminded me of some more things I need to share with the dear hearts engaged with me on the journey known as Oh, I See… Consciously! The path from “If only” to “I am!” Some of them have been painting for a while. Some of them are very new. And new journeys often make some of us feel anxious!

All of which meant – to my personal dream weaver – that my alphabet soup letters were rainbow colored… which was a big surprise for me. I’m way more used to dreaming auditory words rather than visual ones.

(I strongly suspect that my more visual dreams have to do with the art waking up parts of my consciousness that got considerably less attention when I was a child!)

In any event, an impressionistic rainbow was required for the painting.

And a reminder about the magic of white paint. Because it’s opaque, it makes it easier to cover up things that once made sense but no longer do. Or things that didn’t work out as well as we might have hoped.

Black works, too!

Then, because I was working on eyes, a reminder. WE are not perfectly symmetrical!!! (And trying to make a painting perfectly symmetrical often leads to 4-letter alphabet soup words like hell!!!)

Time out, then, for art of a different sort. Eleven containers of our favorite delicious, healthy with-it choice for dinner, happily ensconced in the freezer! The Legendary Husband calls it Marry Me Dressing. And one for tonight!

First, though, another alphabet soup word!

Why?

(In my dreams, alphabet soup comes with punctuation marks!)

The obvious next question is Why what?

Clearly, there are an almost infinite number of possible answers. I’m going with this one…

Why create?

My answer is simple… because we can!

And, because – maybe, just maybe – it’s as close to knowing the Divine as we can get.

I’m stickin’ with it. These dots are for courage.

And, one more thought…

If it makes sense to your heart, your eyes will be thrilled!

ps… stay tuned. Marry Me Dressing recipe to follow soon.

pps… spring is the perfect time for new art leggings! Check out FierceArtWithHeart! Sizes from 2T to women’s 6X!