I’ve never been very good at Christmas cards. Along about the time that I was also in charge of bulletins and sermons and late night rescues of battered women and children, I decided to give myself a break and get okay with not being good at everything! (Trust me… giving yourself a break is way worth experimenting with!)
That doesn’t change, though, the fact that you are much in my heart in this season, whatever you may call it. A couple of nights ago, I dreamed that I was inviting you on a tour of my inner museum. Kind of a chronological tour of how I’ve learned and juggled my shifting perspectives.
Let’s start here… my very first Intentional Creativity® painting, in 2017. Officially, she was the Black Madonna Pilgrimage. For me, she was an open door to whole new ways of believing and healing. Her name… Our Lady of Fierce Compassion.
Then, in 2020, deep under-layers of something that, rather ironically, turned into a whole other thing… a Red Madonna painting! I was grateful for a place to put all the dots and drips and tears as I watched the news when Congressman John Lewis walked into his future. Dots for radical notions like voice and choice. And, I was changed.
This one, you’ve probably seen. Officially, a Guardian painting… they surprised me no end! I began with an unfinished canvas which had been waiting in the basement for just the right moment. A moment when, once again, I needed lots of dots! Little did I know that all the hope and healing that went into this painting would become the cover for my book, A Creation Poem… A book I hadn’t even begun to dream – at least not consciously – when the painting was in progress!
And, then, Matilda, my 2024 Apothecary painting. (At least I think she was Apothecary… there’s been a whole lot of painting and learning going on!) And, yes… she gave me permission to share her official name: The Art of Overcoming Obstacles! She helped me learn to see what I’m creating, rather than creating what I think I should see!
Now, lean in, please. I’m supposed to whisper this part!
Matilda brought a huge gift with her! A gift which feels really timely in this moment. She brought a vision of hope in the midst of chaos. Of the best tool I know for making choices and taking new steps. And she taught me how to share it!
There’s more info to come. And, if you’re not yet on the blog list, now would be a really good time to sign up with the annoying pop-up thingy.
For today, though, two gifts, from the elves and me!
You can still get one free copy of A Creation Poem… when you buy 2 copies. Just put 3 in your basket and the shop elves will do the magic. The Guardian painting, complete with the very cool bear, will appear on the cover and in the book, along with a bunch of fun friends, and a story to help all our beloved Littles find a sense of belonging, even here and now! (ps… everybody who’s held the book will tell you the cover and pages feel really good!)
And, because Matilda and I are excited about the future, we’ve set aside some time for you! Just ask the calendar elves and they’ll hook you up with 45 minutes. Our gift. We want to know where you long to be! And, if you’re ready, we’ll help you claim the next right step on your path! You’ll want paper, some markers – or whatever, a cuppa, and a scrap of red thread if it’s handy.
Blessings, dear heart, for you and those you love. And light on the path!
Red and purple have been my faves for decades. I need a push to start my felted purse business and finish my book which helps me relax.
Thanks, Nancy, for reading and hearing! Yay for felted purses… I’ve done a few, and felted hats. Big fun!!! Yay, for books, too! Keep sticking with you!