Another Autumn Rambling

Did you notice my revised Header at the top of the page? I decided that it needed to change with the seasons. So, keep your eyes peeled for further morphing with each new update! And now for this weeks Sunday Morning Post:

Autumn Mosaic (click to see enlargement) ~ Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and Autumn a mosaic of them all. Stanley Horowitz

I love that quote. And with that in mind, I might say...in fact...I WILL say that I am feeling "seasonally correct". I have noticed that many of us compare our lives to a puzzle...never quite completely put together. One or more pieces always mysteriously missing, leaving us with empty spaces. Do you sometimes feel like you are always waiting for things to be perfect? Although no one really knows what "perfect" means anyway. We only think that what we have is NOT perfect...so we wait. I certainly have had that notion time and again. And again. And again. But it is beginning to feel very different lately. I think my life is a mosaic. A Living Mosaic. Continually moving and reshaping itself, yet giving me a sense of wholeness and continuity. Even though, if one would look at each separate little life-tile , it could seem "unrelated" to the rest, not having any commonality at all. But then...when one piece is placed beside another...and then another.... this eclectic collection of textures and colors and shapes all seem to compliment one another. And such as it is...it works. There is a saying..."you cannot have what you want, until you want what you have". So what is the transformative quality that nudges one away from being "puzzled" in regard to missing pieces and seeing instead a beautiful mosaic that fits into itself...with timely perfection? Autumn IS my favorite time of the year...and so I will admit that as I have mentioned before, I DO feel more "myself" at this time. And since I have pretty much, for the most part... 'retired' from the 'Spiritual Teaching/Healing' part of my life...I am more than ever merging what I used to "do" with who I AM. Interestingly...when I stopped DOING all of that other stuff...(jeeez, seems like a lifetime ago and it is ONLY 2 years!), it did not feel like anything was missing at all.. It was refreshing. I guess the time was just right. And now I am writing my book, enjoying this BLOG thing more than ever, working outside of the home part time, doing in-home art work as well as hearing those melodies call me to the OTHER keyboard again, engaging in as many social activities as I WANT to...and oh yes... one more thing....that is giving me much contentment right now and an important part of the mosaic...I am making these for a local Italian Cafe....

(click on Pic to enlarge)

And with ALL of that...I still have many OPEN SPACES, not empty, mind you. Open.

And I am never, EVER bored.

Are there other desires that I would like to fulfill? Yes. More adventures to embark on? Yes. Some things that I want? YES. But...in wanting what I have...I WILL have what I want. It's a given. I have freedom. This Freedom is an emotional state...no need to fill in any spaces. Try it. Even if you already think you are free...try deepening & widening your perspective just a little tiny bit more...and see what happens. Want what you have...enjoy what is right in front of you. Sincerely try appreciating each and every moment. Give up all expectation ( a control issue) and embrace a lighthearted anticipation (openness, HOPE, joy) for all the possibilities. Stop trying to put the pieces together to make that 'picture perfect' puzzle complete and simply allow the funny, odd and sometimes surprising pieces to 'FALL' together, making the most lovely Mosaic you would ever want to see. Your Precious life, right now...in the moment. Yeah... Autumn is a time when things are actually...(in spite of what appearances are), FALLING TOGETHER. Thanks for reading. HEY....speaking of ARTwork. Parallel Visions is now UNDER CONSTRUCTION. So, for your own safety...DO NOT ENTER! Even if you have a hardhat on...refrain from clicking on that link until next time!

Now, click on the LARGE arrow below (sorry, it was the best I could do with the music player this time), for a SHORT Musical message.

It's in the Air

Surprised to see me back so soon? Well, I was pondering if I should write again, only DAYS after my latest post. "It might be too much for my dedicated readers to handle", I thought. And then..I got inspired from another fellow blogger. More about that in a few minutes. So keep reading........ Anyway... Can you feel it? I can. It might be a bit early...but.... it's in the air. September has a special feel, smell, light about it. It always has. I used to feel it as a kid....school starting...leaves soon to be churning (that is a combination word meaning turning and changing, by the way) ...excitement about the Holidays being only WEEKS away!! Then as a parent...the season was peppered (sorry) with ...my kids back in school...crisp mornings when I was either on my way to work in a bustling city...OR at home enjoying the quiet. Now...still a parent of course...but not of SMALL children...and the grandchildren are not close by...but I can feel their energy anyway.....it feels even more special. As I am in the AUTUMN of my life. It is still about new beginnings and fresh starts and more of a reason to celebrate than New Year's Eve. Now...the Autumn mornings invite me to a cup of coffee... but not before...opening the doors and windows to feel the crisp air. ( I have had trouble sleeping for a long time, so the morning air is often LATE morning air...but I AM working on that)...and then usually....I greet the computer with high hopes that the day COULD start out creatively. That's it!! I AM more creative in the Autumn. Well, jeeesh...I even had my babies in October and November! Now, if that is not creative, I don't know what is! A lot of people would SO not agree with me, though. I have heard many people say that this is a depressing time for them...being that it is beginning to get dark earlier...trees losing their leaves... and actually flowers and plants DYING....making space for cold, dark 'Wintry' days....that does not seem very in tune with 'creativity'. But for me it is. A bit melancholy? Well, yes. But.. It's a strange, magical 'creative melancholia', I think. Change is good. Some old things must 'fall away'...to let the new in. And a good thing, too...since my recent Renovation....(check out my previous post)... I anticipate much more Reading and wRiting in the chilly days to come. By the way..I plan on updating you on my newest, favorite authors and books on my next post. Could be sooner than later..... So tell me...how do you feel during this season of changing colors and cool evenings as the leaves begin to let go of their branches? I would really like to know. Now...about that Fellow Blogger. I met her through my friend LAURA......and she is just the sweetest. Her craftsy, artsy, heart-filled projects, in line with her personality are colorful, adorable and full of life.... & she has such a way with words. KAI started this!! (Check out HER BLOG) Here's the rules. To the first THREE Bloggers...(yes, you must have your own BLOG up and running) that leave a COMMENT on this post...and TELL ME you want to participate... will each receive a little gift. Then...They must go to their BLOG, post the "Pay It Forward" badge (just click and save it to your computer and include it on your post), explain the rules as I have done here... and continue the game. Then of course..their first three comments get a little something from them....etc...etc. So...you must really WANT to do this and be willing to send little gifts out. Small gifts...handmade perhaps or something you have shown on your BLOG. They need to fit in a small box or envelope. Nothing elaborate..but special, you know? So...who will the lucky bloggers be? I can't wait to find out. When you post your comment I will get in touch with you via your blog and get your snail mail address so I can send your surprises. What will I send???? Hint: Check out PARALLEL VISIONS...I DO make cards with prints of my original art , you know:-)