Practice This

"A spirituality that is only private and self-absorbed, one devoid of an authentic political and social consciousness, does little to halt the suicidal juggernaut of history. On the other hand, an activism that is not purified by profound spiritual and psychological self-awareness and rooted in divine truth, wisdom, and compassion will only perpetuate the problem it is trying to solve, however righteous its intentions. When, however, the deepest and most grounded spiritual vision is married to a practical and pragmatic drive to transform all existing political, economic, and social institutions, a holy force - the power of wisdom and love in action - is born. This force I define as Sacred Activism."

- Andrew Harvey

And to that, I say a hearty Amen. I am so moved these days to get busy and DO something about the lack of deep spiritual teaching in our culture, the lack of real love between neighbors and people groups, the quick judgments, the apathy, the consumerism. And I know that all of those problems I see "out there" are actually lodged deeply in my own heart as well. And only when I see it, name it, and begin to move toward a more integrated way of living, when I can truly say I'm living out what I most deeply believe in, THAT'S when change can really happen.

I came across this list of Practice Ideas in a handout I received at the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium that I went to a few weeks ago. If you have a chance to go to this life changing presentation, GO.

Or, start here:

Daily Practices for Staying Awake:

• Designate a regular daily practice such as meditation, prayer or yoga
• Investigate and watch for examples of interconnectedness everywhere
• Consider and pay attention to dreams, daydreams and visions as possible messages from other dimensions of reality
• Let the wisdom of the Earth speak through you
• Change your conversations to be of possibility and inspiration to others
• Be compassionate and forgiving with yourself
• As a radical act: want less, buy less, use less
• Consciously read, listen, watch and engage with things that inspire you to Change the Dream [the current "dream"/nightmare the world finds itself in today]
• Breathe deeply
• Read one page of something that inspires you
• Attend a religious or spiritual group that is new to you
• Play with crayons
• Stretch your body
• Write down your dreams
• Take a nap
• Listen to someone older than you
• Hug a tree
• Write down 3 things you are grateful for
• Do nothing for one minute
• Build a fort with blankets
• Remember to play
• Don't answer the phone [or check your email]
• Write an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of my life?"
• Watch or read something that inspires you everyday
• Create spaces for authentic rituals in your life such as giving thanks for a new day
• Don't read your mail [or watch the news] for one day
• Smile at yourself in the mirror
• Take care about what you put in your mind and heart
• Turn off your TV
• Dream with friends
• Smile as your walk down the street

Who's in?

Trust the Call

What in your life is calling you?
When all the noise is silenced,
the meetings adjourned,
the lists laid aside,
and the wild iris blooms by itself
in the dark forest,
what still pulls on your soul?

In the silence between your heartbeats
hides a summons.
Do you hear it?
Name it, if you must,
or leave it forever nameless,
but why pretend it is not there?

-The Terma Collective,
"The Box: Remembering the Gift

Found in Creative Awakenings, Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art by Sheri Gaynor. Great book, amazing website.

I'm feeling very full of ideas just on the brink of fruition, full of inspiration and ideas, so many sometimes I don't know where to start. But I will start. I'll start by writing my 800 words a day again. Yoga 5 days a week, home practice include. I'll choose silence instead of noise, both internally and externally. I'll work toward a daily rhythm of grace, of gentleness, of doing the work of living and creating, loving, forgiving myself and others as we bumble along this path of life together. I'll listen to the inner yearnings and whispers that aren't exactly quiet anymore. I'll make plans (hopes, really), and move toward them gently, babysteps, being open to whatever surprises there might be on the way. To friendship, to real connection, to really living, right here, right now.

The divine Anna-Marie Still shared this wonderful photo and words to inspire you and those who will find it in your community. Are you trusting your dreams, your instincts, the tiny whispers? Are you trusting the fact that you, tiny as you are among all the universe, were created for just such a time as this? That only you can fulfill the purpose that is calling to you?

Trust. Move gently, and most assuredly toward your most sacred callings.



PS Danielle LaPorte is offering her unbelievably inspiring FireStarter Sessions e-book as a Buy One, Give One now through Friday, October 1st. You can go in 50/50 with a friend, or give one away as a gift to a friend or a stranger. What an amazing gift! If you are dreaming of growing a creative business, you MUST have this resource. I have it, and HIGHLY recommend it, and anything else that lady writes. Danielle LaPorte is someone you need to know. If you click here, you'll see what I mean.

Things I Learned On My Summer Vacation

1. 10 weeks with 4 kids under age 10 with you 24/7 can make one cranky. Especially when it rains for 5 of those 10 weeks.

2. Getting out in nature as often as possible with 4 kids under age 10 when they are with you 24/7 makes everyone happier, even (and especially) if its raining.

3. Losing a friend is really, really hard.

4. Having Shingles is a big a** bummer. Yep. Shingles, baby.

5. Feeling sorry for yourself on any level only makes it worse. When you pour yourself out, engage your soul in whatever is right in front of you, it changes everything for the better.

6. Meditation and prayer is really, really essential.

7. Reading feeds my soul.

8. I really, really have too much screen time going on in my house, and need to have as little as possible.

9. Avoiding housework makes me grumpy in the long run. Doing housework (or at least having done housework) cheers me up. Happiness really is found at the bottom of the laundry basket.

10. Comparison is a killer. Believing in my deepest soul whispers and longings is the way I'll find my true path.

Oh, and one more. I AM A SUPERHERO. So are you.

With that in mind, I was so excited when the scrumptious Rosa Murillo, mixed-media artist, shared this awesome, fun and inspiring drawing with us. Rosa says "the idea is that whoever finds it, would color it and cut it along the line and carry in their pockets. A little like a silly exercise in believing in the power of yourself." I hope each of you will print one for yourself and put it in your pocket, on your bathroom mirror, wherever you'll see it regularly and remember how amazing you are!

Check it out:

So tell me. What did YOU do on your summer vacation?

A New Beginning

So excited to announce that the new season of The Found Art Project will kick off this week! Now is the time to get your latest inspirational creation, photograph, short (very short) story or poetry in to be considered for distribution on The Found Art Flyer! Please check out the past Found Art Flyers to see the kinds of things that have been accepted in the past. Don't be shy to send things in! Yes, you're good enough, yes you are already an artist! Let's spread the love together!

I really can't do it without you.

I was SOOO excited when I was flipping through the pages of my favorite magazine MaryJanesFarm and lo and behold there was The Found Art Project featured in its pages! A little shout out, but oh so fun! If you've found your way here from Ms. MaryJane's pages, WELCOME! So glad to have you. I hope you'll stick around, the new season of The Found Art Project is going to be so much fun. Inspiration, Art, Words, Spirit and Community...does it get much better? (If you don't know MaryJane, and MaryJanesFarm magazine, you simply MUST check it out. If you're an artsy, crafty, green, garden-y, farm-y, sustainable crunchy type this is the magazine for you. You can find The Project on p. 16 of the Oct-Nov. Gratitude issue on newsstands now!

So excited to see your art offerings! Come on now, let's see whatcha got!