Day 16.917: Transformations Too

A few years ago, I happened upon this trailer for a documentary about Frank Ferrante's incredible transformation with the help of a gratitude practice, raw food, holistic therapies, and (most importantly, in my humble opinition) supportive friends.  Donations were requested to complete the film and being one who loves to tithe toward good creative works and positive messages in this world, I happily sent a check.  Not only did I receive a "thank you" copy of the finished product (yay!), but my name is in the credits with other contributors.  I am flattered.  I am honored.  And I am so very grateful to have played a very small part in this sweet film with a big heart.  It's making its way around the country.  I do hope that you get the opportunity to see it and maybe even meet Frank!

Day 16,916: Transformations

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, my daughter will graduate from high school in May and, just a few months later, leave for the college she's already chosen.  We drove there yesterday, departing the house an hour before dawn to reach the campus in time for a financial aid meeting.  The long stretch of Appalachian Highway between here and there provides ample time and symbolic landscape to inspire contemplation upon the sweet transformation at hand and to come. The photo above captures the first breath of sunrise and, evidently, a good omen for the day ahead.  This trip literally paid off in a $1000 scholarship ... three were raffled as door prizes and our daughter had one lucky ticket!  The late afternoon westbound drive toward home provided stunning blue skies and bright sunshine, along with wind gusts that dang near blew us off the road.  "Don't get complacent or take your good fortune for granted," it seemed to say.  Message heard loud and clear.  And for all of this, I am so grateful.

Back home again, I am focused on preparing to launch a fundraiser for SARA on February 1st (details coming soon), posting the new pendants to Etsy (love, love, loving the copper wire), and spending more time actually sketching in my sketchbook journal (field trip for such on the horizon).  Big week ahead!

Day 16,911: Class Announcement

Phoebe and Garrett love to lay beside the fire.  The only thing that they love more is to be on the receiving end of Reiki.  In my humble opinion, of course.  I'm more than a little biased, but over this years there has been a lot of evidence to back up my claim.

I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching my first Reiki I/Reiki for Animals class on Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26 (from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day).  This is a very cozy, casual class taught from my home.  There are usually 1-3 students, but space for a maximum of 5.  The one-on-one classes are particularly special, if you are lucky enough to get one.  We begin by learning how to treat ourselves and then how to treat other people.  On the second day we review what we learned the previous day and then focus on how we can treat animals in a variety of settings.  Light refreshments are provided and each day never fails to end on an energetic high note from all of the practice.

If you would like learn more about Reiki, start here:

http://www.magicbeansworkshop.com/whatisreiki.html

Or learn more about my Reiki journey (don't miss the video!):

http://www.magicbeansworkshop.com/reiki.html

And finally the class announcement:

http://www.magicbeansworkshop.com/february2012.html

The registration deadline is Saturday, February 18.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

Day 16,910: Stolen Moments

Today I am so grateful for what can be accomplished in stolen moments. I know I have talked about this before. Probably many times. It never ceases to amaze me what can manifest in a mere 20 minutes. A coffee break with my journal on the small scale or my lunch hour with crystals and wire. Excuses be damned. I can do this. (And so can YOU!)

There may never be the great swaths of time that I have been hoping for or they may come few and far between. So I am learning to make opportunities to make art. The more I get, the more I want. On this day of a million shades of brown and gray, I fed myself with color. Caran D'Ache water-soluable wax pastels and a blank journal page were all I needed. I don't think I could've felt any better with drugs.

Day 16,907: Showing Up Show and Tell

I did it. I showed up at the workbench again today and wrapped this Brown Stomatolite in Jeweler's Bronze. This stone has been in the queue for wrapping since 2006. Over five long years waiting for a home. The metaphysical properties indicate that it's an oribicular fossil material from Peru and very Lemurian in nature. It is purported to help with issues related to sex, gender and allergies. If it's calling to you, let me know ... otherwise, it will soon appear in my Etsy shop.

Day 16,906: Preciousness of Metal

Today I accepted the challenge.I showed up.I sat down.And I wrapped.After eight years of sterling silver,I've made the transition to copper.And I like it.I think it likes me back.Let's see how it goes.

Day 16,905: What Is and Isn't Working

What is working for me right now ...
Consuming quarts of green smoothies Long walks outside, rain or shine Going to bed early Taking my vitamins Showing up in my journalReiki treatments for myself and others 
What isn't working for me right now ...
Perfectionism Procrastination Making assumptions
 (What's working and not working for YOU right now?)