From Chaos Comes Happiness

I've made a fairly big decision about how I am going to play out this amazing 2014 and my attempts to FOCUS. Remember, focus is my "word" for the year: what I am going to work towards, what is going to help me move forward physically, mentally, creatively and spiritually. It is THE plan for 2014. FOCUS. I'm working so hard at it, my friends. Truly and deeply. Each and every day. I am in living in the moment, really stopping my mind when it starts trailing off into a thousand and one directions, and keep myself grounded in the now. It is actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, but so very worth it. I'm feeling good this year. Really good. So, back to my decision. One of my favorite artists and mentors introduced an e-course on her amazing craft this year. I was on the email list for updates on the class, and quickly opened the announcement when it came out. I was THRILLED (like - butterflies in the stomach excited) when I saw it. B...

Happy New Year, dear friends, and oh-how-glad I am that it is here! 2014 . . . I welcome you with arms wide open! Those of you who have followed me for some time know that I am really into the whole " Word of the Year " or " One Little Word " idea - having a word that sums up what you want for yourself in the new year. Since 2008, I've been strongly guided by a word each and every year. Peace, balance, create, believe,  courage, and flourish . . . these words, together, make up the sum of me. When I read through my list of past words, I am reminded of how each of them pushed me when I no longer had the drive to push myself. They have helped me try to remain true to my core. So this year, I'm choosing another word to help guide me in my life - day in and day out.  Words . . . how very powerful they can be.  My word usually finds me in mid-December, just when the hustle and bustle of the holiday season starts to really get to me. This year, my word didn't ...

Oh, my friends. . . . I'm good. I really, really am. I received two emails, two texts, and three phone calls after my last blog post. Worried, concerned, and just letting me know they were there . . . these simple messages from friends and loved ones once again reminded me that I am not alone. Even when I feel a little blue . . . I am the furthest from alone. And the support I have around me is unending. Thank you. So, I'm feeling better. I'm throwing myself back into this creative life - full force. Preparing for a Holiday Open House I am having at my home on the 30th of this month, and trying to keep focused on my long term goals. What are those long term goals? I desperately do not want to return to a life in an office talking health insurance. I want, so very much , to keep forging ahead in my creative life. And I am going to do whatever I can to do just that. I do have plans, ideas, money making thoughts. So for now, I'm focused on that side of my li...

The other day, I found myself waiting at a red light behind a "soccer mom". I knew she was a soccer mom, because I saw the soccer team window decal on the back of the large SUV she was driving. It was next to the gymnastics window decal, across from the dance company decal, and above the family decal with the Dad, Mom, three kids, two dogs and one cat. In her drivers side rear view mirror, I could see the reflection of her face . . . the mom . With her head leaning on the window, I watched as she closed her eyes. They stayed closed . . . for a few minutes (a train happened to come by at this particular intersection, so our red light became a little bit longer than usual.) Within seconds, a peaceful look came over her face. "I know what you mean . . . ," I wanted to tell her, "I've been there before. In fact, I'm there now." It's funny, isn't it? How so many of us wait for those quiet moments . . . at a red light . ...

I'm having such a hard time writing these days.       Years ago, the words would flow so much easier for me. But now a days, not so much.                  When I think about how often I used to blog, versus how little I do it now, it makes me sad.                      And I can't understand it. I imagine, if I were a writer, that this is what writers block is like. (Is it possible that I can write a blog post about my writers block?) I have had my blog since July of 2009. In the beginning, the posts flew with such ease from my mind to my fingers tips as I clucked away at the keyboard. It was heaven. 116 posts written in those first 6 months. 260 posts in 2010. I slowed down to 186 in 2011. And 2012? A sad and lonely 110 posts. Sniffle. I think the lack of tim...

It's funny, when that Universe comes knocking, isn't it? Funny that I think I can sneak something past it, but that ol'universe has a way of reminding me of my intentions. Yep, it was a bit of a bang for me today. Here we are, my friends, day number 4 of the New Year. It's time to take roll call and see how we are all faring with our " Word(s) of the Year ". Have you welcomed yours with open arms and are you living it during each and every part of your day? Or, is it like that crowded junk drawer in your home . . . that one that you know  needs some attention but you are avoiding it at all cost? I have to honestly say that in some ways, I've flourished this week. Yet in other ways, there is a complete and total deficit in the flourish department. On the  home front . . . I flourished. BIG time. From family dinners being planned in advance and ready on the table at the dinner hour, to keeping up with the laundry and dish...

My friends . . . Happy Happy New Year! We made it! And oh, how happy I am that we did! Here we are, the very first day of 2013 . . . and I am feeling wonderful. I was so happy to close the book on 2012 - a year that, while full of so many daily blessings, brought a great deal of challenges, growth and sadness in the world. Personally, 2012 was one full of lots of ups, and lots of down, and a great challenge along the way. Expressing my inner voice, nurturing a relationship in the midst of a heavy travel schedule, raising children who are trying to spread their wings, juggling jobs, worrying about finances, and then throwing a whole bunch of family into the mix . . . I often found myself stopping and taking deep breaths through out year, and then picking myself up (with courage) and moving forward. And here I stand, on the other side, and gladly say, "Good Riddance 2012! I'm glad you were here, because I grew so much. But . . . ADIO...

I've been pulled towards blogland, again. The universe is telling me it's time to get back. I want to desperately catch up with dear friends from all parts of the globe and share my stories right back with them. It's a good feeling. I've been sort of burned out on the blog front for at least a year (yes . . . that long! ) It all started back in January . . . when C.O.U.R.A.G.E. set in. Remember the "Word of the Year" thing? Well, if you don't - please allow me to refresh. Every year for the past five years, I've followed the movement of a "Word of the Year" with a number of other blogland souls. The concept? To come up with a word to live life by or through or with . A word that would motivate you in your adventures. A word that would inspire  you in your days. I love the "Word of the Year" idea. In 2008, I longed for PEACE In 2009, I yearned for BALANCE In 2010, I sought to CREATE In 2011, I ho...

As we approach the end of July (WHAT?!?! Did I just say "approach the end of JULY?!" What in the world happened to the first 7 months of this year?) . . . I digress . . . eh-hem . . . As we approach the end of July, I find it a fitting time to review and take inventory on our Word of the Year thus far. Remember that whole "Word of the Year" thing that I write about, or have written about, for many years now? (Click here if you need to be reminded.) Yes, the Word of the Year. Again, the whole idea originates from Scrapbook extraordinaire Ali Edwards , who reminds us that, "One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities." My dear friend, Mary (my beloved Food Floozie ) actually reminded me of our words while visiting last month. As we strolled through the amazing galleries at the Art Institute of Chicago, she brought up the subject of our words. At first, I felt my stomach sink . . . can it b...

I found my way out of my gloomy creative-less state this week, and I think I'm really onto to something cool here. It all surrounds . . . Words. OUR words. Our Words for 2012. I've spoken before about how important this whole "Word of the Year" idea is to me. It has kept me focused on things that I need to be focused on for many years now, and this year is certainly no different. I knew that I wanted to celebrate my word with a special piece of art, and I knew that I wanted to do the same for some very dear people in my life. So, if you remember . . . it started with a trip to the local home improvement store for some letters. You may remember I shared this picture with you last week: And here are the steps I took to make my are: Glue torn strips of scrapbook paper, die-cuts, music paper, anything that you'd like to a plain unpainted canvas. Mod-Podge the layer for papers and let dry. Stick letters spelling out your word...

Oh, boy oh boy. . . I'm finding it. It's actually all around me today. And I am blessed because of it. Courage . I broke out of my gloomy creative state earlier this week and made the above "Courage" art piece, which will be proudly displayed in my family room. I love it. It's a new style of art from what I've done in the past (which took COURAGE), and it's a big time reminder of what I have in me to do (CREATE). I made three more for my dear soul sisters (LT, PK and CE) with their words for 2012 . . . I'll share photos of them after tomorrow (when I will present each of them with their pieces.) I hope they like them. Courage . And . . . I signed up for a course today. This course , to be exact. I've had my eyeball on it for quite some time, but felt such inner turmoil of spending the class fee on myself. After a little encouragement from some other creative souls, and a phone call with PG, I registered myself for this class. I thin...

I'm focused today. Lots of things on my list . . . and one way or another - I'm going to accomplish them! I've realized that I am the only person who can get me out of Funkytown. So, I'm working on it . . . one moment at a time. I'm leaning on my *COURAGE* this week. When I picked that word, I had no idea how much I would rely on it. We (COURAGE and I) are standing up for ourselves. We are believing in each other. We are encouraging each other. It's a wonderful thing. I also have these two amazing little girls . . . you know? These two little souls who continue to remind me of what really matters in this life of mine. I was having one of  those evenings last night . . . watching the clock every second waiting for bed time to come. Just praying for some quiet and the sounds of "Mommy . . . Mommmm? Mom! MOM! Mommy!!! Mom . . . Mom?!?!? MOM!!!!!" to rest their little heads down for the night and leave me with some peace....

I think I need snow. Or warmer weather. Kind of silly, isn't it? To wish for snow in one breath, and then warmer weather in another. It's been unseasonably lovely here in Chicago this week. But I think this whole loveliness outside has my psyche in a tither. At this point in the season, I'm usually hybernating. Locked up, shades down, fireplace on . . . settling in for a *long*winters*night. It was 55 degrees outside today. I should be happy. Right? But, I'm lost. I just sat down and read my dear friend Leslie's blog today . . . so inspiring, so motivating, so full of energy. I LOVE IT. Yet, I feel like I'm so far from that place . . . I've hit Funkytown, folks. You know Funkytown, right? It's right next to Crankville . Ah, Crankville . . . remember Crankville?  Oh, the good ol'blog days , huh? Well, Funkytown is right next to Crankville. And it's a completely different place. It's not that "cranky" state of mind. ...

I spent hours last night . . . hours . . . sitting at the computer and reading and reading and reading. Inspired. Sigh. By each and every one of you. I absolutely love the spirit in blogland right now. This whole renewed and reinvented time of year, when we celebrate the past and look forward to the future with such gusto . . . Ooooo, GUSTO . . . that's a great word, isn't it? Perhaps I'll have to keep that on the list for next year. So many of us in blogland participate in the "Word of the Year" or "One Little Word" movement, and I love that. So many of us blog about our words and share our dreams as the slate has been wiped clean and ready to start anew. I read some wonderful stories last night. Triumphs. Failures. All of it. I'm constantly in awe of the honesty that exists in our little community. My word for this year . . . .  COURAGE.  I shared it with you at the end of last week (click here if you...

I'm finding myself again. Little by little, small pieces of me are coming back. Finally. I've been gone for a while. A few weeks, at least. Burned out. Unplugged. Drained. Every ounce of energy that once was mine had left me. I felt it. In my very soul. But, this very day . . . I feel it coming back. I threw myself into my business and my art the past few months . . . and took little time, if any, to slow down and breathe. It caught up with me. Periods of total exhaustion and emotional emptiness took over. And I shut down. This past week, I found our couch . . . and that, along with some wonderful movies (It's a Wonderful Life, The Bishops Wife, Sherlock Holmes, Gypsy, and Little Women) have pulled me away from all of the worry and the over analyzing. God Bless my PG, he has been picking up in my mental and physical absence; doing laundry, washing dishes, parenting, everything. I'm not totally sure he understands what has been going on in my mind, ...

I realized it's been quite a while since I've shared a photo with you of my daily journey. Here is a picture I took about a month ago that I forgot to post . . . spring was starting, the leaves were coming out from hiding and starting to show (my allergies were proof of it), and those cold bare branches were feeling good . . . Today, I took this photo. Hard to believe in a few short weeks the trees have gotten so full . . . As I drove to work this morning, I felt very peaceful and calm. The radio was off, the window was rolled down, and it was me and my mini-van - alone on this road. I pulled over to the side and could have sat there for hours. Unfortunately, I had to get to work. All of a sudden, I found this calm state I have been in such need of for the past weeks. I sat there listening to the sounds of birds in the trees,and the rustle of leaves moving in the wind. And I gave it all up. The worry. The anger. The fear. The "what ifs". Seems like ...

I've been saying that prayer a lot lately. It kind of keeps me in check. Reminds me that I can't fix everything. Allows to me accept things as they are. It really does bring a sense of peace into my soul . . . gees, I guess that whole "Serenity Prayer" title is for real, huh? Serenity. I long for that in life right now. Believe. Remember that Word of the Year thing that I do? I had kind of forgotten about it. My word for 2011 was Believe. Lately I can't even remember what it was I was trying to believe back in January. Right now, I feel like I'm trying to survive. be•lieve verb \ be•lieved be•liev•ing   1 a : to have a firm religious faith b : to accept something as true, genuine, or real 2: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something 3: to hold an opinion : THINK se•ren•i•ty noun \ suh - ren -i-tee 1 : The state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled    I'm going away for a few days, my...

A few months ago, I started receiving emails from Oprah. I don't know why, but I imagine it has something to do with creating my dream board on her website, that now has me receiving regular thoughts of "O" (or the thoughts of those associated with her.) I have to admit, I often breeze over those emails with little notice. But every once in a while, something will just speak to me. This week, I received one of those . . . Seriously? The "Feel Good Challenge"? Moving toward the life you want. Hmmmm . . . certainly Oprah, nor Dr. Oz or Dr Rosen are aware that I started Weight Watchers this year. Most of you are probably not aware that I am doing Weight Watchers. But then again, a few of you have been privy to my secret . And while I've had a successful couple of months on the program . . . I've stalled. And it kind of bugs me. This email kind of got me thinking about it again. "Knowing your body gives you the power to change it, ...