Wishcasting Wednesday :: How do you wish to be brave?

Thank you for joining me for this week's Wishcasting Wednesday. If you'd like to join this magical circle of dreamers and doers, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

This week's prompt:

How do you wish to be brave?

I wish to be brave by pushing past the resistance I feel lately, the uncomfortableness, as I step out of my comfort zone and into the unknown. I wish to be brave as I lean into my growing edge, push the boundaries of what is “safe”, and settle into my next evolution.

Hugs,

When Courage Roars (Or Meows)

Positive emotions originate from love while negative emotions stem from fear. Fear is a powerful emotion because it’s genetically linked to the survival instinct. Our bodies become overburdened by fear’s unnecessary stress on our systems. The stress hormone cortisol becomes elevated, we are unable to relax, and our immune system becomes weakened.

Emotional energy attracts like, as in, fear will attract fear. While we do attract who we are, that can also be used to attract positive. Courage attracts courage. To generate the flow of positive energy you must first initiate positive energy. Send out positive signals in order for those in the same or similar frequencies to gravitate towards your positive emotional energy.

Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we have learned here. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts.  ~Marianne Williamson

Last week I talked about how frustration can teach you patience, the same can be applied to fear teaching you courage. Fear places you in a position to test your bravery. Fear places your unresolved emotional baggage in the forefront, brings it to your attention, which then allows you the space to confront and work though these emotions. Without the fear you might not have been mindful of the work to be done or simply avoided it. Without the fear you wouldn’t have the opportunity to courageously explore your fears. Courage lessens the hold that fear has on you.

No matter how strong of a hold fear may have on you; love is the greatest force of all.

Hugs,

What I've Been Up To

I finally finished my clay pendants that I shared the before pics here. They've been baked, painted, distressed, glued, and glazed. Not too shabby!

This one was two pieces that I glued together and added some gold highlights.

This is more of a small bowl or paperweight type creation.

Here's the texture on the underside:

I love these roses! I added a touch of gold paint to make the roses pop, I mean bloom.

This is a pendant that I picked up at Michaels and added a clay base and lots of texture.

This is a quote from The House of Night book series.

I love, love, love this little birdie. I decided not to distress/age this one.

This was the very first pendant that I made hence the misshapen square. LOL.

My flower fell apart when I took it off the cookie sheet and had to glue it back together. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet.

This one has a well in it like the pink rose one but I filled this one with Dimensional Magic and a little glitter.

I'm off for the weekend camping with the Florida Trail. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

More than meets the eye

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There have been many discussions lately on body size and body image. Especially with the news story of Jennifer Livingston the newscaster from Wisconsin who was criticized for her size. (BTW - What gives someone the right to critique her just because she’s in the public eye.) Anyway, I felt like it was time to discuss this on a personal level even though it’s generally something I would rather be the elephant in the room.

I truly believe that the most attractive feature of a person in what’s on the inside, their true inner beauty. No matter your size, shape, genetics, etc. if you are filled with love and kindness you are a beautiful person. Have you ever met someone who had good looks outwardly but as soon as they opened their mouth it ruined the whole image? You know, they were mean-spirited or smug and you no longer saw their outward appearance. Instead you saw their inner unattractiveness. They no longer had the same appeal they did at first glance.

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Unfortunately, society generally bases a person’s worth solely on what the eye can see. Regrettably, we also tend to judge our own selves by this same standard. The truth is – we are so much more than that. Our beauty runs so much deeper than our outward shell. The core of who you are, your essence, your heart, and your soul, cannot be viewed with the naked eye.

These words that I type are words that I’m trying to remember each day as my own truth. I’ve struggled with my body image for a far back as I can remember. For the past few years, you can add my weight/body size to the ever-growing list of personal struggles. This is a delicate and private battle that I’ve endured and my self-worth has suffered the most.

I don’t want to live in shame. I have no reason to be embarrassed or uncomfortable. I’m the same person I was two years ago and I’ll be the same person two years from now (hopefully a little bit wiser!). This body, this shell, is not who I am. I dress it and decorate it and cover it in war paint to hide my battle scars. It is the mask that I hide behind. It is my armor and my shield. It is my vehicle in which I will travel this lifetime within. It is a part of me but it is not ME. It is not my true authentic magnificent self.

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I am so deeply amazed by the incredible women who have spoken up lately about how this news story personally touched them and their bravery in sharing their own stories with the community. We have to be here for each other and build each other up. When we embrace each other and acknowledge our shame, the shame no longer controls us and the healing can begin.

You are beautiful.

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Hugs,

P.S.

If you don’t believe me, read these stories:
Kind Over Matter
Vivienne McMaster
Her Holistic Health

Rockstar

Look at you, fearless girl! Stepping out of your comfort zone is a brave, brave thing to do. You are courageous and committed. Don’t let anyone stand in your way of making your dreams a reality. You are brilliant. You are bold. I’m so proud of you. You should be proud of your valiant self too. Go get ‘em, Rockstar!

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to enjoy?

Thank you for joining me for this week's Wishcasting Wednesday. If you'd like to join this magical circle of dreamers and doers, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

Wheatland, WY

 What do you wish to enjoy?

Guernsey, WY

After 3 weeks of travel to Wyoming and D.C., I wish to enjoy much relaxation on the home front + much missed time at my art desk. Before I left I wrote about how I'd taken a break from art that I share with the world and have been focusing on art for just my eyes (Thoughts on Being Brave). I'm still delving deeply into Soul Restoration 1 and hope to come out on the other side with renewed and insightful art to share with the world. Art that digs even deeper into my soul. Thank you for being so supportive and empowering, my dear soul sisters.


P.S.
Is anyone else attending The Creative Connection event next month? This will be my first time attending and would love to connect with you while there.

Thoughts On Being Brave

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.  ~Aesop

Lately, I’ve carried the word “brave” as my talisman to feel strong and, well, brave. It’s my affirmation to remind me that, “I can do this!” when I feel like hiding under the covers. I’m so grateful for this much needed boost of confidence because I had been in a phase of self-doubt with a side of “I’m not good enough.” blues. 

I’ve taken a step back, taken time to evaluate where I’m going and what is in store for me. I’ve been creating art just for myself that I don’t have the need to share with the world. Reestablishing my truths and searching deep in my soul for a safe place to hide my heart. I’ve needed this time with just myself to reflect and look within. 

I recently began Soul Restoration 1 with The Brave Girls Club and thought it was best for my own personal restoration journey to take a step back and uncover these truths that I’ve hidden within. This class has been one of the best things to happen to me in a while. I need this right now. I need to find the real me.

I don’t want to allow the lies I tell myself, “I’m not good enough.” or “That will never happen for me.” to control my life any longer. I know I have so much more to learn as I find my own artistic style but I also know that I’m on my own journey and cannot compare my journey with anyone else’s. We are each at our own place on our own journey and we are incomparable. Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know you are unlike any other and cannot be equally compared? Soak in that for a while. :-)

brave  [breyv]  

adjective

1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

noun

4. a brave person

So here I am, stripped down bare, and ready to wrap myself in this exquisite cape called Brave. 

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, 

but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not 

feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.  ~Nelson Mandela

I am afraid but I also know that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for. I’m so thankful for all the encouraging support and beautiful messages on yesterday’s Wishcasting Wednesday post. It’s such a blessing to be a part of such a supportive community. Thank you.

Will you be brave with me? 

He who is brave is free.  ~Seneca

Source:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/brave