What an Amazing Life!

My etsy site has been featured here, along with many other gift sites!

Today is the beginning of my child-free weekend. By the time I get home from work, the boys will be at the coast with their dad. I am so excited about sleeping in tomorrow and lounging around. Of course, I'll also be cleaning this weekend. And doing some grocery shopping.

Last night in the Artist Empowerment Class chat, Susan Piver joined us, and it was amazing. She is such a beautiful person. I don't want to gush so much, but suffice it to say that she said everything that my students needed to hear about fear, crazymakers, and succeeding as artists. Susan will be at a book signing in my area in November and you KNOW that I will be there!

Life is truly amazing, and one thing that I need to hold myself to is "a little less talk, a lot more action". Off I go to make all my dreams come true!

Ramblings.

It seems like it has been a really long week. This weekend I plan to write and relax. And that sounds absolutely heavenly to me right now. I don't really fit in a lot of ME time during the summer. And for the most part that is ok. I thoroughly enjoy my boys. However, this weekend their dad is taking them to the coast for a campout. So, I will be left to my own devices.

I've been thinking about some things in my life lately. Some things that just don't seem to be working for me. I need to figure out how to do what I need to do without doing so much that I don't want to do. My end goal is to be more authentic. And let's just say that it isn't so much the case in some areas right now.

I will begin, I believe by scheduling more time to write. When I'm writing or teaching my class, I am so happy. I feel like I am doing what I am meant to do. Speaking of teaching, my next ARTIST EMPOWERMENT CLASS will begin September 6. I am thrilled to be offering it again, and I will be posting more details soon! If you have questions in the meantime, leave me a comment or shoot me an email at robynsart@live.com

Moving Up from the Abyss

Yesterday was an extremely down day for me. First, I began thinking about the phone call from my brother letting me know that Dad had died, on my way to work. So I cried halfway there. I thought about my blogpost much of the day... and about how I could move beyond the guilt.

When I got home, it all turned around. I got off a little bit early to transport the boys all around. One son went and did an activity that he really wanted to do, the other 2 made homemade rootbeer. We bought all the bottles, caps, and supplies and set up an assembly line. We should know in about 10 days how that turned out! I talked with them a bit, and it made me realize that they harbor no ill will... their life has been great. I struggled through that marriage, and I protected them. So it seems that it's just a matter of working through my own crap now (isn't that how it usually is?).

Today I'm taking some more leaps of faith and contacting select sites about advertising my journals on there. Life is good, sometimes I just have to remind myself!

So This is the Deal

My life is absolutely amazing right now. I have everything I could need. There is so much love in it. And opportunities are coming to me... like I'm innertubing in a stream of opportunity, and they are moseying all around me, for me to grab at will. And I'm grabbing, believe me!

I've gotten comfortable with 'leap of faith' mode and trust it completely. I can absolutely see the yellow brick road and all the goodness before me and I know I'm on the right track.

But life just can't be that easy. Perhaps it has to have some roadblocks so that we can appreciate all the good. My roadblock right now is guilt. It's coming at me full force, and instead of batting it away, instead of ignoring it, I'm at a space where I want to deal with it.

I am a mother of 3 amazing teenage sons. Their father and I have been divorced for 8 years or so. He and I have an amazing relationship, and we never argue or bicker about anything, least of all the boys. But between that marriage and now, I had a bad marriage. One where that husband was completely self centered and even complained when the boys would "eat all the food". I stayed for reasons that made a little sense at the time, and now that that is over, life is so amazing and drama free. We have absolutely everything we could need. We enjoy each other's company and have wonderful times.

Yet the guilt of that relationship. Of that unhappy time for my boys (and even that wasn't all that bad, we always had one another and had fun)... it's surfacing. And I'm ready to deal with it. The only trick I know right now to deal with this is self-love. But how is the best way to deal with guilt and regret? How do you deal when you are the only one not forgiving yourself?

I did It!

Saturday was a family fun day. I knew what was planned, the boys had NO Clue! We went to Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Adventure Park. They have alpine slides there that are like a luge, bungee trampolines, a 500' zip line, a bungee jump, and a reverse bungee. I did it all. One of my sons did it all. 2 of them opted out of the bungee and the reverse bungee, and hey, maybe they have more sense than I do!

I learned about Leap of Faith. Stepping off of that platform on the bungee jump was the most difficult thing I ever did. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely! Would I ever do it again? Most likely not. But I did it. At 38, I did something that I was deathly afraid of. I did it. That's what matters.

We covered fear a couple weeks ago in my Artist Empowerment Class. I think it helped with this. I knew that I had fear, and I understood all the reasons. I also understood that all the safety precautions had been taken, I'd be safe. So, the decision to jump or not was completely within me. The No almost won, I can assure you. And if it had, that would be ok too... but I can't really even tell you how amazing it is to me that I said Yes. Saying yes to a 100 foot drop is VERY out of character for me.

I'm pushing my limits. With the bungee, with my business, with my class, and with my life. I am putting it all out there and taking leaps of faith!

TGIF

I've had a very full, very rewarding week. And tomorrow I have BIG plans with my boys. Plans that are a surprise to them. Plans that will push my boundaries completely and make me face fear.

Sunday will be all about resting after all the activity on Saturday. I must say this is an amazing life. Monday I should have some pictures from the weekend activities...

What do you do to push your boundaries?

A Little Rested

I have been so tired this week that I've dropped off from goal setting. I'm a little more rested today, so I think it's time to be back on that horse! I have one special journal that I'm writing my book in and I believe I will take that to work today. We've had a lot of idle time lately, and I may possibly be able to get some notes made.

Tonight is our class chat. We are already nearing the end of week 3. I can't believe that we are halfway done. It has been an amazing experience! Tonight's class chat will have a special guest: Susan Piver, and I am thrilled beyond belief! If you're not familiar with Susan, see her at www.susanpiver.com. She is an amazing woman, and I've gotten to know her a little bit better recently on facebook. My hope is that this is the beginning of a long friendship! So, tonight at the class chat, I'm going to be trying not to gush so much! :-)

Life is absolutely amazing. I am surrounded in my online world by very creative and influential people. I am lucky. The other day, Susan said to me that what she loved about facebook and twitter is the serendipity. I wholeheartedly agree. My heart is full, and I am ready to go full steam ahead!

Lessons

I am constantly learning. I took 2 vacation days last week from work. I went stir crazy. Had not made any real plans, had no structure. The 4 days off were not all that enjoyable because of this. I learned that I NEED structure. I need to plan out my days. And I will take that lesson to heart. I've learned, hopefully. Relaxation is good and necessary, yes, but productivity is oh so important to me as well.

I have not been sleeping well at all this week. Monday night, I was basically awake by 2am and tossed and turned til 5am when the alarm went off. Tuesday night, I couldn't fall asleep til about midnight, and last night, I was up several times. I think I will drink sleepy time tea tonight and go to bed when I get tired. Something has to work.

Tomorrow evening is a very special class chat for my Artist Empowerment Class and I am so excited. This week has been full of amazingness! I think that trend will continue!

Being Pulled

I'm being pulled in several directions. Not in a bad way. I'm finding so many paths wide open to me and I want to claim them all! At this point, I'm discovering ways to combine them into one large road for me to take.

Yesterday I received a call from a friend. Her father had passed away over the weekend with her whispering in his ear and her hand on his heart. "My Dad MADE me to do that" she told me. What an amazing experience. I've sat vigil, never with my own parent, but I've sat vigil with people whose family had left them in my care. Being there, making that time all about that person... that is really special. Helping through grief... one of the roads.

Empowering, helping, aiding creative types, that's another.

Teaching, another... see how easily these could be combined?

Writing... perhaps that's the blanket over it all. Above all else I must write. I must write about my real world and my experiences. I'll never be a writer who just sequesters herself off...

Life is really amazing. What's it drawing you to do?

Back to the Real World

I took vacation days last Thursday and Friday. Spent some amazing time with my boys. I also added 4 new journals to my shop, and did a lot of dreaming about my life.

Yesterday, my son put together a photo book of Dad's photos. I started going through all the digital files I had, selected a whole bunch of his sunrise/sunset and nature photos, then Nicolas arraged them in a book that will be printed and sent to me. I didn't think I would have any issues going through Dad's photos, but I was a little tender. I began to miss him like crazy, and was very thankful that Nicolas completed the task for me. I'll show you when it gets here. It's called "Through My Father's Eyes" "Photos By Robert Anthony Lindsey"

Today, it's back to the real world. Ready or not, here I come. We will see what epiphanies reach me today. I'm expecting some...

Grow!

As a general rule, I wake up, shower, and blog. No external stuff is in my head, and I write in almost a trance like state. Many times I go back and read later, and the words are foreign to me. Anyway... It all comes from within. Not from something I see on cnn, the newspaper, or anywhere online.

Today is a little different. I'm off today and I've had a few conversations with online friends already. I see people in my daily encounters online who are growing by leaps and bounds. Women who are gaining self-confidence, self-love, self-ACCEPTANCE. And sometimes there are people in their lives who would rather they didn't gain any of those things.

You know... I gained all of those things over time, and there were many relationships that didn't survive. I can honestly say though that in the forms they were in, they shouldn't have survived. So... what do you do when you are changing at the speed of light but those around you are acting as speed bumps? You grow anyway! You take care of you. Of course, you take care of your household too. But you grow.

When someone is clutching at your ankles, trying to keep you from progressing, you keep going. I fully believe that women are BETTER wives, mothers, lovers, friends if they feel whole and empowered. Always keep growing, no matter the speed bumps!

Empowered

I feel like I could take on the world! My Artist Empowerment Class is going amazing! We had our 2nd weekly chat last night and there was so much love and trust amongst the group. Our topic this week was fear. I conquer fear pretty well, personally. I've come a long way, but one thing definitely came up for me this week, and that's my desire to be published. I saw the fear for what it was and this is my goal again.

So. I will be a published author. I will conquer the fears as soon as they show their faces! And I will keep leading this amazing group! We are almost to our halfway point, and I can hardly believe it!

I'm already thinking ahead to the next class... wondering who will join me. I discovered something about myself... with this class, well I've discovered so much. But I was led to teach this class. I wasn't absolutely certain that I'm wired right to do this, this online teaching thing. But I'm discovering that I absolutely am. And I don't think I could teach just anything. I am meant to Empower Artists! It's one of the crowns made for me, I think. I'll happily wear it!

Life is amazing! My work week is over and I have the amazing gift of TIME. Today will be all about spending it with my boys. With possibly some me time later. I hope you make the most of every moment!

Dreaming in Technicolor

I have been dreaming in technicolor this week. Monday night was all about death and destruction, but that dream was so vivid and it went on and on. Last night was like an '80's movie. It was vivid as well, but I don't remember much of it. The part I do remember, however, was about lost opportunity.

In my dream, I was considering displaying my art somewhere. I actually think in the dream it was an aquarium. But there had never been art displayed there, and I hesitated. The next time I went, someone was displaying there. My heart sunk. I knew I had missed a chance and I could have been in had I acted on my gut.

I'm sure that message will stick with me. And it makes me wonder what else my dreams are telling me. We are covering fear in the class I'm teaching, and this is very timely. I have a lot to write about in there today!

My son made an amazing journal and I will be listing it today. I am so proud of them and their blossoming bookbinding skills. Two out of the 3 so far are working on surpassing my skills. I can't wait to show it to you!

Headache today

I woke up all stuffy today and with a killer headache. Yesterday was a tough day at work because we found out one of our co-workers was killed in a motorcycle accident Saturday night.

I will spend my day trying to get back on track. I have so much to do, including beginning some new goals, so the quicker I can return to a headache free existence the better.

A Weekend Away

I had planned to do a bit with the class site this weekend, and work on some journals. Instead, we received a call Saturday morning and met up with family for the entire day, well into the evening. Sunday was a cleaning day, then meeting up with family again. Very little time was spent online and it was amazingly refreshing.

It was so refreshing that I'm so ready to dive back in. Ready to create, because time away always inspires me. Ready to dedicate time to my class again.

I'm not usually a spontaneous person. However, I discovered an ability to roll with things this weekend. I wasn't chomping at the bit to get online. I wasn't worried about the fact that I wasn't promoting. I breathed, I laughed, and I recharged. I took a lot of family photos. Life is good.

And now back to the regular programming. Which seems just a little brighter.

Taking Inventory and finding Joy

This is a photo my son took at the balloon festival. I love seeing things through his eyes! I've been taking inventory quite a bit lately... it's just something I do. My personal life, my family life, my class, my creativity... I am so full of joy. So many things are a celebration of that joy.

Last night was our first group chat for the class. I am absolutely in awe of the women who chose to join me. They are each amazing. We are only one week in out of the 6 week course... and I can't totally fathom the ride I am on yet. That is a good thing.

This weekend will include some more journal making so keep your eye out! And if you'd like more information on when my next class is, drop me a line at robynsart@live.com

Saying Yes

I have been featured in an amazingly inspirational video! If you are an artist, or want to dabble in art but have excuses, I urge you to watch this. This came about because of Connie asking me to be the sponsored Journal Maker of Art Journal Love Letters!! (Click on the link then scroll down) Remember how I was so excited to say yes? Well, that one yes keeps rewarding me over and over!

Life is absolutely amazing in my little corner right now. I'm opening myself up to possibilities and diving in. That, my friends, has made all the difference! I urge you to check out my shop at www.robynsart.etsy.com. And the class that Effy mentions in her video, my class, the Artist Empowerment Class, will be offered again in a few months!

Taking Off

I feel like the students in my class are taking off... they are being launched into this whole new world and it's so exciting to watch! We recently went to the Hot Air Balloon Festival and watched about a dozen balloons launch. It's a slow process, with them unrolling and laying out the balloons, then testing their torches, and finally beginning to fill the balloons. They fill the balloons laying on their sides then finally they heat the air in them and pop the basket upright. A slow process, yes, but an amazing one.

This course has already taught me so much about myself and we're only a few days into it! I can only imagine what's to come. I will be offering this class again in the future. That, I am absolutely sure of! I'm also sure that it will be life-altering. Both for myself and the students.

Be on the lookout for more journals from me. There is a lot of busy-ness going on at my house!

Back to Work

Back to work after a 3 day weekend. That is always tough. However, what a wonderful 3 day weekend it was! The class started yesterday and it is such an amazing group of women. I am honored to be leading them. The signup button will disappear by tomorrow morning. It is not too late to join us, but today will be the last day.

I took some awesome photos of the family this weekend. And we shot off some big fireworks. I also added new journals to my shop and baked. What a good weekend!

This week I will be working on even more journals, and figuring out how to get the right amount of time into the class. It will be an amazing 6 weeks!! It may take a lot of my time from other online activities, but that is ok.

Tick Tock

This will most likely be my last blog post before my class starts. There are still 3 days left though to enter the giveaway! And, just so you know, there is still a wee bit of time to register. For class details, go here. I would love to have you join us. The group signed up so far is amazing.

I'm not feeling great today. Didn't take my allergy meds last night so I was congested and coughing a lot... Today I'm going to try to have excellent self-care, and I'm going to take my medication properly. Oh... also today, I will be listing some new journals!

I hope your holiday weekend (if you are in the U.S.) is safe and enjoyable! I'll see you again on Monday!

Excited!!

My giveaway continues. And you can have an entry for EVERY time you share! Please go here to see details and to post when you share.

I am so excited about this class, I can't even begin to tell you! My passion since I can remember has been helping people. And through my struggles in life and in my art, I have learned so much. It is so amazing to me that I'll be able to help others to find their voice artistically, their boundaries with crazymakers, convert their dreams into goals. I am feeling very blessed to be able to help with that process!

I really must give big thanks to Connie of http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/ who has encouraged me every step of the way, along with countless other friends. I appreciate each and every one of you!