Just when I thought June was here with the promise of extra time to slow down and enjoy life, I quickly realized that I had my months mixed up. Yikes. June is one big school obligation after another. But alas, we all survived and July is here and I again have time to return to the things that bring me joy, like having a slow morning with coffee in hand and my kids snuggled in next to me, all the while we lounge in our 'comfy cozies' as we like to call our pajamas. Hello, 10 a.m. !
Back to June, whoa Nelly! It is hard not to feel overwhelmed by just the thought of all we accomplished in those short weeks. First of all Happy Solstice. This year I am especially grateful for this fresh start, this new year and the new beginnings that the Solstice brings. Although I am usually quick to remember that every day, in every moment we have the choice to 'start fresh', be renewed and that happiness is a choice. I always welcome and celebrate the Solstice as it is the global celebration for the like minded, earth loving people that recognize that we have the next 6 months to sow positive seeds that will return to us by way of a bounty of love and friendship we will harvest come the next Solstice. So let me remind you of this sage quote that keeps me grounded:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” - unknown
I am eager to remind my family that our thoughts truly are the seeds we are sowing which we will surely harvest sooner than later. Trust me, I catch myself daily with smart-ass one liners that I think are freaking hilarious and if I don't speak them chances are one of my beloveds will, because I have surrounded myself with like minded people that enjoy witty, cutting humour that is by my standards, hysterical.
Recently though, I have tried to enjoy the humour but countering it in thought with a silent recognition of what the truth is actually: ( and here I would insert the thought that I seriously believe) It will make for a better harvest come the fall. Fingers crossed anyway. :)
June also marked a major milestone in our family. We are sending our Sweetpea to Grade 1 in September. So long Kindergarten, it's been swell. Where did this time go. If this is the rate in which the next 12 years of her school career is going to go, then stop the train, I want off! I used to laugh at 'those women' who would stop me on the street when Sweetpea and I would be walking the seawall with her stroller. They would warn me that I should savour these times and enjoy every minute as they will fly by and before I knew it, that wee babe will be heading off to Grade 1. I would like to apologize to all of those women who I politely nodded to and then blew off as I thought to myself as I walked away,
" Okay Mrs. CoCo LoCo's - whatever you say. Maybe it's time to get a hobby!" Yes I apologize to you, because you were right. You were so right.
Beyond our family milestones there has been a major development in the direction of Buddha & The Raven Studios. I have decided to get serious about joining my peers in getting some exposure by way of the Urban Artisan Shows in our community. I have recently submitted my work to be juried by a few different shows. So far, so good! I will be showing at a some shows this fall. I am very excited to get out there. The other big news is that I have recently made the decision to get back into the retail world. Stay tuned I will be announcing my first retailer here on the North Shore soon! :)
I was also privileged enough to be invited down to the set of the television show 'Sanctuary' where not only did I get the opportunity to watch all the magic go down, but also to offer a private showing to the kind folks there. It was a great experience and I certainly welcome more of them. If you have a group of friends or coworkers that would like to have a viewing - I show up during the lunch break and am happy to show my wares.
Although it is July, I am already creating pieces for the upcoming Christmas Home Shows that I have been invited to participate in and will be hosting. (that's right I said! I said it!- Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! I don't believe that Christmas is a bad word- it's just another name for Santa!) Again, if you want to host a wine and cheese for your friends, I am happy gather up several artisans to bring there wares to your home for a private showing. In fact these evenings, or afternoons have become quite popular in fact, that we now do several each fall. It is just a great way to stay out of the malls, while still finding unique and beautiful things that are Canadian made by local artisans in your community.
(no carbon offsets required) :)
I don't shop for gifts in stores anymore. Instead I call these girls and I always find the perfect something for whatever my gifting occasion is. (and I always find a little sumpthin' sumpthin' for myself!)
Recently I was reminded of this and it stuck a cord so deep within me that the lesson of self responsibility pained me. First of all, I know this lesson and it annoyed me that I allowed my ego to get in the way of not taking someone else's actions or more so, lack of action, personally. Secondly, this lesson is a painful one that although I know it, it needs to be revisited by myself and people like me, that being those who are hyper-sensitive.
Being hyper-sensitive is in someways a brilliant blessing that brings certain metaphysical abilities that I appreciate; however, it also brings along the pain of adjusting and re-adjusting to the thirsty grip of the ego.
Sometimes this dance of being present is exhausting and when I am feeling emotionally fatigued, that is when the ego sneaks through the back door and sets me up for the illusion of e x p e c t a t i o n s . . .
That said, I hope you find something in that last paragraph that resonates within you. Off to the garden to sow some more seeds for the falls harvest.
May the Force be within you.. wink wink.
Tiffany
