the body can ail

the body can fail

but so can it repair

and thrive.

the same can be said of the spirit. 

even as modern medicine has been seeing to the needs 

of my body,

my mind 

and spirit 

have been embroiled in turmoil. 

as one who uses her work 

to process emotions, 

to work through challenges,

the loss of metal work 

was profound. 

i have long been fond of integrating fibers into my designs,
feeling it expressed the balance,
nay, the dance
between delicacy and strength.
but had never allowed myself to experiment with it
the way i am now. 

with my fingers and imagination kept busy,
my spirit (and spirits)
are rebounding.

i am grateful to shannon levart for accepting my woven fiber and bead work
in her shop
while i am still unable to be at the bench. 

i see these pieces as connections 
not just connectors - 

the sections i have made for earrings, bracelets or necklaces
are meant to remind one that -

one step at a time,
one foot in front of the other

when each step is mindfully taken
beautiful things happen
and 
a world of opportunity awaits. 

and, yes, 
even when life throws you a curve ball 
while you are attending to being mindful,
beautiful things happen
and 
a world of opportunity awaits.

small stash of metal bits discovered

karma - 2013

'actions send out ripples.

karma brings it back,'

so said a wise woman to me.

turquoise, amethyst and lapis

stones associated with karma 

 be still - 2013

in stillness,

one feels

both floatingly heady 

and deeply rooted.

our world, 

our lives

are fiercely beautiful

and command our attention.

are you present?

sparkling iolite and earthy vesuvianite 

joy - 2013

'smile, breathe and go slowly.'

thich nhat hanh

embrace joy.

turquoise and carnelian

tag from yogi tea

trust creates peace.

it truly does -

while i don't know if i am an

'everything happens for a reason'

person,

i do know that i am an

'everything presents an opportunity'

person.

'om' in tibetan uchen

since metal work

has been set

to a side burner for now,

i have found myself gifted

with the time to try 

something new.

to give it focus

and not feel guilty 

that i am not 

at the bench.

'om' in tibetan uchen

since yoga 

has been set

to a side burner for now,

i have found myself gifted 

with the time to learn

that (when done properly)

this calligraphy is

meditative

and requires focus

upon the breath.

we cannot control everything,

we can't -

and perhaps that is best.

would you,

could you, 

have grown in the ways you have 

if your life had gone

the way you planned it?

so trust.

trust that in this moment

you have everything you need 

to optimize

the moment.

inhale,

exhale,

open your heart,

share what's inside.

repeat.

---------------------

please know this post came from personal reflection prior to my learning of the horror in boston... sending thoughts of peace and love to the victims and families whose world has been darkened by sorrow and fear-

on numerous occasions i have read this story from fred rogers:

'when i was a boy and i would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me "look for the helpers. you will always find people who are helping."'

thank you to the helpers, to those who act bravely for the benefit of others - you give us hope.