"There are places I remember. . . '

May Journal Project - Day 5

The orginial journal entry was about a trip I took to my childhood home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. I went to visit my oldest and wisest friend looking for advice on how to solve some problems.  While I didn't find any magical solutions, I was able to enjoy stepping back into the past and my friendship with Kathy was rekindled.

The artwork was inspired by the Beatles song and the idea about playing the hand I was dealt.  Looks like a pretty good one, doesn't it?

All things are difficult before they are easy.

May Journal Project - Day 4

"Circa 2002"   MJP Entry #3

Under this collage is a journal entry from January 2002.  It was a sad, scary entry as I was reflecting about the tragedy of 2001, a family medical crisis, and other problems.  This was a pivital time in my life.  I had no idea what was going to happen or where I was headed.  Over the next 3 years I felt like I was climbing up a steep, dangerous, never ending staircase.  Eventually I reached the top where I found a new set of stairs to climb.  But this time the climb was easier because I wasn't alone.  Now I run up each staircase knowing more good things are waiting for me at the top!

May Journal Project - Day 3

My Flock- started 2008, finished 2014

My Flock aka The Hollywood Bridge Society meets every September for a bridge tournament.  I can't remember if we've been doing this for 15 or 20 years.  It's an eclectic group of women who have a common passion, playing cards.  I've been the queen only once, second runner up too, but I don't go for the crown (well I do kind of).  I go to hang out with an amazing group of women. Under this collage is a journal entry I wrote as I was heading home after a great weekend in 2008.  Pink, crowns, glitter and cards.

Let's deal!

New Beginnings

May Journal Project - Day 2

Spring is a time for new beginnings.  Underneath this artwork is a journal entry about birth, growing up, life changes and loss. The page was started in 2001, revisited last month and completed today.

New Beginnings - Mixed Media

May Journal Project

2014 Journal - Title Page

I was recently cleaning out a cabinet full of art supplies and came across a stack of journals.  I started these at various times, the oldest one in this stack was begun May 1st, 2001.  As I looked through this one, memories of the year washed over me. Who could have predicted how the world and all of our lives would change!  So I decided to take these journals and revisit them.  I'm adding pages, images and thoughts from my current state of mind.  Simultaneously I'm working on a new journal to document my creative life.

2001 Journal - Revisited inside cover

This month I'll be sharing pages from these journals.  I hope you enjoy the images and are inspired to create your own!

How to find and do work you love.

I attended an internet event held by Scott Dinsmore a couple of days ago. His mission is to help people find work they are passionate about so he developed a business called Live Your Legend .  He's an energetic, enthusiastic entrepreneur with an important message to share.

If you have 20 minutes I encourage you to watch this video. I hope he inspires you as much as he does me.

Be Kind to Everyone.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself."                                   ~Matthew 22:36-39 (ESV)

Love is the word of the month.  You see and hear it everywhere you go.  Romance is in the air.  Many of us will buy (or better yet, make) valentines for our sweethearts and get little gifts for our loved ones. What are some other ways to show love?

At the school where I work we're having a kindness campaign. It's loosely based on the theme of the 2000 movie Pay it Forward.  In this movie the students are given the assignment to come up with a way to make their world better.  The main character decides he will help others with one simple request, the recipient of kindness needs to do the same.  In my school we've given our students the task of performing random acts of kindness.  These kind acts will be noted and rewarded.  The hope is the students will begin to see, with a few kind acts,  they can change the climate in the whole building. And they will feel rewarded by the love they feel in return.

So I challenge you to try to think of as many random acts of kindness you could commit.  Start with small things like baking cookies for a friend or giving a waitress a double tip.  Don't be afraid to think big. Generous kindness will give you  huge rewards.  A love ricochet!