Ramblings by Dawn: March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Palette of Life

Blue

Let's talk about blue

There is teal blue

Sky blue

Turquoise blue

Navy blue

Midnight blue

Cornflower blue

Blizzard blue

Cerrulean blue

Baby blue

What can you do with so much blue

Red

Let's talk about red

There is brick red

Maroon red

Radical red

Blue red

Violet red

Magenta red

Mulberry red

Scarlet Red

So many reds in my head

Green

Let's talk about green

There is forest green

Lime green

Mint green

Olive green

Yellow green

Spring green

Blue green

Sea green

So many greens I have seen

I could keep going

But you understand

I've got to paint

Because I don't like bland

So many times I have met people who seem to see their life in black and white, with an occasional stroke of gray. I feel sorry for these people. How sad is it to think of the sky without blue? Or a meadow without green? Or the mountains without purple? How do you see passion without red? Or warmth without orange? Or hope without yellow? Or love without a rainbow?

Life is a palette of wonderful color. It is up to us to choose our colors. Mix them together, spread them around and create a masterpiece all our own.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Big World

The world is large

When you are small

It seems to shrink

When you are tall

You can dream

Every dream

Until you grow

And then it seems

Dreams go away

The more you've seen

So when you grow

And are so tall

And your dreams

They start to call

Just remember

When you were small

That big world

Hasn't changed at all

Today my first born child and my first grandchild were given the same materials to create a picture.

As usual my favorite part of Alexandra's Art day is watching the process. Alexandra was ready to get started right away. She started reaching for things as I was still putting things out. Marc waited until I had everything laid out before reaching for things.

Alex had no concept that there were limitations. She was ready to create something with what she could see. Marc wanted to know what all was available before he decided what to create.

Sometimes we are waiting to see what life has to offer and then choose to create a life with what is available. Perhaps we would be better served to make a life with what is right in front of us. If we are always sorting through everything for just the right piece, what have we missed creating with those things we didn't choose.

The world is constantly offering us material to create our lives. Using all that is given makes for a very full and blessed life.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Out of the Darkness

In the darkness

of complaints

I'm not looking

for the saints

I simply seek

the little things

That touch my heart

And make it sing

A simple smile

A helping hand

One kind word

A little strand

To touch my heart

And make it shine

Reassurance

That I am fine

Today's project is acrylic paints on canvas.

Have you ever noticed how one comment, one complaint can color your whole day? It only takes one to open the door. The rest of the day you become skeptical, doubting and critical. You see what is wrong all day long. You see the darkness everywhere you turn.

On the flip side, starting you day with a kindness or encouragement colors your whole day in a positive way.

You see the good things around you. You appreciate the smallest things. You wear a smile throughout the day. Your heart radiates with love, compassion and kindness.

So start your day with this thought. You are a special and unique person. You are perfect today. And tomorrow you will be even better.

Have a colorful day.

Copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn. All rights reserved.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Look

Eyes

Look into my eyes

Are you looking

What do you see

Do you see my pain

Do you see my lonliness

Do you see my potential

Do you see my compassion

Do you see the love

I see you

Do you see me

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. So often I don't take the time to look into others eyes. I wonder if I am afraid of what I will see. Or maybe I am afraid they will see me.

Copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn. All rights reserved.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

One

Only one

It only takes one

Be the one

One

Look around you. Do you see the broken hearted? Do you see the despair? Do you see the unrest? Do you see the discouraged? Do you see the sick? Do you see the dying? Do you see the homeless? Do you see the lost? Do you see the anger? Do you see the struggle? Do you see the hopeless? Do you see the fallen? Do you see the resentment? Do you see the wounded? Do you see the hate?

It is on the news. It is in our cities. It is on our streets. It is at our neighbors. It is on our doorstep.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by wave after wave of bad news. It seems everywhere I look. Someone is hurting. Someone is struggling to survive. Someone is without hope. These are troubled times we live in. There is no doubt. There is so much pain in this world that I want to pull my loved ones close and lock the doors behind us.

But I can't do that. For I have taught my children to reach out to others. I have taught my children to be compassionate. I have taught them understanding. I have taught them to look for the good in others. I have taught them love.

So I must be the one. I may not be able to change the whole world. But I can change my corner of it. I have raised four children who are determined to change their corner of the world. My children inspire their friends to change their corner of the world.

It only takes one.

Copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn. All rights reserved.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Wheels

Wheels are turning

Wheels are spinning

Wheels are burning

In my head

Turning here

Turning there

Turning, Turning

In despair

Wondering if

The words I've said

Are out there spinning

In your head

Hoping, Praying

What I've done

Hasn't caused

Your heart to run

If my wheels

Ran over you

Please tell me

What I can do

To help the love

Heal your heart

So you can have

A brand new start

Do you ever toss and turn at night thinking about your words or actions from the previous day? Do you ever wish that when you wake up that the previous day, week, month, year will all have been a dream? Have you ever wanted to go back and try again? Have you ever said something that you wish you hadn't? Have you ever run over someones feelings, thoughts or efforts and just kept on rolling?

Sometimes in life we are so busy or focused on where we are going that we don't think about how it affects those around us. The saddest part for me is when the realization hits me that I have wounded someone else.

A few years ago, I was involved in a car accident. A gentlemen pulled into a driveway to turn around. He backed out in front of the car I was in. We tried to avoid him, but to no avail. I remember him saying, "I didn't see you. I am so sorry. I didn't see you." And although I have recovered from the accident. I have injuries that will always remind me of that day.

How many times in my journey through life have I injured someone because I didn't see? How many people have scars that will be with them always because I didn't think? How many times?

Friday, March 25, 2011

Maze of Life

The above maze is not like any you have encountered before. There is not just one correct way through. Start at the spot in the middle and work your way to one of the outside spots. Then you can start again and work your way to another of the outside spots. There are no dead ends in this maze, just a variety of choices. Just like life.

Right Turn

Left Turn

Traveling straight ahead

U-turn

Yield

Starting to see red

This choice

That choice

Circling in my head

This friend

That friend

Hearing what they said

This school

That job

Going back to bed

This way

That way

Lots of ways to tread

Circle here

Cirlce there

Such is the life I've led

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda. Ever play that game? It has it's advantages. It has it's downfalls. It is a good game to play if you learn from your past. It is a dangerous game if it keeps you from moving forward.

Life is full of choices. I have made decisions that I question. I have moments that I wonder what I was thinking. But every choice, every decision, every step has led me to this place in my life. Every left, every right, every u-turn has made me the person I am right now. Good or bad this is where I am. If I look back and don't move forward then I miss the glory of today. If I ponder the past and move forward then I appreciate every moment.

There have been times that I have questioned the decisions of my children. I express my concerns and then support there choices. Sometimes they choose the hard way and question their path. My advice to them; go through it, learn from it, and move on. It is what it is. Life is not a direct path from one point to another. If we learn along the way, become a better person every day and appreciate the beauty along the way then our life has meaning and is worthwhile.

Life is in the living not the destination.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Fabric of Life

Simple threads

Piece by piece

Collected o'er the years

Kindness

And Compassion

And glimpses in the mirror

Words of anger

Words of fear

Often brought the tears

Hope, patience

Strength and Love

Experiences I hold dear

These are the remnants

I call life.

Todays project required strips of construction paper.

Too often I forget how much everything in my life has contributed to the person I am today. Last night as I was waiting for a visit from the sandman, I reflected on my life. I thought of things that happened when I was in grade school. I thought about some of my teachers. My third grade teacher and I seemed to have a clash of personalities. I was left handed. She saw left handedness as a flaw in your makeup. The three left handed people had to sit by her desk all year. Why? So that she could slap our hand with a ruler if we held the pencil wrong. She also perceived left handedness as a sign of questionable intelligence. Every left handed student had to take an intelligence test. When my results came back, she didn't believe what the psychologist said about mine.

This started a battle between her and I. I was determined to show her that I was smart. And although I was probably a determined child before, I feel like this experience increased my level of determination. That determination and stubborness has carried me through many of life's difficult times.

Because of the feud between us, I went to the school psychologist's office a couple of times a week. He would give me different puzzles and brain teasers to work on. Thus my love of puzzles was born. He encouraged me to celebrate my uniqueness. He taught me that everyone is different and has a special place in this world. This experience gave me the courage to be myself even when others don't understand. It also taught me to appreciate each individual person I meet.

I think we often forget that every word, action and choice contributes to the fabric of our life. It also contributes to the fabric of the lives around us. What fabric do I offer today?

Copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Fascination

A sense of wonder

Mesmerized, enthralled, captivated

A sense of discovery

Delighted, enchanted, bewitched

Always seeing the world as new

Fascination

Today's project required an egg carton,construction paper, markers, pipe cleaners and a glue stick.

Today Alex, Marc and I made a caterpillar. I was intrigued by Alex's determination and fascination with the markers. The markers are click pens. She was determined to figure out how they worked. More importantly, she had to be the one who clicked the pen. After conquering the pens, she moved on to the glue stick. After a couple of minutes of working diligently, she was able to remove the lid. Then she picked up a piece of the construction paper to apply the glue.

After finishing the art project we went for a short walk outside. Alex was mesmerized by the wind chimes. She was enthralled by the squirrels. She was delighted with every new rock. Even though we have walked the same path before, she saw it with a new sense of wonder unique to today.

It occurs to me that fascination can be a driving force in life. A sense of fascination can lead us to learn new skills, to try new experiences, to reach outside of our comfort zone. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our awareness of the world around us was approached with a new delight and fascination each day. How far can I go if I face each new day with fascination? How would fascination change my view of the world? How would fascination change the world?

Copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Blocked

Stayed up late last night

Learning how to knit

Went to bed exhausted

Couldn't fall asleep

So I read for just a bit

The alarm sounded

bright and early

I turned over

a little surly

Rolled out of bed

Started the coffee

Did the dishes

Started the laundry

Started dinner

Started the computer

Grabbed my coffee

Sat down to write

Some touching thoughts

That's when I discovered

I was blocked

I made a list of things to do

Answered some emails

What will I do

Opened the windows

Let the sun shine in

Still didn't know where to begin

Then a message from a friend

Reminded me

That creativity wears many hats

That I had failed to see

I have cooked

I have cleaned

I have made a list

Creativity is alive in me

Ever have those days when there is so much on your mind that you don't know where to start? Sometimes it is so intense that it throws everything out of whack. For the last few weeks working on my blog has been the spark of my energy and zeal. I was thrown for a loop today when I kept drawing a blank. I shared my concern with a dear friend and this is what she said:

"Creative souls feel some sort of absence or void when we have a block. When in fact, its our own creative energy taking a much needed nap.

We become addicted to the flow of that energy and when it is not available to us, we feel "off" and strain to come up with something. Because we think an outcome has to be tangible or "pretty" or "poetic", we fail to recognize our choosing what outfit to wear, cooking, communicating a thought to a friend or making a grocery list is creativity in motion all the time.

Your creativity is just playing hide and seek with you right now."

So if you find yourself having a day that just doesn't seem to be going your way, remember it is a game of hide and seek. So enjoy the game.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Drip, Drip, Drip

Hurry

Plenty of time

Running out of time

Watch the time

Lots of time

Its all in the timing

Time is on your side

Time passed

Not enough time

Time's almost gone

Out of time

Today's project required paper, cutouts and a glue stick.

In the past week I have had several conversations about time with different members of my family. Alexandra will be eighteen months old tomorrow. Her mother, Suzy, was talking about how fast the eighteen months has gone by. She was also noting that so much has changed in that same period of time. Her husband Jayson, was talking about how much longer it is going to take him to finish school. To him it seems like it will be forever before he graduates.

My daughter Jaimee', talked about the passage of time in a recent blog. She pointed out several milestones in her life that seem like yesterday but they happened years ago now. My daughter Kaycee and I were talking about some things that happened when she was a teenager. We were discussing some poor choices I made during that time. When I told her I was trying to do the best I could for her, she responded "All I wanted was some of your time." That remark really hit home. Whenever the kids ask me what I want for my birthday, Christmas or Mother's day, I tell them I just want to spend time with you.

Time is our most precious commodity. We don't know how much we have. We can't put a price tag on it. We always want more of it. Yet sometimes we want it to pass quickly. Time is drip, drip, dripping away. This moment is the only one we have for sure. We should be using it wisely. We should be trying to get the most bang for our buck. What will you do with this time? After all, It is only a matter of time.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Gift of Friendship

Trust

Shoulder to cry on

Laughter

Someone to rely on

Conversation

Someone to share

Growth

Someone to cheer

Advice

Someone to forgive

Love

Someone I call friend

Today's project required poster board, colored paper, markers, glue stick, words cut out of anything I could find and the help of my friends Shannon and Kristin.

Throughout the years I have had the privilege to have many friends. I have had friends that I was very close to for awhile, then our paths went in different directions. I have friends that I haven't spoken to in awhile. When we find each other again, it is like we haven't missed a step. I have friends that have touched my heart in the deepest places and I carry that love and the lessons with me everyday.

Each friend brings a new perspective and new discoveries. Kristin, Shannon and I have a unique situation. I am friends with Shannon. I am friends with Kristin. Shannon is friends with Kristin. But when you put the three of us together it is magical. When the three of us are together I learn more about myself in a few hours than I usually do in weeks. We often laugh until my sides hurt. We can sit in silence and be content. We all have very different perspectives which helps keep me balanced. Sometimes one or all of us have bad days. We help each other through these times and sometimes we all just take a step back.

I know that Kristin and Shannon will always be my friends. I know this because a few months ago we spendttwelve days together. Three of those days we were on the road. We travelled to Las Vegas for a ball tournament. We planned for weeks before we left. We all researched all of the different things that you can do in and around Las Vegas. We combined our lists and planned activities that all of us would enjoy. Some things would not have caught my eye. But I enjoyed all of the things we did, primarily because I was with friends. We shared experiences, meals, a bathroom, a car, a motel room and a couple of close calls.

Now a few months later I am still learning, still growing and still enjoy spending time together. We are a little closer, a little crazier and a little more understanding than we were before we took the trip. What is next? Who knows. But whatever comes, we will face it side by side, and have a good time doing it.

To all my friends present and past, I am so thankful for your influence in my life. You will always be in my heart. Thank you for the incredible gift of friendship.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The View From My Window

I built a brand new window

To view the world today

I added love and kindness

And am watching what I say

I added some compassion

Some understanding too

I am reaching out my hand

To see what I can do

I added joy and laughter

And swallowed all my pride

I am reaching out to strangers

To try and see their side

I built a brand new window

To view the world today

It's beauty now surrounds me

I hope it's here to stay

Today's project required pastels and paper.

In December we covered our windows with plastic. Like so many others, we were trying to keep the cold out and our expenses down. While the intent was good, the residual affects were not considered. We also blocked the sunshine and our view of the outside world. We cocooned ourselves into our apartment. It was a very long winter. We were depressed and lethargic.

When we took the plastic down, it was like breathing in air after a cleansing rain. Immediately our moods started to change. We became more active. We had more energy. We started looking for things to do.

Routine is just like that plastic. Routine is part of my life day after day. I get so caught up in the routine that I miss some of the beauty around me. I fail to appreciate the moment I have now. Life is so short. It is time to embrace life. It is time to love life. It is time to live a passionate life. It is time for a new window.

copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn. All rights reserved.

Friday, March 18, 2011

The Theory of Every

Every

Without exception

Every one

But not me

Every time

But not now

Everyday

But not today

Everywhere

But not here

Everything

But not this

The above puzzle is a collection of 25 statements that begin with the word EVERY. To solve: Look for the word every. At the end of a word the first letter of the next word will be in a box that is adjacent, or diagonally connected to the last letter of the previous word. Words can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forward or backwards. Have fun.

Every is an interesting word. Especially when you are not an every. You can't do everything. You can't be everywhere. You don't succeed everytime. And you are not like everyone. Sometimes people make the assumption if you are not an every then you are a nothing. You are a nobody. You are nowhere. And you never do anything.

I think it is time to embrace not being a part of every. It is time to celebrate our individuality. We are all unique. We all have something to offer the world that no one else can. It is time to love being the only one. It is time to love ourselves. It is time to just be. Perhaps then the world will offer new treasures from every which way.