Monarch Post

pivotal

 

PIVOTAL

adjective

1. Of, relating to, or serving as a pivot.

2. in which something turns or depends; central, crucial, critical, etc.

How many books have you read which you would describe as pivotal?

I've read hundreds and hundreds of books by now, I'm sure. But only a handful I'd call pivotal.

Creativity, by Matthew Fox is one of those few pivotal books for me. It turns me upside down, inside out, and back around again, like a kid playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey... And when the bandana comes off, I'm where I should have been all along... I've read it twice this summer. Lots of new ideas for me, but at the same time it feels like a HOMECOMING. I know I will read it again.

Here's one quote from Creativity:

"It is our creativity itself that lies at the essence of our humanity. This creativity is so powerful that with it we can create or destroy. Like the Scriptures say: "I put before you life or death. Choose life." What is before us is the power of creatvity-- it is a life-and-death-power. What is also before us is choice. It is a daily choice, an everyday choice, one that arises in all our relations from parenting to grandparenting, from work worlds to educational ones, from religion to economics, business, politics, and citizenship in all its forms. It affects what we eat and what we throw away; how we live and what we choose to say no to. This is the power of creativity. "Creativity" may be the nearest one-word definition we possess for the essence of our humanity, for the true meaning of "soul."

There's a great youtube clip of Matthew Fox talking about his book. Someday, I'll figure out how to put it here ___ ! But for now you can type in, Matthew Fox "Creativity" and watch it!

My other PIVOTAL books include:

Simple Abundance Sarah Ban Breathnach

A Woman's Worth by Marianne Williamson

Beauty by John O'Donohue

The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd

Gotta run and do something creative today... What books have been pivotal in your life? I'd love to hear!

xoKelly

 

the church at the back of the bookstore

   I think I sorta fell of the blog-wagon last week.  So much going on with back-to-school, back from vacation, back to helping parents, and back to finding a new seasons' rythm around here; I didn't manage too much else.  But in between all that I've been thinking (scary) about what to post next.  And my mind keeps going here...

One not too pretty photo of the back of an old bookstore in our vacation town, Steamboat Springs.  One of those quirky oh-so-not-big box bookstores that I so love to find.  This place was filled with oddball reads and unique bits of art.  And something more.  As I worked my way to the back of the bookstore I stopped suddenly, a breeze was blowing through the open back door.  Curtains swayed. I felt as though I had just walked onto holy ground.  I know that has to sound really weird, but it's true.  I'm kind of a "feely" type person, and this place stopped me in my tracks.  I went and sat down for awhile on the couch, just to soak in this feeling I was experiencing.  It was wonderful, peaceful and energizing all at the same time. Almost buzzing. When I did get up to leave I was even a little light-headed.

I've wandered through cathedrals in Europe, and lots of churches around here; while I'm awed by the architecture and the love it took to build such places, I never felt the sense of holiness I did here that day in the bookstore. 

 I asked the cashier if people met here for book discussions (no-brainer) and she said yes.  I don't know what books and ideas they share together, but I'm pretty sure these folks have found something more; maybe something like true community, sharing and caring for each other in a very loving way. Whatever they have together, it's good. I can't think of another explanation for such a wonderful feeling place.

Leaving the bookstore, I found one more thing to treasure.  A book.  Ruth, a wise-woman friend at my chiropractor clinic has told me for months now  I need to read this book.       And of course, after I bought it, I knew she was right.  The title can be a little intimidating.  But the premise is that we create the outer circumstances of our lives by what and how we think.  And the places where our lives are stuck are the places where our unloving, and negative thinking has got us stuck.  Louise claims even dis-ease is first created by our unloving thoughts and emotions.  But what is different about this book for me, is that it offers a way to truly change. She says we have to give up our need for engaging in our current behavior; this has always been the missing piece of the "change puzzle" for me. And then we can change unloving thoughts and the ways we don't love ourselves enough.  It's been surprising to notice how much negative chatter goes on in my brain this past week.  And I think of myself as a positive person!  Nothing horrible-suicidal, mind you, just the old geez, "I hate my thighs" kinda stuff.  

Heaven knows I've bought a few self-help books in my lifetime.  I've probably helped Deepak and Dr. Wayne Dyer buy a boat by now.  But I wanted to share this book. I know people from all faiths or no faith might read this blog, and the last thing I would want is to come off sounding preachy here--it's still primarily meant to be a creative pursuits kinda blog, so I hope it's taken in the spirit it's meant in.  Helpfulness.  For me, my creative life and my spiritual life are so woven and bound together-inseparable really- that when I'm stuck in one area I'm stuck in the other area too.  So that's why this book is so helpful, at the moment.  I'm feeling a little scared and stuck moving ahead in my art business.  Sorta getting clear on the "whys" and if it helps anyone else in the process to read this, well I'm all for that, really. 

So I guess I'm just passing along what I'm finding useful at the moment, to get those pesky bits of my life unstuck and moving along.  Well, and whatever faith you are or are not, really this book is religion neutral I've decided. It's just new thinking and ancient thinking together, and it turns conventional thinking upside-down...and I always like that. I even told my hairdresser about this one.  We do try to have meaningful conversations amid the dye and foil ;-)

And just in case this is all a little too airy-fairy here, and you're not into positive affirmations, I've included one very funny (I like to think) book that sits at the end of the self-help library here: I pick it up when I've decided I'm taking life too seriously and martyr-ishly (new made-up word). I'm laughing in an instant.

 I'll love you and leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:

 

*****************************************************

Guilt will be the driving force behind my actions today.

I have a right to be dysfunctional.

Today I will acknowledge my right to thive in chaos and panic in tranquility.

My recovery is not going anywhere.

Control is the only thing any of us have; therefore, I must hold onto it at all costs.

Today I will compulsively weigh myself every hour, each time sinking deeper into a pool of depression.

I must hurry, hurry, hurry to live my life.  The future looks bleak.

Today I will remember a disastrous past adventure and use it as a reason to not try anything new.

Today I will look at my shortcomings for what they are--my parent's fault.

I will nurture all my fears and anxieties on this day.

If someone compliments me today I will look for the hidden agenda.

Extreme mood swings are my goal for the day, as they are so invigorating.

*********************************************************************************************

One hundres and eighty one pages just filled with great one-liners...

See you soon--promise.  Forgot the promise to not be long-winded though didn't I?  I'll work on that.

Love,

Kelly

bright and sunny memories

 

As promised last post, here's another project I made.  This one is from the book, The Book of Candlemaking.  A trio of glass shaded votive candle holders, dressed up with a few crafting materials.  Simple and easy to make; these lights would be equally at home in a Modern, Shabby, or Bohemian cottage. The back shade is cheesecloth; gathered and hot glued around the top rim of the glass shade. The bottom two shades are ribbon covered.  The shade at front left is worked in strips of ribbon (two colors) applied diagonally and finished off with pretty braided trim.  The front right shade is one continuous length of wire-ribbon; wrapped around and around on the horizontal. This project idea could translate onto standard flat cloth lampshades just perfectly. Sorry the image is a little fuzzy, having trouble with flash glare (I think I could use a class..)  Anyway, something fun, easy, and different....works for me.

Hope the weekend was as lovely and relaxing for everyone as it was for us.  Family time, a picnic at Mike's request, and later, time with my own sweet Dad.

Ahh..summer love...

Take care

Love,

Kelly

paper crafting & a blast from my '90's past...

Ok, fast forwarding from the '70's to the late '90's now... are you with me? ... yes, we just flew right past big hair, shoulder pads, and Michael Jackson.  Whew, aren't you glad we didn't stop in the '80's?

           

So here's what I was doing by the late '90's...  I had the most incredible job ever for a few years.  A little slice of heaven for a designing woman (oops, that was an '80's tv show huh?  I'd better watch my decades) like me. I worked for Chapelle publishing in Ogden, Utah, as a designer.  I designed projects for crafting and home decorating books.  Quality, coffee-table-nice kinda books. I got to work from home, go in for meetings,  hang out with all sorts of other right-brainy artists and designers, and use any supplies I wanted from rooms full of supplies.  Nirvana...sigh...

   

Anyway, thought I'd explain that, so I can explain the photos above. The stack of books are some I helped design. The cottage (top pic) is one of many projects I made for Chapelle. I photographed it from the book  creative crafting with Recycled Cards  Sterling/Chapelle publishing.  We had to repurpose old greeting cards for this book. The cottage and container are a stationary and stamp holder set. The bottom half of this cottage is a greeting card.  I glued the card onto one of those papier mache houses with a roof that lifts off. ( I saw some of these houses in Michaels last week). The top roof/lid and windows are painted with acrylic craft paints to match the bottom card portion. And the little object on the right is a wooden holder for a roll of stamps; it's original purpose.  I'm not sure if these exact holders are still available, but a similiar object would work just fine.  I think It's a classic project, unlike so many things that look dated quickly, but it would also look good revamped with all the scrapbook papers that are available today.

So while I'm trying, trying, trying, to make some NEW and UNIQUE projects to sell on my Etsy site,  I'll be posting a few of my "oldies but goodies" here.  Because honestly folks, how are you doing it all?  This blogging takes time, my kids are home, baseball games every night...  I'm truly amazed by all the creative women out there I see in blogland who are juggling all this stuff.  My baseball cap is off to you ladies! 

  And speaking of creative women, I need to give credit where credit is due.  The company I worked for, Chapelle publishing, is Jo Packham's company.  Yes, this Jo Packham... of  Where Women Create fame.  A huge best-seller for her.  She's onto a new adventure now; publishing a magazine under the same name, which features more creative ladies' work spaces.  I think it comes out in the fall (Somerset publishing), and I can't wait to see it.  I admire Jo immensely. She has the most unbelievably creative mind, and the most incredible laugh you'll ever witness.  She taught me how to think so much more creatively and I'm glad to have been mentored by her.... That's great Kelly, now just add a little twist and it's perfect... I still hear her at my work table every day... Thanks Jo. 

Take care :)

Love,

Kelly