We've been called to the Mountain

April 26, 2007 in Current Affairs

I'm still watching the American Idol Gives Back. (In fact Celine Dion just finished her duet with Elvis) It's been quite a show.

I had a dollar number in mind that I was planning to donate when the program began. Facts I learned about the death rate of children as a result of poverty, malaria and other illness all are so shocking. To see their sad, vacant eyes just breaks your heart. More exposure to and understanding of these devastating lives and worlds have educated me more about how dire these conditions are. The unbearable weight of endless sadness, the eyes that look mostly down to the ground, the hearts that appear to have no hope. As I continued to watch all the stories and visits, I realized that I could do better. I took the number that I originally had planned to donate and multiplied it by 10. I guess, I might challenge you to reconsider increasing your bid too.

Dr. Phil said, "You never stand so tall, as when you stoop to help a child."

There are so many children living with extreme poverty, and dire illness, and the constant threat of death. Not to mention, sick children from all over our world, are barely surviving without medicine, health care givers and facilities, and parents to care for them. They are living without education, homes, food and sadly they exist without hope. There is virtually not even one aspect of their lives that I could remotely compare to my life. (or any one else's that I know)

My donation was a start for sure. Let this become the beginning of being better caretakers of those who need our help. Whenever you give, in any capacity, it is Universal Law that it will come back to you. 

American Idol is a show I follow religiously, but consider it a guilty pleasure at best. But now, I'm proud that this became a vehicle for raising awareness as well as the kind of funds that can make a difference.  And that, I'm proud to be a part of. 

Blessings, Debbie

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Bad Hair Day?

April 19, 2007 in Television

Thank you Sanjaya.....I never knew what the best solution for a bad hair day could be.  Now I know! Wear a bandana. 

I hope Simon thinks I "worked it out." Oh, and thanks Kelli Pickler for your "stand-in" legs and Tom Harlow for your Photo Shop Miracles! 

Debbie

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God Bless us everyone.

April 17, 2007 in Current Affairs

I am deeply saddened and quietly weeping for the tragedy of yesterday on the Virginia Tech Campus. The how and why are truly beyond our comprehension. I find myself projecting a little, by imagining the "what if" my son went to school there.  And then the wonderment again about just how safe are our College Campuses?  The feeling that results from that is really all about fear. And fear is powerful. As a nation and as a world we feel the collective pain and a heightened sense of fear. For the students and families that were directly involved - I just can't even grasp their feelings of horror. 

Wherever you are, what ever you are doing, no matter how lost you must feel.......wise ones remind us that, "this too shall pass." When you are ready, (which may be today, tomorrow, or months from now) shift your mind to find a way to accept what happened and and work up the determination to move forward as a joyful being once again.

My approach is to be very thankful for the safety of my son, his friends, and of course for everyone in our lives. This is a day that also contains much beauty. Search for this too, you will always find beauty no matter what.

My prayers for great strength and blessings go out to families who are suffering. And if your world is pretty sane and intact - this is a wonderful time to express your gratitude.

Peace and Goodwill to all mankind, Debbie

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About A Boy

April 13, 2007 in Family

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Murphy (my little boy) turned 18 this week. How can that be?  Seriously, how can that be? Didn't I just pack away his baby clothes? Wasn't it yesterday I followed him around every minute making sure he didn't bang his head on the coffee table or lose his footing on the stairs? Wasn't it just days ago that I witnessed him drum up the courage to get on the school bus for the first time? Didn't I just wake up after a matinee showing of (the original) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie?

Wasn't it just weeks ago that Pokemon cards and Lego parts covered his bedroom floor? Certainly it was just last Halloween that he dressed up in his Turtle costume and was ready to go home after just a half an hour of trick-or-treating? It seems like just yesterday that all he wanted to eat was Macaroni and Cheese and Chicken Nuggets (instead of Sushi and Starbucks). It just doesn't seem that long ago that everything on his birthday wish list could be found at Toys 'r Us instead of his current standard request for Cash and Fuel Cards.

I never thought I'd see the day when he would read literature for fun, play his guitar and sing in public voluntarily. I try not to show my shock when he proclaimed that he would like to teach English to high school students and the first time I heard him call his girlfriend, "babe." And I certainly never believed the day would come this soon that he would be buying Joni Mitchell and Frank Sinatra albums with his own money. 

You know, now that I think about it, there are still a few things that haven't changed that much......instead of an hour in the bathtub, it's an hour in the shower. I still pack his lunch and prod him to get ready for school. Come to think of it, he still does like Macaroni and Cheese. And my heart still breaks if I even sense that he is a little sad or disappointed. And my heart still swells every one of the many times he makes me proud.   

After 18 years, it's still all about a boy.....my boy.   

Pretty soon, today will feel "just like yesterday."

Debbie

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20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life

April 10, 2007 in Creativity

Hi!  I hope you’re been spending more time exploring your creative self.  Hopefully, you've had time to read and re-read a few times......so here come ten more.  Visit these lists periodically and forward to your creative friends.  Oh, Tip # 21 - go for coffee with a creative friend and talk about how commited you will be to your creativity from here on. 
Debbie

The next 10 Creativity Tips

11. If you experience frustration or even rejection in your creative endeavors - go ahead and mourn or even cry - get it out of your system. But then get back up on the horse and get back to it. Artists are not always understood, and you know, artists do have to suffer a little for their craft.  (you don’t have to cut off an ear or anything)

12. Realize that a mentor or advocate is very important. They can help lead you down your path of choice and prepare you for some of the obstacles you may encounter.  Observing others that do what you want to do can be a great teacher.

13. It is important to be "real" and "authentic" in your expression or joy will be absent.

14. Initiate or join a group who is interested in developing their creativity through similar processes or mediums. It will encourage you to be productive and create meaningful relationships with people who have similar goals. Sharing and connecting with others in a passion is very powerful. I’m thinking about joining a drinking club.

15. Trust yourself at the onset of a project, even when you have no idea where you'll take the project. Your creativity, your heart, and your mind will collaborate to give you a direction and will keep working with you to your final result.  (This is something I do every day.)

16. Fake it until you make it. Try new things, keep doing your best, and before you know it you'll be teaching it to someone else.  Been there, done that!

17. If you're not getting support, know your endeavors are absolutely worthy; first of all, just because they are your endeavors and they are meaningful & important to you. Ignore all those who may try to discourage you.

18. Practice, practice, practice your craft.  As you become more skilled - your mind will allow more ideas in because you won't be limiting yourself.  In other words - your skills and confidence can keep up with your imagination.

19. Expose yourself to ideas continually, even if you don't act upon them.  That's why we buy books, look at others’ work, go to galleries and shows, and one of the many reasons why we shop. (oops, I mean “market research”)  It's all exposure to design - which is color, pattern, and composition.  Learning by osmosis is valid.  It always comes back to excuses to shop more!

20. Attend quilt expositions and classes. They offer a wonderful chance to learn new things, meet new people, and to give your time and attention to something that is very important to you. The creative you.

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20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life

April 6, 2007 in Creativity

Even though we know expressing our creativity is such an essential part of who we are, in the business of daily life and the battle that constantly goes on in our priority list.......exploring our creativity often gets left out.  The reason I'm able to focus on it more is because I've made it my job to do so!  So, it's always on my list - but where it lands on the list becomes the challenge for me.  I'm on "vacation" this week - so I'm able to re-group a little and think about how important creativity is and some ways to maintain it.

I've compiled 20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life.  We'll start with ten.  Digest those for a couple days and I'll follow with the next ten.  Hope you find something meaningful to you.  Debbie

20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life

1. Be the artist that is inside you! We are all creative! Celebrate, express and develop your talents!

2. Build up your creative muscles—do a creative process of some kind every day. Live as a creative person. If you think of preparing a dinner, setting a table, arranging your towels on the shelf, or organizing your jewelry as a creative opportunity (instead of a chore), just think of how much more satisfaction you will get out of it!

3. Declare a space and create the environment that will allow your creativity to blossom.
Set the scene by organizing your environment and then decorate it to your heart’s content to reflect your personality. Just walking into your custom-created space will start your juices flowing. You'll know what you're there for.

4. Prepare to create by collecting inspiration—Make a fun box where you can keep notes, gather impressions, colors, textures, photos, and ideas. If you really like to organize and like to multi-task - when you're watching American Idol or CSI - put them in a planner and organize them by categories like holiday or florals or by rooms like guest room or den.  If there are pockets or pouches, you can keep track of loose items before they are categorized. Look over your references any time you need a creativity jump-start.

5. Provide and schedule time for yourself to create (let others in your house know about your schedule and ask them to respect your time) - set a specific time to dedicate to a project and decide when you want to complete your project—I’ve always said that a deadline is the ultimate inspiration!

6.  Experiment and be prepared to learn—the beauty of the creative process is that it is an evolution. Try new tools. Try new colors. Try new stitches and techniques. I know that many people get locked into a color scheme, and sometimes it’s hard to move past it. I really recommend trying new things and you will feel empowered by your expansion of what you can accomplish. You just may amaze yourself.

7.  Broaden your horizons—seek out new experiences and information. Quilting classes are great, of course.  But also consider other creative stimulation by stepping out of the box a little more.  What about a pottery class or a beginning drawing class? Maybe art or music appreciation? Browse through art galleries.  It will all stimulate you creatively and help you grow.  (Even if you're not aware of it.)

8.  Persevere—not everything is going to turn out every time. Call mistakes a learning experience and move on. One thing I’ve learned in creating hundreds of projects for our books is that sometimes you have to know when to let something go. If it just isn’t working, you've got my permission to abandon an unproductive idea and move on to something new.

9.  Enjoy the creative process. The whole purpose is joy. Have fun.  Do this for your own pleasure.  Creativity IS joy. Joy is really what it’s all about.

10. Never let anyone (including yourself) convince you that your creativity is not important. It's at the core of your heart and expressing it makes you alive.

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