Sunset 2007 My Prayer for You

Sunset 2007 My Prayer for You

I pray that you have people around you who love you,
and I hope that you show others that you love them.
I pray that you have a rich and loving family life
and friends to talk to, laugh, love and cry with.
I pray that you always have food on your table,
and hope in your heart,
for yourself, your family and this world we live in.
This is my prayer for you.

Reflections

Om Mani Bowl
View more art at: www.frangipanihouse.com.au/art.html

I have been going through my happiness journal recently, and in it I had written about goals I would like to achieve or things I would like to have in my life. I notice that nearly all of them have come into fruition. However one area of my life that I love I notice that I have been really slack with is my art this year. I have hardly produced anything.

On a visit to the newly opened gallery in Ballina, I spoke to one of the artists, who mentioned that she had gone through a tough time of late. However she noticed also that she had produced 27 paintings during this time. Art can be a great way to express inner stresses and help yourself to come to terms with whatever issues are going on in life. Picasso said that 'art is simply another way of creating a diary'.

I notice that when I view my art from a journal or diary perspective it tells a lot. The Hawaiian artwork I do reflects time I spent learning about Hawaiian myths during my Hawaiian Bodywork Training. The Om Mani Bowl artwork above was one that I did when the Dalai Lama's Gyuto Monks visited Port Macquarie. I attended some of their workshops and went to the chanting night. (If you haven't ever seen them, next time they are in your town pay them a visit. You don't have to be Buddhist to attend there is some beautiful philosophy to be learned through them.)

I started to paint four artworks for the church I attend this year, the theme was on Peace, Hope, Love and Joy. The art just wasn't progressing as I wanted. I had been rushing around helping out at church then rushing around at home getting Christmas presents organised I am sure I don't have to elaborate on the usual Christmas hurry... and I realised attempting to paint in a rush with all that was going on at Christmas time, simply wasn't conveying the Peace, Hope, Love and Joy I wanted, so they are now in the art cupboard, waiting for me. Reminding me every time I open the cupboard door... 'are you ready to be more Peacful, Hopeful, Loving and Joyfull yet?' Groaning I shut the door and rush around getting the house ready for more holiday visitors.

Well I am off to my paint pots - what are you doing today? I think I'll finish my mermaid... I keep seeing the Ballina mermaid everytime I cross the bridge to go for my walk and I love her so I am doing my own version.

To the illumined

To the illumined man or woman,
a clod of dirt,
a stone,
and gold are all the same.
Bhagavad Gita

Looking for stone images - check http://www.frangipanihouse.com.au/cardsandimages.html

Christmas Tree Art - Creating a family tradition

Traditions are important for families, here is one of ours. A few years ago I painted the Mele Kalikimaka Palm tree, then it occured to me to paint in the year on one of the bauble as Christmas day arrived. It started a Christmas tradition in our family, my grand daughter Indi selects the bauble on the Christmas Tree Palm, to paint the current year on. This year, in addition to painting on the Palm tree in our home, Indi wanted to create her own artwork to have at her own home. Here she is painting. It's a fun tradition that is easy to do... Do you have a Christmas tradition?

Butterfly in My Garden

Sometimes nature surprises me with it's beauty... I was busily writing this morning, and when I looked up from my computer this butterfly was flitting about on the zinnias I have planted outside my office. Isn't it gorgeous? I had a lovely time standing still waiting to take pictures of it to share with you today... enjoy.

Blooming Marrrrvelous Frangis

Frangipanis Blooming on a Van in Ballina

How was your Christmas, was it calm and collected, did you keep to your budget? Congratulations... have you thought about writing a book about how to do it? You'll make a fortune, maybe even end up on Oprah.

If however you are anything like the majority of us, getting caught up in the hectic pre Christmas rush and then getting caught up in the emotional ups and downs that can be Christmas... this post Christmas time can be one where we can take time out to reflect on what has just happened.

I wonder what would have happened to the Frangipani on this van, if it had thought, 'well this is no place for me, and no one listens to me, and no one has ever loved me enough to plant me in dirt so I am not going to bloom I am just going to sit here on this van and keep my flowers locked inside me so there'.

Yet as humans we occasionally partake in this kind of thinking... I wonder what flowers each of us has locked inside us just waiting to bloom, no matter what the circumstances.

SECRET SANTA

The Mele Kalikimaka Palm
at Frangipani House

I want to invite you to be a secret santa this year. It isn't that difficult... just start to pay attention when you are out and about to conversations that are happening around you. Chances are there is someone who really needs a Secret Santa this year. Listen carefully to what people are saying... things like 'well I won't be getting any presents this year' is an opportunity for you to alert your Secret Santa to take action. Or maybe when you are standing in line in a grocery isle and you see someone struggling to find that extra few dollars to pay their grocery bill... or see someone putting back groceries that they can't afford... that is all a sign that Secret Santa could come into action.

Another place to look for Secret Santa opportunities... caravan parks. Simply ask the park office if anyone there could use a Secret Santa... make up a hamper of food. There are so many people in need of Hope this year... it could be you that makes a difference.

Mele Kalikimaka - Memories of Christmas Past

I hear that in many places something has happened to Christmas; that it is changing from a time of merriment and carefree gaiety to a holiday which is filled with tedium; that many people dread the day and the obligation to give Christmas presents is a nightmare to weary, bored souls; that the children of enlightened parents no longer believe in Santa Claus; that all in all, the effort to be happy and have pleasure makes many honest hearts grow dark with despair instead of beaming with good will and cheerfulness.
- Julia Peterkin, A Plantation Christmas, 1934

I was such a lucky child, I was brought up by a Mum, who planned Christmas throughout the year, just for the sake of bringing Joy to her family on Christmas Day. My Mum lived on a very limited budget and yet, she managed to put away a little money each week, that went to making her family Christmas a very special one. It must have been tempting to spend that money on herself at times, yet she never did. How lucky my sister and I were, to wake up on Christmas morning with presents under the tree, gleaming in the twinkling lights. They weren't hugely expensive presents, but they were given from her heart, with an intention that was created throughout the previous year. What wonderful memories I have.

Instead of wondering what present will be impressive enough for people, rethink your motives this Christmas, and wonder, what present will bring the most Joy? Maybe you won't even have to spend any money, maybe you could write a letter that says how much that person is appreciated. My girlfriend's Dad was an alcoholic, who left the family and was homeless, yet every birthday and every Christmas, she received a eucalyptus leaf that was painted especially for her. The leaves had little messages of caring for her written on them. Those leaves took pride of place on her mantle piece.

This year get a bit creative and give from your heart simply for another person's Joy.

Mele Kalikimaka - You are the Gift.

White Frangipani against a summer sky at Suffolk Park

Did you know that you have a gift that is unique to this world? No one else has the combination of life experience, and talents that you have. Did you know that once you start expressing these gifts, that you will be a really happy person? Sure you will still have challenges, that just goes with being alive, but once you start expressing your gifts, those challenges will appear like a way to express your gift in an even more creative way, instead of an unclimable mountain.

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. Janice Maeditere

Mele Kalikimaka - TAKE TIME THIS CHRISTMAS

Apricot and Pink Frangipani - Tree at Ulmara NSW

Take time to think;
It is the source of power.
Take time to read;
It is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to play;
It is the secret of staying young.
Take time to be quiet;
It is the opportunity to seek God.
Take time to be aware;
It is the opportunity to help others.
Take time to love and be loved;
It is God's greatest gift.
Take time to laugh;
It is the music of the soul.
Take time to be friendly;
It is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream;
It is what the future is made of.
Take time to pray;
It is the greatest power on earth.

-Author unknown.

Mele Kalikimaka - Love

Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
-Josephine Bacon

Mele Kalikimaka - The Gift

A recent happening at a Volunteer organisation I help out at, has made me stop and rethink what my gifts are, and reflect on whether I have been trying to fill a role that would best be filled by someone else. Perhaps you are trying to work in an area that is really not even you - not one of your gifts. An expert in the area of personal development once told me that trying is dying. Stop trying and just do it. But what if trying is a message about how you are living your life - that something is out of whack.

Trying is becoming a signal to me. If I find myself trying too hard, it means that I am not using my gifts in the area that I am meant to be. If I am trying it means that I am working outside my gifted area and therefore things are difficult. To give you an idea of what I mean here... my mum is a gifted designer and real estate person. Now she is not an accountant or even interested in reading books. Does that mean that she should judge herself as stupid because she can't make it as an accountant or librarian in this life? No - all she needs do is to simply recognise that her gift is a homemaker. That she gives encouragement and love through her design work. Even though it is 'only' for her family and friends, every time I visit her house I am uplifted.

One of my friends said to me, 'if you find yourself meeting too many blocks in your path, mabe you are on a parrallel path to the one you need to be on'. I love this way to think, it gives me a simple method to look around and start over. My volunteer time has helped me to understand that I am 'trying' to give a gift I don't possess. I have been a round peg in a square hole. My 'gifts' involve anything to do with the arts. That is where I belong that is where I can give to the world.

One of my friends has many gifts including being a fabulous baker, homemaker and artist... When I go to visit her I am surrounded by her colourful artworks, her wonderful way of decorating and then I receive another of her gifts... being nurtured with her food. Yet another of my friends has the gift of humour when I visit her I am uplifted with her light way of seeing the world. Another of my friends has this gift... she can give you a hug that warms you to the very core of your being... she is truly present with each person she meets and I am sure each person goes away feeling absolutely treasured and special. One of my friends is rapidly becoming an expert in the 12 step program... it is one of her gifts now to see into personal situations very clearly and give 'real' clarity to others.

I wonder if we approached employment from a different perspective... looking not into what is 'out there' to do, and rather looking 'inward first' into what our gifts are. Then give that gift out to the world in our work. How would our live's change? How would our attitude to work be? Of course we would still have challenges but what great challenges.

What are your gifts? If you don't recognise them, perhaps a friend could help you discover them. If you know what your gifts are... do you share them with the world?

Mele Kalikimaka - HOPE

Sunset at Seaforth December 2007

Now I know why artists paint pink water.

We have just arrived home from visiting family in Sydney and I am reminded of the Hope that is to be found at my father-in-law's home. Ron created a wonderful legacy for his family and the generations to come in a secure and stable home environment. His kind, considerate nature will influence his family for many years to come. After he passed away just over a year ago I was wandering around his beautiful estate, and these words came to mind... 'we are only stewards of this land for a short time, we think we own it... but we don't... we are just here to look after it for a while'. Many such sentences echo in my mind of Ron's wisdom.

During this visit as I wandered around Ron's property I felt sad to see his land going back to weeds, after he nurtured it so carefully. He would have been most distressed to see it so neglected. Dead fronds from the Tree Ferns, hung wearily - this was one of the many things Ron liked to keep clear in the garden. I imagined him telling me to 'get them down'. I could feel his presence so strongly there that I wanted to stay and look after the land for him... to help continue loving the place as he once had. Ron was a great steward of not only the land but also of the people in his life. I truly understand stewardship now because of him. Ron looked after and maintained his property very well, but most of all he cared for his family at a very deep level.

Driving home today I was listening to a radio program on the ABC. The speaker, a former psychoanalyst told how hard it can be for men to stay in a family... their genes tell them to leave... I believe it takes a strong man to stay in a family that their hearts have to tell them to stay. Well Ron was a stayer... he stayed with his family... guided them like the soldier he once was. He never left his post even when the going got tough. In all our lives things can be tough and Christmas can be very tough on many. Families can be a source of great comfort or great despair or both. Separation or loss of family members can really hit hard at Christmas.

But I believe that even if we are separated from family or have lost someone special that those people also have left us a gift. People like Ron remind me of the gift of Hope... Hope for the future, Hope for family... Hope for a good life for friends. Hope for the earth. Hope doesn't desert us... Hope is what can keep us going when the track can seem overgrown. Maybe this is the message for me this Christmas... the track at Ron's is still there... his wisdom is still in my heart and mind, even though the track through his garden is overgrown... "Be a good steward of the land you live on... the land in your community... look after it... look after the people around you."

What do you Hope for this Christmas?

Mele Kalikimaka Time

Ah yes it's that time of the year again... shop till you drop etc.
Let's try to remember what this season is all about.
HOPE, JOY, PEACE, LOVE.

Do your best at attempting the above, somedays it's easier than others... be kind to yourself in the process.