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.