In today's call we went through this meditation and prompt. Give it 5 minutes in the morning or evening to reflect, and explore what you are entrusting yourself into with your art this week.

Take a moment to read this beautiful meditation from a book called "Undiscovered Country" published in 1946, written by Reverend Raymond John Baughan. At the end of this, I have provided a few prompts for reflection and integration for your creative practice. "The secret of happiness is in knowing this: that we live by the law of expenditure. We find greatest joy, not in getting, but in expressing what we are. There are tides in the ocean of life, and what comes in depends on what goes out. The currents flow inward only where there is an outlet. Nature does not give to those who will not spend; her gifts are loaned to those who will use them. Empty your lungs and breathe. Run, climb, work, and laugh; the more you give out, the more you shall receive. Be exhausted, and you shall be fed. Men do not really live for honors or for pay; their gladness is not in the taking and holding, but in the doing, the striving, the building, the living. It is a higher joy to teach than to be taught. It is good to get justice, but better to do it; fun to have things but more happy to make them. The happy man is he who lives the life of love, not for the honors it may bring, but for the life itself." Prompts: 1. Think of a time when giving your art, effort, or energy felt more fulfilling than receiving something. What did that experience teach you? 2. What is your natural way of giving to the world? How does your creativity already serve others? 3. If joy is found in ‘doing, striving, and building' as an expression of who you are, what does that mean for your 'creative work' this week?

For those that missed our Breath work session on Saturday, the following link is a recording of it. The full practice goes for about 40 minutes, so you can probably skip some of the intro. This is a great practice to integrate in your every day life. Amazing for regulation and anxiety. The replay will expire, so if you are interested be sure to make use of it soon: Breathwork Replay

Thanks to Charise for bringing up this amazing poem by William Blake. We read it in the group call today. I love this one, and it was a reminder to me to settle down, enjoy some poetry, and fully experience "The Ecchoing Green" of life. The Ecchoing Green By William Blake The sun does arise, And make happy the skies. The merry bells ring To welcome the Spring. The sky-lark and thrush, The birds of the bush, Sing louder around, To the bells’ cheerful sound. While our sports shall be seen On the Ecchoing Green. Old John, with white hair Does laugh away care, Sitting under the oak, Among the old folk, They laugh at our play, And soon they all say. ‘Such, such were the joys. When we all girls & boys, In our youth-time were seen, On the Ecchoing Green.’ Till the little ones weary No more can be merry The sun does descend, And our sports have an end: Round the laps of their mothers, Many sisters and brothers, Like birds in their nest, Are ready for rest; And sport no more seen, On the darkening Green.

I missed everyone on the call this week 🤍 Here is the watercolor artwork from my Doctors office. I tested positive for Influenza A today 🤣🤣🤣 They said that since I've had a fever for 4 days in a row, it's too late for tamiflu. Which is fine, I hated tamiflu the last time I had this crud. Watercolor I did have an hour long video call with Sevde today, which was AMAZING 🎉