Paintings in Progress

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

Here's a small portion of what's happening in my studio. (i.e. Some of the paintings that are currently in progress... so please be gentle!)

8" square canvas board- perhaps a nice beginning? I love quinacrodone burnt orange.

16 inches x 20 inches canvas- this one sat for a loooooong time and suddenly one day it wanted a vase of lavender. Looks like it maybe could be lavender. Wonder what might be next...

11" x 14" hmmm.... This hardboard has had several layers of gesso and paint already! LOL! Maybe there are some possibilities here?

3 feet x 4 feet canvas - I prefer working large! This one is my favorite, but often that is a creativity block for me... keeps me from taking risks.

Should be interesting to see how these turn out! I'm famous for not finishing paintings, so don't hold your breath! ;)

Lovin' Paintin',

Lisa

♥

Ambiguity

In our willingness to step into the unknown we are stepping into the field of infinite possibilities. ~Deepak Chopra

After taking a break for a few days, Sunday I returned to going through my belongings and attempting to organize the chaos of boxes and "stuff" that is around me! I'll have to say that it is a bit strange to be going through my belongings, packing, letting go of things I've been using, like a table and an 8x5 feet rug, and not know where I'm going or when. Fear comes up every once in awhile about whether or not I'm hearing my intuition correctly!

The messages I've been receiving the past few days are
Patience.
Let go of anxiety and urgency.
Don't make hasty decisions.
Surrender to Divine Timing.
Listen to the wise counsel of your intuition.
Ask for support if needed from physical and non-physical guides and teachers.
Continue to let go of belongings.
Paint.
Write.

I have to admit that it has been a relief to not be rushing around attempting to get everything done before the day I was supposed to leave. To actually slow down and spend time painting is such a gift!

I thought I'd share some affirmations that found their way to me from Julia Cameron's book Heart Steps: Prayers and Declarations for a Creative Life.

I am able to live with ambiguity. I am able to allow situations to evolve and alter. I am able to await outcomes. I tolerate quiet periods of non-knowing while solutions emerge and present themselves. I do not force solutions. I expect the successful working-out of difficulties.
I react and respond openly and easily to the changing face of life. I am focused yet lighthearted. I bring joy and exuberance to my activities. I draw my energy from Life itself. I am an outlet for the energy of the Universe to promote change, growth and expansion. Knowing I am sourced in universal power, I respond to life with security, spontaneity and delight. I am more than enough.

I wrote this out on a notecard to have available at all times. :)

Living In Joyful Ambiguity,
Lisa
♥

(c) 2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved

Happy Thanksgiving

Joy and Anticipation

Dear Wild Creative Heart,

Today I was reminded when I was young and used to get so excited examining my gifts under the Christmas tree. Sometimes I could hardly stand not knowing what was in them. The anticipation was nearly painful! I would finally tell myself I had to put them away and forget about them or I felt I might burst from wanting to know what they contained.

One year there was a box shaped like a shirt box, only when I pressed on it, I could feel a hard area. Oh, now THAT was really interesting. What could it be!?

I also remembered a couple times when I examined the gifts a little too closely and found out what they contained. Of course, the fun was over once I knew.

And so it is with my journey.

The Universe has many gifts wrapped and ready to give to me and I am filled with anticipation. I feel like a child at Christmas, wanting to know so badly what might be inside the beautifully wrapped boxes. Like that box with a hard item among the soft, my mind can not figure out what the gifts might be. If I knew what was coming before the gifts arrived, the fun might be over!

Hummingbird (spirit) joined me today opening my heart and bringing me the vibration of pure joy. Jamie Sams says of Hummingbird in Medicine Cards, "relax" and "get ready to laugh musically and enjoy Creator's many gifts."

I must relax and stay present, enjoy THIS moment and focus on what I'm doing NOW with joyful anticipation of the gifts that are waiting for me.

Wishing you much joy and excited anticipation,
Lisa
♥

P.S. My mom had been creative that Christmas and put lip balm (shaped like a bottle of cola if I remember correctly!) in the box along with an article of clothing I don't remember. Maybe it was new pajamas. :)

Your mind is never going to figure it out

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

Right now I am feeling gratefully at ease, being present writing this, and not in fear or worried about the future. A nice relief from my experience the past 24 hours.

Yesterday was stressful because I was "trying to figure out and decide" what was going on with my move to Hawaii. Am I going to Hawaii or not? Am I going on a road trip or not? When am I going? Where am I going? Am I moving? What do I need to do to prepare? Should I reserve the vacation rental in Kona that I found? and on and on... I need to know!!!!

I hardly slept last night with my monkey mind running in circles, wanting to plan and know what was going on.

To attempt to settle down, around 4 am I listened to a guided meditation which just so happened to be about transforming your thoughts. Part way through I heard something like, "Allow one truth to come into your mind" and what came to me was, "Your mind is never going to figure it out." :)

No, it isn't. Living an inspired life, living a life being guided by one's intuition is not something the mind can comprehend. Setting course for a particular destination and progressing forward by listening to one's intuition doesn't mean one will actually arrive at the intended destination. Or it may manifest in a roundabout way that your mind isn't expecting. Who's to say that the roadtrip that I may be taking won't eventually lead me to Hawaii in some surprising way?

As of this moment, I don't know whether I will be on the flight to Hawaii on the 8th of December, or if I will be headed somewhere known or unknown in my car, or if something else will come up today, tomorrow or next week! (And at this moment I'm surprisingly calm about it!) And you know, my mind isn't going to be able to figure it out!

It's not about what my mind thinks or wants to plan. And really, isn't it a relief that we don't have to figure it all out? Instead we surrender, enjoy the present moment, listen to the whispers of our inner guidance and trust. I'm learning and practicing this one step at a time and reminding myself yet again, that my mind will never figure it out.

Love,
Lisa
♥

Well, isn't this interesting....

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

Here's what's on my mind today: Hawai'i? Or not?

Things have been shifting with my move to Hawai'i. The place I thought I was going to stay when I first got there fell through yesterday morning. I've been inquiring into other places to stay with nothing available or feeling like a good option.

Yesterday I had the feeling that I might be keeping my car rather than selling it. Why would I do that if I was moving to Hawai'i?

This morning I was really frustrated. A dear and wise friend suggested I take a break, so I did exactly that and went for a hike.

I started feeling into the energy of going to Hawaii, and was surprised that I didn't find a lot there. In the past, whenever I've thought about not going for whatever reason, I could feel Hawai'i tugging on my heart. It was a feeling like there wasn't an option, I was going to go. Not today. Today the energy seems flat and really far away.

Not that I'm going to stay where I'm at either. Actually, after the realization that I may not be going to Hawaii, I started feeling like I may be going on a road trip!! (that would explain not selling my car! )

But right now, I have NO idea what I'm going to be doing. It feels like something is wanting to happen, but it isn't letting me know what it is.

Things that make you go hmmm......

Less than 3 weeks until my flight and I'm not sure if I will even be on it. And right now, I'm okay with that.

How interesting.

I'll keep you posted. :)

Love,
Lisa
♥

For the Love of The World

For the Love of the World

For the love of a tree, she went out on a limb.

For the love of the sea, she rocked the boat.

For the love of the earth, she dug deeper.

For the love of community, she mended fences.

For the love of the stars, she let her light shine.

For the love of spirit, she nurtured her soul.

For the love of a good time, she sowed seeds of happiness.

For the love of the goddess, she drew down the moon.

For the love of a good meal, she gave thanks.

For the love of family, she reconciled differences.

For the love of creativity, she entertained new possibilities.

For the love of her enemies, she suspended judgment.

For the love of herself, she acknowledged her worth.

And the world was richer for her.

~ Charlotte Tall Mountain

It isn't all Moonbeams and Roses

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

I knew it was there under the surface. I could feel it making itself known every so often. I knew the time was coming. Yesterday was it!

The emotional dam broke! Whew!

In times of change, I can expect it to happen. Lots of fear, anger, sadness, disappointment, regret and who knows what else was released.

Fear of not getting everything done before I leave. Fear of the future. What is waiting for me in Hawai'i anyway? Not totally trusting the Universe. Anger, sadness and disappointment for what didn't occur during my time in Colorado. Regret for decisions I made and wish I could change. Questioning myself: exactly WHY am I doing this? yada yada yada

Boy do I feel better. I feel energized and more alive now. And I'm continuing the tasks to prepare for my departure date.

Change, even for the better, is stressful.

Just so you know. Following your dreams isn't all moonbeams and roses. There are tough parts too. It shows you how strong you are. It may ask you to choose and choose again.

It all passes. You come out the other side with a fresh perspective and feeling lighter... And on the way to living your dreams.

Love!

Lisa

(c) 2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved

One Bit of Advice...

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

For the past several weeks I've been wondering what to write next about my move to Hawaii!

In an earlier post, I had mentioned that I would be discussing the last four years and what helped me to go from having the desire to live in Hawaii to actually moving there.

With this in mind I began writing a list: things that I've accomplished, things that I've inquired about, things that I've learned and investigated, themes in my life, and Wow! A LOT has happened the past four years! (What a wonderful thing to do, to look at how far you've come! Try it! ) I was excited about all of the possible blog posts! (laugh)

As I was creating this list over several days, I asked Spirit for help, and to please show me what I was missing, if anything.

Spirit answered through signs from nature: Bear Medicine. (Okay. No, not what you might be thinking. I can't claim to have seen a bear! The answer actually came through a fun synchronicity. Not one, but TWO dogs named Bear that I met on one hike. I don't normally find out the names of any dogs while I'm hiking but on this day I heard owners talk to their four-legged and call the dog Bear! Something like this always makes me take notice. But I digress.)

Yes, I've been practicing Bear Medicine for the past four years. Well, much longer than that, but I believe I received a lot of practice and some wonderful teachings about it during this time. It is about going within, inner listening, being able to hear the still, small voice within.

This is what Spirit wanted me to share with you. I could share with you the list of things I wrote, but it may or may not be relevant to you. It has been my path. The way my Higher Self journeyed. But your path is different. Your Higher Self has it's own path. You need to be able to hear it.

The only good advice I feel I can give you about realizing your dreams is this:

Go Within. Enter the silence. Listen to your inner voice. Follow its direction.

I wish I could say take such-and-such class and all your dreams will come true! The action I'm suggesting however is slowing down, quieting your mind and creating space for the inner voice to speak. And then following its direction. It takes practice. It's a process. It doesn't happen overnight for most of us.

So if you are ready, if it feels right, repeat this:
I am open and willing right now to have more awareness of my inner voice(Higher Self, Spirit, Source) in a clear, direct and flowing way. I open my heart to receive deep inner guidance.

And allow ME to repeat this: It takes practice. It's a process. It doesn't happen overnight. Patience!

So I'm not sure about that list of topics for future blog posts. Maybe Spirit has a better plan.

Wishing you deep listening,

Lisa

P.S. The photo is from a short hike I took on Tuesday in Rocky Mountain National Park.

(c) 2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved

Show Your Soul - Clarissa Pinkola Estés

One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires ...causes proper matters to catch fire...Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it.

If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.

Do not lose heart. We were made for these times.

~Clarissa Pinkola Estés

The Faces of Deer - Mary Oliver

The Faces of Deer

Mary Oliver

When for too long I don't go deep enough into the woods to see them, they begin to enter my dreams. Yes, there they are, in the pinewoods of my inner life. I want to live a life full of modesty and praise. Each hoof of each animal makes the sign of a heart as it touches then lifts away from the ground. Unless you believe that heaven is very near, how will you find it? Their eyes are pools in which one would be content, on any summer afternoon, to swim away through the door of the world. Then, love and its blessing. Then: heaven.

(c) 2005 Mary Oliver