It took over 30 days to arrive, but it made it....my creation for the global heArt exchange. So much fun to create and already looking forward to the next one! I've always been fascinated with old doors & their ornamentation. This door, I found in the Oriental Garden in Retiro Park, Madrid. The key that inspired me  was found at the flea market, & the textures added were bits of fishing net found on the beach.

Inspiration
This year I joined the 365 project, a drawing group & an art group. I didn't get too far with my good intentions, but I did get inspired, bit by bit.  But then Louise Gale came up with the Global heArt project & I loved it. Do an exchange with a total stranger...yes!  I completed my piece 10 days ago & I'm excited to report that I received my exchange in the post yesterday. All the way from Australia by artist Liza Zeni Baker, I received this lovely illustration from the heart. Now, I hope she receives mine soon, and I really did put my heart into it, an altered photo.

Passion

pas·sion [pash-uhn] –noun

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~Attributed to Howard Thurman
In the last two days I felt a change building up inside....this morning I recognised it, tonight I taught a class on it, and finally yes, my passion is re-ignited. I don't know where it will take me, it doesn't matter - it just feels good to have it back inside me!

the excitement builds, the nervousness, along with a sense of adventure. one month to go...

gratitude, day 1

Here we are again, but this year with a difference...this is the 3rd mothers day this year. Today is the American, last week it was the Spanish, last March, the British. I think about my mother and how far I've come in 5 years, at peace now, mostly. After being apart from my own children for just one year, it was hard to breathe and I flew back to see them. Yet, more often than not, 2 - 3 yrs would go by without her seeing me. that must have been so hard for her. All we can do is learn & hopefully improve our bad habits. Still, there's a feeling that I'm not complete yet, soul still calling out but unable to hear the voice clearly. Earlier, no coincidence I'm sure, a site came my way...365gratitude project. Writing here today is my first step in joining them, and I am so grateful today for having reached this peace within and for remembering this big loss with no tears, but just a smile. I am so grateful for having chosen my parents and having received their love & teaching. For all the friends & strangers that helped me along this journey. I carry it on & hopefully pass it on to my own.