Taking a New Direction

  • Posted on December 24, 2008 at 10:17 am

Flyingbirds 

di·rec·tion

 (d-rkshn, d-)n.

Noun

1. the course or line along which a person or thing moves, points, or lies

2. management or guidance

direction - something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action

The other day, I was on my morning walk.  It was a windy day and in the sky there was a bird flying into the wind.

I know you have seen this…

A bird flapping his wings with all he has but he just remains suspended in air, going nowhere.

He keeps trying, flapping his wings even harder.  Still going nowhere and he only gets fatigued.

If he only knew that with the slightest change of direction, he can start his journey with a little more ease.

And with a completely new course, his journey will be easier or even effortless.   With the help of the uplifting wind under his wings, he will be able to glide onto his new course.

We can learn from the bird's struggle with the wind as we enter into the New Year!

2008 for me, was to look at all aspects of my life and fine tune, streamline.  I looked at what was important to me and the kids, what was taking my energy away and made adjustments for a better balance.  

This was a slight change of direction for me.   A better course, but still struggling with the wind.

2009, I will look for the uplifting winds to give me direction with greater ease on my journey!

I ask you all to reflect on areas in your life that may be hard, taking away your energy or are no longer in line with your values in life…..

Step back to see if a change of direction is needed!

Happy New Year!

Take Care,
Christine

Reaching Out- A Special Gift

  • Posted on December 11, 2008 at 8:37 pm

Reachout
 

"Reach Out" by Christine Webb

gift

(gft)

n.

1. Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.
2. The act, right, or power of giving.
3. A talent, endowment, aptitude, or inclination.

tr.v. gift·ed, gift·ing, gifts

1. To present something as a gift to.
2. To endow with.

I get many opportunities to reach out to people on a daily basis because of my store.

Whether it is when I am teaching a workshop, greeting customers, or just through emails, I get to have that contact.

While going through my processing with my divorce, I have had some pretty low days.

At times, it has been all I can do to get through the day.

I received an email from a sister of a customer who had visited my store when she was in town several years ago.  When I received this email, it was not such a good day for me.

She emailed about trouble she had been having with soldering her pendants under glass.

She had soldered before but it had been a while.  She listed her problems.

I was overwhelmed.   Overwhelmed with my personal issues, overwhelmed with her problems with soldering which are not easy to solve via email…….

But I took a deep breath and started in with my best solutions to her problems.

I got a thank you response for helping her and I thought that was it!

Well, last Sunday (12/7), I decided to go to church.   I have not been to church in a while and my friend had been talking how Crossroads Church, around the corner from me, really helped her through her divorce.

So I went.

The message that Sunday was about Re-Gifting, a 3 part series.  Re-Gifting the gifts that Jesus has given us.  The Re-Gifting subject for that Sunday was about Love.

The pastor had 5 main points about Re-Gifting Jesus' Love for us to others:
1)  Say it to those we love
2) Write it in a note to those we love and appreciate
3) Touch, A simple hug, touch of the hand to those we love
4) Show kindness always to all
5) Celebrate Life & Mourn with those we love

You can hear the full sermon here: http://www.crossroadscolorado.com/
Go to Online Message, Giving the Gift of Love 12/7

When I got home and opened my email, I got this email from Cheryl, the person I had helped solve her soldering problems:

"Thanks Again Christine,

Here are some pendants that i was able to complete, thanks to your help.
 

I had promised our friend, a nun, in a mission in Ethiopia that i would
send some pendants to a woman there for
her to sell to raise some money to help feed her family.  I was able to
fulfill my promise thanks to your help.
You now have a hand in feeding some hungry kids in Ethiopia!  Thanks so
much for taking the time to help me out of 
the hole i dug myself into.  

Have a wonderful holiday!"

Gratefully, cheryl

Web ethiopia pendants Pendants by Cheryl Ferris

This confirmed the points of the message, Show Kindness always & Write your appreciation of those who touch your life!

Don't you just love life?!

Take Care,
Christine

Life’s Nuggets…..

  • Posted on December 11, 2008 at 7:14 pm

Cyanoangel
 

nug·get

(ngt)

n.

1. A small, solid lump, especially of gold.

2.

A small compact portion or unit:

nuggets of information.

Life gives us nuggets of wonder every day!  It can be subtle!  But they are there. 

In my store blog post, I talked about some personal issues I have been dealing with. 

I don't want to pour my personal garbage on my blogs but it is important to know how this LIFE'S NUGGET I had recently played a role in the current status of my happenings.

My husband, Ian and I are getting a divorce after 19 years of marriage.  We have 4 wonderful boys.

Honestly, this was not my choice initially but as I have processed, open my heart with truth and honesty to myself, I realize that this is a wonderful gift he has given me!

I am on my way to discovering my true, authentic self!  I will blossom into the person that I am meant to be!

A Life's Nugget about feeding my Passion…..

For those of you who know me, I have been talking for a long time about making art for me!   Spending more time in my studio, creating for me!

But have I done that?

No!  I always put myself last!  

During the beginnings of processing the divorce, I had opened myself up to honesty and truth.  With this honesty came the realization that I have been busy doing everything else but what I am passionate about.  I have been avoiding creating, even though this is what I so desire!

How messed up is that?

As I discovered this about myself, and as I am thinking about the underlying issues that I won't bore you with, this happened to me…

It was Sunday November 2nd.   It was the last day of the Dia de los Muertos Art Challenge show at the store.

I had in the show my piece I created at Michael deMeng's Oaxaca trip in 2007.

Titled  "Life's Passion"  How appropriate!

Lifepassion

The saying "Let your values be your Compass to Drive Your Passion" on this piece was a phrase I made up.  I wanted to continue to keep my focus on values, while running my business The Artists' Nook- living my passion.

A couple came in.  They were on their bikes riding the lovely terrain that surrounds my store's location!

Once they stepped into the gallery space, she said "I want that piece for my office"  pointing at my Life's Passion piece.

Not taking her seriously, I said "I would gladly sell it to you, it is my piece and I will have to tell you the story behind the piece."  Then I quickly, showed her around the store, over to the ofrenda we had set up and talked up all the other art and artists.

We came back to the gallery and I explained that the Life's Passion piece was created in Oaxaca.  Behind the Sacred Heart, I embossed words that I am passionate about into metal.
And told her the story about the saying.

She handed me her credit card.

As I was ringing her up, I asked "You said you wanted this for your office, What do you do?"

She told me "I am a therapist and I specialize working with those who are going through grief."

This was profound for me because I had been working on my emotions of the divorce.  My therapist and supportive friends have been reflecting with me that a divorce is a grief process. 

WoW! 

So that in itself let me know that my passion creating art, needs to come to the forefront in my life and that grieving is ok.

But it gets even better….

Since she was on her bike, she had to leave the "Life's Passion" piece to be picked up later.

Right at close that day, A group of people came through.   I gave them the tour and mentioned that piece was sold.

When I got home and opened my email, one of the people from that group had emailed me about that piece. 

Asking about the saying, if I would ever make any more, etc….

Can you hear the universe screaming at me……

CREATE MORE ART!

Sometimes Life's Nuggets are not so persistent but they are there,

Just listen, observe, and cherish every moment!

Take Care,

Christine