Courage and Creativity

Good things come to those who believe. Better things come to those who wait, and the best things come to those who  “DON’T GIVE UP”.

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is that quiet voice at the end of the day that says…I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

This is the LAST MONDAY of the month of JANUARY, 2013! This year, I promised myself to embrace being FEARLESS in all my pursuits! That is my word of the year. In reflection, this month has been AMAZING and WONDERFUL. I am creating so many wonderful opportunities in my life simply by acting on my ideas and pursuing them instead of fearing the what if “negative things happen”.

It just occurred to me, we need to be true to our ideas and our purpose. We are like any celestial body in the Universe, for example, our sun, which continues to serve its purpose, to shine. The sun does not worry if it will be too hot or not burn through the clouds; it simply continues to be true to itself and radiates its energy into our atmosphere as well as across the Universe.

Dan Zadra says that worry is a misuse of imagination. I feel that worry is in fact a perverse use of our imagination and creative energy. Creativity can be a very liberating experience when utilized in a positive way. Imagination can fuel our dreams and inspire us. Natalie Rogers stated, “Creativity is like freedom: once you taste it, you cannot live without it. It is a transformative force, enhancing self-esteem and self-empowerment.”

Courage and fearlessness is about showing up each day and facing your responsibilities, embracing life and seizing the moments. It is also about giving yourself permission to be you and delight in who you are! Each of us is a valuable and intricate part of the Universal tapestry, where each fiber adds strength, beauty and purpose. So, it is important for each of us to believe, be patient and to always try again! Don’t give up!

Also, I want to take this time and FEARLESSLY acknowledge and share my deepest appreciation and love for all my friends and family on-line, face-to-face and in the Universe. Without the connection, your encouragement, your positive energy, your love, your kindness, your everything….I would simply be a hollow shell. YOU….ALL OF YOU….FILL my HEART and SPIRIT!!! YOU CONTRIBUTE TO MY PURPOSE. ♥ I LOVE YOU! ♥

Now, is this not a lovely way to end January and move into February, the month of Love. February is going to be a FUN-nominal month for me. Starting February 1, my artwork will be featured and displayed in my city public library. I have at least 16 acrylic paintings (20 x 16) being showcased. I will share pictures this weekend. I am also doing live video-conferencing every Sunday (6 p.m. Eastern Time) in February sharing fun, creativity techniques, such as I used in the artwork in this blog. You are welcome to join in this gathering: http://www.linqto.com/rooms/docangi. I will also be offering private on-line programs. Check my website for the latest: www.heartsthatcare.net

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• Mary Anne Radmacher Quote (bipolarmuse.com)
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Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday service at St. Timothy’s Church today was lovely. Before the service, each of us were given a single palm leaf to signify the day. Readings came from Philippians 2, 5-11 and Matthew 27, 1-56.  The fist reading in Philippians encouraged unity and humility… “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Gospel of Matthew in chapter 27 professed the passion of Jesus Christ, from where the chief priests and the elders took counsel against Jesus and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. As I listened to the Gospel according to Matthew, I reflected to this tumultuous time and my heart filled with deep sorrow and profound love for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week and it is a significant time for practicing Christians. It is a period of deep reflection as daily bible readings will be of the Passion of Christ from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. After service during our coffee social, we learned how to create crosses with our palm leaves. My husband and I were able to create 3 of them (in above image). These crosses will serve as a reminder of our Lord Jesus’s sacrifice.

This leads me to what I plan to do for the week. Thursday (March 29) into Friday (March 30), I had a dream while I slept of creating “Gift Bags of Love” to distribute. What do these look like, well, these Gifts of Love….Gift Bags of Love will be hand-painted bags with my artwork that will stem from my heart. I will fill these bags with tokens of love, but love in its purest form is intangible. I will then distribute these bags and collect stories where possible.  I broke things down into 4 steps:

Step one: paint 100 bags with art of love.
Step two: fill bags with tokens of love.
Step three: distribute bags.
Step four: collect stories.

That seems simple enough doesn’t it? It seems like a great way to kickoff Holy Week, which reminds me of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” I will share my love for the world by sharing my art which stems from love and kindness to those who will accept this gift of love and kindness. It will be in the form of a bag; but it is so much deeper than the bag with art. It is a Gift of Love. What of yourself can you give this week (and beyond)? Let me know your special stories. I know you all have them. With love, joy and blessings, Angi ♥

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• Palm Sunday is the great doorway leading into Holy Week (whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com)
• Palm Sunday (thedistinctdot.com)
• Holy Week Begins with Palm Sunday and Ends with Easter Sunday (catholicglasses.com)
• Emptying and Embodying – A Sermon for Palm Sunday; Mark 11:1-11 (interruptingthesilence.com)
• Celebrating Palm Sunday (vineandbranchworldministries.com)
• Palm Sunday into Holy Week (chandlerozconsultants.wordpress.com)