An Interesting Evening

It has been an interesting evening . . .

First a cute little calico girl shows up in need of rescue just as I go outside to chat with a friend. She is starved for food, attention and is quite the talker. Tonight she is in the bathroom and tomorrow she will go to the vet (oh yippee for both of us). Truly it is really not my intention to become a crazy cat lady. 

Second I went to dinner with my dear sweet friend Norma who worked for me when I had the art gallery. We were exchanging our Christmas pressies and she gave me a very nice hand carved, hand painted figurine that looks like it's out of a fairy tale and a magic wand (yes that's right I've got a magic wand now and it even glows) so look out. 

Third my dog Sydney was acting odd; didn't eat all of his food (never happens), acting a little lethargic, laid down and was just drooling (never happens). Of course I called the emergency vet, but luckily was able to figure out that he had gotten into the high protein, grain free bag of cat food I had gotten out to feed the rescued kitten and eaten about 4 cups of it and was probably just nauseas and having a tummy ache so luckily no ER Vet trip, thank you God. 

Like I said, it's been an interesting evening. Not to mention an entire bowl of water getting spilt on my bed but let's not go into that one. 

You Can Only Give What You Have

You really can't take care of everyone else when you don't take care of yourself. How you treat yourself is how you broadcast to others to treat you. When you sacrifice and put yourself last you tell others to put you last, that you don't deserve better. If this is you I'm here to tell you that you can't trade yourself for love, respect, positive attention or to be valued. When you take care of yourself and your needs you are in a better place to care for others; you tell others that you matter and you understand the value of that and thus can give that value to others. When you take care of yourself you tell others you matter. If you don't believe you are enough, if you don't believe you deserve best life has to offer, if you don't believe that you deserve to pursue your dreams then God/Life/The Universe will live up to your expectations and give you exactly what you, your actions, your choices, your beliefs say you deserve. You are enough; right here, right now, just as you are - you are enough; I know what it feels like to feel irreparably broken, it was the biggest lie my ego (my false/little self) ever told me. Every time you think you can’t do something, you don’t have enough to accomplish something, every time you think you aren’t good enough, smart enough, fill in the blank enough – take a deep breath and say out loud (so you can hear yourself) oh, that’s just ego; the more you recognize it the more it diminishes. Every time someone presents a possibility, a different way of thinking, a different approach, opinion, etc and some part of you jumps up in anger – that’s ego. When other people present something that is outside of our perspective, outside our way of doing thing or thinking about things including ourselves and we feel; angry, scared, upset, sad, afraid, etc – that’s ego. Another person presenting something different is nothing more than a different perspective with no reflection on us, just a different way of thinking and the true self knows that this can’t hurt us and that there is nothing to fear. Expanding your understanding of this will help you realize that peace is not about circumstances, and that happiness is within your own heart and not outside of yourself. You may respond to certain people and things that come into your life with joy, but that choice and that feeling comes from within you and that source is always there, but the ego is good at hiding it away as it tells you that someone is lashing out at your, that you need to be afraid, that you aren’t enough, etc. It is the true Father of Lies – recognize it for what it is and it diminishes and you regain your own true person power that was always there waiting for you and then who knows what you’ll accomplish. What better gift could you give yourself this coming new year? You deserve it. 

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9 Quick Truths about Creativity, Happiness and God

A great artist is one whose work you can connect with; those are the ones that inspire others – connecting through the human condition.

Whoever said creativity has an order? It is more about getting out of your own way and other than that a serious of choices.

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Just because something pops in your brain or just because you feel something doesn’t mean it should pop out your mouth.

A happy person is free of the ego, the false self. Also, studies show that the happiest people have the most connections with others; yep that whole human contact thing really does matter – more than age, health, wealth, . . . etc.

Good sentiment is like moral outrage, fairly useless.

People are fascinated when ordinary things are put in a new/compelling perspective.

Truth is stranger than fiction.

Thoughts are real things; they are where actions come from so you might want to work on developing some discipline in regards to what you think, especially since that’s in large part the source from where your life is created.

To achieve a sense quiet/of being one must learn, in this world of extreme and continuous stimulation, to be quiet from within – a challenging but utterly powerful and worthy goal.

God works in efficient ways; nothing ever serves just a single purpose?

Change is an absolute inevitability, but it does mean that things can potentially get better.  

My response to, “8 Quick Truths about Creativity, Happiness, and God”

In Memory Of You

Well, it’s been about a month now of either animals being ill, traveling, scrabbling to recover and repack, more traveling and then a nasty sinus infection from which, though not quiet 100% yet, I am happy to report in recovery. I’ve missed my writing and art making. I’ve missed hearing from all of you and seeing what bits of creativity you all have been up to so I felt it was time to foray back into it if even only a small step. So, how about some creative inspiration already eh? Okay, so get your medium setup and plop down, or stand as you like and get busy painting / drawing / photographing / sculpting, etc. “you”; but here’s the real challenge – from memory; NO mirrors, photos or the ilk simply from memory. Something else I would suggest is DO NOT worry about it being realistic; have fun and be as abstract and colorful as you like and don’t judge. If you will just allow yourself to play and have fun / be creative then you might surprise yourself and you might even discover something new. Remember you don’t have to share it if you don’t want to but if you do, post away because you may just be an inspiration to someone else or even just simply help someone else have the courage to share. 

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My BIGGEST Lie

My BIGGEST lie is that . . .

I am not good enough, I can’t let people see the real me, it isn’t safe and I’m not enough.

I think the most courageous thing, for me, that I’ve done in a LONG time, is letting people see the authentic me; and the response has been phenomenal and nothing I would have ever imagined. I am HAPPY and other people can see it; I don’t mean I am happy about something, I’m just happy. I’m sitting here typing this and my neck and shoulder is in so much pain, my house is getting better but parts of it are still really a disaster, but damn it I’m just so happy inside myself and it’s AWESOME!

I love life! I’m not sure I’ve ever said that I just said it out loud. I use to think I was broken beyond repair. I was a person I couldn’t say, “Today is a good day to die” because I’d be like ok, bring it on, sounds good to me. I had to say to myself if I could manage it that, “Today is a good day to live.” Wow talk about faking it, can you just hear that meek, half hearted, yeah sure whatever voice saying that garbage? But, it isn’t garbage anymore.

Wow, I really want to just sit down and write out my story for you and tell you about this amazing journey I’ve been on but then there is reality that, I’m not going to do that tonight. I need to be able to wake up early so I can go see my wonderful chiropractor who I think is going to be really shocked when he sees me because I have grown and changed so much since the last time I saw him, I need to do this because this is part of taking care of me and that is my new and REALLY big MO. 

Hey, just this last thing . . . The more authentic I am, the more I take care of me the more I give that gift to others – for them to be authentically themselves, to encourage, value and cheer the heck on others taking care of and doing right by themselves. So my amazing peeps ROCK ON! And well for those of you that maybe don’t know me yet, well you are reading this and there will be more, OH so much more. Feel free to leave a comment, share; I’d love to hear from you. BIG LOVE! <3 

It's a Wonderful Life

Do you remember the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life?” George gets to find out what the world would be like if he had never existed. You are amazing and unique and no one can do what you do in the way that you do it and because of that the world would be so much less without you. Is something dissing your courage (discouragement)? Take some time and consider what is bringing this into your life? Dig deep. If you aren’t sure and feeling confused, pay attention to your feelings because they are the most amazing toolbox you can use to find what is right for you. When there are people and things in your life that bring you joy, people and places where you can be yourself embrace those and let the rest fall away. No one knows you better than you, you are enough, and you matter, you REALLY matter. Do you know about the Brave Girls Club? Check out this video at: http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/6618

Being Seen Part I

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for having missed last week. I’ve had some health issues and then there was a kitten that I rescued over twenty years ago when she was a 10 week old furball that had to be put down – she’s stopped eating anything and was having other troubles. It was a pretty challenging week last week and Sunday just blew past me. This last Sunday about 10hours of my day was spent on the road so not very conducive to blogging; thus I am a day late, but at least not a dollar short.

For the last 10+ months I have been working on myself and my life, more focused than just the day to day trying to be open to learning and moving forward etcetera but really making change in my life. I got started by doing one very hard thing (at least for most of us); I asked for help. I’m a very strong person, but I’d hit bottom and I didn’t understand quiet how I managed to get there. This wasn’t what I wanted, but here I was so I knew I needed help to understand things so I could make some real changes in my life.

Well, today I finally watched this video about the power of vulnerability: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o Go ahead and check it out; it’s only 20 minutes out of a 1,440 minutes of your day. I’ll still be here when you get back.

It took my breath, it made me laugh, it brought tears to my eyes . . . it has through out my day provoked so much thought, and truly amazing ideas. What would happen if I started sharing how messed up I am, what I’m afraid of, how I’m so afraid of not doing or being enough? What if I really accepted that not only am I enough, but I keep getting better all the time. If I tell people the things I think are wrong with me they might agree with me – maybe they would help me, maybe they would empathize with me, maybe they would laugh and I could laugh with them and then I wouldn’t have to carry the burden anymore and then I wouldn’t have to be afraid. If that isn’t power I don’t know what is, not to mention the tremendous freedom that doing this would bring. Let yourself contemplate it; it’s pretty amazing.

For so long we have been taught not to feel, to fear our feelings and push them away, but I'm learning that is one of the biggest lies and the worst possible things we could ever do to harm ourselves. Feelings are one of the most amazing tool kits ever and I can’t help but wonder why no one ever explained it like this to me – so, here I am writing this out for you. Pay attention to your feelings. Remember having courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid, it means you don’t let it stop you from doing what needs to be done. People keep saying things need to change and I say yes and in addition I would say the first place you should start is with you. If one tiny atom can make a difference in the world, imagine what a difference a conglomeration of billions of focused atoms can do; you are a living force/energy that holds together literally billions if not trillions or more atoms, you are the stuff of stars – be good to yourself. Nurture, forgive, accept, love unconditionally and have amazing tremendous compassion for you and you will inherit, you will evolve to share with the world the amazing, utterly brilliant and wondrous gift that is you in all it’s glory and you will shine like the stars. Don’t believe me, well that’s ok cause I can see it in you and you are my mirror.  

Imagine What is "Safe"

I don’t know about you guys but this one is going to be challenge for me, but one I think is VERY worthwhile; what is “safe”? I think this is one that definitely merits contemplation. A wonderful friend Jill Loftis who owns Uttara Yoga Studio http://uttarayogastudio.blogspot.com/ said to me a while back that we are moving from a time of safe places to safe people. This really registered with me and I have dwelled on what it means and more and more I am seeing the proof of it. For me where I am at right now in my journey is that I am learning that it is safe for the light of who I am and the gifts that I have to offer be truly seen and shared. I am finding that people, relationships, things, processes that no longer work, that no longer serve my journey moving forward, are being broken down and moved out and I have seen and heard about this happening in many other people’s lives too . The message; if this is happening with you, you are not alone – the whole friggin’ planet is caught up in the midst of this transformation; even those that are resisting and fighting it tooth and nail (Muammar Gaddafi for example) are caught up in it. It is an important time to go with your flow and especially to trust your intuition and let go of what drags you down and drains your energy.

So, what does safe look like, feel like, smell like . . . to you? An image can speak a thousand words, what words will your painting, photograph, collage, mono print, sculpture, etcetera speak for you? What does YOUR voice have to say regarding being/feeling/knowing “safe”? 

Imaginary Location-Location

All Things Sonya:

Well it’s that time again, time for another muse to tickle your creative fancy. I sit here drinking a bit of tea and eating an imaginary sheep. Hee-hee I bet you weren’t expecting that. Actually it’s a sugar cookie but it, at one time, looked like what a local baker imagined a sheep to look like. Einstein, one of the most brilliant minds of our time said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Why would such a brilliant man say such a thing? Well, for a number of reasons I suppose: Knowledge can be taught, but imagination can only be fostered and imagination is what lets us learn beyond what we already know. Imagination is what asks the question, “What if . . .?” Imagination is a VERY dynamic tool and the source of something VERY powerful – creative innovation. We are loosing our creative innovation: children don’t “play” they are scheduled, they don’t draw – they color, they don’t run around an make up games and build imaginary forts – they play scheduled sports that they are taught or sit at a computer or TV and play video games. Arts and music, some of the best ways of teaching children how to think outside the box, to be independent through constructive ways of self expression, to build confidence in their accomplishment, to teach vision, to learn that there is more than one way to successfully realize a goal, etcetera are being lost - stripped away in the name of budget. What a steep price to pay and so many don’t even realize yet what in the long run it will cost them and in such devastating ways. So, what does all this soap boxing have to do with the challenge, the weekly muse? The point is to let your inner child come out and play. Time to reawaken your imagination from its slumber and get to work. This week paint, photograph, draw, collage, sculpt, whatever you like – an imaginary place. Let yourself daydream. ANY PLACE. An imaginary island on an imaginary planet, a home among the clouds, or a tree house in a purple tree that has orange leaves, anything that tickles your fancy. Have fun and let your innovation dance. As ever, I look forward to seeing your creations.

'via Blog this'

Imaginary Caged Bird

Well, here it goes. I contemplated doing a different blog, but was struggling with an appropriate name that was still available and that I could also have as a web page (possibly in the future), a Facebook group and such so I decided that I would just include it under my All Things Sonya because after all this is my initiative to help inspire, encourage and challenge not only my own creativity, but that of other artist. Also, there is the issue of why make yet one more blog to keep up with, I mean really.

Some challenges are going to be easier and some more demanding; some will be more of a stretch than others. Once a week a challenge will be posted here on the blog with some thoughts, suggestions or whatever to hopefully help with your inspiration. Keep in mind there are no requirements other than stick to the challenge. Work as large or small, in the medium of your choice and in whatever style you chose. 

Ok, this week’s challenge is going to be a poem. This poem was first shared with me in an artist workshop taught by Marsha Staiger. 
If you can, have someone read this poem to you while you sit listening with your eyes closed and visualize the imagery, otherwise read through it a couple of times out loud and perhaps make some notes; then it’s off to work. Leave the poem behind. The fact is that all artwork, even realism, is imaginary because it is the artist individual visual interpretation within the confines of their perception, skill and medium. The point is to access YOUR pure impressions and only that which is within you. Again, work as large or small as you like, in the medium of your choice and in whatever style you chose. When you finish, if you like, go to the Facebook group Imaginary and post an image of your work. Please post the name of the challenge you are responding to and any other info you chose to include such as medium, size, name of the piece, etc. Please, keep your postings relevant to the groups focus. Thanks! 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 

By Maya Angelou 

A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream 
Till the current ends and dips his wing 
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.

But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom. 

Found Poem - Shadow of a Black Bird by Sonya Chappelear

I was of three minds, like a tree in, which there are three blackbirds. 
Then I turned toward paradises lost for the shadow of the blackbird. 
I went walking on the roads of yesteryear; 
I went walking through my childhood -
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
and sorry I could not travel both, 
the martyrs who do not bear witness; 
the flowers of blood that fade and scatter in the empty wind.  
And both that morning equally lay. 
In leaves no step had trodden black. 
I do not know which to prefer, 
the beauty of inflections or 
the beauty of innuendoes. 
I shall be telling this with a sigh; 
only the unloved know, 
lost in the loose leaves of the weeping cherry tree, 
a man and a woman and a blackbird are one.

Taken from: Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird By Wallace Stevens  http://writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/stevens-13ways.html 02/03/2011The Road Not Taken Robert Frost http://www.bartleby.com/119/1.html  02/03/2011Notebook of a Return to the Native Land [excerpt] by Aimé Césaire translated by Annette Smith and Clayton Eshleman http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15976 02/03/2011Littlefoot, 19, [This is the bird hour] by Charles Wright http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19592 02/03/2011