Words Enough

Are there words enough to share with others

Words enough to keep to myself

Are there words enough to teach my children

Words enough to stack on a shelf

There are words that fly so fast and so furious

Words that rise and fall

Words that are so full of questions and curious

Words that can feel so small

Are there words enough to hold us together

Words that don't tear apart

Are there words enough to make us each better

What is the place we should start

Stretching Exercise

I spent this past weekend stretching my insecurities, walking step by awkward step through my introverted-ness, surrounded by people I did not know in an age group that is a somewhat foreign to me.  Yes, it was scary.  Yes I felt out of place, ill-equipped to be where I was.  But I tried to go with a servant's heart.  To be willing to do what I could to help where I could.

Was I a help?  Did I make a difference? 

I don't know.

I can't dwell on that.  I know that I learned some things, that I gained some experience in this area. 

Would I go again if asked?

Probably. 

I know it wouldn't be quite as scary the next time.  It would still be scary though.  I would still feel like a fish out of water, but not quite as much.

It is part of learning and growing.  How can we grow if we don't stretch? 

How can we learn if we think we already know everything?

When was the last time you were stretched beyond your comfort zone?

Back to Basics

I have learned that I need to keep learning

I see that I need to keep looking

I hear that I need to keep listening

I have been reading, searching the internet, looking at magazines, watching TV, trying to find ideas, inspiration, that 'something' to get me started on the next project (not that I have finished any of the last dozen or so. . .).

This evening it finally hit me. I need to stop looking at what others are doing for a moment, and think about who I am, where I come from, and what my art should be. Don't get me wrong, everything I have seen out here is amazing! All of these incredibly intelligent creative women who seem to be able to continually produce wonderful works of art, either in artwork, cooking and baking, or entertaining and hospitality are fun to follow in blogland.

I just need to follow myself for a bit.

I have been overwhelmed and I need to simplify. Perhaps to listen to that still, small voice that tells me who I am created to be and what I am to create. . .