Category Archives: Abstract

Peace and Love

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Magic Trees

I have been thinking about how I could write a post about the healing that is so desperately needed in our world today. After sitting quietly and meditating, it came to me much more simply than I had imagined.

Josef Siegle is a mentor, and I consider him a friend. I respect him immensely, have taken many of his classes, and always come away better than I started.

Face Book is a go to for me because I can check on my friends and family easily. Sometimes I get information my daughter hasn’t thought to tell me. Or a friend mentions they aren’t feeling well, so I can call them to check on them. It has it’s place! In the process of all this, I have noticed the nasty, hateful comments people post, and I can’t help thinking how much better off our world if we toned it down. When I say toned it down, what I really mean is this…

We all come from different places, we have different colors of skin, different thoughts, ideas, political preferences, and ways we’ve been raised. We come from different places, and different religious beliefs. Because of these differences it is sometimes difficult to understand someone else’s perspective, or point of view. Why do some people talk differently, or louder, or their English seems a little scrambled? Why do some of us wear clothes that show how conservative they are, while some clothes seem louder, or gaudier, blinger, or more colorful? How can we understand one another’s point of view if they are a different religion, or come from an entirely different part of the world?

One thing I’ve learned from traveling, and reading is that people/parents all want the same thing for their families, and children. Most people are peaceful, and loving. We are all working, and struggling to pay for our homes, cars, credit card bills, and anything else that is a necessity at the time.

So what’s the answer?

Well I haven’t answers for the immediate problems, however I will tell you that what came to me during a meditation is this…

If we toned it down, stopped posting, or talking so hateful about the other person, and made an effort to hear their point of view regardless of how different they are than us, shouldn’t that be a starting point to bringing peace and healing to our planet. I don’t think it’s as important to change our views as it is to listen. People want to be recognized, heard and this isn’t happening at the moment.

We are spending so much time pointing out the differences each of us has, and not even giving thought to the similarities we share.

Everyone that knows me knows that I am a liberal. In my eyes, I’m viewed as a left wing democrat that wants to spend money that our country doesn’t have, helping people that don’t deserve it. My view is that the other side, the Republicans don’t want to help the sick, poor, or anyone else they consider doesn’t work for it. Are these perceptions true? Does it matter if they are true or not? Certainly they can’t all be true, but if we just sat down and took time to learn why the other has the ideas, and ideals they have, we would have a much better understanding of one another. I would respect someone for sanely discussing our differences. I’m not trying to change yours, I want to understand your point of view!

The same goes for our racial differences, religious differences and any other difference we have with each other. How can we be so different and so much alike at the same time. We are all created the same, our differences make us interesting, and I for one want to know more.

I’ve never been into religion, more into culture, and languages. I love hearing the music of different cultures, or the way others talk. The cadence in the way others speak, I love it, and I love the way people from another culture dresses, the fabric the use, the way others design, it’s all inspiring to me.

I have posted, along with my words, the meditation for healing the world, bring peace to each of us and those around us. The meditation is 33 minutes long, so I’d suggest you listen to it when your household quiets down. I found it soothing, and it made me feel better about life, and the craziness we are experiencing when I was finished. I hope you feel the same.

Thank you for stopping by and reading Stone Soup. Please listen to the meditation, I know you’ll find it relaxing, and it fills you with love!

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

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‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

When all through the house,

Only Kramer was stirring, in hopes of a mouse!

The socks were placed in the dryer with care, desiring warm feet, as we waited by it’s side.

Daisy was nestled all snug on her bed, while visions of frolicking dancing in her head.

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Les in his boxers, and I in my Tee, had just settled in for some really good TV.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, we sprang up to see just what was the matter.

The moon on the ground shown the drenching of rain, it’d been pouring for days with much to be gained.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, a miniature sleigh, and two mechanical deer.

It all worked in sequence, with lights blinking fast, a Santa with presents, set up on the grass!

The names of the reindeer we couldn’t make out, as hard as we tried to figure it out,

One had to be Rudolph with his nose shinning bright, the other was Comet sitting just out of sight!

Off to the kitchen to make us some tea, we’ll eat a few cookies, while we watching TV.

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In our heads we both knew, it was the right thing to do to wish all  of you …

“A Merry Christmas,” and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

The shopping is finished, with all kinds of gifts.

 

It’s finally our time to take a deep breath!

Every year I think I’m going to cut back, then I see some new things, and I just can’t resist!

This year again, all my shopping, with little exception came from the internet!

I  always think I’m incredibly clever to be able to pull this off – shopping without leaving the house.  The only thing better than ordering from Amazon, is if Santa himself dropped them at out front door  all wrapped and ready to go.  I would leave a key under the mat if Santa would do that for me!

Fortunately this year, I shopped wise, and quick, all in a months time.  The gifts have been wrapped for over a week, and there isn’t any stress in this house!

Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas. May the time spent with friends and family be magical. I wish everyone good health, warm nights, safe travel, and a happy New Year!

This is Christmas Eve…the family will be here for dinner.   I had minute, and I choose to use it to speak to you my dear friends and wonderful followers.  As usual, in the New Year I hope to do more experimenting, and sharing.  More growth creatively….are you in?

Until next year…..

Prayer Flags Again

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This flag has been created by Maxine Custer. Maxine has worked on this for about three weeks, and I am amazed at how it started, and where it h as ended.

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On the other hand, my third flag is finished, and I’m planning on at least two more to hang on my patio.

I’m so proud of how my friend is creating, and to the extent she is creating, it makes me so grateful for her friendship. Maxine has always been generous in sharing her creativity with everyone, and I’ve learned so many things from her.

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Thank you for visiting Stone Soup, see you later.

Thursdays Time Out For Art…

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A Beautiful January morning.

A Beautiful January morning.

Part of our morning walks is over several blocks of our neighborhood. The half way point of our walk is the center of our neighborhood, and a lovely median with large pine trees, and even some magnolia trees.  I always let Daisy stop, and sniff around so she knows who has been out that day, and who is missing their morning walk.  One morning when we had the lastcold snap,  Daisy and I walked the hood when it was 41 degrees out.   I don’t have to tell you, I was all bundled up with a scarf, gloves, and a warm coat.  It worked, I was warm, and after a few minutes, I realized the beauty of a cold, crisp morning, and started to see beauty everywhere.

I love the shadows, and remember when watercolor was my medium to, and was learning how to make shadows fun, and interesting.   I have painted many shadows, many colors, but what I finally realized was that I loved abstract shadows.

What color would you make these shadows if you were painting them?   Would they be gray, blue, or something else?  Since  everything  that is in green, I’d paint in red, I think the shadows need to be violet.

What are your thoughts, ideas, or comments?

Time Out for Art!

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During our trip to Sante Fe in September, we took time to visit Taos.  As we drifted in and out of the galleries, a few things made me stop, and reflect on how they were made or painted, how much I liked them, and how they  filled me with inspiration.

These dolls were expecially interesting, and creative to me.  I couldn’t help myself, so I pulled out me trusty phone & snapped a picture!

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Ok, I snapped several pictures…..     This abstract caught my attention because of it’s simplicity.  It occured to me that as artists…..some of us who shall not be named…..try too hard!

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I am a big fan of abstract, and this painting caught my eye immediately.  I love using opposites in my artwork……..Shamefully I snapped pictures in this gallery, but wasn’t thoughtful enough to write down the name of the artist.  I do appologise for this, and will make an effort to never make this mistake again!

Thank you for enjoying the artwork, and thank you artist whoever you are.  I’m not copying your work, just admiring it with the world.

Time  Out For Art is inspired by Zebra Designs and Destinations, please check the blog out, it originates in Equador and has  very inspiring posts.