New Book

I have had to move on to a new book, Visioning, 10 Steps to Designing the Life of Your Dreams, by Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D. I plan on finishing da Vinci, but this new book addresses my situation most directly right now. My life has totally changed, leaving me in that scarey, nerve wracking state of in between. Im very clear as to what I want, what I need, but as yet cannot enjoy the fruits of my imaginings. I wish it to hurry up, because I would really prefer a roof over my head, if at all possible. Funny how so many of us take things for granted, like a place to live, some abodes being more glorious than others.
The book starts out with making your dream visable and tangible by making a collage (Really? Whats that? lol). When I was 16, I made my son 4 collages of cut out magazine pictures on big sheets of paper. I had no money for paint or decorations, so I used what I had. I knew even then, that visual and mental stimulation was important in an infants development. Each collage had a theme, I dont remember what it was. Knowing me, I probably made it something that wouldnt be understood till he was 5, like things that begin with A, etc. I also desired to instill in him my love of color and design. I wanted him to take after Mommy. Another day, I will get into where that went, as I dont want to digress.
Anyway, Im no stranger to this idea. I really had made one already, just needs gluing down. So Im anxious to dive into this book and make things start to happen.

How To Think Like Leonardo.

Im currently reading a book titled, "How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, Seven Steps To Genius Every Day," by Michael J. Gelb. Great book to read when in a slump or just cuz ya like Leo. Thought Id share an exercise or two in this blog. In part two, it asks you to ponder 10 questions. The first one is: When am I most naturally myself? What people, places, and activities allow me to feel most fully myself?
I am most myself during more than just one thing happening, all of them equal. In nature, in a lush green setting, especially in my garden. The weather though, is important for my enjoyment. It must be cooler, clean, and fresh. All bets are off in weather above 80". I have some weird disorder dealing with sun, heat, and humidity. Growing plants from seed to tree gives me great pleasure. I am most like myself around my boyfriend, who allows me to be me, no matter what or who Im channeling. I am not that way around anyone else. I love animals and am able to enter their energy. I love all creatures. I love dogs, especially my Maltese, Lily. She accepts me in all of my incarnations. Music puts me in a beautiful world, where there is no pain, hate, or sadness, only understanding. Dancing is a whole body expression for me. If things had been different when I was young, I would have been a dancer. That about covers it. All those things are are deeply loved and treasured by me. Yes, this is a good book!

Trying to find my way through

Being bi poler, and being it on mostly the depressive side, it is a constant battle to stay balanced. I really am not balanced hardly ever. Its more like Im either on my way up, or on my way down. That golden balance point is rarely achieved for long. It is a very hard day for me today, and Im doing everything I can think of to get out of it. Reading a book that has something to do with what Im going through is one of those fixes.Today Im reading the Hormone Connection by Gale Maleskey and Mary Kittel, a Prevention Health Book. It tells me to take certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, which I do. And also I read a section about being too sensitive. That would be me, and all of my life I was that. It says Im in a position of emotional leadership! Hows That! Wow, makes me feel good. I never looked at it that way. It also goes on to say that I notice more subtleties and process information more deeply. And I thought that was a bad thing. I now see this as a gift and an asset. Theres nothing I enjoy more than drawing someone out of their emotional shell. To share the human experience honestly and totally. I seem to be able to do that in all cases, even the tough nuts that are hard to crack. This is a precious gift and I have suffered terribly in my life so that I could fine tune it even more. This section on sensitivity was an excerpt in the above mentioned book taken from The Highly Sensitive Person, by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.
In trying to keep this somewhat art related, I will say Ive been working on a bluebird watercolor painting, and its taking forever to complete. It should take 3 days at the very most. But Im dealing with this mood disorder that affects every aspect of my life. Ill keep whacking away on it and will share it when its done. Now back to my book.