The Neglected Child

It is never too late to have a happy childhood.— Attributed to Tom Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Berke Breathed and probably more As we wind down the third step of our journey of artistic recovery, the emphasis is on being especially kind to ourselves while we continue to gently uncover our past memories. One of the … Read more

Homework Exercises, Part 2

More homework for this weekend as we approach the end of the third step on our road to recovering our Inner Artist self. Yesterday, we worked through the first ten. Today, spend some time completing, in whatever way you wish, the following: 11. I am afraid that if I start dreaming …12. I secretly enjoy … Read more

April Is National Poetry Month

As once the winged energy of delight == Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 – 1926) As once the winged energy of delightcarried you over childhood’s dark abysses,now beyond your own life build the greatarch of unimagined bridges. Wonders happen if we can succeedin passing through the harshest danger;but only in a bright and purely grantedachievement can … Read more

Blessings of the Taurus New Moon!

Dark of the MoonNew beginningsDark of the MoonPlant a seed tonightDark of the MoonWhat we envisionWill come to be by the Full Moon’s light. How divine! Now, with the New Moon in Taurus, we can connect to a powerful upsurge of magic. Astrologer Lynn Hayes writes of this Moon, “We are flooded with new ideas … Read more

Criticism

Receptivity © Daniel Mirante Don’t mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified, it is not criticism, learn from it. — Anonymous As we develop our inner artist, regaining a sense of our power, it is important to understand the long-term … Read more

Earth Day, Every Day!

A living planet is a much more complex metaphor for deity than just a bigger father with a bigger fist. If an omniscient, all-powerful Dad ignores your prayers, it’s taken personally. Hear only silence long enough, and you start wondering about his power. His fairness. His very existence. But if a world mother doesn’t reply, … Read more

Losing Interest

The Frustrated Artist – © 2007 Bill Shain He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.— Abraham Lincoln We’ve been exploring the wounds of shaming that may have shut down or hampered our inner artist for many years. This is hard to look at sometimes, and if anger, grief, and fear … Read more

April Is National Poetry Month

The Wind Sings Welcome in Early Spring by Carl Sandburg(For Paula) The grip of the ice is gone now.The silvers chase purple.The purples tag silver.They let out their runnersHere where summer says to the lilies:“Wish and be wistful,Circle this wind-hunted, wind-sung water.” Come along always, come along now.You for me, kiss me, pull me by … Read more