2014: A Look Back

Anyone that knows me knows that I: a) love reflecting on things and reliving memories & b) love starting new things. This is why New Years Eve is probably perfect for me. This year has been a crazy year of personal growth as I've made multiple self discoveries and realizations about where I want to move with my art and what I want to say through that. There have been more down days than I wish to remember, but those times have also been the best teaching tools for moving forward. I became more aware than ever that art is something I am passionate about pursuing and that realization has allowed me to take it more seriously, as well. There have been opportunities in that path that have slowly popped up over this last year and I am more than excited about the possibilities for this coming year! I'm already making plans and goals to reach for 2015 (a few of which I'll share at the end of the post)! But first, here are a few of my favourite things that happened this year: 

I got to take a few small vacations and experience some amazing sights along the way. In March we went to Oregon (first time, for me!) and the hubby surprised me with horseback riding on the beach! By far, one of the best experiences of my life. The coast is so very beautiful. And then we ate our hearts out in Portland. 

During summer, I took a trip out to the prairie lands and had my heart filled with all the beauty I find there. It was good to ride my old bike friend, Liza again. Then in September, we took a weekend vacation to Victoria for a wedding that took my breath away. That city ranks pretty high on my favourite cities list.

One of the best things of this year has been watching this tiny human grow. My auntie heart has overflowed every time I'm able to see him and he gives me his signature charming little grin. It melts me, every. single. time.

So many beach days (and a haircut!). While I experienced a lot of homesickness this year, the beach always helped to reverse that. Now the goal is to break our (small) record of beach days and spend as much time as we can there. 

I think I'm most proud of how I've progressed in my work this year. It's felt like such a year of growth and I love looking back to see the progress. I've developed more of my style and this has allowed me to work with some really amazing clients. I still feel like I'm just in the beginning stages of everything, but I finally feel like I've found my feet and am just starting to walk. It's exciting and terrifying all at once, but I just know this year is going to hold some pretty great surprises. I'm looking forward to everything it does have to offer.

Ok, onto some of my goals for 2015. Just a few small things, but I like making lists:

1. Read (at least) 10 books.

2. Write a letter to someone once a month

3. Take part in a craft sale(s)

4. Write a blog post once a week

5. Grow my blog, etsy shop, and instagram

6. Take part in one art show

Now, who's going to hold me to these? Happy New Year, everyone!!

Life Lately: Iona Beach

I had meant to post this days ago. But somehow summer gets in the way, or at least, trying to enjoy the last days of it. I'm not looking forward to summer leaving- I feel like I haven't even begun to enjoy it! On the few days that M and I were able to get out together, we made sure to make the most of every moment. Last weekend, we took a small trip to Iona Beach. It felt like a small getaway or escape. This summer has honestly been a test of patience for us. M is a teacher and because of the strike, we have no idea when he'll be going back to work. Also because of that, we've been forced to stay home...no vacations in the budget for us. It becomes taxing emotionally, especially in a city that doesn't take time to slow down. Fortunately, there are many little escapes nearby and Iona Beach is one of those. We spent the evening wandering the shores, collecting driftwood, and staring out into the vast, endless ocean. Somehow, whenever we go to the beach, I'm transported back to the prairies, where I can see for miles and my heart becomes content (even if just for a moment). I long for peaceful days of wandering and I love that I receive that when going to the ocean. Here's to more peaceful days for September! (If this strike ever ends).

Better Things

Please excuse my absence. I have been living without internet for the past month, so I think that is an excellent excuse not to be posting! But, in the time that I've been away, I've been collecting evidence that I'm still alive and well, in the form of photos. So, very soon, when I have internet on my computer again (I'm posting from my work computer at the moment!) I will be uploading all kinds of fun goodies.

In the mean time, please enjoy this quote by my all-time favourite, C.S. Lewis. I think it kind of speaks to where I am right now. I am preparing to leave this wonderful province I call home, again. I am preparing to venture off into a world that is still fairly unfamiliar to me, again. I find it hard to not focus on the things that I am leaving behind, because I know that there are great things ahead, but there are so many things that I love right here, right now. I am working hard at trying to focus on the many fantastic journeys that lie ahead of me. I know that this quote is actually speaking to the life we lead here on earth and what the future entails for us in eternity, which is also a struggle sometimes, but I feel it has double meaning for me today as I am preparing to leave this week.

What kinds of things are you preparing for as the end of August, the end of summer approaches?

Spiritual Contemplation

The following is a beautiful response by Richard Foster to a selection by Thomas Merton, "What is Contemplation?".  This selection was part of my devotions this morning from the book, "Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines" (Whew! Long name!):

"In discussing contemplation Thomas Merton reaches us in the most simple way possible, namely, by calling us to the love of God. He speaks directly to our condition when he says, "so many Christians...have practically no idea of the immense love of God for them, and of the power of that Love to do them good, to bring them happiness." In saying this he is teaching us that at its core contemplation is simply and profoundly falling in love with God over and over and over again. 
     In contemplation we are coming to dearly love and constantly delight in the "heavenly Father" who has been made real to us in Jesus Christ. We "see"- see with the eyes of the heart- that God is out to do us good always. We see, truly see, that there is no limit, no "catch" to God's goodness toward us. 
     Merton wisely reminds us that this perfecting love is not necessarily tied to what he calls "weird phenomena- ecstasies, raptures, stigmata and so on." Rather the transforming vision of divine Love and of our responding love is a gift of the Holy Spirit that comes by means of "Wisdom and Understanding." In saying this he is following the lead of Thomas Aquinas who writes, "Love follows knowledge." In other words, love is the response of our heart, aroused in our will, by means of our mind's enthralling vision of the goodness of God. That is all. That is contemplation."

I hope it is as encouraging to you on this day as it was to me this morning. It's a completely mysterious thing- the discipline of contemplation to bring about wisdom and understanding. And it's only in that place that I realize the power of God's love. I so often forget that he is ultimately in control over my thoughts and emotions, even my worries which seem to pervade my mind each and every day. In this space of contemplation, I have realized it is the only time when I am able to feel complete and overwhelming peace and joy. It is a release of control and a realization that God all-powerful and all-knowing. This is when I feel the full effect of the Love of Christ.

via Flickr