We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You just discovered you have fifteen minutes to live.

1.    Set a timer for fifteen minutes.
2.    Write the story that has to be written.

I want to just be me.

With all my tangles and knots.

Telling the stories of my scars like wise tales.

I want to dig my feet in the earth till my toes are the color of burnt umber,
And paint my face with the color juice from crushed flower petals.

Let me unwind. 
Let me lay out the textile of rich colors and shapes, all sewn with unusual thread.

I want to run in the wind while my sari clings to my chest and its tail glides behind me.

I want to have midnight tea parties in the garden,
With twinkling Chinese lanterns and talk about all the many shades of blue.

I just want to be.

I want to rise from the tub like a Goddess,
And confidently be naked under the moon.

I want to use the colors I feel,
And paint the shapes that stir me.

I want my soul to spin.

Spin out of sorts till I am dizzy and fall onto a patch of wildflowers,
That gently cradle me.

I want to speak of the unspoken things,
Until they are free.

Let me be.
Let me be...“me”.

I want to tell you my regrets as we pick apples in the orchard,
And make a pie to eat with only our hands.

I want to describe the colors in your wings,
And whisper the words from your soul.

I want to hear with my heart,
And consciously blink while watching the sunset.

I want to sing.
I want to sing without knowing how.

I want to scribe your rebirth on water colored paper,
And sign it in hibiscus tea.

I want to cry.  Just because…
Joy has captured me.

I want to finger paint flowers,
And give them all new names.

I want to speak,
Without explaining.

I want to have nothing figured out,
And keep asking the questions.

I want to prove nothing,
And continue expressing the ways that choose me.

I want to just be.
Just be in myself,
To be set f r e e.

I want to live the way I was meant to,
Like how the sand meets the sea.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey.

My life changed miraculously when I became active in it. Life was living me and I wasn't really living it. I was running on default, as Abraham Hicks says. Everything was being done to me and life was unfair to my little victim self. I was consumed with constant confusion, wandering about, trying to find meaning, answers, direction. I was outside of myself, completely disconnected. I didn't realize the gold inside, the treasure waiting to be discovered. And at the rate of living outside myself, I only created more space, further apart from me. Never noticing the "miracles" of my divine self. Miracles passed by and I never caught a glimpse. They floated on by and I saw nothing. I saw no hope. My cloudy eyes went about searching for one good miracle to save me.

It began during a time of great decisions. You know, the ones I had trouble making. I was in deep- with despair at not knowing what next step to take. Weighing the pros and cons. Asking outsiders for direction. Yet, there was this thing that was calling me, this beautiful shiny impossible thing, that felt as if it would need a MIRACLE to happen. There was a better life waiting for me. One filled with miracles. One filled with freedom and bliss. One filled with meaning and purpose. One that would slice away the cloudiness.  I knew this. I knew it would be better, but I was afraid.  Afraid of my own capabilities, afraid of the shift that would shake my life.

But, I bravely set one foot there...testing the waters and to my surprise it filled me. It made me feel complete. It was an arrow to follow; it was the next step...a miracle trail. I saw the glistening miracle trail. It shined. A gleaming bronze sign holding the earth read: Follow the Miracle.

So I followed it and miracles began to find me...often...daily. I see them everywhere. They are there when I awake to the sunlight and realize I am breathing beautifully. Miracle makers began to flood in and sparkle with encouragement and support. Miraculous opportunities knocked at my door. My life began. It began to feel like a miracle.

And, now I follow the path planting stakes in the ground for others who may not see the trail so clearly. Follow the trail and the miracles will meet you there.

In SARK's newest book, Glad No Matter What: Transforming Loss and Change into Gift and Opportunity; she talks about her "Miracle Walks".  I think this is a wonderful way to allow miracles to find you!

Here's a tidbit from her online journal.
To further inspire transformation and change, I invite you to invite you to join me in a playing one (or more!) of the games below.

1. Miracle Walk
A "Miracle walk" is where you go out of your house or wherever you are, put your hands out, palms up and say; "Miracles, find me now." And then walk until you see or find one- or more! Be aware that miracles may be disguised or in unlikely places. Use love to recognize them. A variation is to say; "Miraculous people, find me now."
Read more...

So much of my Thankfulness practice was inspired many years ago by Brother David Steindl-Rast, a highly-respected Benedictine monk, spiritual teacher and author.  I watch his video, "A Good Day" often.  It is uplifting and touches the softest part of my heart in a very deep way.  I am very THANKFUL for him and his work.  You can see more of Brother David and his work at www.gratefulness.org

I listen to myself...through Spirit.
I hear all the fear with love.
"Its quite alright."  I say.
"Its okay my dear one."
This comes from a very divine place of pure love and acceptance.
"Go ahead, release."  Spirit says.
"Do tell."  Spirit whispers.

I am listening through Spirit.

Spirit speaks:
"You are enough.  You are good.  You are made of only this.
You are in the one heart, just reach out and be in the presence of what you are truly made of."

Sometimes, I am trying to listen through Spirit and the ego invades.  Usually gives "a never enough" kind of speech. A "you"ll never get it done" attitude..

Ego says:
"Why try?  It's all very useless.  You are so bad to think or do that."
Every move, a walking on eggshells kind of relationship.  Doubting, judging, feeling unworthy or fearful are all ego.

When I listen with Spirit, to the ego- I hear it's cries.  Needing attention, needing to keep busy, needing LOVE.
I choose to listen through Spirit.  It feels better.  It gives me hope.  It believes in me.

"It's alright." I tell ego.
"You really do originate from a loving place, but maybe got mixed up along the way.  Maybe, listening to the old tape players yourself."

I am listening through Spirit.

"It's okay." Spirit says calmly.
"I love you too."

Cutout cardboard mat for floor, roofless, nestled right in between a fence and the garage wall, fruit crates made the furniture and hand drawn art taped everywhere made it my secret space of renewal. I was 8. I made a mailbox out of a cheerios cereal box. There were hand printed applications with several spots to fill in your name, birthdate, favorite color, favorite game and your club name with position desired. I was accepting applications for this secret club. There was one applicant, my best friend Eva. She was also the co-founder, builder, and mud pie maker. I was in charge of maintenance, since I like building things and seeing the improved end result of something slightly undone. We allowed visitors on occasion, but it was mostly the two of us and my black dog "Cosmo". We had singing performances and tea time with a mini porcelain tea set filled with lemonade. This was the beginning of my innate tribal gifts.

I build the teepee and create spaces for others, something I've been doing for a very long time. Always, creating spaces, in fact, I've given myself the title of "Sacred Space Creatress" and claim it with confidence.

As an altarista (altar artist/builder), I passionately create experiential spaces for others. Not only is it my desire for you to see, smell and hear the decor, but feel it and perhaps interact with it. Transcending with the thickness of the energy. Being uprooted into an ascending movement higher than just the Earth plane. It is a true design nicely tucked in my soul. It gives me the freedom to express from deep within, cutting open and revealing so that you may experience healing and magic. I find them not only on altars or sacred spaces, but almost everywhere. I am sometimes gently taken by an energetic space like this that it fills me with great happiness and renewal. Here, in these spaces my friends, is where I recharge.  Below you will find several places of "recharge". 

**Posting inspired by a beautiful goddess soul who happens to be someone I truly admire and always inspired by her divine ideas and creativity. I love her post on Sacred Spaces! She would so lovingly welcome you into her virtual tree house, so pop on over for a visit and be fueled with creative spark and deep soul pondering. See her wonderful posting that touched my heart and inspired this posting.

Miracles occur, every moment. Do we ever celebrate the dancing tree or the rising of the sun? Join me in noticing. What miraculous events have you noticed today?

“Miracles arise from a miraculous state of mind, or a state of miracle-readiness.” ~A Course in Miracles

Join me on
facebook or twitter
and share your miracles!
You can also post a miracle in the comment section below.

A picture story of the many things I am thankful for this Thursday.

Time spent at the park.  Blanket, book, snacks, sandals off.

A little sky, a little Earth and a little human loving it all.

Time spent building altar in the studio.

Decorating magic prayer tree with a little fairy energy.

More magic prayer tree decor!

Crystal (Mineral) shopping because I deserve it.

Crimson art journal play!

Thank you Thursday.

I may be a patchwork quilt kind of person, but I just love, love being me so I am starting a RAINBOW SOULVOLUTION proclaiming all the “pretty” in all my colors.  As a child, I struggled because I was different and had a hard time connecting or relating with others.  It felt awkard and lonely.  i became very depressed and spent many years extracting bits of myself to fit in with the regulars.  Since then, I've learned a thing or two about myself and I got to expereince the treasure that I am.  I wish for all to embrace themselves wholeheartedly.  People like me are not confused or dissatisfied.  We just simply live to joyfully live! 

You like trying new things and sometimes, many new things at once.

Anytime you begin to explore something and find that it has too many how to’s, rules, prerequisites, or needs to be a particular order you drop it like a hot potato.

Some label you as a rebel or nonconformist.

You like creating your own way of doing mostly everything.

You enjoy being self-taught.

When you have to pick one, it's a dilema.

You like to have a little bit of everything from the buffet of life.

You can clearly see the many possibilities.

You have said to people, “Oh, I just like to mix things up a bit.”

When curious, you get your explorers backpack ready.

You have created your own title(s) and/or names.

Some may say you can be controlling, but you think otherwise and frankly respond with, "nope, I just know what I want".

You really are multi-talented.

You have had a kaleidoscope of experiences.

You’ve been called a renaissance man or woman.

You can multi-task easily.

You listen to your inner guidance and believe it knows a whole lot more than your human counterpart.

You have a very wide range of interests.

You’ve tried many, many things.

You have a hard time sticking with the same-ole thing.

Your routine must not be a routine.

You are a quick learner.

You are versatile.

You have a lot of tools in your tool box or medicine in your medicine pouch.

When someone says you are unusual or weird you take it as a compliment.

Living authentic is a joy for you.

You feel as if you have had many lifetimes.

Some may tell you that you are an old soul.

You learn best when you teach others.

You can be very intuitive.

Self guided is such a lovely pair of words to you.

You may be an entrepreneur or self made success.

You are passionate and determined to follow your many dreams.

You live to express in all your many colors.

You know you can do just about anything if you heart and mind are in it otherwise, you won’t waste your time.

You see life as a big abundant buffet.

Variety is your friend.

You have to work extra hard to be around “normal-non-rainbow” people.

You may have the ability to shift the energies in rooms, people’s moods, etc and not even realize it.

You may have been the “different one” in your family, class, or workplace.

You are or may be an Indigo Adult.

You have had relationships with people who wanted to keep you in a box.

You think and live outside the box.

You actually enjoy change.

You’ve been called: a hippy, weirdo, unique, eccentric, crazy artist, or just plain confusing.

You actually find beauty in your imperfections.

You really do like being yourself.

A rainbow in the sky makes your heart really happy.

So, are you a rainbow soul?

If so, welcome and might I comment on all your beautiful colors!  They sure do shine!

Here, there is plenty of room for all your colors.  Feel safe, feel free, be you.  I love all your colorful ways.  Now, lets sing together!

The unexpected and ordinary miracles go unnoticed. Maybe you got two green lights in a row, that friend you were thinking about called you, someone bought you that latte you were craving; these all sound like miracles to me! Tune up your miracle detector and begin noticing. Celebrate the miracles that occur throughout your day. This practice alone will amplify your miracle detector turning you into a miracle magnet! There are many avenues for miraculous discoveries.

The miracle of nature:
Today I noticed the wind in my hair lovingly whispering encouraging messages about my existence.

The miracle of chocolate.
Need I say more? I shared hot cocoa with my daughter today from my studio. It was super sahweet!

The miracle of taking a break to do absolutely nothing:
To breathe, close my eyes, meditate, renew and see the world from a clearer and calm angle.

The miracle of creative expression:
Making art and getting crafty is good therapy. I was even inspired to give some away today! Enter drawing below!

The miracle of play!
A game I've created called Miracle Marks! Download and print now! What you do is: Print the Miracle Mark tags, cut out and randomly place anywhere you see a miracle! Get creative and have fun!

I will be a miracle maker in my own way. A miracle performed for someone else is a miracle for me as well. It may seem small, but still miraculous. Still mighty. It will uplift and bring joy. I will make miracle art for a someone special. Will it be you? Enter to win and receive a handwritten/hand created miracle art message delivered right in your mailbox via snail mail! You have till the following Monday to enter. You may pass along to others!

Sign-up closed.
Drawing results are posted here.

A story in pictures of my Thursday.  I am thankful for:

How the leaves waved to me on my morning hike.

This GINORMOUS wild fig tree I got to play in! 
Mama Figgy tree told me to come back and visit anytime.  She also said, "wait to ya try my figs!"

A beautiful wildflower whispered softly to me. 
These remind me of little inverted fairy umbrellas!

Spending some time in my best girlfriend's garden gazing at the roses as they reach for the sky!

The contrasting colors fill me with JOY! 
Red firebursts with a backdrop of a gentle blue sky.

Thank you Thursday.

Miracles occur, every moment.  Do we ever celebrate the dancing tree or the rising of the sun?  Join me in noticing.  What miraculous events have you noticed today?

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” ~Lord Buddha

Join me on
facebook or twitter
and share your miracles!
You can also post a miracle in the comment section below.