Taking a Summer Hiatus

Him and Me Always!

Here it is July and it's already three quarters over!

I honestly don't even know where it went!

It has certainly been a summer of adjustment and sorrow

after losing my precious father-n-law.

As you know, I pride myself on living the creative life,

however, not much creativity has been happening

around my studio lately.

I miss just playing around with my paints and yarns.

I can't even tell you the last time I art journaled

or just read a book.

All is good!

I will be headed to Colorado in just a few days

to a Tapestry Weaving Workshop

with my online teacher and mentor

Rebecca Mezoff

and I am super excited!

I will be staying at the

Colorado State University

Mountain Campus

and soaking up as much

inspiration as I can.

I can't imagine five days

of beautiful mountains, fellowship with weavers,

hiking, sketching and tapestry weaving for days

UNINTERUPTED

Pinch me now please!

I am sure I will have lots

to tell you about later.

For now I am taking

a blogging hiatus ...

time to restore the writing soul,

rest my heart

and

refresh my spirit.

See you again soon,

I'm anxious to see all the good that comes from 

stepping away

and listening to my heart.

Donna Lee

Spiritual Renewal

I was in for an amazing gathering of women!

This past weekend I was able to attend

the Women's Retreat (IF Gathering)

with my Trinity Church.

It was held at the beautiful Westin Hotel

in Virginia Beach

and I spent the night with my longtime

spiritual sisters and friends

Debbie Bailey and Donna Irwin.

What is a retreat if you don't get a night away

of fellowship, laughter and jambes?

The gift of long time Sistership

Our 13th floor window view over Town Center

The experience was filled with

laughter, tears, worship music,

guest speakers, delicious food,

testimonies and sharing.

It was so good to fill my spirit,

renew my heart once again,

and be with like minded women.

My Spiritual Peeps for the experience ... such beautiful women and life stories here!

Life has been so full of busy "stuff",

family illness and the death of my aunt for me.

I've been working, trying to meet deadlines,

feeling overload and over commitment lately.

I haven't had much time to do my writing,

and very little time to do my art!

You know we all get to that point, 

over and over again.

For me this retreat just allowed me to PAUSE ...

for just a short time and focus of my spiritual walk.

It was just what I needed at this moment.

Trinity Church came to my life several years ago,

when I was leaving a church that hurt me,

disappointed me and did things I didn't agree with,

they rocked my spiritual steadiness a bit.

I am so grateful to be in a place 

where I feel safe again,

safe to worship,

safe to share my talents and my life.

It is good to feel healthy again!

Thank you Trinity Church,

you have my heart!

I came home restored, renewed and focused.

Something I was certainly needing

and I am sure I can say that about all the women

that were in that gathering with me!

As women we need to come together,

re-focus, share, laugh, dance and sing!

It is good for the soul!

Life isn't always easy 

and it is so good to hear from other women

their life experiences.

If you get the chance to attend an IF Gathering,

I urge you to do this!

It was my first time and I can't wait

to attend again next year.

What an amazing team and organization

of faithful and insightful leaders.

Their lessons, testimonies and stories were powerful.

Thank you IF for your amazing presentation.

My friends

I do hope you will live the rest of your week

in love and in peace.

Know there is a loving God in this life,

who cares about your every moment,

your precious heart

and all that is about you!

You are amazing just the way you are!

I am truly grateful we are friends

and we are here together!

Donna Lee

This I know . . .

Photo taken at Historic Adam Thoroughood House

Life truly is a precious gift

Creativity is time well spent

Grandchildren are an incredible gift

One should always live by their principles

Follow your heart ... it knows where to guide you

Seek stillness ... it is good for the Soul

Connect with like minded people

Nature is a gift from God

Quiet and stillness should be an everyday occurrence

Learning something new it's good for you
Candlelight is beautiful

Reach high and far

Writing your thoughts down is healing

Music is soothing

Listen to your inner voice ... there is always truth to be found

Yoga gives life . . .  it connects mind and body

Be grateful for the friendships in your life

I love writing on my blog

I am grateful you read these words

Blessings to you today!

Donna Lee

Setting Intentions ...

Funny thing about Intentions ...

we set them for the present moment

and then life moves in and off we go!

I love attending a retreat 

and being asked to set my intention for the experience,

it helps me to slow down and focus on the moment.

Sometimes ... just sometimes ... the intention we set our minds on

doesn't even happen ... something more glorious turns out!

Every time I am able to step onto my yoga mat,

I am asked to set my intention for the class.

When we hold our Artful Spirit Workshops,

we always start with intention settings,

it helps us to leave the world behind

and focus on the experience at hand.

Intention:  the thing that you plan to do or achieve: an aim or purpose

(Websters Dictionary)

I think every time we sit down to do a creative project

we should set an intention and ask ourselves a few questions:

what do I hope to learn from this?

how much time should I devote to my art practice today?

will I be sharing my techniques with others?

how does this project make me feel?

am I happy here in this moment?

what do i hope to learn here today?

I also love creating an intentional space

when I start to create something.

I love lighting a candle,

playing my favorite music,

lighting incense

and preparing my heart for what I am about to do.

I want the space around me to be beautiful

and in harmony with the creative process.

It all affects the completed outcome.
I think that is why I am so in love with Zentangle,
it is mindful and intentional drawing,
it soothes my spirit

It's good to remind myself, here in the month of June,

halfway through the new year,

for Intentional was my word of the year!

I feel I have been doing very well with it.

So think about walking with Intention this week,

whether in your workplace, creative space, family space

or just life space.

Keep in mind the thoughts and feelings you come across.

Living intentionally, step by beautiful step

is a process we learn to grow into.

I'm not all the way there yet,

but I'm pretty darn close,

and it feels so right!

I wish you blessings in your life this week ...

walk lightly

speak truthfully

love others

and

take care of your precious self

Donna Lee

Guiding my Seniors with Zentangle

Zentangle and Coffee!

I have been helping to guide the Seniors of 

The Creative Writing Group

at First Colonial Inn

for over two years now

and what a blessing 

they are to me!

I have written about them before!

I was asked to lead them in a Zentangle Workshop

last Thursday evening

and what fun we had together.

I taught them about the history of Zentangle,

how it relaxes the soul,

how it helps us to sort out thoughts

and applied it to our writing practice

by giving them a prompt

"I am a Writer because ..."

Something for them to ponder on

while learning their 

meditative drawing process.

We relaxed and listened to beautiful

flute music

by

Rick Roberts

(one of the creators of Zentangle)

and it was so soothing and relaxing to all of us
We used the Apprentice Tiles and Pens
and they were so delighted to be learning.

It was a most beautiful evening

and I am so proud of the residents

of First Colonial Inn.

They created beautiful works

and were so proud of their accomplishments!

Here are a few captured moments

(They are so used to me and my camera!)

They all left wanting even more!

I love this group beyond measure

they have taught me so much

about living fully every moment.

Their love, their smiles, their friendship

and

their precious written words of life memories

have touched my heart.

I am the grateful one!
Zentangle continues to teach me beautiful lessons.
How blessed I am to have found this art form
and that I get to share it with others.

Donna

What I am Feeling ...

It is Mid March and I always get the winter blues around now.

Funny how life is cyclical!

I am tired of the cold and the unusual snow we have had

here in Virginia Beach!

Bronchitis has kicked my butt for weeks.

I want the softness and renewal of springtime.

I guess feeling restless comes along with it.

I know I am embarking on 

new phases in my life

and I am still trying to sort it all out.

I am letting go of things, seeking stillness,

creating like crazy,

writing more and more,

teaching classes

yet still feeling restlessness.

Writing always heals the heart,

my artwork soothes the restlessness.

Perhaps this is what 56 year olds walk through,

a time of transition.

As I step toward spring,

I look forward to freshness of life,

nature renewing itself,

flowers budding,

trees awakening

and the birds singing happily,

Lessons I can learn for myself.

I am heading to New York City next week,

just for a short trip,

but so look forward to connecting with friends,

walking the busy streets,

heading to the museums,

 seeing

"My Mother has Four Noses"

with my precious friend

Jennifer Belthoff

visiting Dick Blick Art Store,

and I can't wait to sees 

The Gauguin exhibit at MOMA,

NEW YORK always welcomes me,

and I love the hustle bustle of the city!

Perfect timing and a perfect place to get away!

I am looking at New York with creative eyes,

there is so much inspiration there.

I am sure I will have lots to write about when I return.

Feelings can get in one's way,

confuse the heart, but also open doors

at the same time.

Funny how that works,

 so until my next post . . .

Love with all your heart,

Live life passionately,

and

Seek out moments to grow just a little more

Heart Thoughts on a Wednesday

Step through moments of opportunity

(photo taken at The Hermitage Museum

Norfolk, Virginia)

Sometimes the heart is full of stuff

it doesn't know how to handle it all

Every day is a gift ...

we must choose to live it out carefully

We need to always look for

opportunities to learn and grow

Seek out times of quiet solitude

it is good for the soul

Cherish conversations with others,

you may not get another one

chance to listen

Quit wasting time

on things that aren't important

Find time for solitude,

it is good to be with yourself

and only YOU!

Writing helps on so many levels
always keep pen and paper nearby

You don't have to do it all
You don't have to know it all
and
you certainly don't have to BE all
just love YOU

Donna Lee

Matters of the Heart

Recently I had a "Heart" scare,

there was an abnormality on my EKG

during my yearly physical

and a whirlwind began. 
One day, while driving to work,
I was given scary news and in that moment,
that scary moment

everything changed in the blink of an eye,

for now I truly know what that means.

I have spent the past week

trying to understand it all,

getting through all the medical tests,

seeing a Cardiologist and having 

a procedure done

in the Heart Hospital.

This was definitely time evaluate my life ...

where I have been

and where I certainly wanted to still go!

I have always lived my life

in the fullest way possible,

trying to grab the most

of whatever I could.
I love experiencing new things.

Always knowing or hoping

there was plenty of time

to do the things I wanted to do.

I found out what I needed to find out,

I praise God for the good answers

and how I can certainly live with

my precious little heart!

For now I know it needs to be cared for.

Each day is a blessing

and you realize it when you think,

maybe ... just maybe,

it could be taken away from you.

I trust in each day,

I trust in a mighty God

and

I am grateful that 

there is such an incredible

support system in my life!

Never have regrets of what

you didn't do yet,

get out there and do them!!!

Try something new and exciting.

Recognize when life is throwing you a curve,

and certainly learn the lessons

 you need to learn when you hit a brick wall.

This post really isn't about creativity,

it is about cherishing what matters most.

It's about loving and caring for yourself,

and when you are whole,

inside and out,

that will come through 
in every endeavor you choose.

I found this page from my journal

from a recent e-course I had taken,

somehow it matters even more today.

Trust ...

Donna Lee