Lessons from the Ocean . . .

My Ocean Mandala

I have just returned from a week in the Outer Banks

what a beautiful experience it was to be

with my family, to rest and restore, create art

and unplug from life's demands.

The Ocean's rhythm is so soothing and calming,

it naturally draws us in.

Just standing in the presence of the mighty sea

calms the spirit.

Walks along the ocean shore allowed me

the time I needed to pray, to think things through,

to collect beautiful shells (a gift from the sea),

and to sort out all the thoughts running around in my head.

I always learn something new when coming to the beach,

I think the lesson that so strongly came through this visit

was that my life needed to change a bit.

I need a quieter pace and carry less worry about the little things.

I always wonder why it is that at home,

I can't think as clearly as I can when I return to the sea.

I know there are life disruptions that get in the way at home ...

 yet I still can't find the stillness and quiet I so need.

So I thank the Ocean for teaching me

a quieter pace, a much needed slower walk in life,

to breathe in the salt and the sea and the sun,

and recognize the gift it is giving to me. . .
CLARITY

What a beautiful vacation I had ...

so many wonderful memories I will keep close to me.

Seeing Annabelle put her toes in the ocean for 

her very first time,

seeing my daughter n law Lauren

so cute and pregnant and growing each day

with our soon to be grand son,

watching my kids laugh and play and get along,

watching my husband and his sons

surf together in the ocean,

finding time to paint and create,
re-reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull
after all these years

and so much more!!

The Ocean is mighty

and certainly strong.

The Ocean waves are a gift,

drifting into shore and out to sea,

the natural rhythm it carries

teaches us to listen deep within,

if only we will.
Bringing into shore new beginnings and freshness
and certainly taking old habits,
ugly thoughts and sorrows
back out to the sea.

I hope to keep the lessons I carried home with me close,
never forgetting that my life is a gift,
and there is still so very much for me to learn,
to experience and to share.
I hope your summer gets you to an ocean shore,
somewhere, somehow.

Wishing you peace and love on this Wednesday,
as those of us on the East Coast
prepare for our first Tropical storm of the season;
yet another reminder of the
mightiness of the sea!

Lessons learned while teaching others

Leading seniors through

creative writing every Thursday evening

What a joy it is for me to help

facilitate a senior adult creative writing group

once a week at the beautiful
First Colonial Inn

Working with Senior Adults has taught

me to be more patient, compassionate

and understanding.

Helping Seniors to write down their

memories and feelings

has become a sincere source of joy for me.

I thought I would be teaching them so much,

instead it is I that has learned from them!

They have stolen my heart
with their hugs, their love and their stories and poems.
I have learned to have a more compassionate heart
and to be more understanding of the senior adult
they have so much to offer us,
if only we will take the time
to listen.
What beautiful souls they are!

Teaching art to others

through An Artful Spirit Workshops

When I lead others through our

Artful Spirit Workshops
or through my private Zentangle classes,

I have learned so many inspiring lessons.
I just wanted to share with you today.

Patience ... not every one is on the same level of understanding

Compassion ... others insecurities come out when they are learning something new

Joy ... how I love seeing someone create something for the first time
and get so excited at what they have accomplished

Honor ... how privileged I am to lead others to their art journey

Acceptance ... to learn that my work is truly good enough

Humbleness ... creating art can be hard for others,
it is not always an easy process
as it has become for me

LOVE ... I am glad to be with others and
want to share all that is within me

Responsibility ... others are looking up to me for guidance,
I take that very seriously and owe them my best work

Yielding ... working with a partner teaches us both
to understand and listen to what we both want
to project during our retreat experiences

Acknowledgement ... for just how far I have come in
my own artistic life

Wishing you peace, love and knowledge
for the rest of your week
I am honored to have you here!

Donna Lee

I have added new tabs at the top of my blog page,
click on anything that interests you
and there you will learn more about
my creative happenings!

Last Tuesday ...

Let's sit awhile and share a cup together

Yes today is my last Tuesday

of being 55 years old.

So I say ... on to another year!

I guess we all get a bit reflective 

when birthday time

rolls around,

I am truly no different than you!

I have just sat and reflected on how

wonderful the past year has been for me.

How I found myself creatively:

My Artistic Soul woke up

My Artwork truly took flight on its own

An Artful Spirit was launched

I now have facilitated two art workshops

Poetry and Writing became

a lifestyle for me

My Poetry was published

I have read my poems out loud to a crowd
I purchased a new awesome camera
Photography became a new passion

I have fallen in love with

the Art of Zentangle

I made a commitment 

to try and live creatively

each and every day

and I have!

So I say on to 56!!

I look forward to what will

be in store for me

for Donna Lee

is still a little girl at heart

loving her life

I step forward into another year 

full of promise

soon approaching grandmotherhood

something totally new to experience!

Life is such an incredible journey

each and every day.

I love the woman I have become,

it's taken many years and experiences

to get to this very spot.

But I am finally here!

So on this last day of being fifty five,

I embrace what lies ahead

bringing with me

life lessons learned.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~