Checking in with Myself!

Looking for tiny moments of Joy

It is now the season of Fall . . .

Just a few months left in this amazing year!

I always consider this time of year 

as a time to check in with myself,

re-evaluate and step back just a bit.

I love that there is a crisp feeling in the air,

Leaves are changing colors all around me,

I can open my windows at night and hear

the beautiful sounds of nature.

October is almost over

and here we step quickly into the Holiday Season,

it's right around the corner folks!

I must say I dread the busyness of the next few months,

it's all about what we have to get done,

who we have to buy for,

hurry, hurry and hurry some more.

So I took the time to re-visit

my WORD for the year,

RENEWAL

How appropriate for me this time of year!

The world is such a loud and noisy place,

it is good to be reminded to turn Inward.

Re-evaluate our priorities,

slow down for a bit

and concentrate on what is truly important.

There are just a few months left of this year

and I ask myself how did I do with my 

Word for the year?

I think pretty darn well.

I have learned that in this life,

we are constantly changing.

People come and go in our lives,

we walk in and out of relationships,

we hold on to certain things with a strong grip,

we are learning each and everyday we live.

So I guess we are constantly renewing

our hearts and minds.

We need to look at all the opportunities that come our way 

and actually see that we can grow from each one!
They are all teaching moments.

I was featured recently on the Squam Website with
Elizabeth's Morning on the Dock Podcast Series.
What an honor that was for sure!
She asked thought provoking questions,
and I answered with an open heart.
It was as though we were sitting in her amazing living room
just chatting over a cup of herbal tea!
You can find it here . . .
http://www.squamartworkshops.com/podcast/episode-49-donna-wynn/
I think everyone needs an Elizabeth in their life,
and know her the way I truly know her.
What a gift it is to truly share a friendship with this woman!
I so appreciate her guiding me along my creative life path.
This podcast kinda explains what this blog post is all about today!

So as November fast approaches
and the Holidays draw near,
just take the time to breathe in Nature,
breathe in Stillness,
breathe in Opportunity
and let go of unneeded stuff in your life.
Find regular moments of solitude
to keep yourself in check.

I love watching my little grandchildren growing up,
they are teaching me something new every day.
Especially about love, acceptance and discovery!
They are now 3, 2 and 1
(how precious is that!)

Grayson Blake

Dylan James and Annabelle Lilly

This is the perfect time to check in with yourself,
change the things you can
and
accept the things you can't change.
Allow yourself this freedom.
We can't rely on the "resolutions"
we wrote down in the beginning of the year,
for we are constantly evolving.

May your day be filled with joy today
as you walk your own path.
I'm so glad you stopped by today!

Donna Lee

Pressing the Restart Button! (already)

Me ... Myself and I

I have been thinking a lot lately ...

about so many things.

Where I want to be, what I want to accomplish,

the Pounds I am gonna lose, the Art I am gonna create, the Tapestry I want to weave,

the Poetry I have yet to write and so much more!

The new year is here and we are already into its 3rd month!

I look back in my journal to re-visit

my goals and dreams

I've slipped a bit ... haven't you?

I started out doing great then life happened!

Work, family, commitments, health,

raising a puppy and so much more.

I feel I am a bit hard on myself,
but I thought I would be doing better at this point in 2016.

Whenever I am overwhelmed,

a trip to the ocean is always my Restart Button!

This past Sunday afternoon was my time to restart! 

Many of you know I live in Virginia Beach, VA

the ocean is about 25 minutes from my home,

and only 5 minutes from my work,

yet I still can't find the time to get there!

So this Sunday was a gift.

Taking in the beauty at 1st street

I just needed to sit still,

walk quietly and breathe in

the beauty, the sound of the waves,

and feel the brisk chill in the air.

I needed to STOP and I did.

Sometimes we don't recognize when we need those moments,

and we just keep pushing forward,

Sunday was a gift for me,

a much needed present to open.

I have a thing for writing words in the sand,

things that matter to me.

I photograph them and make cards.

Here was the message that came this time . . .
It seems to be right where I am in my creative life these days.
I am totally immersing myself into Tapestry weaving
loving every moment I can spend at the loom.

My message to myself that day

We all need to stop, recharge, restart.

Don't be so busy that you don't recognize those

moments in your life.

Trust me your spirit will let you know,

and your precious body will give you signs

when you need to begin again.

Refresh yourself, take moments to do something different,

be still and quiet,

meditate on all good things.

When you look around there will always be

a gift from the universe

reminding you ... You got this!!!

This was mine

My reminder

So the week has started anew

and I am feeling much better about things.

I needed to pause, to think, to re-arrange

the thoughts in my head.

When we are clear headed we

can tackle just about anything ...

even the ups and downs of raising a 7 month old

labrador puppy ...

named Josie Grace

(the love of my life)

Chillin oceanside

Have a very blessed week

Slow yourself down

Breathe in freshness

Treat yourself to something new

Remind yourself

"You got this thing called life"

Donna Lee

How do you see yourself?

Just playing around!

This past Sunday I was able to

attend a Calligraphy Workshop

with the sweetest teacher

Amy

of

Sincerely Amy Designs

It was an afternoon of cocktails, cupcakes and calligraphy,

filled with fellowship, sharing, laughing and inspiration!

I enjoyed the experience so much

and learned a lot from Amy!

She is amazing!

The afternoon was a gift I gave myself.

So happy to have this photo with Amy

As I was leaving the workshop,

I saw this amazing mosaic mirror

and couldn't resist taking a picture!

Don't we all love taking selfies from time to time?

All week I had lots of ideas for my blogpost today,

but somehow the question

"How do you see yourself?"

just kept coming into focus for me.

So I decided to write about it today!

It isn't an easy question,

and sometimes, on certain days,

I certainly don't want to answer that question!

What do I see when I look at myself?

A soon to be 58 year old grand mommy,

a wife and mother, a semi-retired Optician,

a friend, sister, poet, artist and teacher,

a child of God,

and a positive and loving person!

I feel that I'm living a pretty balanced life

right at this moment,

and it all feels delicious!!

It is important to re-evaluate 

how we are doing from time to time,

check in with yourself ... see if there are any imbalances!

Trust me, your body will let you know,

your mind will send you signals,

and your heart will always know the way!

Life is a balancing act,

each and every day

Don't ignore taking care of yourself,

take time to nourish your spirit,

it is so important.

If you see yourself in a positive light,

you can then be ready to give to others,

trust me ... others need you!

How do you see yourself?

We can always look at the negative side of things,

and no good can come out of it.

Take time to "take a selfie"

Write down all the positive things you can think of

about your beautiful self,

concentrate on those characteristics,

NOT the bad things going on in your life.

You may just be surprised at the list you come up with!

This beautiful spring season,

I wish you joy and abundance,

happiness in all things,

most of all

I wish you peace and understanding!

Love yourself today!

Donna Lee

What do you see?

Taken during my SoulCollage® training!

Capturing a self moment

What do you see when you see yourself?

Look into the mirror and look, truly look.

See the beauty you hold within

Know that you are important and cherished!

What do you see when you see yourself?

Look deep into your heart,

 feel the emotions that come from within ...

what are they trying to say to you?

What do you see when you see yourself?

When you think thoughts that are negative,

do you speak words of self doubt?

Are you constantly unhappy with what you see?

What do you see when you see yourself?

Are you seeking moments of quiet,

calming your heart and your mind?

Finding those moments for self care and nurturing

What do you see when you see yourself?

Who is that girl staring back at you?

Fall in love with her again and again

Listen closely to what she has to say ...

Listen ... Carefully

and you will hear ...

if only you will Listen

(a poetic moment written in quiet 2-11-15 at 8:45am)