A Look Behind the Scenes — Painting an Abstract Landscape

Photographing the Stages of Painting an Abstract Landscape

I photographed the process of painting one of my big landscapes.  I thought it would make an interesting pictorial blog.

I have done a detailed description at the end of this blog outlining the inspiration and details that went into the piece, along with the title and measurements.

The original is sold but it is available as prints, posters and greeting cards.

 Here it goes:

And then finally, drum-roll please, the finished product:

Cosmic Dance by 

Acrylic and textured acrylic on Canvas — 40″ × 30″

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE ART:

It probably goes without saying that I love the work of Van Gogh. I had a dream the night before I embarked on this painting.

I was in a field and was looking up at the night sky and the stars. I’m not sure if the spirit of Van Gogh was with me or if he was standing by my side, but I was being shown how he saw the night sky. How the stars looked like wormholes and were dancing and twinkling. When I woke up I knew exactly how I wanted to paint this picture and this is the product.

This painting was also done to the sounds of Tchaikovsky. I was also burning lavender and vanilla essence which is very calming and soothing, and vanilla is said to be an aphrodisiac — so this painting is one for the bedroom!

(PS.  No, I don’t paint in my Sunday best — this was taken the day after I finished)

Thanks for looking!

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Don’t Let the World Get You Down!

How to be in the world but not of it

As things stand now, you are most likely reading this blog from a computer somewhere on planet earth.  My marvelous skills of deduction are quite remarkable, I know.

We seem to all be in the same boat, paddling around in circles, paddling against the current or drifting out to sea.  How can we be in this beautiful world but not let it get us down?

Let’s face it, there is a lot of stuff that can, and does, lower our spirits and dampen our whetted desire to be on this planet.  But then, when we look around, we see that this planet is an exquisite paradise, filled with beauty, intrigue and adventure.

Why is it that life can be so damn tough when there is also so much fun to be had?

Heaven on Earth?

There is a simple truth to life.  We can create heaven on earth but we can also create our own personal form of hell.

Our very thoughts and actions will determine which destination we end up in.

Are you living in fear?  Meet Jack Soap…

When you live in fear you are perpetuating fear.

Let me give you an example.  If Jack Soap listens to the news constantly on the radio (which primarily reports bad news and how terrible the world out there is, along with all there is to be fearful of), he will be in a conscious or even unconscious negative frame of mind.  His preset to life will be tainted with a neuro-linguistic programming of doubt and fear.

You may even find that Jack has a preconceived idea that he should trust no-one.  He may even not like to venture outside his own home, let alone comfort zone, for fear of being attacked.  He may even cringe at the thought of an overseas holiday, he’ll think you mad if you were to suggest such nonsense, what with all the potential terrorists on-board planes these days!

Poor Jack may not even realize that there is a sunny and bright side to life.  It is as if he could be living on a different planet to John.

Are you living in love? Meet John Doe…

Meet John Doe (yes, alright!  I know my pseudonyms leave something to be desired).  He enjoys listening to uplifting music rather than put on the news.  He enjoys walks in the park and getting in touch with nature.

He sees the beauty that the world has to offer.  He smiles at people as he walks along his path and they smile back.  He is certain that there is goodness in everybody because that is his experience.

John is living in the world and enjoying it.  He is not letting the world dictate his experience, he is dictating his own experience.  He is detaching from potential drama because he knows he has the choice to only focus on the positive aspects of life.

When John does this he is in control, he is mapping out his destiny according to what he wants to manifest.

He is not a victim of circumstance and he is certainly not an unconscious creator.

Jack vs John

Jack, on the other hand, is in the world and of the world.  He is getting trapped in the lower vibrational frequency of negativity and he is letting the world dictate his experience.

He is unconsciously creating an undesirable life.  He may not even be aware that he can change this at any time if he so wishes.

Jack was blessed with freewill, just like John.  Jack, however, can’t seem to see it.  He can’t take responsibility for his life choices because he feels he hasn’t made them.

But he has.

Whether he chooses to accept that or not, he has made his bed and he is tossing and turning in it.

Can you see the message behind the metaphor?  Be in the world not of it.

Freewill and Choice

Choose your experiences.  Choose what you expose yourself to.  Choose to engage in drama, or choose to love from afar and lend your support whilst creating strong, effective boundaries.

You do not have to get involved and bogged down in drama if you don’t want to.  You can always help those in need but you can do it with detachment.  This means that you can still help in this world but you are fully aware that it is not required that you get involved with a problem — most certainly not to the extent that it encapsulates you in drama.

Detachment

Detachment is not a word that describes the state of not caring.  Quite the opposite.  You care enough to help and you care enough about yourself to remain neutral.

Think of detachment like Switzerland — the neutral zone.  You can lend a hand but you are not getting hooked into anything.

You can live in this world, enjoy it and be mindful of the ‘drama’ and/or the negative aspect of life.  This will give you the freedom to pick and choose your experiences and know when to help and when to say no.

Do you feel that life is taking you for a ride?  Or are you in the drivers seat of your experience?  Share your stories…

Related Articles:

Are You Clinging on by Your Fingernails?

What Freddy Mercury Can Teach Us About Detachment

 

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Painting the Windows of the Soul — Eyes

Look into my Eyes

There is nothing more captivating than looking into the eyes of a living creature.  So much can be said without words when you look into someone or somethings eyes.

They are said to be the windows of the soul and for good reason — eyes are so expressive.  And it is every artists desire to captivate the onlooker, with a pair of fixating eyes.

“Sometimes I could swear I see the eyes ‘flicker’ or move.  He says I definitely ensnared a bit of his soul in there.”

Look at the Mona Lisa — her eyes follow you around the room.  What a fantastic genius Leonardo was!

Below, you will find a painting of my husband — this one really creeps both of us out a bit.  It is hanging in our bedroom and it is so much like Mike that we both feel it has a certain ‘Dorian Gray’ feel to it.  Sometimes I could swear I see the eyes ‘flicker’ or move.  He says I definitely ensnared a bit of his soul in there.

The Egyptians and Kohl

The ancient Egyptians used to burn Frankincense and make kohl from the ash using water.  They would then paint it around their eyes,  supposedly because they wanted to carry the protection of the Gods with them — most likely a tribute to the God Horus.  Very interesting to ‘frame’ your eyes.  They seemed to think it was an important feature, enough to highlight it anyway.

Back to the Art…

Here are some of my paintings that have the ‘captivating eyes’ theme:

Thanks for looking!

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CAUTION: God’s Gonna Kick Your Ass!

The Prodigal Son

We all know the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son (if you don’t click here).

Long story really short:  Two sons are given their inheritance before the father dies.  One son does the ‘right’ thing and works for his father, the other son squanders his lot and comes crawling back to the father.  The father takes him in as if nothing has happened and celebrates (much to the discontent of the other brother who feels it isn’t fair).

Well, is that fair?

I think so…

God’s Gift of Freewill

This is a great analogy for God.  I don’t think God’s going to punish anybody for taking a detour on the path, or even if you completely stray off this path.

“I don’t think God is going to kick anyone’s butt in heaven for missed opportunity or bad behaviour.”

God gives all of us many gifts, whether they be in the form of talents, love or friendships, etc.  What we do with them is up to us but I don’t think He is going to be upset if we don’t use them.

I don’t think God is going to kick anyone’s butt in heaven for missed opportunity or bad behaviour.  God gave us freewill and this is the one gift we do use whether it is deemed ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

“Our choice is our gift to ourselves, we bring to our own table that which we experience.  “

We have this blessed gift of choice.  We will be our own judges and our misgivings will be our remorses.  God is that parent who does not judge, only accepts what is.

Please read my blog Does God Love Us Unconditionally? HERE

Choices

Our choice is our gift to ourselves, we bring to our own table that which we experience.

Nobody can tell you what to do but you can take advice.

My advice is this:  Take responsibility for your life.  If you feel you are in alignment with your integrity then that is great!  Whether someone else is not in alignment and you notice this, it is none of your business unless you are asked by that person for help.

You should not judge them for the path they are taking.  You don’t know where that path may inevitably lead them.  That is why you should not interfere.  If you are asked for assistance by them, then that soul has made a choice.  That is why you may help when you are asked to help.

Take Responsibility

In taking responsibility for your life, as in the honourable son from the Prodigal Son parable, you are not being a burden on anyone else.  This feels like the noble thing to do, doesn’t it?

“We need to stop comparing ourselves to others and focus purely on how harmonized we are with our purpose.”

It doesn’t really matter if your sibling is doing the opposite to you in their life and your parent still welcomes them back with open arms.  The father in this parable was right and his son should have rather rejoiced to have his brother back instead of feeling hard done by because all his efforts weren’t rewarded.  I think his reward far outweighs the ‘lost’ son in that he got to spend more valuable time with his father.  The other brother may regret this for the rest of his life.

We need to stop comparing ourselves to others and focus purely on how harmonized we are with our purpose.  Replace judgment with compassion and understanding.

Have you ever felt resentment?  Are you still feeling that way?  Can you perhaps choose to see things differently now?

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‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ is now out at all leading bookstores worldwide — don’t forget to order your copy:

 

Going Green in the Art Studio

No Soapbox Today…

Now before you think this is a blog about eco-friendly tips for artists, let me assure you now — this is actually about diving into the delicious green hues of the paint-pot.

Green is an unusual colour for monotone painting but I have fished out some of my art that has at least 60% green coverage (see below).

Gotta Love the Green

I love the colour green, I find it so wholesome, energetic, alive and vibrant — also somewhat comforting.

 ” One of my friend’s son once walked in the front door, paused to look around and then boldly stated that my house looked like a jungle.”

If you were to see my home, you would notice that I have a forest green sofa and plants popping out all around my house.  One of my friend’s son once walked in the front door, paused to look around and then boldly stated that my house looked like a jungle.  I loved that!  🙂

What is your favourite colour to paint in?  Or, if you don’t paint, what hue are you more partial to, especially when viewing a monotone piece of art?

Interesting note:  Did you know that green is the colour of your heart chakra?

Don’t forget you can kit your home or office space out in green and purchase any of the above pictures as prints, just click on the photo to take you to the store.

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How to Stay Grounded in 2012

Energy Influx

How have you been feeling lately?  This year, as exciting as it is, comes with a price.

“You even may seek medical advice because your body is doing the fandango and you ain’t dancing!”

The price we are paying for our spiritual upgrade is sleepless nights/insomnia, waking up at 3:00 in the morning (not again!), feeling lethargy/exhausted for no good reason (except the sleepless nights, of course), headaches and migraines that leave you feeling incapacitated, mood swings that knock you off your feet (with no sign of PMS in sight), strange eating patterns, loss of lustre and, probably the worst of all, the dark night of the soul.

We are experiencing a massive wave of cosmic energy hitting us from all directions, from planetary alignments to solar flares and gamma rays.

The Dark Night of the Soul

What is this?  It is the feeling that you could sink no lower.  When the earth seems to literally have been taken out from under your feet.  You wander around in a daze, not knowing if you are coming or going or even if you want to be here to participate in the first place.

“No-one understands you and you certainly don’t understand anyone else.  You want out!”

It is a feeling of great depression, possibly the worst you have ever experienced.  And mostly, and this is the really irritating part, you don’t know why you are depressed, you don’t seem to have a good enough reason.

You feel like an alien on your own planet.  No-one understands you and you certainly don’t understand anyone else.  You want out!  You even may seek medical advice because your body is doing the fandango and you ain’t dancing!

This happens to even the best of us.  You are not alone and this feeling will pass in time.  I know this because I have had several ‘dark nights of the soul’ periods over the past 2 years and, even though you feel like it will never end, it does.

This Too Shall Pass

You have been through a lot in your lifetime.  Cast your mind back to all those events that you thought you would never get through.  Well?  Did you get through them?  The answer is probably yes.

“When you can find the middle ground — where you are satiated, at peace and have found contentment in the moment — you have found your source of power.”

When we are faced with depression, worry and anxiety — just to name a few — it is very hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  However, it is there, it is always there.  You are not alone and you are never abandoned.

Just remember that everything is fleeting and all things will pass.  The good and the bad.  This is not meant to make you feel uneasy, especially if you are in a good place.  It is just a bridge to help you to cross to a peaceful frame of mind.

You have most likely also been in vast amounts of joy and happiness in your life.  The feeling of elation also doesn’t last.  You may not feel unhappy when it passes but the elation does pass.

Where Your Feet Touch the Ground and Your Head Floats in the Sky

When you can find the middle ground — where you are satiated, at peace and have found contentment in the moment — you have found your source of power.

A great exercise to help you to ground yourself is to go out and be in nature.  Sit under a tree or feel the grass under your bare feet.  There is nothing like nature to draw you into the present moment.

We do live on a beautiful planet in an extraordinary point in time — don’t forget that.  Try to remind yourself of it as much as possible, especially when you are feeling low.

Your choices determine your life, you chose to be here.  Enjoy the bumpy ride and hold on for your dear life — the roller-coaster has only reached the summit!

My latest book is out now at all leading bookstores:

5 Tips on Getting Back In The Groove

Lost your Mojo?

This can apply to any creative endeavour.  When you feel like you have done all there is to do or that you just don’t know where to turn next, you have lost your groove!

“I was selling out and painting what the public wanted.”

I was feeling really stifled a while ago (actually, it was only about a month ago) with my art. I felt like I was selling out and painting what the public wanted.  I really wanted to get into my own style and flavour of art.  But I was holding myself back.

I wrote quite a few blogs on the process that you can read here:

The Space Within Series — Inner Art

Going Deeper…Inner Art Expression

Got It! Inner Art Expression Expressed

Digging even deeper…Inner Art Expression

I just want to outline a few steps that you can take to find your creative space.

5 Tips for Getting Your Groove On:

  • Quiet Time — Meditate on the problem and the solution.  Give yourself some time-out to reflect and to plot your new course of action.  You can’t just pile one idea on top of another, this will make you feel scattered and all over the place.  Lay to rest what you have been doing that no longer serves you and make way for the new.
  • Space — Give yourself a proper working space.  Your very own creative space where you can go to when you are feeling inspired or to get inspired.  A place that will trigger your creativity.  If you already have one but it doesn’t work then look around you, does it need a clean up?  Can you make it a working space?  Are you holding yourself back by dumping things in your creative space and cluttering it up so that you won’t have to use it?  Or worse,  you use this as an excuse for why you can’t get anything done.
  • Creative Time — Allocate yourself time for your passion.  It can be an hour a day or a week.  Whatever is realistic to you.  Hold yourself accountable for that time.  Get a whiteboard and plot out a schedule on it, put it somewhere where you will see it everyday.
  • Freedom — Allow yourself to express whatever needs expressing.  Give yourself the freedom to step out of any box you may have built around your unique talents.  Do what you feel like doing.  No matter how bizarre it may seem to you in the moment.  These things have a way of unraveling themselves with divine perfection and timing.
  • Plan — When you are in the zone it feels amazing.  What happens when you are finished with this project though?  This is the process of life, we usually get nicely wrapped up in the journey but when we arrive, there is a sense of disappointment.  Give yourself a game plan to work on for the next creative explosion.  Mark out on your board when you are going to begin, what you need and where you will take yourself to find the necessary inspiration.  Even if the original idea morphs into something completely different — it is a starting point.

Paint on Canvas

Using the techniques above, here are my last 3 projects that have given me so much satisfaction.  I have been using acrylic, textured acrylic and spray paint and it has been a blast!

Let me know what you think.  I have also included some photos of me with the paintings, so you can get a feel for the size of the paintings…

I am happy to say that the originals have found new homes but they are all available as prints (click on photo’s to take you to store).

The 2 above have been purchased by the same client, so they are sharing a home which is kind of nice to know.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and inspired?  Please share your tips and secrets with us.

If you are feeling stuck with inspiration, why not subscribe now and get your FREE copy of ‘Creative Expression — How to find your inspiration…’ — no strings attached!  Click on picture below to sign up, you will receive your copy in the welcome e-mail:

Creative Expression

The Shocking Truth About Gender Equality

Women are Men and Men are Women 

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus?  This may seem to be the case when we are living in linearity with an illusory divide that is the separation between the two genders of humanity. But let’s look at why this statement is lacking a quantum perspective.

The Healing of the Female/Male Painbody

I feel like I was born into this world with a female painbody (for those of you who are not familiar with the word ‘painbody’ — a word coined by Eckhart Tolle — I am referring to the collective emotion/pain of being a woman).

” …the divide between men and women and the issue of inequality is monumentally better than just even one generation ago…”

The frustration of feeling equal in all but strength to a man can be overwhelming when faced with situations of unequal pay, if you are female, not being taken seriously with your political or even general views, etc.

I have to say that we are living in a day and age where the divide between men and women and the issue of inequality is monumentally better than just even one generation ago, let alone 300 years ago.  But there is still work to be done.  And in fact, it is such a simple thing that we need to do — to address inequality — that I have all confidence and hope that this generation will be the ones to effect change.

 Reconciling the History of Pain

The collective ‘painbody’ of the female goes way back.

“…the basic stripping down of the divine feminine and subjugating her to a life of being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. “

As you can imagine, we are talking about biblical times where women were practically written out of the bible or if they did make an appearance they were usually whores or harlots;  the witch burning crusades of the Spanish Inquisition;  the basic stripping down of the divine feminine and subjugating her to a life of being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.

During my lifetime, I have pondered these many harsh historical tales and it has made me feel quite angry about being a woman.

I Want to be a Man

For most of my life I always wanted to be a man, this would have seemed to solve a lot of my frustrations.  Until I had my recent epiphany that has made me see this from a completely new perspective.

And hooray for this new revelation because now I can say with confidence ‘I LOVE BEING A WOMAN!’.

 Blood, Sweat and Tears…Literally

I woke up last week and had started my period.  I ambled downstairs and sat on the couch while I had my first cup of the morning and tried to wake up.

“A mixture of feelings had overcome me and I wasn’t too sure about the outburst.”

After just sitting there for about an hour I burst into tears.  A mixture of feelings had overcome me and I wasn’t too sure about the outburst.  So I thought to myself it’s just PMS and I am in pain so ergo the tears.

This  made me feel even more frustrated and the crying didn’t stop.  My dear husband came and sat with me during the outburst and offered consolation.  I then asked him if he minded me ‘spilling my guts’ to him in an attempt to purge myself of what I was feeling.  He agreed and the deluge began.

Frustration and Compassion

It started with me telling him my frustrations over how my period made me feel – sore, dirty, uncomfortable and, worst of all, judged.

I let it out that I was frustrated about how most women are judged or perceived as being a little ‘mental’ when they are menstruating.  I verbalized the injustice in this as your body does go crazy and it is mostly out of your control.

“When you don’t understand something, don’t judge it – just let it be and show compassion.”

Perhaps, some men just don’t get the fact that your body is being stormed with hormones and you don’t know your arse from your elbow.  The key to this is empathy – compassion.  When you don’t understand something, don’t judge it – just let it be and show compassion.  That’s all, it’s very simple.  Support and compassion.

No Stopping Me Now

The tears, however, did not abate.

I had just read a chapter in a book the night before that stated that women who have sex out of a ‘sins of the flesh’ or in lustful way have pain during childbirth.

Now I have heard of orgasmic childbirths and I have no quarrel with this statement as, perhaps, children who are conceived through the purest of intentions and love may very well be born differently – turning pain into ecstasy.

But my female painbody sprung into action!

  • What about all the men who have lustful ‘sins of the flesh’ type sex?
  • What is the pain that they are to bear?
  • A man is even guaranteed an orgasm if conception has taken place, where the woman is not guaranteed anything – how unfair!
  • Why must a woman take on the misgivings of these combined activities?

Utter frustration was gripping me as I tackled this concept.  I was back in the throngs of the painbody.

Collapse and then Rebuild

Whilst my husband took a break from the festivities of the couch, I sat sobbing into my tissue.

As I was in this moment I felt arms around me.  Whether they were the arms of my guides, angels or higher self, they were so comforting.

Then I heard a whisper in my ear:

 “Now what if you were a man in your previous life and all these men who ‘don’t get women’ were actually women themselves in past life experiences – you have incarnated here on this earth plane and you have forgotten all past life experiences”. 

Now I do know this concept that we have had numerous past lives and the likelihood of having experienced various different lives in various different genders makes sense.

No More Duality, Thank You!

Then the penny dropped (and along with it a lot of frustration):  All men in this current lifetime have been women, have given birth, have probably been raped or abused, have been put down, have suffered extremities and loss.

“We are all one and the same!  Duh.”

All women in this current lifetime have been soldiers and/or warriors, have done hard labour, have perhaps been abusers, have suffered bloodshed and loss just like anyone.  We are all one and the same!  Duh.

Most have just forgotten.

The voice then whispered again in my ear, “Now say the opposite”.  I wondered what the voice meant and then I realized that I had been repeatedly sobbing into my tissue ‘I hate being a woman!’…I tried it, ‘I love being a woman!’  I felt a great sense of relief and sincerity when I voiced this.

So, in figuring that one out I sat there – in silence.  So what is the solution.  This makes me feel a bit better but it still doesn’t solve everything.

Speaking Trinity with an Angel

Then I remembered something that Archangel Metatron had told me in one of my dowsing sessions.  He said that we need to redefine the trinity as love, healing coupled with compassion and this will lead us to mastery.

The Conclusion and New Beginnings

My conclusion is that through the love of each other, crossing every divide – be it gender or race, religion or political view – we will allow ourselves to empathize with each other and to have compassion.

“We are the yin and the yang.  There is no separation – this is an illusion.”

When we can walk alongside each other and lift each other up and offer support when and where it is needed, we will be masters.

When gender is no longer an issue and the problems that either gender is facing in the NOW is met with compassion and understanding, we will be equal.  Because we know, deep down inside what it feels like to be both man or woman.

When you buy into the illusion of separation, this leads to fear, misery and frustration.  See past the illusion of gender and you are just the I AM.

Just love who you are now.

Be grateful for who you are now.


The Zen of Art

What better way to gift yourself than to spend some quality time creatively expressing your inner feelings?

 “The Dreamers Night Sky” by Cherie Roe Dirksen

I have only recently allowed myself to truly ‘let go’ and I found my form of expression which is more abstract than traditional (see above).  It has been a liberating experience to finally have the freedom to do this and no-one was stopping me but me.

“My first step was awareness of the deep need for my true expression to come through.”

When I discovered this, it was my call to action.  My first step was awareness of the deep need for my true expression to come through.  I then took responsibility for blocking myself and learnt the lesson behind why I was doing that.  The final step I took was action —  to bring about a new timeline or creative direction for myself.

A Call to Action

Free up some space this weekend or in the evening to tap into the inner child that just wants to finger paint and get mucky, cut out colourful pictures and make a collage or just do some ‘mindless’ doodling.

Why is this important?

When we give ourselves time out to practice creativity we are:

  • Honouring ourselves by allowing time for ‘play’
  • Tapping into the right hemisphere of the brain and our source of creativity
  • Setting a scene of tranquility and ‘time-out’ from the noise of our left brain
  • Allowing ourselves freedom of expression
How will this benefit me?

Expressing your creative flare is priceless but here are some key factors for why allowing yourself time and space for artistic endeavour is good for you:

  • De-stressing
  • Calming
  • Personal Fulfillment
  • Integral Time for Inner Reflection
  • Inner Balance
Try creating a tranquil, serene place where you can retreat to when you feel like you are in the ‘zone’ for artistic expression.
Is there anything stopping you?  Please feel free to comment on any of these questions or others that may arise…

What has been blocking your creative flow?  

Are you feeling constricted by the lack of artistic expression you are allowing yourself?  

What practices do you use to overcome creative blocks?  

What things do you tell yourself are more  important than expressing yourself?

Dont forget to SUBSCRIBE and get your FREE copy of ‘Creative Expression — How to find your inspiration…’ SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE 100% FREE and you can opt out at any time.

If you would like to read more about my journey to finding my inner expression, please click on the links below:

The Space Within Series — Inner Art

Going Deeper…Inner Art Expression

Got It! Inner Art Expression Expressed

Digging even deeper…Inner Art Expression

20 Ways to Set Your Spirit Soaring (and they’re all FREE)

Getting in touch with your innate sense of well-being can be fun, inexpensive and easy.

Here is a list of things that life has to offer that are 100% free — no strings attached (except in the case of playing with kittens):

  • Friendship — Connect with real people (not just social networking), make new connections and rekindle old relationships, if appropriate.
  • A smile — Dish them out!  You have nothing to lose.  Pass them around.
  • A heart-felt hug/embrace — It never goes astray, have you noticed?  Making physical contact is extremely important for any living creature.
  • A compliment Be impeccable with your words, let only kind, well thought-out words roll off your tongue.
  • Fresh air — Yes, it is free and beneficial.  Be grateful for a deep breath of oxygen.
  • Cloud spotting — This is preferably done on freshly mown, green, lush grass.
  • Swimming — A swim in the ocean or a lake, or even a pool.  The feeling of being weightless and carefree.  Priceless!
  • Humour — Share a good joke, get laughing — it’s the best medicine.
  • Smelling — When was the last time you literally stopped to smell the roses? Use your senses wisely…
  • Children — Watching a baby or a child/children play is one of the most uplifting past-times.  It’s free and it usually puts a smile on your dial.
  • Kittens — Have you ever watched a kitten or cat play with a piece of string?  Another priceless activity that will get your heart-strings all in tune.
  • Dogs — One of my favourite things to observe is witnessing a dog disembarking from a car to see he is at the beach!   If you don’t have pets, go sit in the park and watch animals frolicking.  Just remember joy is contagious — anyone’s or anything’s joy rubs off, did you know that?
  • Mountains — There they are, just standing there looking pretty…go climb one!  It’s an amazing feeling.
  • Walking — Strolling through a meadow on a sunny spring morning, watching butterflies dance their way through the sky in front of you.  When last did you do that?
  • Napping — Having an afternoon nap in the sun or under the shade of a tree.  Bliss!  For anyone who’s been to South Africa, you would have noticed that people do this all the time — during lunch-breaks, coffee breaks, etc.
  • Sand castles — Building a sandcastle is just terrific.  Getting down and mucky in the sand.  Free and liberating!  Note to the beachless:  sorry about that, perhaps it’s time to take a trip to the nearest coast or plan that next tropical holiday?
  • Stomping — Once you’ve built the sand castle, jump on it and smash it into the ground.  Do you remember doing that!?!  Pure elation and freedom from attachment. Release the joy of your inner child.
  • Music — Play your favourite songs and instantly lift your vibration!
  • Be grateful — Make a list of all the things going right in your life and you’ll be surprised at just how well you are manifesting your existence.
  • Creative Expression — The last FREE thing on my list is my book ‘Creative

    How to find your inspiration…

    Expression — How to find your inspiration…’  It is available on this site as a FREE download once you subscribe (subscription is also 100% FREE).

How freeing is it to know that there is so much to do that doesn’t come with a price tag attached?

Sometimes we need to concentrate on being in the now, focus on the little joys of life to squeeze the ultimate bliss out of every day.

What things do you like to get up to that are free and priceless?  Please share your stories…

Here is a blog that you may find interesting:

How to find happiness without buying it

Help Others.org: On Passing Around Smiles… — A Kindness Story.

No Free Handouts — You Have to Work for your Happiness

How to Surf on Good Vibrations

Please recap on part 1 HERE (What Frequencies Are You Sending Out?)

Moving the Energy

When you are feeling stuck in your solar plexus (stomach area) you can always choose to move it up a notch into your heart chakra (chest area).

“…you can move it up on the emotional scale.”

When you are feeling down or depressed or even stressed, angry or frustrated (any ‘negative’ emotion) you can move it up on the emotional scale.

Butterflies and Pits

When we feel those butterflies in the tummy or a pit in the stomach, we are experiencing the negative scale of the solar plexus.  I’m sure you can relate to this feeling.

Expansion and Bliss

When you move it up one, you are moving the energy or frequency/vibration into the heart center.  To experience the feeling of love, joy or bliss we must put ourselves into this frame of emotion.

How?

Observe how you feel when you think of something wonderful.

It could be:

  • Holding your child for the first time,
  • Getting your first puppy,
  • Watching a magnificent sunset,
  • Lying in a warm, snug bed,
  • Getting a promotion or bonus,
  • Eating Italian ice-cream…

…whatever coaxes that warm, fuzzy feeling in you. This is the trigger you need to get you to feel ‘bliss’ and this is usually felt in your heart chakra.

” It is empowering to know that whenever you are feeling out of alignment with your true state, which should be bliss, joy and/or love, you can use a memory to help guide you back into your center.”

When you find the one thing that can immediately make you feel all cozy and gooey inside, you have your trigger to activate the heart centre/chakra.

This is extremely important as it is a tool to help you to elevate yourself and your well-being.  It is empowering to know that whenever you are feeling out of alignment with your true state, which should be bliss, joy and/or love, you can use a memory to help guide you back into your center.

Practical Steps to Feeling Good

Practice this whenever you can.  Just sit quietly, close you eyes and think of that one thing that brings you joy, feel it, observe it, expand it until your whole chest is tingling and opening.

Can you feel that the more you expand this feeling, the more it permeates through your entire body — every cell seems to ‘vibrate’.

Congratulations!  You have found your good vibration!

“…you can start your heart chakra meditation and start redirecting your cosmic vibration to match your desires again.”

Now you can use this to steer your life in the direction you want to see it sail into…have fun!

Just remember, if you fall overboard, you can throw yourself a life belt by either moving it up a notch or reminding yourself that ‘this too shall pass‘.  Then when you are feeling a little better, you can start your heart chakra meditation and start redirecting your cosmic vibration to match your desires again.

Let me know how this works for you.  If you already are in touch with your chakras and how to align yourself, let me know what works best for you.  Let us share our knowledge and experience and please feel free to ask questions.

Other articles you may enjoy:

Are You Letting the Wonders of the World Pass You By?

7 Proven Tactics to Spread Joy Around the World

Finding Yourself and Your Purpose

6 Techniques to Stop Worrying

Anchoring the New Energy

How to Stay Positive

Digging Even Deeper…Inner Art Expression

Please read the past articles relating to this blog HERE (Going Deeper…Inner Art Expression) and HERE (Got It!  Inner Art Expression Expressed).

The Cosmos on a Canvas

A couple of weeks ago my hand, brush, paints and right brain hemisphere took my canvas on a journey into a very colourful cosmos.  Here is the outer manifestation of this inward expression:

‘The Bridge’ — Acrylic on Canvas — 18″ x 24″ 

I hope you like it.

If you are an artist, what are your biggest stumbling blocks?  What do you still wish you could do or want to achieve?

If you are an art lover, then what do you like to see in a piece of art?  What get’s you going?

I would love to hear from you…

What Frequencies Are You Sending Out?

Are You Reading Me On FM?

It’s a kind of magic…not only does this Universe work on energy and everything in and of it is read as energy, which by the way, cannot be destroyed only transmuted or reshaped – but we are also working primarily with vibration or frequency.

Quantum Tongue-Twister

Quantum physics has a wave-particle duality phenomenon that states that all particles have both wave and particle properties….and behave, in accordance with the observer, in either fashion. When a camera observes, they act as particles. However, when there is no equipment  used to observe, they acted as waves and particles simultaneously.

“…the tree falling in the forest with no-one to hear it makes no sound but also dances the fandango if it feels the urge?”

Does this mean that everything in the Universe is guided into manifestation based on what or who is observing it? Does this mean that not only will the tree falling in the forest with no-one to hear it make no sound but also dance the fandango if it feels the urge?

So What?

So everything!

” Whatever you are thinking you are calling into creation.”

Every thought pattern that you conjure up in your mind has a certain frequency. Is it lower or higher? Are you thinking ‘good’ thoughts or ‘bad’ thoughts? Whatever you are thinking you are calling into creation.

Huh?

You can master your life experience with just the information that whatever you project emotionally or whatever frequency you emit, is shaping your life experience.

For Example:

Your girlfriend leaves you. For weeks you are feeling a pit in your stomach (solar plexus chakra) and you can’t eat, sleep and feel depressed. This is a ‘grieving’ period and it is appropriate.

“…you have a choice to move that feeling…”

But sooner rather than later (or never at all!) you are going to have a choice to move that feeling from your solar plexus to your heart chakra (middle of the chest).

How?

You need to master the transmutation of energy. Sounds difficult, doesn’t it?  It really isn’t.

I will dive into the transition of bad feelings into good feelings in my next blog and will continue with practical steps to activate your heart chakra.  You can READ IT HERE.

Other articles you may enjoy:

Why is Gratitude so Important When Creating Abundance

Making a Commitment to Creativity…Do You Lack Self-Worth?

The Universe is Expanding – Are You?


Got It — Inner Art Expressed!

Please recap on last weeks article HERE.

I left off with saying that I still felt something was wrong.  An inner imbalance, something was crying out!

What Could Possibly Be Amiss?

I sat on my couch looking at my painting, still feeling that something was out of alignment.  Do I still have to dig even deeper?

“If you don’t try, you’ll never know…”

A voice seemed to be asking me questions in my head.

Higher Guidance from my Higher Self (HS)?

HS:  What are you feeling?

Me:  Constricted.

HS:  Why?

Me:  I want to paint bigger.

HS:  A-ha!  You’ve been wanting to do that for the past 2 years now.  What is stopping you?

Me:  Big canvas is expensive and it means more paint and materials — I also want to experiment with different materials and it is all costly.

HS:  If you don’t try, you’ll never know.  Take the expense risk just for one week and see how it goes.

Me:  OK.

Stepping Out of the Box

It dawned on me how I put myself in a box.  I subconsciously and consciously limit myself by talking myself out of something for whatever reason.  And usually, they are not good reasons.

“You’ve got nothing to lose except living with regret for not trying.”

If you don’t try, you’ll never know.  So try and at least you can say you have taken that step.  If you succeed — great!  If you don’t, well then just see it as feedback.  You’ve got nothing to lose except living with regret for not trying.

So with that in mind, I came up with this:

I have called it ‘The God Code after the revelations that Gregg Braden has discovered that we possess a code in our DNA that literally translates, in Hebrew, to ‘God Eternal, in the body’.

I also had an epiphany to use all 4 senses whilst painting, I mean why not?!?  Before I started I got the distinct message that I was going to paint something that was healing and enlightening to the observer.  So I wanted to incorporate smell, touch, spirit and sound (I left taste out, for obvious reasons — unless you want a tongue full of chemicals!).

So this painting has been infused with:

  1. Rosemary and Lavender (I instinctively chose these two out of my garden.  When I later looked up the properties, you guessed it, lavender is for healing and Rosemary is for remembering — which you could say would be ‘enlightening’).  I made a tea out of it and used it in my brush water.  I also lit myrrh incense which is apparently good for tranquility.
  2. Prayer for the observer to obtain healing and enlightenment through the art/visual resonance (trying to emulate Dr. Masaru Emoto‘s fine work with water and the effects that positive words and emotions has on it).
  3. Bach.  I played my Bach CD on repeat until I was finished with the painting.  So it is infused with sacred, cosmic sound.
  4. Different textures.  I used a great granulated paint that is awesome to touch.  I also used a glass liner to add some raised pattern effects.

Let me know what you think?  What comes up for you when you look at this painting?  Come on, let me have it — the good and the bad.

Are You a Celebrity Hypocrite?

This is a touchy subject but one that I would like to ‘vent’ about.

We live in a society that is celebrity mad.  A celebrity dies and there are endless Facebook comments and twitter feeds sending out condolences.  I do not mind this in the least if it were not so fake.

Some people use it to ‘jump on the bandwagon’ of whats ‘trending’ on social networks, some people do it because they are genuinely shocked that a celebrity can actually die (Are they really mere mortals?!?) and some were genuine fans and are sad at the passing.

The latter is most understandable as I would also feel a great loss if, say for instance, David Bowie had to pass.  I have loved his music since I was a child and I would be a little sad.

Roll out the Merchandise

And doesn’t it make you sick, when days after their passing, all the commemorative merchandise starts hitting the stores!  This is a society gone mad.  I know only too well how the art industry works in a similar vein.  Die and you are an instant millionare…bizarre!

“We ‘loved’ this person.  Really?  Then why were you not tweeting about them every day…”

However, most of these celebrities were never talked about when they were alive, with exception to when they were in their ‘hay day’.  They slip out of the limelight and into obscurity and when the die…well, only then is there an outcry!  Oh my.  We ‘loved’ this person.  Really?  Then why were you not tweeting about them every day or at least once a year?

Do you really feel a loss or are you being swept up in the media ‘hype’?  Has this really changed your life?

The Sad Reality

Now what I really want to get to is this.  Statistically, 150 000 people die every day.

Wow!

There are people dying every day in the uprisings in countries like Syria and various conflicts all over the world — men, women and children alike.  We don’t see much memorial tributes on our feed to this problem, do we?

  • What makes us so numb to our brothers and sisters all over the world that lose their lives daily, some needlessly?  
  • Why are we only ‘called into action’ when a celebrity dies?  
  • Do we feel we know this person?  
  • Is it shocking because we think they are untouchable or somehow, immortal?  
  • Is it that too many people die daily and they are mere statistics to us?

It is sad.

Well Wishing for the World

I believe that all the well wishes that go out to celebrity families are wonderful because the collective sorrow, or group consciousness, will be very strong and these families and loved ones, of the person who has passed, will no doubt feel the love and compassion on a grand scale.

“I wish we could have a death of this distorted thing called ‘celebrity’ — can you imagine a world without it? “

I only wish that we could practice this for every soul on the planet, not only the ones who appear on TV or in the tabloids.  You may not know them by name or face but when you feel the need to dish out condolences, try to remember all the people out their grieving and try to also bless them with your love and compassion.

I wish we could have a death of this distorted thing called ‘celebrity’ — can you imagine a world without it?  If we could just appreciate actors, musicians, etc for what they do and not what their status is?  I’m sure most of the celebrities would love it — having the freedom to live their lives without being bombarded by paparazzi.

Can you imagine a world where Justin Bieber can go to his local cinema with a bunch of friends and perhaps just be a normal teenager who likes to sing?  Or Lady Gaga can get a cup of coffee at Starbucks without wearing shades?  Oh well, maybe one day.

Food for thought, isn’t it?  Please feel free to share your views on this.  How many of you would prefer a celebrity-free world?

Photo credit:   Red Carpet by Salvatore Vuono

Aliens — How Close Are We To Disclosure?

Since the early twentieth century aliens have fascinated us with the stories of UFOs and tales of abductions. Fanciful books and movies about aliens have circulated since the great hype of the 1950s.

“What if, through science fiction, these films were made to prepare us for the inevitable ‘close’ encounter?”

Our imaginations have run riot, and we have invented and perhaps correctly, documented many various adaptations of what alien beings may look like – some scary images and some rather pleasant ones.

What if, through science fiction, these films were made to prepare us for the inevitable ‘close’ encounter? A slow and methodical, calculated adjustment to the truth that lies out there in space.

Whether you believe in aliens or not – as the movie Contact so eloquently put it through Jodie Foster’s character. ‘I’ll tell you one thing about the universe, though. The universe is a pretty big place. It’s bigger than anything anyone has ever dreamt of before. So if it’s just us… seems like an awful waste of space. Right?’ 

(The above passage has been taken out of my new book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’, which is AVAILABLE NOW.)

After really wanting to have a tangible UFO experience, I am happy to report, my husband (Mike) and I witnessed a UFO.  It was a truly awesome experience and I am ecstatic to have had him with me and to have seen exactly the same encounter.  It was a reddish-orange orb (Mike said he saw a light within it) and it was flying in a straight line that eventually tapered up and out into space.  It was also morphing slightly as it was flying and it made a very soft droning sound.

I obviously know what an aeroplane looks and sounds like and this was not an aeroplane.

The most intriguing part is that I was lying in bed with the window and curtain open.  It was about 23h00 at night and Mike was lying next to me, asleep.

A voice spoke inside my head and said, ‘Look out the window‘.  I did and saw this orb floating past my neighbours roof.  Well, I got such a fright that I literally pushed Mike out of bed and we both hurried downstairs and outside to take a closer look.

How bizarre!

Have you ever seen or experienced a UFO?  Would you like to?  Do you believe in aliens?  Please tell me about your encounters…


Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth by Cherie Roe Dirksen (List Price $8.99)

This book outlines the practical steps you can take to become the master of your life.

It addresses outdated core beliefs and challenges you to rethink preconceived ideas about love, forgiveness, fear, religious doctrine and many other emotive topics that we face in our lives.

Step into the new world within the pages of a book that offers you the opportunity to live the life of your dreams and to truly experience what it means to be a part of God – the Divine part of you.

NOW AVAILABLE AT: USA — Barnes & NobleAmazonRaider, Alibris UK —WHSmithAmazonWaterstones  SOUTH AFRICA — LootKalahari  

Photo credit:

“Aliens” by Africa

Going Deeper…Inner Art Expression

Please read last weeks art blog HERE to recap on this interesting new artistic expression I have discovered in me.

Boring…

This week I started off doing my usual weekly art schedule.  Painting pretty pictures (you know, the ones that ‘sell’) and when I got to the end of the day this one popped out.

It truly took me by surprise as I didn’t know I had it in me.

What Sparked It?

I was listening to a talk on Project Camelot by Compton Rom Bada from ascendedhealth.com (do check it out — quite remarkable!).  In a nutshell, it was about how our body is made out of 90% microbes and while I was listening and painting — what I thought was going to be a cosmos painting — started automatically painting what looks like the ‘inner body’.  The microcosm cosmos.

Let it Flow

I love how my hand was just running over the canvas and splashing and doing all sorts of ‘things’ that I don’t normally do.  I just went with the flow and enjoyed the process.

Quite interestingly, the painting only took me about half an hour to complete.  I usually take about 2-3 hours for this size.  So there we have the law of least effort in place and working.

I sat on the couch after this episode and looked at the painting.  I liked it — it was different and different is good for me now.  Something was still wrong though…

The Missing Link by Cherie Roe Dirksen

I will let you know in next weeks art blog the epiphany I had!  And, hopefully, will have some tangible evidence thereof….

Is Humanity Divine?

Is it really a surprise that instead of searching outside of yourself for a saviour (someone else to come and save you) that, indeed, you are that saviour?

“If we are to take back control of our destiny and life as we know it on this planet, we must never hand our power over to anything or anyone outside of ourselves.”

The cliché that everything you’ll ever need is within you now appears to be an absolute truth. In fact truth is better defined as integrity, which is an undivided completeness and/or a state of totality with nothing wanting. It is a much easier, and if I may say, lazier route to hand over the job of spirituality and the understanding of the ‘God’ concept to someone or something else outside of yourself.

This is what has happened through the various religions and even some of the ‘new age’ practices. You are handing your power over to someone else. If we are to take back control of our destiny and life as we know it on this planet, we must never hand our power over to anything or anyone outside of ourselves.

We are powerful Divine beings.

The above passage has been taken out of my new book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’, which is AVAILABLE NOW.

How are you making a difference, no matter how big or small?  

Do you feel the God Presence within you?  

How do you express yourself?

Are you feeling ‘the call’ to action and finding your Divine purpose?

You may also enjoy this article:

Finding Humility Through Wisdom


Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth by Cherie Roe Dirksen (List Price $8.99)

This book outlines the practical steps you can take to become the master of your life.

It addresses outdated core beliefs and challenges you to rethink preconceived ideas about love, forgiveness, fear, religious doctrine and many other emotive topics that we face in our lives.

Step into the new world within the pages of a book that offers you the opportunity to live the life of your dreams and to truly experience what it means to be a part of God – the Divine part of you.

NOW AVAILABLE AT: USA — Barnes & NobleAmazonRaider, Alibris UK —WHSmithAmazonWaterstones  SOUTH AFRICA — LootKalahari  WORLDWIDE (other) — bol.com (Holland), SuperBookShop (Croatia), CDON,no (Norway),Bookplus (Finland), fishpondIndigo (Canada)

Photography credit:

‘Buddha Statue’ by Napong

How Can Wishing For Your Rivals Success Make You Successful?

Is There Enough?  How to Wish for Abundance for Others Too…

This is the part that most people don’t get and it is such a wonderful thing to do.  It is a great test of your faith and just how much you want to see others happy and successful too.

“…would you only want one of your children to succeed in life?”

This principle works on the visualization of other people succeeding, especially those you deem your competitors.  It is a hard concept as we are taught that there is not enough for everyone and that we must win and in order to do that, someone must lose.  This is utter nonsense as the universe is abundant.  This is another ploy in keeping us on opposing sides – the ‘me’ versus ‘them’ theory.

“We don’t all want the same thing anyway, so stop feeling threatened by others…”

Let’s take the ‘Parent Analogy’ – would you only want one of your children to succeed in life?  Of course not, you would want them all to succeed.  We don’t all want the same thing anyway, so stop feeling threatened by others and the wonderful idea of everyone experiencing abundance.

If you believe that the Divine is behind the Law of Attraction then it makes perfect sense, yet again, that we all manifest abundance.  Just like  parents wanting all their children to have happy and prosperous lives.

“Is it not a thrill on its own to see other people happy and excited?”

So, whatever situation you want to bring into your life, be it a successful career or a successful relationship, see others enjoying the same benefits.  If it is a raise in your salary you desire then see all your colleagues happy faces as you visualize them all receiving a raise.

Is it not a thrill on its own to see other people happy and excited?  This vibration is also extremely powerful and will make you a magnet for success, especially as all those around you will be experiencing good times through your visualizations as well!  How about that for a win-win situation?

If you find yourself having trouble with this exercise, then it might be prudent to question, deep within yourself, why you are feeling this way.

This exercise will help you to see the Grand Design – a world of joy and creativity where everyone’s a winner.

Above photo image created by Grant Cochrane

Part of the above article has been an extract from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is available now through all good bookstores.



The Space Within Series — Inner Art

Artistic Frustration

I am experimenting with what I like to call ‘inner art’.  I have always been intrigued with abstract art and especially art that explores patterns, sacred geometry, space, shapes and colour.

“This series is going to be a reflection of how I feel inside, what is desperate to come out.”

But, professionally, I paint more traditional art and cater to ‘the market’.  This series is going to be a reflection of how I feel inside, what is desperate to come out.  Don’t get me wrong, I love painting the things I do, it’s just sometimes I want to ‘break free’ of the conformity and do something purely for myself.

“Whether we are looking through a microscope at the inner workings of our bodies or whether we are looking through a telescope at the cosmos — I can see a notable link.” 

The colours and shapes are all a mix of the inner space coming out into the material world.  I love the theory that we are a microcosm for the macrocosm, as within so without.

Our bodies are made up of omni-central atoms, everything is circular and has the sacred geometry formula.  Whether we are looking through a microscope at the inner workings of our bodies or whether we are looking through a telescope at the cosmos — I can see a notable link.

Unity Principle

The Universal Unity Theory — for me — is the certainty that every one and every thing is connected on some level and I hope this comes across in my art

‘A leap of faith’ (painting above) represents the push into the unknown.  This is something I have been battling with recently and decided to express it through painting.

I want to be free to do what I want, paint what I want, say what I want — a leap into integrity, I suppose.  Wouldn’t the world just be a wonderful place if we could all express ourselves freely and without judgement or fear?

What are your thoughts on freedom of expression and the fear of ‘exposing’ yourself?

Left:  A close up of ‘A Leap of Faith’

Do You Love Yourself?

The Love for Self

Most of us have the biggest problem of all when it comes to loving ourselves.

Try this as an exercise: 

Every time you see yourself in the mirror, give yourself a wink and say (you don’t have to say it out loud if you don’t want to) ‘I love you’.  I know, the first time I tried this I laughed, it is hard to take yourself seriously but try it over and over again and see the change in how you perceive yourself.  I noticed that instead of picking out my flaws in the mirror, I started to see and admire the positive attributes of my body.

“…see past your perceived imperfections and look at the magnificent being you are.”

This is not an intention to be Narcissistic but an attempt to acknowledge yourself and the deep connection you have with your body and consciousness.  So, look at yourself in that mirror and fall in love with yourself, see past your perceived imperfections and look at the magnificent being you are.

The love for self is the glue that will bind you together and the strength of the adhesive you use will determine your longevity and health whilst you are in form.

“You need to accept compliments as if they were a gift…”

Try to also receive compliments gracefully.

Can You Receive a Compliment?

A lot of us feel uncomfortable with compliments and either resist the gifting of a compliment or deny it completely.

When you do this you are inadvertently telling yourself that you are not worthy.  You need to accept compliments as if they were a gift, you need not take them personally (as in identify with them which is your ego at play) but just acknowledge them without rebuttal.

You are worthy of praise and should accept it in kind.

The above article has been an extract from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is available now through all good bookstores.

The Versatile Blogger Award

I was so delighted to open up my mail the other day to find this message:

“Dear Cherie, I have been following your blog for several months and find your posts always filled with meaning. They always make me think beyond my usual thoughts and bring me new and inspiring ideas. Your blog is created with love and honesty, and is extremely well-written! For this reason, I am nominating you for the Versatile Blogger Award!”

Thank you so much to the blogger of lOveOutlOud for the nomination.  Here is a beautiful quote from the Love Out Loud blog ‘About Me’ section that, I think, encapsulates the wonderful message that is being put across through this inspiring site:

“…Love is the most important thing on earth, yet we rarely mention it, we often forget to show it and a lot of us never listen to it. Some don’t even believe in it at all! Love makes the world go round; it’s an invisible force that brings us our best moments in life.”

It is a blog full of heart and soul, a positively inspiring and uplifting read! Don’t forget to check it out HERE.

After accepting the Versatile Blogger Award, the winner must:

1) Thank the person who gave the award and link back to them in your post.
2) Share 7 things about yourself.
3) Pass this award along to 15 blogs.

Right, now to divulge these 7 tasty things about me…here it goes:

1.  I love to hula hoop (yes, the ‘inner child’ will out!).

2.  Back in the late 90’s early 00’s I was the bass guitarist in a band called ‘The Bends’. I guess it will go without saying, that one of my favourite bands is Radiohead (our band was named after their second album).

3.  My first book took 5 months to write (Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth).  I started it In June 2010 and finished it in November 2010.

4.  I have a double jointed pinky (small finger) and love to whip it out at parties to freak people out.

5.  I grew up watching Star Wars and I love Science Fiction.

6.  My parents wanted a boy so badly after having 3 girls, that they pre-named me Jason.  Of course, they had the decency to rename me Cherie when I was born.

7.  I married my school sweetheart and never looked back!  :).

Right, now that I have aired out my not-too-dirty linen to the world, I feel a lot lighter.

I would like to nominate the following blogs/sites, in no particular order, that I find interesting, informative, creative, inspiring, entertaining, uplifting, helpful or just innovative.

Watts Up With That? — “The world’s most viewed site on global warming and climate change”

Daily Good “News that inspires”

Templeton — “Ambient Rock”

Peas and Cougars “If real life were a cartoon, I would be a triangle, which is probably better than being a square.”

RiseEarth — “Only together we can make a difference”

Sam Adams Photography

Life Lift“The Oprah blog”

2012 The Awakening

Ellis Vidler’s Unpredictable Muse“Thoughts on writing, grammar, the moon, andfriends–whatever comes up.”

The Extinction Protocol: 2012 and beyond“2012 and Earthchanges News events”

The Chopra Center Blog — “Balance. Heal. Transform”

Awesomely Awake  “Honoring the sacred moments of motherhood, writing and life.”

Sandrine Pelissier’s Blog — “Watercolour, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Demos, News and Juried Competitions”

Love and a Six-Foot Leash “One family’s quest to open minds, win hearts, and save lives through dog fostering.”

Sarah Forshaw’s Blog“An aspiring photographer’s journey through life.”

I hope you get to explore all the sites/blogs above and find something new, funny and/or exciting!


Why is Gratitude so Important When Creating Abundance?

To recap on the previous article about abundance, please CLICK HERE

Set Your Emotional Dial to ‘Vibrate’

Feeling gratitude for what you have brings with it its own vibration.  For those of you who are at a loss to what the word vibration truly means, I will give you some dictionary meanings that I think encapsulate this vitally important word:

 Vibrate –  (def) experience a rush of emotion in response to something;  a distinctive emotional aura experienced instinctively;  feel sudden intense sensation or emotion;  to resonate:   be received or understood;  oscillation.

This vibration of gratitude seems to attract more positive things into your life.  The more grateful you are for what you have the more you will have to be grateful for.

“…give thanks even before you have received…”

It seems like a good deal for such a pleasant feeling, gratitude.

Bypass Gratitude and Say Goodbye to Abundance

Gratitude is therefore a very important aspect of the Law of Attraction and should not be bypassed.  Besides, it feels good to be thankful and to remind ourselves of all the things in our lives that are going great.  We so often only think of our lack.

When you want to manifest a desire and you can picture what you want, don’t forget to give thanks even before you have received it.  This process brings it to you even quicker, as the matrix has to ‘hop to it’ because you are already feeling emotions of gratitude and it will have to align with that vibration or frequency.

The above article has been an extract from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is available now through all good bookstores.

Other blogs related to this topic:

What is Thanks Giving?

Are You Creating the Life of your Dreams?

Top of Blog Photo credit:  ”Thank You” by Felixco, Inc

My Top Art Picks for 2012

I’ve had rather a busy beginning to 2012.  What with my book finally being released whilst  keeping up on the art front to hold the fort in place.

For today’s art blog I thought I’d show you my favourite 6 painting picks from January’s busy and tousled easel.

I hope you enjoy them.

Red Poppies in the Forest

Zebra Love

Blue Poppies in the Meadow

Vase of Poppies

Rhapsody in Blue

Blue Poppies — Finding Beauty in Chaos Series

All the paintings above are sold but they are available as greeting cards and prints (just click on the image to take you to RedBubble).

Have a happy and productive Wednesday!

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My art portfolio book is available HERE to purchase or just to browse through (click ‘preview’ under book icon at lulu.com)…

What is Abundance and How Do I Get It?

Now Don’t Just Think of Money!

When we think of the word abundance most of us jump straight to material wealth.  However, abundance, like the word ‘wealth’, does not only mean physical treasures.

Wealth can be measured by your physical wealth or health.  Without your health you could be the richest person in the world and it would mean nothing.

“…the umbrella of wealth covers so much more than money.”

Wealth can also refer to your mental frame of mind, as in the case with health, if you are mentally ill all the gold in the world won’t help you.

Having meaningful relationships, whether romantic or otherwise is of great importance.  In other words, you have a lot of money but no-one to share it with – not much fun either!

“…you could be the poorest or the richest person in the world and still suffer a huge amount of pain if you feel that everything is worthless and your life has no meaning. “

Then there is of course the financial wealth which we all think will solve our problems but as you can see from the list above, this is not always the case.  Of course, it is wonderful to have no money worries and to be able to buy anything you desire or go any place in the world or just to have enough to pay the bills – I am not denying that.  But the umbrella of wealth covers so much more than money.

The most important of all is the wealth of spirit.  Without this you will be searching your whole life for meaning to it all and you could be the poorest or the richest person in the world and still suffer a huge amount of pain if you feel that everything is worthless and your life has no meaning.

The Distortion of Wealth 

Unfortunately, through most media outlets we are being pumped with the need for greed.  This is another clever ploy by the ‘elite’ to keep us in a cycle of want and ‘tunnel vision’.

“We are being manipulated on a massive scale to keep us from seeing certain truths about our reality.”

Be very careful of the need for riches and try to assess why you want all that money anyway.  Always try to see the root of the desire and be mindful and appreciative of the trees in the forest instead of not seeing the forest for the trees.

We are being manipulated on a massive scale to keep us from seeing certain truths about our reality.  This is being done to keep our minds preoccupied with meaningless pursuit.  This is what I mean by being ‘mindful’ of your desires.  Are they really yours?  Or are you having the wool pulled over your eyes?  So be clear about what you want and why you want it.

How Can I Feel Abundant When I Have Nothing? 

A good starting place, to manifest your dreams, is to start with being grateful for what you do have.   That which you consider being of wealth to you.  This could be having a close family or a special talent or even the fact that you have a roof over your head and food in the fridge.

To be continued…CLICK HERE for part 2

Thursdays Blog will look at the importance of gratitude in receiving true abundance.  To follow my blog, please click the ‘follow’ button in the right-hand sidebar.

The above article has been an extract from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is available now through all good bookstores.

Here is another article, about abundance, that I found helpful from the Deepak Chopra Center Blog —

Are You Ready for Abundance? A Letter from David Simon, M.D. – The Chopra Center Blog.

Photo credit:  “Green Dollar” by Scott Chan

Other articles you may enjoy:

How to find happiness without buying it

Does God Love Us Unconditionally?

I am continuing my blog from Tuesday, where we are taking a look at unconditional love.  To recap please click here.

Divine Love

Now the Divine Source (or ‘God’) that I best understand never judges.  You want to know why ‘He’ doesn’t get involved in human affairs?

“Of course there will be no smiting, there is no judgment.”

Well, the analogy that the Divine is the all seeing father/mother figure brings into focus that when we do something ‘bad’ the Divine will strike us down but this never happens. Some of you think ‘He’ just doesn’t care but I think it’s because the Divine is free of judgment.

The statement that ‘God is Love’ reiterates this.  Of course there will be no smiting, there is no judgment.  Do not conceptualize the Divine as if He/She was human.  It is only us that think like this.

The Human Parent vs God Analogy

As the entity referred to as God has been interpreted as our all loving, encompassing parent, we too are intrinsically a good analogy for this as we all have that basic instinct for love of our own children or relations, even if they are not blood relations, we all have somebody whom we love and cherish and this is the one (or many, hopefully) that we will use this analogy upon.

“You can do nothing wrong in the eyes of the Infinite Oneness.”

I can only speak from an observation standpoint as I, myself, am not a parent.  But the love a parent has for their child is irrefutable.  Your child can do nothing to stop the unconditional love that you have for him or her.

“So the laughable image of hell is a complete and utter scare tactic. “

This is the basic framework of this analogy we will be using because this principal works the same way for the Divine Source.

You can do nothing wrong in the eyes of the Infinite Oneness.  Your behaviors may not be acceptable in certain situations but you, as an entity, a child of the Divine, will never be discarded.  So the laughable image of hell is a complete and utter scare tactic.

Hell — The Biggest Lie Ever Told

If your child did something really bad would you want to see them burn in an eternal pit of fire? Would you physically take your child and want to see them scream and burn for eternity?

I’m pretty sure the answer is ‘no’.

“Do you think the Divine so low as to not have compassion for one of His/Her own?”

So why is it that some people expect God to do this?  What an insult to this all-knowing, all-encompassing Father/Mother figure.  Do you think the Divine so low as to not have compassion for one of His/Her own?  This is one of the most devastating myths we have ever been told and it was invented to literally make us fear something which certainly has not got anything to do with fear.

The Divine Source/God/Infinite Oneness is all about love.

Don’t Suppress Your Divinity through Fear

The vision of hell keeps us trapped in fear and entices us to buy into the various doctrines or religions that claim to prevent this damnation from occurring.  It is a way of suppressing your true divinity by making you fear a made up scenario.

This is a game of entrapment through a web of fear.

Set The Truth Free

The truth is that we will never be judged or damned, we are all holding a shard of the Divine within us.

“Not all religions or doctrines are necessarily bad, they have many great truths in them, although sometimes misconstrued along the way…”

This truth will not allow for such lies to hold any more credence and as we all start to claim our own divinity we will see these old institutions crumble and/or, for the institutions that are willing to bend to incorporate this truth, we will see a restructuring in various doctrines to allow for this ‘new’ human attribute.

The Evolution of Mankind

Having Fun ©Cherie Roe DirksenNot all religions or doctrines are necessarily bad, they have many great truths in them, although sometimes misconstrued along the way, but all that needs to be done is to redefine some texts and have them be more flexible to allow for a changing world and evolution of attitude.

There is no better analogy than that of the human ‘family’ that we treasure so and put so much emphasis on.  We do this because it is real, unconditional love and it is the closest we are going to get to understand the complexities of unconditional love for ourselves.

This has been taken from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is now available.

Sign up to my monthly newsletter subscription and get monthly blog updates, news and more.  A FREE copy of my book ‘Creative Expression’ is also yours when you subscribe.  Subscription is 100% FREE, no strings attached so you’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

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Art Commissions — The Soulworks Project (Part 4)…The Finished Product!

Please read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 to recap.

Let’s Pick Up with a Hiccup!

So I left off last weeks blog with a slight hiccup…

My client came to see the painting and she liked it but I could sense something was bothering her.

“I had misinterpreted her want for silver, black, a hint of green, pink and purple tones to mean that was all the colours she wanted in the piece.”

When we got into it she divulged that she had wanted more of an orange/pink glow in the sunset and that the whole painting was a bit monotone.  I had misinterpreted her want for silver, black, a hint of green, pink and purple tones to mean that was all the colours she wanted in the piece.

This turned out not to be the case.

What to do next?

I listened to her requests and told her that I would first come up with a digital overlay of what she was asking for.

“It is important to listen to the needs of your client…”

I do this to see what the painting will look like with the changes and if it actually suits the painting.  Here is what I came up with:

What I did here was take the photo of the painting and use the ‘airbrush’ feature in my Ulead programme (most photo editing packages have an airbrush feature) to paint in the required adjustments.

I saw that it actually brought the picture to life.

It is important to listen to the needs of your client but it is also important to stick with the integrity of the painting.  What does that mean?

Integrity Check

Well, if I feel that the changes that the client wants do not fall in line with the artwork then I will let them know.  If I feel strongly that it will ‘take away’ from the artwork, then I try to explain the potential hiccups in changing the piece.

However, in this case, the changes my customer wanted actually enhanced the artwork and I had to agree with her in the end, that it was for the betterment of the piece.

Once we had discussed all the little changes she wanted, I went back to the drawing board (or easel, in this case).

The Finished Project

After implementing the final adjustments to the painting, the Soulworks Project was complete!

Here is a picture of the finished artwork.

Available as cards and prints – click here

My client was thrilled it now hangs in her office/consulting room and she now uses it on her business cards and brochures as well as her website.  Check out her site at www.soulworks.co.za.

Don’t forget your FREE copy of my book ‘Creative Expression’GET IT HERE

How to find your inspiration…

Do You Understand Unconditional Love?

Playing with Words

Now let’s cast aside all cheesy connotations of the word and let’s have a closer look at it…LOVE.

L  O  V  E.

Yes, but what does it mean?

Now I like to play with words and I think it is fascinating that word like disease broken down are ‘dis-ease’ and ‘remember’ is to ‘re-member’ (become a part of the whole again), so love backwards begins to spell…evol – ve?  Maybe…evol – ution…could be.  Just a thought…

Aren’t we all progressively trying to evolve in one way or another?  Could love be the catalyst for evolution?

To Love Unconditionally

Love is more than a word or chemical reaction in the brain telling us how we feel.  Love is the Universal language of emotion.  It can even be called the ultimate emotion.  Or going out on a limb, the only true emotion – the one that leads back to Source.

“We say we love unconditionally but in reality our love always comes with conditions attached.”

There are of course ‘different’ types of love.  The love a mother has for a child, the romantic kind of love, brotherly/sisterly love, love for thy neighbor, and the list goes on.  You get the picture.  But what does it really mean?

Love is unconditional.  Another word that most people roll their eyes at…what is unconditional?  We say we love unconditionally but in reality our love always comes with conditions attached.  Think about it.

Do you love your partner unconditionally?  No, I hear you say.  Okay, why?  Well, because there is the fear of them leaving or, even worse, leaving me for someone else.  Fear, another wonderful concept that I delve into in my new book ‘Divine You’ (now available at all good bookstores!).

Understanding Love

Heart IITo love unconditionally is best likened to the parental type of love.  Even though it goes to say that even some parents love with attachments — this is most typically found in Western and even in Eastern cultures where parents tend to live through their children and do not let the children experience their own desires.  But typically a parent loves their child (ren) unconditionally.

” A parent will love their child even if that child does something unspeakable…”

This is the closest we are going to get in this 3D realm to what unconditional love really looks like.  A parent will love their child even if that child does something unspeakable.  Even if your child were to commit a serious crime.  You wouldn’t just stop loving your child if they were to murder someone.

You might be devastated but you will still love them.

Turning off Judgment to Experience Love

Love is something you can’t switch off.  But judgment is.  Judgment can be switched off, it just takes time and practice.  I say this because our need to judge continuously clouds our need to love unconditionally.

“We judge in others what we don’t like about ourselves.”

Isn’t that what this is really about?  We blind ourselves through judgment of others.  Why?  Because everyone is mirrored back to us.  We judge in others what we don’t like about ourselves.

I will continue more on this topic in Thursdays blog (please click the ‘follow’ button in the sidebar if you wish to be instantly updated when blogs are released).  This has been an extract from my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ which is now available.

Sign up to my monthly newsletter subscription and get monthly blog updates, news and more.  A FREE copy of my book ‘Creative Expression’ is also yours when you subscribe.  Subscription is 100% FREE, no strings attached so you’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

VIEW ALL AVAILABLE BOOKS HERE

Why 3 Is A Magic Number

This is an extract from the second chapter — about The Trinity — in my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ now available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, WHSmith and Waterstones Bookstores.

The Power of 3

The number 3 is a metaphor for the catalyst — it is the number of action.

“Father, Son and Holy Spirit are an expression for the Divine within you, your true, raw and, in most cases, unrealized potential.”

In this case, the action required to bring about Heaven on Earth, or HOME (Heaven on Mother Earth) as I like to call it, through a massive awakening in us and our ability to merge this sacred trinity together — within ourselves — to embrace and be one with the Divine. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are an expression for the Divine within you, your true, raw and, in most cases, unrealized potential.

The concept of mind, body and spirit is a powerful trio and trinity in itself. When closely examined, it could be considered as a metaphor for the sacred oneness of the Divine, duality (our embodiment), and the unity of consciousness (the realization that we are all One that makes up the Whole again). A closed circuit of continuous Divine energy.

The Splinter In Your Mind

When you realize that the ‘splinter’ in your mind, that one thing that you sense is out of kilter but you can’t seem put your finger on, is the remembrance of your true state of existence then you can begin to piece together the memories of your Divine self.

“What a wonderful representation of the trinity when it is symbolized as the triangle – it will never change its shape, unbending and durable.”

The splinter is that part of you, the true self, trying to come out and manifest in this 3D plane of existence. Yes, there it is again – the 3 even crops up in reference to the dimension we infer ourselves to be most present in.

The triangle is a perfect example of the 3, the sturdiest shape possible. The only ‘perfect’ figure which if all endpoints have hinges will never change its shape unless the sides themselves are bent. What a wonderful representation of the trinity when it is symbolized as the triangle – it will never change its shape, unbending and durable. This is a remarkable example of our uncompromising totality.

Tune in for more…

Over the next few weeks I will be taking some more juicy extracts from my book to give you a taste of what Divine You is all about.  So please stay tuned as I tempt you with more teachings on reclaiming your innate Divine power…press the ‘follow’ button on the sidebar to get e-mail notifications of new blogs.

This book encourages the reader to re-examine some fundamental qualities to living a happy and content life.  It looks at the importance of forgiveness, why it is imperative not to judge, how to use the Law of Attraction, present moment awareness, what unconditional love really looks like, how to vanquish fear, awakening the unity that is the christ-consciousness seed within you and lots more.

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF ‘CREATIVE EXPRESSION’ HERE

Art Commissions — The Soulworks Project (Part 3)…Painting the Picture

Please read Part 1 and Part 2 if you wish to recap.

Let The Painting Begin…

So with the prelim sketch having been accepted, the real work starts.  You will see, in the photographs below,  just why I never show the client the process.

Layering

Art is done in stages and layers and, usually, only the artist can see where they are going with the process.  If someone were to step into your studio, say, whilst you were busy with your first layer, they would — no doubt — think you were an amateur.

“The reward for any artist is seeing the process evolve into your visualization of it.”

Paintings are built up layer upon layer until the desired outcome is realized.  The reward for any artist is seeing the process evolve into your visualization of it.

Here are the beginning stages:

The canvas is good to go…

The first layer begins…

The second layer starts and you begin to see where this is going…

And then, drum roll, the finished product (or is it?)

Just to recap, here is the prelim sketch that I worked from:

I was very clear with my client that the prelim sketch would not show the intensity of the acrylic paint colours.  The sketch is always just an ‘idea’ of the colour scheme.

Next…

The next step in the process is to e-mail a photo of the painting to the client.  In this case, my client came to see it in person.  

The Plot Thickens — Hitting Unforseen Snags

This is where things get interesting.  Next week I will give the final stage in this commission and divulge what to do if your client has a slight change of mind or vision for the project.

Read  Part 4

How Can Everyone Be Divine?

This is an extract from the first chapter in my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ now available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, WHSmith and Waterstones Bookstores.

Are We Really Divine?

Is it really a surprise that instead of searching outside of yourself for a savior to come and save you that, indeed, you are that savior?

The cliché that everything you’ll ever need is within you is now appearing to be an absolute truth. In fact, truth is better defined as integrity which is an undivided completeness and/or a state of totality with nothing wanting. It is a much easier, and if I might say, lazier route to hand over the job of spirituality and the understanding of the ‘God’ concept to someone or something else outside of yourself.

“…we must never hand our power over to anything or anyone outside of ourselves.”

This is what has happened through the various religions and even some of the ‘new age’ practices. You are handing your power over to someone else. If we are to take back control over our destiny and life as we know it on this planet, we must never hand
our power over to anything or anyone outside of ourselves.

We are powerful Divine beings.

What It Really Means To Be Christ-Like

The parables of Jesus Christ always felt like he had a greater understanding of people and the way this world should be experienced – especially when he spoke of our innate divinity (being the sons and daughters of God).

“Words are powerful tools of both positive and negative vibration.”

This is why I feel that the stories of Jesus Christ were tales of spiritual morality that encompassed compassion, empathy, non-judgment and love.  When someone speaks his or her truth there is always a resonance within the words being said that will affect you positively. Words are powerful tools of both positive and negative vibration.

So, when Jesus spoke his truth, it resonates within because fundamentally we know what it sounds like as everyone has this form of integrity inside them and that is how we recognize it.

Our truths are buried deep inside and the whole process of enlightenment is to shine a light on it and to bring ourselves into complete clarity and wholeness.

More Tasty Tit-Bits To Come…

Over the next few weeks I will be taking some more juicy extracts from my book to give you a taste of what Divine You is all about.  Please stay tuned…

This book encourages the reader to re-examine some fundamental qualities to living a happy and content life.  It looks at the importance of forgiveness, why it is imperative not to judge, how to use the Law of Attraction, present moment awareness, what unconditional love really looks like, how to vanquish fear, awakening the unity that is the christ-consciousness seed within you and lots more.

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF ‘CREATIVE EXPRESSION’ HERE

Your World, Your Life

I would like to share with you the outro of my book (‘Divine You’).  It is a poem I wrote just before I started the endeavour that was the undertaking of writing this self-empowerment guide.  It encapsulates the journey of this book and I hope it will whet your appetite.

So for now, I’ll leave you with this…

Your World, Your Life…

Your world begins and ends with you
You are in control, the master of your destiny

You are the constant observer of your world
You are the choice maker
Your choices create your world

You will know the crossroads when you see them
Think hard about who you are and what you want
Your decisions are never wrong unless you don’t learn from them
And are grateful when they are the right decisions

We make mistakes so we can learn
We have to make mistakes so we know what we want from life
It is never too late to alter your destiny or to right a wrong

Forgiveness is vital along your path
To forgive helps you to extinguish anger
It is not designed to indemnify the perpetrator
It is there to help you move on

To forgive yourself is a difficult task
It is also a most vital task

You were made perfect
You doubt yourself through the eyes and opinions of others
Be mindful of what you say to others and what is said to you

You know you are Divine, you know you are perfect
Compliments or criticisms from others should be taken lightly
Only you know your soul
Only you can evaluate yourself

If you let criticism into your heart you are agreeing with it
You will pick up a lot of this kind of ‘baggage’ along the way
Just remember it is easy to break the agreement if you do not concur

Only you know who you are
Only you can make the agreement

Never assume anything, assumptions only cause confusion
Make sure you know the facts

The world is your oyster, you are never to young or too old
Your dreams will become reality if you believe it
Thoughts are the second most powerful force in the Universe
Love is the first

Love yourself and you will have endless love for others
Hold love in your heart and the world will open up for you
See everyone in the world as a part of you, a collective Oneness
Treat them like you would treat yourself

Love begets love, fear begets fear
Again, the choice is yours

This is it

Choose

                                                      ~  Cherie Roe Dirksen

 

My book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’ is now available at Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

This book encourages the reader to re-examine some fundamental qualities to living a happy and content life.  It looks at the importance of forgiveness, why it is imperative not to judge, how to use the Law of Attraction, present moment awareness, what unconditional love really looks like, how to vanquish fear, awakening the unity that is the christ-consciousness seed within you and lots more.

Don’t forget that you can also download your FREE copy of

‘Creative Expression — How to find your inspiration…’ HERE

or click on the link below to order your paperback copy for $19.99:

Art Commissions — The Soulworks Project (Part 2)…the Prelim Sketch

Please read Part 1 HERE

The Sketch

The next step of the commission process is to provide the client with a rough colour sketch of the proposed artwork along with a detailed description of how you got there.

With all the specs my client gave me (please see Part 1), I came up with this sketch and then gave her an explanation of how I got to this stage by providing her with the inspiration behind the piece.

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE PIECE.

The trees represent mankind/womankind with their arms (branches) stretched out to the heavens and the feet firmly rooted in the earth.  However, to the left of the painting are a couple of souls who are still turned to the darkness – the illusion of reality and who they are – not being able to turn to the light (sun) yet.  There is one soul making her way to the river to cross it and join the others (she has her branches stretched out to them) on the other side who have fully awakened to the light of the dawn that is upon them.

I have subtly put various branched protruding from the trees turned to the dark to show the obstacles they still have to clear (branches to be pruned)…the trees on the other side of the river are streamlined and facing upwards.

The sun represents the light and the new dawn in one’s life.  The ‘enlightened’ trees are gravitating more toward the sun/light.

The river will reflect silver tones of the light (reflections of the sun/dawn) reaching every corner of the world through the stream of ever flowing energy that can’t be stopped.  It passes the lavender field, nourishing it and causing the flowers to bloom (carrying the theme of flowers being the manifestation of a plant’s enlightenment).

The lavender to the left are swaying in the direction of the right – where the painting is being directed – the blossoming of full consciousness.

The wash of butterflies heading toward the flowers begin as a mixture of hearts and butterflies, putting across the concept of love and loving yourself enough to let yourself be free and fly in the beauty of creation.  The conclusion of the painting is the 2 butterflies alighted on the flower – they have found the piece/peace of beauty in this world.  That will be the focal point of this painting.

I also liked the concept – for you Tracy – of the female trees being on top of mountains to represent a little personal touch that you can relate to with your climbing and reaching new heights.

Please also note that this is a very rough sketch – it is A4 in size.  You can imagine that the canvases will be a lot more detailed as I will have a lot more space to ‘do my thing’.  This is really just an idea of content and colour.  The real thing always is far more impressive.  For instance, the butterflies will be a lot more detailed – I would like to incorporate some silver swirly design in their wings and want them to perhaps be more of a lilac colour (like white with a hint of purple).  So they will be more detailed as will the lavender and the mountains, trees, etc.  I want to subtly incorporate the patterned backgrounds I do (in silver) onto the mountains (I have done a little bit of this in the sketch but it will feature more prominently in the painting).

The next stage (Part 3 — next Wednesdays blog, 25th January 2012) I will show you the process of painting and why I never show the client the painting while it is a work-in-progress. To follow this blog via e-mail and get instant updates when a new blog is posted, please click the ‘follow’ button in the sidebar.

Read Part 3 & Part 4


Do You Lack Self-Worth When it Comes to Creativity?

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“It may help to remember that in the cosmic design, pain is neutral. In the physical world, pain motivates us negatively, while pleasure motivates us positively. True freedom is letting go of our attachment to both. The best way to begin this process is developing a state of witness consciousness through practices such as meditation and mindful awareness.” ~ D. Chopra

This extract was taken out of the latest Deepak Chopra blog, please click on the link below to read the full article — it is definitely worth the read:

Balance. Heal. Transform. The Chopra Center Blog.

Hitting the Nail on the Head

I think that Dr Chopra really hit the nail on the head with the statement above.  It is, synchronistically, a topic that I was just trying to convey to a friend of mine.

It is quite difficult to explain that one needs to disengage or detach from any perception of good or bad, that there only is.

Your mind has been trained to mentally label things or situations as either positive or negative.  We can choose to view anything, as was mentioned in the above quotation, as a conscious witness.  This means detaching from judgment and the need to apply a label.

“…any past trauma or early childhood inhibition could seriously stop you from trying a new venture.”

When you commit to any creative endeavour, one must clear the path, so to speak, of any loose debris that might be clouding your way.  For instance, any past trauma or early childhood inhibition could seriously stop you from trying a new venture.

Do you feel unworthy?

The Self Worth Issue

Let me cut through all the BS and get straight down to the brass tacks here.  Everyone is worthy.  If you are not feeling self-worth then you have probably set yourself up with a life lesson(s) to experience this feeling.

“This means that you take responsibility for agreeing to whatever or whoever made you feel unworthy.”

Your job is to identify where, in your past, you first agreed to take on this role.  This means that you take responsibility for agreeing to whatever or whoever made you feel unworthy (please read The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz for more about this very important subject of the agreements we make and how it affects our lives).

This may sound harsh but we must get real now or face the consequences of always feeling victimized.  When you carry a victim mentality you will never feel that you can be self-empowered.

It Takes 2 to Tango

So, the first step is to take responsibility for your choices.  And please do this with compassion for yourself and for whomever else may be involved.  When we agree to take on a lesson, it usually takes two souls to tango.

“…it is so important for us to be able to forgive and to not judge.”

This means that there is usually a ‘bad guy’ (or gal) but if we could view this from a perspective that is beyond the veil of our current reality, we may find that the ‘bad guy’ is posing as such to help us fulfill a soul lesson on the deepest of levels.  This is why it is so important for us to be able to forgive and to not judge.

When we are able to see, with clarity, the root point at which the conflict took place, we are able to glean the necessary teaching from it.  When we are able to do this, we are able to forgive and move on in our lives.

Where has this teaching or lesson taken you?

What have you learnt from it?

Can you agree to accept the lesson with gratitude and move on?

Letting Go to Move On

If you can truly let go of a past trauma, you will feel the absolute liberation of taking back your power.  When you accept responsibility for your actions and choices, you become self-empowered, knowing that nothing in this Universe happens by chance — you are at the very heart of every experience you have chosen.

Now to the Creativity Part…

When you commit to a creative project, whether it be in music, writing, art or any other form of creative expression, it is important to be grounded in your integrity.

“This is why it is important to face your demons and start a creative endeavour with a clean slate.”

If you are, say for instance, writing from a place of knowledge but lack the wisdom for which you write, you are lacking a certain portion of integrity.  In other words, if you want to write about something that you know a lot about but have not actually experienced or passed the learning thereof, you are not coming from a place of true integrity.  This is why it is important to face your demons and start a creative endeavour with a clean slate.

You can of course start anything without doing the groundwork but your success is usually stunted when you know you are not acting from true source.  If you believe in yourself 100% there is nothing that will get in your way of true creativity or success.

To kick-start this day off, I am offering subscribers a FREE PDF copy of ‘Creative Expression — How to find Your Inspiration’ (CLICK HERE).

How to find your inspiration…copy of my book ‘Creative Expression — How to find your inspiration…’ HERE (or click on the book cover).  Subscription to the site is 100% free, no hidden agendas — I only wish to share this book with you.

If you would like to order the paperback version of this book, you can do that HERE.

The Baboon and The Butter — Part 2

Read Part 1 HERE

Carnage!

More baboons had slipped inside my house as I was pursuing my perpetrators. This time I grabbed the garden hose, turned it on and ran into my front door ‘guns blazing’.

Another Interesting Fact About Baboons…

Baboons don’t like getting sprayed with water ( a small God send). They took one look at the hose pipe and made a run for it without me even having to start spraying. Relief! I ran around my house making sure the windows were all closed so that no more monkey business could ensue.

The Big Clean Up!

To cut a long story short, my house was in a shambles. They had trashed my kitchen. If I hadn’t been so adamant to retrieve my butter I would have saved myself a lot of money and trouble.

After cleaning up the mess (which took me close to an hour), I sat on my couch head in hands, just thinking about the pandemonium that had just taken place. I saw several blatant lessons in what had just happened…

“…this day showed me that even a tub of butter could spark off a suppressed ego…” 

The moral to this story for me was the realisation that I am still attached to ‘things’. I thought I had conquered my worldly attachment in my pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. But this day showed me that even a tub of butter could spark off a suppressed ego — this was certainly food for my thought.

A Lesson Learned…

We can all fall off the bandwagon but the real lesson is to get back on. I learnt that it was alright to lapse and make mistakes (even if this did mean chasing a wild animal without fear of consequence and putting myself in very real danger). The key is to see and be aware of the lapse and to make every effort to not let it happen again or even just to laugh at it when it does.

So let go of material attachments as everything is unstable and situations are changing constantly.  I felt that I had paid good, hard-earned money for that butter and it was mine!  But what was even more precious than something I bought at the store was my life.  I put myself in danger  over a petty ‘issue’ that I constructed in my mind and followed through on and I hope that never happens again.

Sometimes we need to detach from these ‘worldly’ things — after all, we are free spirits and should remain that way.

Free from rigidity.
Free from fear.
Free to live.

Free to choose.

I took the above photographs on the ‘Baboon Walk’ I did.

Art Commissions — The Soulworks Project (Part 1)…meeting with the client

A step-by-step guide on how a commission is put together

A lot of artists would like to know how one goes about starting a commission and there are also a lot of people who would like to have something commissioned but are too scared to ask.

What is the procedure and what is involved in the process of a commission?

The Key Steps

  • Meet with the client and get a feel for what they want — show them your portfolio
  • If you accept the job, the next step is to supply the client with a quotation for the job (upon acceptance of the quote, I usually require a deposit of 50%)
  • Draw up a prelim sketch of the artwork and give a detailed synopsis of how you got to this stage with the information and specs the client has given you
  • Start the job and show the client the finished work (I usually refrain from showing the client the process as it could cause confusion, as you will see in the blogs to come)
  • Present the client with the finished painting — I usually send a photograph before they actually see it ‘in the flesh’
  • Voila (oh, and get the rest of your payment!)

In the weeks to follow, I will be taking you through the last commission that I did for a very special client who wanted a triptych for her office.  I will be addressing every step that is taken up until the painting is delivered.

Today’s Art Blog is going to look at the first step:  Q&A

Step 1 — What does your client want?

This is obviously a very important step and one of the deciding factors if you and your client are on the same page.  When you have finished questioning your clients likes and dislikes, you can assess whether or not you resonate with each other and the project.

I never take on a commission that I don’t feel comfortable with.  If it goes against my style, principles or anything else, this step will let me know if I will proceed with the client to the next stage which is quoting for the job.

Here were my clients specs for this commission:

She wanted to incorporate

  • Nature
  • Butterfly (part of her logo)
  • Silver spirals/patterns
  • Peace
  • Connection
  • Mountains
  • Well-being
  • Joy, Beauty and Fulfillment
  • Inspiration
  • Passion
  • Green, purple and silver colours
More specs from the client — you can never know too much, only too little!

When we discussed these ideas, she conveyed to me that she liked the spiral patterns I use in my art (see picture below for example) and she also liked the idea of having a human form in a tree (see my other picture below).

 “It is vital that you show your client a portfolio…”

This was important information and got me on track to visualizing this piece.  It is vital that you show your client a portfolio so they can point out the colours, subjects and styles they like of yours.  It also helps the client get an idea of what you are capable of doing.

As she is having this painting commissioned for her office, we also delved into her practice and what that entails.  She is an NLP practitioner (Neuro-linguistic Programming) who wants something pleasant for her clients to look at whilst in they are in session.  It has to be something that ties in with what she offers.

Next week I will be posting the prelim sketch of the painting along with the detailed synopsis of how I interpreted her needs.

Read Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

The Baboon and the Butter — Part 1

I live in a beautiful part of Cape Town and one of the great blessings of staying here is the indigenous flora and fauna. We have guinea fowl, ha-de-dah’s, squirrels, cranes, porcupines (although I have never been so privileged as to see one yet) and most poignant of all – baboons.

Baboons are so amusing and so human-like but they can also be quite frightening with their long fangs and alpha male supremacy squabbles. Most of which turn into amateur roof acrobatics when they fight and chase each other from rooftop to rooftop. This is especially daunting as I have a tin roof. I will leave the noise up to your imagination…

But besides this, I love the baboons and find them fascinating. So much so that I have even been on a ‘baboon walk’ – this is where you get to ‘hang out’ with them in their natural environment (run by Baboon Matters Conservation Group).

During my baboon walk I was even groomed by one of them – an honour I shall never forget!

My story begins not so long ago in the sticks far far away…

After seeing my husband off to work one fine day, I found that I was not alone in my house.

There were 2 baboons in my open plan kitchen raiding my reserves. One had my choc-chip cookies under his arm and the other my tub of butter! Now, casting all practical knowledge of how to deal with this situation aside (basically get out), I saw red and charged at them shouting (in the most terrifying voice I could muster) ‘RAAH-RAAH!’ (yes, just like Nicole Kidman in ‘Australia’!).

This baboon had my butter!

For some reason, unbeknown to me, I had a connection with that tub of butter and was willing to risk my life (or perhaps not so dramatically, loss of limb or fingernail) to get it back from the thieving hands of this rude mammal.

“To no avail, he looked up at me, with mild amusement, and to my mind, complete arrogance and hugged the tub of butter to his chest…”

After startling them with my fierce war cries, I ran after them, out of the house and down my driveway into the road — all the while shouting at them to ‘give it back!’

Finally, he stopped to try to consume his prize on my neighbours lawn. I stopped running and stormed up to him with a finger wagging in his face, demanding that he give it back to me this instant! To no avail, he looked up at m — with mild amusement, and to my mind, complete arrogance — and hugged the tub of butter to his chest in a gesture that would have translated a bit like this:

‘When hell freezes over, crazy blonde lady!’

A Little Practical Advice About Baboons…

Once a baboon grabs something, he doesn’t let go. Another interesting fact is that baboons are not scared of women (a fact that got lost by the wayside with me). So here we have a baboon who isn’t letting go. Is this the same for humans? Why can’t we ‘let go’! ?

Hmmm, I’m beginning to smell a moral to this tale…

Back To The Story

I started to see reason (and danger for the first time) and began my ascent back up the driveway in defeat.

I suddenly realised that there was a raucous commotion coming from inside my house. I heard glass crashing and panic set back in…I’m going to stop there and will continue this riveting tale in Part 2 NOW AVAILABLE HERE.

Is Your Past Tripping Up Your Future?

A very common condition

AttitudeAre you living in the past, rehashing past traumas and situations?  Do you feel like you want to let go but just can’t?

“Whether you are experiencing regret, sorrow, guilt, shame or a number of other lower vibrational anxieties, you need to let go and detach.”

So many people live this way and can’t seem to move on.  When you find your mind wandering to situations or incidents that have happened, you are living in the past.  Whether you are experiencing regret, sorrow, guilt, shame or a number of other lower vibrational anxieties, you need to let go and detach.

Detaching from your past

This time of the year sometimes gives rise to uncomfortable ‘quiet moments’ where there is nothing to do and we are faced with the possibility of ‘inner reflection’.  These situations are sometimes mistaken for depression or that feeling of being ‘let down’ by the holidays   for not living up to your expectations, or — perhaps, living up too much to your expectations and now you have nothing to look forward to.  Sound familiar?

“These issues that we sweep under the rug are lessons.”

These times should be taken to explore the residue of past reflections.  Is there something that you have been burying down, deep inside?  Something that yearns to be re-addressed but you simply don’t feel like giving it an audience for fear of having to ‘feel’ all over again?

These issues that we sweep under the rug are lessons.  In order to walk through, or pass, a lesson, we must face it.  This can sometimes be painful but it is necessary.  It may be initially an uncomfortable issue to reconstitute but when you have seen the lesson that you have gleaned from it, you can put it to rest forever.  Never having to face that feeling of unresolved emotion trying to rear its head at you.

“You are always capable of graduating from the class of karma.”

blue butterfly pngWe are here to explore and experience.  Some of these experiences are brought over from past lives or early childhood traumas.  You are always capable of graduating from the class of karma.   You never set up anything for yourself that you cannot handle.  With courage in your toolkit, you can search the hidden meanings of your unresolved issues and find the lessons so that you can graduate to the next level of learning.

You are the driver

Only you can do this as no-one else knows your inner workings.  Never look outside of yourself to anyone or anything to ‘fix’ you.  Only you can do that.  You can seek advice and help along your path but inevitably, you do need to do the work.

“Have both your feet firmly in the present!”

What better way to start the new year than to truly start it afresh?  Face your ‘demons’ with compassion and a yearning to learn from past mistakes and you will be creating a much brighter future for yourself without the need to constantly have one foot in the past.  Have both your feet firmly in the present!

Good luck on your journey into the new year and I wish you all the best life you can possibly dream up for yourself.

Heaven on Mother Earth…

The Dream of a New Beginning in 2012

A few weeks before the end of last year I sat down at my easel in deep thought.  I wanted to attempt to paint a picture of how I would like to see the New Earth.  What is my ultimate Utopia?  What does it look like?  What colours are there?

After some quiet time and inner reflection, this is what I came up with…

The original is sold but this is available as prints and greeting cards

Key Components Behind the Inspiration of this Piece:

I wanted to incorporate:

  • Bright, vibrant colours
  •  Positive energy
  • A feeling of reconnecting with Gaia/Spirit of the Earth
  • A place where all Gaias inhabitants can live with each other in symbiance
  • Clean running water
  • Luscious vegetation

 

 

My art portfolio book is available online…

Butterflies and Hurricanes — 2012 is Here!

So, 2012 is here and we are about to enter one of the most anticipated years in history!

Are you feeling it?  This year has a certain air of mystery, intrigue, excitement, anxiety, angst and nervous anticipation.  What do we do?  What can we do?  Is there anything TO do?

The answer is an emphatic YES!  You can take time out this year for yourself.

The Search to Reconnect with Your Inner Being

Inner reflection is the key to unlocking the authentic you.  The you that is your core essence, buried deep down inside  — past all the various layers you have accumulated over time and experience.

“If you make yourself a top priority, you will be strong enough to help others on their path.”

  • Take time out to meditate, get in touch with the silence.  Learn to be comfortable in silence.
  • Take a fresh look at your diet and make sure to add lots of pure water, fruit and vegetables to it.  Remember that you are what you eat.  Do you feel heavy?  Are you eating heavy starchy foods?  Or too much meat?  Get real about what you are putting into your unique temple.
  • Treat your body to regular exercise.  Do something that you enjoy.  It is useless to commit to an exercise regime when you hate it.  Play to your strengths.  Do you like to take a walk in a forest or along a beach?  Do you enjoy dancing?  Find out what you like to do and fit it into a fitness routine.  Cater to your needs and preferences.
  • Take time out to be in nature — go to the beach, climb mountains, hike in fields or simply sit under a tree.  Reconnect with the Earth — this is your home.  Find the beauty that is on your doorstep.
  • Get creative.  Take time out to muck about.  Get a hobby, rekindle your interest for photography or art.  Give yourself time to explore a creative avenue.
  • Play.  Connect with the inner child every once in a while (preferably as much as you can).  Play in sand, dance in the rain, laugh your head off — let your hair down and stop caring about what anyone thinks.  What do you think?  That’s all that matters.
  • Eat lots of dark chocolate.  I don’t know how important this step is but I thought it might round this list off nicely.  However, it has been proven to release happy endorphins in your body, so a little shouldn’t hurt!  Click here for an article on the positive effects of eating chocolate.
New Years Resolutions…

So, this new year make your resolutions about you and reconnecting to your divine self.  Explore your inner depths and uncover your I AM presence.  If you make yourself a top priority, you will be strong enough to help others on their path.

Be kind and compassionate towards yourself and you will then be able to find it easier to relate to others and to see the connection we all have with each other.

Separation is the Illusion, unity is our reality.

Butterflies and Hurricanes

This year may feel chaotic and turbulent but you can always transmute any energy to your advantage.

You can choose to be the butterfly, free and beautiful or you can get stuck in the hurricane of chaos and drama.

Choices map out our future.  Make sure you choose from your heart.  It is easy to get caught up in drama if you don’t remain grounded and coherent in your thinking patterns.

Detach from drama and be the still presence.  Be compassionate and loving whilst remaining firm and grounded.

Happy New Year everybody!

My new book is due for release soon…

Out now…

Something Red…

In keeping with a festive colour scheme, I will be posting some red-themed art today.

I have decided to choose one artwork from each of my main categories of landscape, form, seascape, floral and wildlife (well, if you consider a dragon to be wildlife).

I hope you enjoy…

You can view my full portfolio here where you can purchase prints, posters, greeting cards and more…

For my blog on Something Blue CLICK HERE

Thanks for looking!

The Universe is Expanding – Are You?

The Universe is ever expanding and gives rise to new opportunities for creating and orchestrating planetary and galactic development.

So, if the Universe is pushing ever on outward,

why set boundaries for creativity on any level?

Never limit yourself because anything can be achieved if doubt is removed.

The Universe is not set – why should you be?

Pushing the envelope of creative expansion breaks down any illusion of limitation.

Once you step out of the box, infinity beckons your every whim.

Bask in the knowledge that existence is infinite, as are all possibilities.

We create in a field of pure energy potential.

Sign up HERE to receive your gift of inspirational wallpaper designs from my book ‘Creative Expression’

The above quotations and art have been taken from my new table book ‘Creative Expression – How to find your inspiration…’ available now — CLICK HERE.  All the artworks above are available to purchase as prints at RedBubble.

Ignite Your Creative Flame!

 The search for purpose or meaning in our lives is rooted in the deepest feelings

that stir within.

To find our unique spark, that will ignite the flame.

That which burns to give birth to creation.

For it is creativity that leads us to fulfilling our dreams and stokes our fires.

A world without creativity would be unbearable to try to even imagine…

Inspiration takes on many forms.

 What does your creative expression look like?

Have you found yourself lost in time when you are immersed in your passion?

What is it, no matter how insignificant to you, that makes you feel at home?

And reminds you of how beautiful life can be?

Find the answer and find your gateway to utilizing your divine, unique gifts – everybody has

a gift(s) although the packages may vary.

There is no stopping creative flow…

It will never cease to be.

The only limitations to creation are the ones that are self inflicted.

Sign up HERE to receive your gift of inspirational wallpaper designs from my book ‘Creative Expression’

The above quotations and art have been taken from my new table book ‘Creative Expression – How to find your inspiration…’ available now — CLICK HERE.  All the artworks above are available to purchase as prints at RedBubble.

Are you Swimming in a Sea of Possibility?

Your Creative Legacy

You may think of yourself as a mere drop in the ocean but also know that you are the ocean.  You are special and are eagerly encouraged to leave your loving, creative mark on the world.

In the sea of all possibilities, what form will your mark take?  I can assure you that the excitement lies in finding out.

Remember that the journey should be as pleasurable as arriving at the destination.

Spice it Up!

Your unique stamp or soul imprint allows others to experience life from a different perspective.

Your personal creative endeavours lead to your specific  brand of reality…which allows the collective to experience variety – the spice of life.

Anyone Qualifies!

Imagine a world without musicians, architects, artists, playwrights, comedians, chefs, teachers, programmers, entrepreneurs, healers, writers, homemakers, artisans, designers, gardeners, builders and all those souls who exercise creative flow with everything they touch and do – no matter what profession they are in.

I can’t – can you?

You can contribute to creative expression no matter who you are – no exceptions!

The above imagery and quotations were taken from my table book of art and inspirational teachings called ‘Creative Expression — How to find your inspiration’ (please click the book icon to take you to a full preview of the book):

Why I love to paint flowers…

When I paint a flower I feel an overwhelming bliss – an excitement to capture the beauty and magic of what I see and feel when I am in their glorious presence.

I am never happier than when I have a house full of flowers and the scent hangs on the air. Or when I am in my garden just being present with the smell of lavenders on the breeze.

They are my main source of inspiration because I still cannot fully fathom their exquisite beauty. Eckhart Tolle put it in a nutshell when he said that we could look upon flowers as the enlightenment of plants. I could look upon flowers all day and still be mesmerized. They are a true gift to us and to gaze upon their delicate wonder is to look at the unfolding of pure potential.

Here is an example of one of my floral paintings called ‘Red Poppies – Finding Beauty in Chaos’ from my new portfolio book – the original is still available and can be found in my art brochure 2011, which can be downloaded for free (see sidebar or click here to download):

To read more about what inspires me, please visit  or click on the book below – you can view a full preview of the book (preview button is at the bottom of the book icon on Lulu.com).

Art Portfolio - Cherie Roe DirksenSubscribe here to receive my monthly newsletter and free gift or click ‘sign me up’ in the side-panel to receive blog updates as they are released.

Why You Need To Meditate! Part 2

To recap on Part One CLICK HERE

It is a hard reality but it is the truth

You can plaster a wall over and over but if there are cracks of unresolved past issues hidden in the concrete, they will always break through leaving imperfections in your wall.

“We need to merge the habit of practicing to be present back into our mainstream of life to adopt a healthy overall balance of perception of the dimension that we call our reality.”

It is easier, in the long run, to work through these issues until we find that Shangri La in our minds.

We need to merge the habit of practicing to be present back into our mainstream of life to adopt a healthy overall balance of perception of the dimension that we call our reality.  Our stressful and sometimes frantic way of life leaves little ‘time’ to breathe correctly or to be aware of the present moment – or does it?

How many times, in your busy day, do you have a window of opportunity to be present?  I’m sure you can find the time, even if it happens to be when you use the toilet!

Practice makes perfect!

You can practice regular deep breath inhalations and exhalations sitting behind your computer screen or on the train to work (as discussed in Tuesdays blog about the importance of breathing correctly).

” If you have time to buy a doughnut, you have time for these re-alignment practices.”

We say we don’t have the time but that is absolute rubbish and an excuse for the laziness of not taking ones own reigns in this life.  If you have time to buy a doughnut, you have time for these re-alignment practices.

It just takes repetition and a dedication to observing the mind and habitual thought processes.  Clear out all the junk in there and make way for the peace that everyone so readily says they want to have.

When will I be happy?

Don’t look for a future date to attain this present moment awareness – everything that is going to happen will happen now, so what are you waiting for – someone else to do it for you?  Or, perhaps, you don’t have the ‘time’ to do it now and set it up for something that you will do at a later stage in your life?

If this is the case, the chances are that you will never venture down this avenue and you will continue to let your mind override and control your circumstances.

There is no time like the present!  Make a commitment and stick to it, don’t even commit to doing it tomorrow as tomorrow never comes.  Be happy now — you do have the choice, you always have!

Why worry?  Who does that serve?

How many of you, when you examine the stream of thoughts or ‘mind chatter’ in your head, realize that your thoughts either pertain to past life experience or future worry?  Usually worrying about things that never come to pass?  How much time and stress (never mind sleepless nights) could you save just by eliminating such thought patterns?  Stillness is worth every moment it takes in practicing the art.

“Nothing ever happened outside of the now, everything you have experienced in your life up to this point was experienced in the present moment.”

Present moment awareness is the way to live.  It is the only way out of this insane society we live in that is fixated on future and past.  Time is an ultimate delusion and will only be a means to an end – for keeping appointments and such.  Time will become a redundant factor in life.  Who needs time when we live in an infinite Universe?  Time ages us, who needs that?

Be the master of your destiny – live in the present moment.  And you can start this now by becoming aware of your thoughts.  Then progressively you can start to alter them as you see fit or even to stop them dead in their tracks!  Nothing ever happened outside of the now, everything you have experienced in your life up to this point was experienced in the present moment.  Nothing will ever happen in the future – it all happens in the NOW.  Future is unobtainable – the present is always here.  Open your gift, the present, and experience the timeless realm.

‘He who has begun has half done. Dare to be wise; begin!’ –Horace, 65-8 B.C.

The above blog has been taken from an extract in my latest book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’, which is due to be released soon.  For more information please click here.

For more on meditation — here is another useful blog:  http://www.meditate.org/Meditation-Is-A-Happening.htm

You may also like to read this article about meditation:

Wherever You Go, There You Are: A Short Course in Mindfulness and Meditation

Fun with Fruit and Vegetables!

As promised, I am continuing with the unveiling of my Vege-Tate Gallery in today’s Art Blog.

If you missed out on last weeks blog — here is a recap:  How many carrots does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Here are the last of the designs (for now — I see this as an ever-growing project!):

For all the Steve Jobs Fans

Even lettuce can be corny!

Yeah, we’ve all heard this one before!

Another one for the well-endowed lady…

Juicy, very juicy…

No orchestra is complete without one!

Is your Grandmother sheepish?

Enough is enough…a special thanks to Templeton for coming up with this one!

The sorrows of love (and the pining that ensues)

If coconuts had udders, coconut milk wouldn’t be so readily available

To check out the store in its entirety, please CLICK HERE.

I have another store dedicated to these amorous fruit and vegetables, where you can find a host of products such as key-chains, aprons, mugs, iPhone skins, magnets, cards, mouse-pads, bags and a whole lot more…ENTER STORE HERE

   

Are You Breathing Correctly?

Why is the Quality of Breath Important?

Breathe

It is the first thing we do when we experience this life in biology and the last thing we do when we exit.  As physical beings, it is our life – we cannot function without it.  It is the miracle of breath.

“Breathing correctly enlivens your mind, invigorates the body and helps you to find clarity”

In meditation, it is our bridge between the noise of our minds and the approaching silence.  It is our pathway to stillness, to present moment awareness.  Breathing correctly enlivens your mind, invigorates the body and helps you to find clarity.  Your quality of breath will determine your quality of life.

Breathe deep, let your stomach fill with air, breathe out and know that you are alive, feel the tingling sensation in your body.  Your cells are alive and bursting with energy.

Deep breathing will help your body and bring balance to your biology.  Try to consciously breathe, even if it is every hour. Most of us breathe shallowly most of the time which restricts oxygen to the brain causing fatigue and lethargy so, whenever you can, put your attention on your breath.

Try this exercise: 

Breathe in to the count of eight – really fill your lungs and let your stomach expand to the extent that you look pregnant.  Hold that breath to the count of eight and then release it slowly to the count of eight.

Do this 3 times as many times a day as you can, especially in the morning, when you awaken, and just before sleep.  It will give you an added kick to the day and induce restful sleep at night.

Mindful Breathing Soothes the Soul

When you engage in mindful breathing – putting your mind on inhalation and exhalation — you form a bridge to the quiet place in your mind.  When a thought arises, brush it aside,  you will need to do this a lot as the mind and ego loves to interrupt this process.  It is like a child that needs to be disciplined a few times before it backs down.

With time and practice, you will be able to cross that bridge a little easier every time you engage in the stillness or meditation (Thursday’s blog will look at the importance of meditation in our lives).

Don’t judge yourself or get upset if your mind just won’t shut up – this is normal and takes a lot of practice to get to the point where you can achieve full stillness without the ‘white noise’.

My Mind just won’t Shut Up!

Sometimes my mind just won’t let go of a song or tune when I am trying to meditate and I just let that be – it usually dissipates in the end anyway.  Follow your mind wherever it takes you.

“This is the journey into the mind and it can be a wonderfully calming experience…”

This journey can be really awesome as you begin to sense the vibrations and different frequencies in the ether and all around you.  It might come in the form of flashing or bright coloured lights or a vortex or wormhole.  Sometimes it just remains dark or ‘spotty’ – a bit like the night sky.  Stay with this and see where it takes you.  This is the journey into the mind and it can be a wonderfully calming experience (it can also be a rollercoaster ride for some, so buckle up!).

Here is a great site for different breath techniques – http://www.scoop.it/t/breathwork/

Thursdays blog is going to take a look at the importance of meditation and quieting the mind…

The above blog has been taken from an extract in my first book ‘Divine You — Redefining Love in the New Earth’.

Other articles you may enjoy:

6 Ways to Alleviate Stress Now

Do You Need To Meditate?

The Zen of Life

5 Easy Steps to Meditating (No Lotus Position Required)

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How to Manifest Your Desires

Poppy IToday’s blog is going to concentrate on the key steps to manifesting what it is that you desire to experience.

“It is always a good idea to reassess or rethink what it is we want to manifest so that we can always remain focused and clear on what we want out of life.”

For a recap of the Law of Attraction and how you can begin to take charge of your life, please read Tuesdays blog here before proceeding with the following steps.

  • Setting an intention — do this daily and try to follow-up every week on your desires manifestation.   You may want to retweek what it is you want.  It is perfectly okay to change your mind.   It is important to bend with the wind and to not resist it.  So, if you feel like there is something better you want to manifest, then do that and don’t stay rigidly stuck on your first desire.  It is always a good idea to reassess or rethink what it is we want to manifest so that we can always remain focused and clear on what we want out of life.
  • Visualization and Emotion — when you have set your intention visualize what it would feel like if you were already living in that reality.  The more you feel the emotions, the more the Universe will line you up with that frequency that you want or believe yourself to be on.  We all played ‘make believe’ when we were kids, so don’t tell me you don’t know how to daydream!  This step is literally daydreaming that existence and when you get to the ‘feeling’ part, you have your positive manifesting emotion.
  • Anchoring — anchor that emotion!  Try to feel that emotion whenever you can.  Think about how wonderful it feels.
  • Detach — the most important part of this process is to detach from what you want.  This almost sounds like a dichotomy but it isn’t.  The reason why we need to detach from the outcome is that we don’t know the quickest possible way to get to our desires.  The Universe does and when you detach you are actually allowing for the speediest route to your desired destination.  Know in your heart that your wish is being seen to and that the fruits will come.  When you can be in this frame of mind, you have detached and are in the state of allowing.  Blank out your mind and stop worrying about how to ‘get there’.
  • Live it out — see yourself always living in the desired outcome.  Instead of focusing on the hows and whens of the manifested desire, focus on what you are going to be doing when your dream is met.  In other words, if you desire more money, then money is not what you really want — you can do very little with the physical aspect of the money except wipe your bottom with it.  What you want is what the money can buy — the vibrational exchange.  So picture what it is you want the money for.  Is it a new car or a lavish vacation — then picture yourself driving down the highway in your new car or soaking up the suns rays in Barbados (hell, even throw in the first class ticket you could afford to get there with!).  Let go of how you are going to get there and ‘feel’ like you are already there — picture yourself boarding the plane and drinking champagne in first class or getting into your new red Porsche and starting the ignition.  Make the visualizations exciting and pleasant.

Poppy IIYou can do these visualizations and emotion-enhancing techniques when you meditate. All it takes is a powerful 5 minute meditation to kick-start your desires into action.

“Tell yourself how quickly you are going to get things done and how much fun it’s going to be.”

I usually do an exercise in the morning over my first cuppa.  I set my intention for the day and I see myself easily carrying out all my plans and having time to spare.  I also visualize that I am enjoying myself immensely whilst I am doing it.  Go on, try it!

You will be amazed how everything falls into place when you expect it to.  Think about that.  When you whine and complain about how little time you have, or how much you have to do — you usually end up meeting that agreement easily!  So try it in reverse.  Tell yourself how quickly you are going to get things done and how much fun it’s going to be.

Let The Universal GPS Take You There!

What I know for certain is that if you do not detach you start to doubt, when you doubt you lose the momentum of your desire.  When you try to fathom the way the Universe should bring your desire about, you are resisting what can be done to achieve your goal.  This can lead you to take ages to manifest what you want instead of letting go and letting the Universal GPS take you there.

“…when you are in your integrity you will be a responsible creator and you will manifest for yourself and the greater good.”

Keep focusing on your goal and enjoy the ride!  You are always going to want more and want to create more, this is alright as the Universe is ever-expanding.  Please don’t get me wrong with this statement as I am not advocating being an ‘over-consumer’ — please co-create responsibly.  But I have no doubt that when you are in your integrity you will be a responsible creator and you will manifest for yourself and the greater good.

Lastly and probably the most important step — have fun!  The joy is in the journey and not always in the arrival of your destination (this is just a momentary bonus until you want to manifest your next creation).

Happy manifesting!

For more about the Law of Attraction and how to co-create your life, I have found the Jerry and Esther Hicks books of great help.  CLICK HERE for more information.

You may also enjoy these articles:

6 Tips on How to Get to Where You Want to Be

What is Abundance and How Do I Get It?

7 Helpful Pointers To Activate The Flow Of Abundance

5 Tips on Getting Back In The Groove

A Practical Guide to Feeling Good

How Many Carrots does it take to Screw in a Light Bulb?

I’m not too sure what the answer to the joke is…perhaps none as they were all rooted to the spot?

The Vege-Tate Gallery — Beginnings…

My idea for a Vege-Tate Gallery grew into full blossom when my husband and I decided to try and plant a vegetable garden around the back of our house.

This was no easy task as we have vegetable guzzling baboons to contend with on a regular basis — so strong fencing and locks were needed for this venture to succeed.

I am happy to report that my actual vegetable patch is doing very well and is starting to bear the fruit of our hard-earned labour.  Well, except for the poor runner beans that never made it to the finishing line due to a critter biting them off at the base of the stem, which consequentially led me to create the ‘Has Bean‘ design.  You have to work with this!

Whilst planting the seeds of the garden, my mind started pondering all these crazy ideas for a vegetable joke shop with lots of corny but fruity ‘green’ humour.

The designs started to take shape as I sketched out the ideas as they came to me, with a little help from the hubby.

The Next Step

When I had a good 20 designs to work with, I began the digital journey of drawing them onto the computer (yes, using my mouse!  I am still using that old archaic rodent until I get my digital pen) and loading them as t-shirt designs.

I am officially launching my new gallery entitled ‘The Vege-Tate Gallery’ — I do hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

The link to the store is here.

Below are my personal favourites.  Next week I will showcase the rest of the store along with some other fun merchandise from this range.

Literally for the man who has everything!

This one is for the ladies — especially the ones that can make a grown man cry!

For The Beatles fan

For the humble…

For the melon appreciation club

For the overworked!

For the political activist

Keeping abreast of things

Please let me know what your favourite design is!