Sacred Stitches

I’ve been at a loss of words or at least, ones I feel comfortable sharing though I journal daily. I’ve been busy with creative projects and inner self work which I didn’t feel was of any value to others. However, I had a friend remind me how often we each do things alone, not realizing the impact we can have on others…so here goes. I am reluctant to call myself an artist. I call myself a creative soul because I feel my way through, relying on my own instincts. I have played around a bit through the years, dabbling with all types of fiber work (we’ll get back to this in a bit), stained glass, a little metal work, collage, photography, acrylic paint, water color, drawing, and writing. My heart thrives in working creatively in all forms with the Divine Feminine archetypes and especially aligning nature photography with esoteric writing.

My creativity started with a sewing needle at about three or four years of age. Now, I find my zone in combining all these techniques into fabric panels. I’ve decided to share a bit of the things I do and the inner process which is much more important to me than the outer work. I am somewhat sensitive and I usually start with what I call an unsettled feeling or gnawing that suddenly presents itself with a word or an image. If it’s an image I sketch it out and explore the ways in which it wishes to present itself. However, if it’s a word I might have an immediate knowing of its meaning or I may have to meditate on it for hours, days, even weeks. Or give up until it returns with more clarity.

The above photo is a simple fabric panel (fabric collage, embroidery, acrylic paint, and beading). Why Sacred Stitches? Because I feel most connected with the Divine when I have needle, thread, and fabric in hand. The Sacred stitches together the fabric of our lives. Minute by minute, tiny scenes are connected to form the great picture, the story, of our lives. This Sacred energy connects us to one another. We are each artists creating our inner words, thus forming our outer.

This creative fire that burns within demands to be recognized and expressed. The essence of the fire chooses its own expression. We are vessels of containment and release. We are messengers, even when we are unaware of the message. And that very message being released is perceived differently with each particpant and viewer. Each piece has the ability to stir, provoke, or soothe. We are living art. Our mere presence does this…we provoke, we stir, we encourage, we soothe…others feel us and we feel others. We carry one another whether or not we are aware. Do we even understand the roles we play in the lives of those around us?

Let us not tear one another down for our differences but unite in our commonality. Together let’s explore this creative fire within each of us. Let’s explore our callings and how they work together. We are each novices in areas of life or creative works while mediocre in some, and perhaps masters in others.

Do you associate your work, creativity, or play with any themes? If so, how do they point to an overall theme in your life?

Becoming by Design

The seed was always going to be a sunflower. It was planted. Watered. Fertilized. Received sunlight. The sunflower was patient. It allowed time and the elements to do their parts. It focused on being because it knew in order to Become it simply needed to be. Transitions are much like this. We only need be. Much is occurring within and in time the outer catches up. The blueprint was always there, but construction takes a lifetime. We’re all being built one step/layer at a time. Looking back to my early childhood I find my sensitivities, creative impulses, play, habits, interactions, and desires were all indications of my path. How about you? What activities did you enjoy? Where was your heart centered? How did you interact with others? When did you feel most true to yourself? Why (your motives) did you act/react in the ways you did? Where did you feel needed? How did you have fun? What gave you comfort?

I had many dreams when I was young, some came to fruition, others not. I’ve traveled many paths and learned valuable lessons. I am MUCH older now, and looking back I see the cycles and the seasons between that has had me exploring the themes of childhood over various ways. Of course, these versions have matured and even somewhat mastered in areas, yet those same callings are within me. The voice became louder until it became heard, and then it settled in to a soft knowing. One must learn when to work, when to rest, and when to play. And the soul is here to teach you how to do all these things.

Honoring the Sacred Self

We live in a world of variety. Each person is gifted with an individual expression comprised of his/her own values of truth, love, and freedom. This authenticity of one’s soul/spirit guides one along the path of it’s Divine Purpose. This essence is creative in nature whether one is making art or living life. I have found the things I enjoy currently in my life are the things which brought me joy as a child: nature, sewing, collecting rocks, making things from found objects, and writing. Throughout the years this list has greatly enlarged. I feel a connection with Spirit when I engage in creative activities. It is important to nourish oneself; heart mind, body, and soul/spirit. When one honors the Sacred Self, one honors the Divine in all. I find that whether I am sitting in meditation, journaling, taking photos, painting a picture,  or communing with nature I am connecting with the Sacred. What activities in your life feel Sacred? Do you view creativity as a Sacred Act? Do consider gratitude and kindness as nourishing to your Soul? How do you honor your Sacred Self?

Breaking Barriers

*Channeled Message: “While a warrior knows how to wield his weapon, he doesn’t wish to use it on his enemy for he knows his heart is the way to peace. This one thing breaks barriers, opens communication, and solves problems. It is not necessarily the asking of what one wants but the offering of what one has. Sharing and communication is communion. A peaceful warrior unites, for this is his gift. Not only his gift, but his motive. When people pull together the impossible comes to life. The biggest dream begins with one small act – the stroke of a pen, a word from the mouth, a handshake, a hug. Start today. The wait is over. Every day is the start of something new. Begin where you are. See what is possible. Dreams are always in the making. Good seeds produce a healthy harvest if the crop is tended. Joy in the experience is important. Approach with wonder for the work can be pleasurable if one focuses on the path rather than the destination. What one puts in something is felt in the result. Heart and soul equal wisdom. Do what you enjoy, no stress. Allow vulnerability in your work, for the authenticity is an invitation to commune. This act builds community. Building is creative work which doesn’t only require energy and sweat; it requires heart and soul.”

Treasure Chest of Truth

“The deeper one digs the more lost one might feel yet the closer he gets to finding what has been lost. Much is buried beneath many layers-truth and treasure. Your truth is your treasure. It is the route to both freedom and abundance. Self exploration leads to connections; to the past, to others, but more importantly to Spirit and self. Your truth within manifests into abundance around you. A time of fallow precedes a time of fruit. Each period is of importance. It is good to remember what one does for self he does for others. That reverberation reaches and extends and continues. The echo from the mountain is heard across the valley and so on. Lift your voice to sing and your foot to dance. It will always reach another of the same beat/resonance. Together healing occurs. No one does it all or alone. The saying ‘takes a village to raise a child’ goes the same for saving humanity/the world. Every being plays a part that fits into others until all hands are joined. Each is a link in the chain/circle. We are here to connect, to commune, to recognize the tribe who helps us find our way, what makes us feel complete. This can be strictly in relationship or can be work, creative endeavors, joy, or adventure inspired, whatever makes one ‘tick’. It is in the ‘coming alive’ where one finds self-connection to Spirit-a sense of purpose. To live with purpose is to live with intention. That essence is known to small children but is often lost through outside influence. When one regains this essence and lives from this center this authenticity, this truth, leads him with his purpose, his desire of experience. This places his mark on the world, whatever it is and in whatever form it takes-for that is his purpose-to find it and use it. For it will lead him home. And that is the beauty of the quest. 

Inspiration Essay

Almost a year ago I wrote an essay for an inspiration contest. This article provides you with a bit more information of who I am and what I do. Here https://www.rosiecentral.com/post/inspiration-contest-winner-susan-payne-for-her-the-edge-of-wild-story is my published essay on Rosie Central. Please pay Rosie Central a visit. This is an informative and inspiring site that empowers women through writing memoir and providing inofrmative and impirational posts.

A Few Words about Art

Art is a necessary expression of both life and love. It is the exploration of one or many mediums on a personal level which affects multitudes of layers – a unique expression of the whole. And yet, that expression/essence is ever evolving. Change is inevitable, a necessity for growth. Simply put, art is the process of which one takes what is within and projects it to the outside world. Art, in whatever form, is a release for human emotion, a creative journal of sorts. Art can be a means for a voice otherwise hidden. It is a healing endeavor for the creator of such works, be it a poem, painting, book, photograph, sculpture, musical piece, and so on. It is Spirit/energy traveling from heart to hands. Creativity is the right of the human. We are each a creator, envisioning our world.  Art is a sacred surrender to the creative urges of one’s soul.