{Above items available at Sycamore Street Press & Satsuma Lynn}
I have been committing much of my time to finding my positive center. I have returned to my large life-chart hanging in my happy studio space. I have reopened scrapbooks filled with inspiring images of what I hope for and what I feel gratitude for. My favourites include names like Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay and may not be for everyone, but they are for me.
Through all of the listening I am gathering what resonates with me and creating a message that fits my needs. Some of the main nuggets that I have come upon are these:
Say yes to the things that frighten and thrill you.
Be grateful for the rain that has already fallen.
Be open to the people coming into your life; the doors opening to new opportunities; and the clues along the way.
Follow each clue wholeheartedly and it will always lead you to the next clue.
I have said yes to taking photographs. I have said yes to the photography course. I have said yes to the craft shows. I am saying yes to my creativity. I am saying yes to new friendships. All of this yea saying will ultimately bring the necessary people and circumstances into my life.
Shortly after I finished watching "You Can Heal Your Life", I found myself on Etsy and was drawn to a letterpress fortune teller listed in my favourite items. I suddenly had a vision of myself in a small but beautiful workshop that opened out to a wide field next to our house in the country {our dream house}. I was watching myself move with grace around a large old letter press. I had a thick canvas apron on and ink stained fingers. I was wearing a linen tunic and dark denim and could hear the intoxicating sound of paper on paper. Tssk tssk. Tssk tssk. There were children laughing outside in the long grass and Mike was bringing me a cup of tea with the same destiny as the cold cloudy cup of coffee sitting on the wooden desk. The afternoon sun sliced across the floor and crept through the wooden screen door. It all provides a comfortable and artful life for us with many hours to spare for picnics under the trees and building fairy houses by the tiny creek. I am calm, settled, and joyful.
I don't know the first thing about the art of the letterpress, but I do know that there is nothing I can't learn. I don't feel a crazy sense of immediacy with this, but a gentle coaxing towards it. A comfortable knowing that it is something I could feel at ease in. And it fits me so well; a quiet perfectionist who often craves solitude and simple beauty. I can't deny the thrill that runs through me when I see and touch beautiful paper that is more like beautiful fabric. I can't help but buy large sheets of textured scrapbook paper even though I am not a scrapbooker. Such a pure and ancient beauty in the same category as linen and wind.
Could it be that this is what I want to be when I grow up?
e.
wow. a bit crazy. i used to own a little paper company and created custom correspondence. that passion was left years ago, in the busyness of working full time. now that i am stay at home mama, those close to me are encouraging me to pick up where i left off. i simply replied "i will only begin again if i can do letterpress!" this was just a few weeks ago! my mind + heart are contemplating. best to you & your dreams.
Posted by: jennifer | 10/30/2009 at 05:06 PM
i think i might wanna be that too when i grow up...what a terrific dream...letterpress is on my list of things to learn too.
Posted by: nicole | 10/30/2009 at 05:16 PM
This is so full of good feeling -- follow your heart & your dreams will follow too <3
Posted by: Desiree Fawn | 10/30/2009 at 10:50 PM
You are an inspiration!
Posted by: JoAnn | 11/02/2009 at 07:04 AM
It's funny but as I wander from blog to blog there are some that resonate with you immediately while some you can't get away from quick enough. I too adore Wayne Dyer and Louise Hay. Wayne has honestly changed my entire life. I too am drawn to letter press. I wandered around in a dream like state at a local book fair and was mesmerized when I came upon a booth that offered letter press classes. I wish you positive energy and thought as you find your path.
Posted by: Selena | 11/02/2009 at 11:54 AM
I should have added (oops) that your blog resonated with me instantly, even before I read familiar names that made my heart skip a beat. :-)
Posted by: Selena | 11/02/2009 at 11:54 AM
"a quiet perfectionist who often craves solitude and simple beauty"--- you've just described me!
Posted by: julie | 11/02/2009 at 02:20 PM