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RMS after Quarantine

Today I went into my classroom to grab a few things.

It was like the twilight zone.

I felt like the kids would walk in any minute!

It felt so familiar, yet students working in the classroom is such a distant memory.

I took pictures of some unfinished artwork; that really had me feeling disappointed and sad. The students were doing so well and created so many amazing things that they just had to leave behind.

It felt like I’m living in two realities at once.

Such amazing artwork… So much to look forward to. My only hope is that the time we had together taught them how to be creative no matter how good they thought they were at “art”.

I miss my students and my classroom.

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Stone Creek

The water at Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat that flows beautifully through the woods, has been named Stone Creek, for the many stones you can find there.

Stone Creek houses many little waterfalls and surrounds a few little islands! These islands have been cleared and named as well… Solomons Stone Island, and Circle Stone Island.  Each island has been cleared so that people can camp and enjoy the water all around them.

My friend Eli ArtSparkle came to visit last weekend and I took her out to the woods and let her pick the spot we would sit for our artmaking. This specific spot is a beautiful place to sit on huge rocks that Brenda and Theo arranged.

Having Eli here really reinforced that my idea of a Plein Air workshop here at Burns Valley is something that I must plan! I can only imagine what beautiful work would be created from having many different artists here, inspired by the land.

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Quarantine Art Series: Sitting Stone

Every now and then it is important we go outside and sit.

To listen to the wind blow around us, and feel the earth beneath our feet.

Sitting stone is just the place to do that at Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat.

I enjoyed sitting at the bench and painting the mountains!

I am looking forward to when others can enjoy this beautiful space with us!

I feel like the summer solstice will be the perfect time!

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Divine I Am Existence Most Popular Spirituality

Diving Deep – Into the Unknown

Diving deep into my shadows, I’ve found a level of insecurity in presenting myself in this new realm of reality.

I am used to engaging and interacting with people of all ages and all backgrounds, in real life. Being in a room of 30 middle school students working on their art produces an energy like no other.  Interacting with people one on one while I share the gift of henna produces an energy that I have only found through that interaction.

The giving and receiving. I receive from each person and each student, just as I am giving to them. There is nothing like giving gratitude to each person for sharing their time and energy with me. I would always say, I couldn’t do this without you.

But now I am forced to continue on my path without the real life interaction from other people. So I dive deep… to find ways I can be me, and do what I do without other people around. How do I give my gifts without that energy of the room of students, or the one on one contact with another person?

This is proving to be more difficult for me than I would’ve imagined. I am coming upon so many blocks in my mindset. Now I realize, a deeper shadow I am facing… Insecurities, unworthiness, and self doubt when it comes to presenting myself when there is no one around to reflect back to me.  Each person is like a mirror, and I judged how good I was based off of how good everyone else felt. Like their happiness and pleasure in creating was a direct reflection of who I am.

Without those people around… I am here feeling a bit empty.  Doing instructional videos online won’t be the same as instructing people in person. This new venture brings up fears surround my ability to share who I am with others and how others will receive what I am giving when not being in the same physical space. I guess it’s just the energy of the week, with the Scorpio full moon, and the adjustment to this new norm in our society at the moment. The only way I will find out is if I keep moving forward and try something new.

I wonder if there are others out there feeling the same way… feeling a sense of loss from the energy of the classroom, or a sense of insecurity in switching our presentations over to a digital platform. I am sure there must be others feeling like I am.

The Frozen movies come to mind… just let it go and head into the unknown.

The big karmic lesson is to learn to let go of the past and more forward into the new paradigm.  Let go of the fear, and keep moving forward one step at a time.  Remember to have compassion for and be gentle with yourself. The one thing that matters in the end, is simply being your own best friend. You are doing amazing things in this new world. Thank you for sharing what you know, and who you are, with the world. <3

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Quarantine Art Series: Deer Medicine

The universe speaks and gifts us in many different ways, we have to be open to receiving.

Finding a deer skull was a perfect synchronicity for the energy of the current time.

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This entire experience is teaching us on so many levels. One thing I’ve noticed we are all learning, is how to have compassion for those that might offend us. Deer medicine helps us to remember to have grace through all of life’s challenges. One way to do that is to develop the ability to adapt quickly to any situation, towards love and compassion.

We have had to adjust a lot in a short amount of time. Our world has flipped into a state that none of us ever believed could or would happen. When we are grounded and centered, we can hear our intuition reminding us to be gentle with ourselves and each other.

Deer medicine helps us walk the path of love with full consciousness and awareness, to know that love sometimes requires caring and protection, not only in how we love others, but also in how we love ourselves.

Let’s remember to be gentle, to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are in our lives. Don’t push people to change, rather gently nudge them in right direction, as a doe nudges her fawn.

Love and accept people as they are.
The balance of true power lays in love and compassion.

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Quarantine Art Series: Flowing Hollow

The sound of flowing water is so grounding to me.

Sitting in the woods, sun shining down on my face, hearing the birds chirp and the water rushing… food for my soul.

I have walked down to the Flowing Hollow a few times the past month here at Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat.  The space has really transformed since March!

When we first arrived, Brenda and Joe had just cleared out the brush, and tree debris. They started laying stones for a pathway next to the little creek, and created an area for a fire pit!

Thanks to the help of many friends, there is now a beautiful space to enjoy a bonfire by the water, you could even hang a hammock and camp down there for the night!

Brenda and I dug out the steps, Austin moved the rocks and created the fire pit, and Theo is building a bridge.  We also added a few little fairies and gnomes to live down there!

Water is life, and when structured with intent… it allows life to flourish.

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RMS before Quarantine

Here are images taken throughout Ridgely Middle school before quarantine.

TEAM RIDGELY STAGS

ART STUDIO 200

 

MANNEQUINS & DOODLES

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL ART PROJECTS!

 

TEAM RIDGELY STAGS!!

 

TEAM RIDGELY FACULTY!

 

6th GRADE ARTISTS

 

7th GRADE ARTISTS

 

8th GRADE ARTISTS

 

GREEN CLUB!

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Quarantine Art Series: Mullein

Deciding on a topic for my quarantine art series, I tend to take a minute to listen to what the universe is showing me. I felt drawn to the garden this day…and the beautiful leaves of the mullein plant.

Courage, health, love and protection.

These are things we are all hoping, praying and wishing for during this quarantine time.

Mullein represents all of these things. The leaves of this plant used to be placed into little satchels under one’s pillow to keep away nightmares, and to attract love, health and protection. In fact, it was believed that wearing mullein would ensure fertility, and also keep potentially dangerous animals at bay while in the wilderness. Mullein was also used to help treat respiratory problems, and can be used as toilet paper!

The universe speaks through all things… mullein being synchronistic to COVID-19 in so many ways! Reminding us that nature provides all of our needs, if we are open and willing to listen and receive.

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Quarantine Art Series: Birdie

Disc golf is one of my new favorites. 2015 was when I first learned about disc golf, a friend of mine at the time played in a lot of tournaments! Whenever I visit Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat I love to play! Their course is 18 holes, upper and lower level… it’s a nice workout as you go up the mountain, through the woods and then down the mountain. It’s the journey though, that really counts. The slow walks up the side of the mountain, talking with friends and taking in the beauty of the land. Feeling the earth beneath our feet, and brushing the trees bark with our fingertips as we walk through the woods. Watching the disc soar down the bright green valley. Hearing the cling of the chains as you make a birdie. 

When I awoke the next day, after a 15 hole game, my body was a sweet sore. The kind that reminds you of how good it feels to use your body! Playing disc golf here is one of my most favorite things to do, and there are a lot of my favorite things to do here.  So I decided my drawing today would be of a few baskets and the fairlane. 

Disc golf reminds you to stop and take a deep breath, and let go of whatever you’re holding on it. It’s through letting go at just the right moment that we are able to sore the furthest. 

 
 
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Quarantine Art Series: Waterfalls in the woods

The sound of water flowing always brings me back to center. Helping me to let go of all my thoughts and feelings in the moment. Showing me how quickly things change, and how no matter what… life still goes on.

Sitting in the woods at Burns Valley Herbals and Retreat has really given me a deeper realization of how important being in nature is for our being. The sounds of the earth fill my mind and heart, allowing me to be present in each breath. From birds flying overhead, to cows in the valley and peepers in the pond… the sounds of spring help wash away the cold winter.

Spending time in the woods with gratitude for each moment. Being able to see how the brown dead leaves make way for new green growth on the side of the mountain. Water rushing over the mossy rocks. Every now and then finding a back up of leaves and branches that need clearing.  Just like our lives… every now and then, seeing how there is a build up of emotion or attachment to things that no longer serve our highest good.

I have been drawn to jump right into the water to clear away what is holding it back from flowing freely. Using this analogy as a reminder to keep my own energy flowing freely. Every now and then, jumping in the water to release, and to celebrate what we’ve let go of and what we have to look forward to.

Moving debris, and rearranging rocks to create a bank where we want to the water to flow. Such is life.  Water is life.