sperlygirl

plotting a new year...

it's true, i believe i have tried every planner on the market in my attempts to find a system that works for me. and while it's not perfect, it definitely is the best match for me and my wandering mind. i use the planner pad and then trick that sucker out until it looks/feels like something i want to have hanging around.

it all began last year, when inspired by kelly rae's use of fabric on a planner cover - bingo! love the texture and contrast this brings. so this year, i free-styled with some scraps i had laying around. i created the tabs to mark the months out of cut-outs from an old anthropologie catalog. they have such great textures captured in their photos. 

i do plan on putting a vision page in there too to help me stay focused on some of my big intentions for 2012. but nothing too formal. formal is what kills me and shuts me down. it's got to be organic, flowing, and easy - then i my attention stays glued. i have some images that i have been collecting and, of course, i have a great little drawing from 'pirate kai' that will find a home there too. 

                    
~here's a new set of tunes for you to plan your year to~

*also, a guest post from mindy on creative everyday for another way to customize your planner

welcome 2012...

enjoying the very last bits of vacation time around here. the reality of it sounds more like this: two little boys yelling, laughing and tearing through the house leaving a trail of toys and whatnot behind them until one ends up in tears for whatever reasons. then repeat...only with more volume and greater momentum. voices become raised (even though i sooo wish they didn't), tempers grow shorter....and then ryder out of the clear blue looks up at me and says, "Ommmmmmm".

what's a mama to do? in that moment, i melt. all frustrations fade away and i am reminded of the wisdom our children can hold (even if they are only trying to crack me up for a moment...that's a big lesson). he does this, ryder. he says "Om" at the perfect moments, completely in context to a chaotic or frustrating situation - albeit at home or out in public. he doesn't make a production of it, doesn't call attention to himself, it's merely a subtle reminder, and it gets me every time. 

let's step into this new year with some inspiration, shall we?

this story and sculpture is wonderful - take a moment and read, please!

i am so taken with her beautifully crafted words

this one has made the rounds, but i seem to watch it every time - such a powerful reminder

she is such a bright light, loved listening to her speak

this one is pure inspiration

sharing love...

wanted to share some happy news and inspiring tidbits...

first of all, i am so very honored to be featured here on meri's lovely blog. she is a gatherer of inspiration and i am blushing at being a part of what she has collected. i do hope you will stop by.

that magical pixie is assembling a 'mother of all release' ceremony on the 22 december and i plan to join her - virtually linking arms with all my 'sisters' of the soulodge. (you can also check out pixie here on jamie ridler's newest podcast).

this talk by louie schwartzberg on gratitude has stayed with me, powerful for sure

lastly, i was completely inspired today by this incredible yogini and her lifelong commitment to her teaching and practice.

 

envelopes of friendship...

today, i am focusing my attention on the the warmth friendship. the other week, i received a beautiful handmade postcard from my talented friend, regina. last week, i received a sweet surprise package with a lovely note and pair of her great earrings from my friend kim. and today i was happy to discover a note from my dear friend, laura, with a few sweet treasures tucked inside, waiting inside my box. i so love the lift that an unexpected hello in your mailbox can bring to your day and i am grateful to have such friends in my world. 

speaking of...my dear friend, kt, and i are being featured here on my friend meri's inspiring new blog. she is collecting so many bits of inspiration here. 

thanking joe...

my first year of college, i took a class called The Power of Myth all about the teachings of Joseph Campbell. i remember reading that book and all the discussions that followed in class, and feeling like someone had just shook me awake to the world. a few months later, my world came to a devastating halt when my father suddenly and unexpectedly passed. and in the many months that followed, while i was trying to piece back together my life and find my new place in it - a copy of joseph campbell's a reflections on the art of living: a campbell companion was never far from my grip. on some of the lowest of days, a quote of his would carry me and provide the lift that very little else in my world could offer at that time. i don't know why exactly i felt such a powerful and instant connection, but i did. approaching twenty years later, and that same book still accompanies me. and then i discovered this new film (thx marissa) and all those "a-ha's" from freshman year psych class have reved up once more. 

 

"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning." ~ Joseph Campbell

 

stepping back and observing...

sometimes life has her own way of nourishing a person, offering up her own beautiful alchemy, remedies, and elixirs that tend to soothe a weary body or soul. while spending a few days swimming in the sea the other week, i started thinking of a list...a list of life's most healing remedies (in my humble opinion, of course)...

swimming in the sea ~ especially when the water is cool and crystal clear

a good night's sleep

the first star of the evening

the lingering scent of fresh herbs left on your fingertips

stopping to watch the sunset

tending a garden

the swooping bats across the sky at dusk

the soft sounds of morning as she stretches and wakes

the warmth of a small hand as he reaches for his mother

the rustle of the leaves against a soft breeze

and of course, a classic tune

 

 

transformation...

outside of my classroom, i have watched a couple of chrysalis dangling from the ceiling for the past several weeks. each day as i would walk by, i'd glance up to see if anything new was going on.

then one day last week when i looked up, i saw a new butterfly delicately dangling from above. i stood for a moment to watch and as i did, she gracefully took her first flight and flew down past me. feeling a little bit awed and very much honored to witness this winged ones first flight out into the world. this teeny moment, which happened so quickly has stayed with me since. to witness a glimpse of transformation such as this in our lives - it holds so much power.

i feel so fortunate to witness several of my friends finding their wings lately and truly taking flight. to you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and so many more of you - your journeys and your flights are inspiring to witness.

sharing inspiration...

this weekend, as i worked on a couple new paintings, i listened to (and found) a couple things that were truly inspiring and wanted to share with you.

a vibrant artist whose work i just love

a lovely gypsy and inspring interview

these beautiful quotes and images about a place that has always held my heart

seriously crushin' on these new tunes

taking this message to heart

a talented painter i recently found and loved ~ especially this one (had to buy a print the moment i saw it)

an interesting one on the science of smiling

a wonderful post to pause on and watch

and to those who serve (or served), a heartfelt thank you for what you and your families so bravely sacrifice and give

powerful words...

each of these lovely ones wrote such powerful words this week. they spoke of stepping into our truths, navigating our ways down our creative paths, claiming our radiance, and fostering up all of the courage it takes to do just that. i was inspired by each of their words and thought i would share.

words on dreaming, on navigating obstacles and fears, on claiming your humble and well-deserved radiance

and this beautiful poem from this wonderful artist

Close your eyes
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark.
That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of its weight of festered fear.

from "For Courage" by John O'Donohue

and of course, along the journey there must be music ~ beautiful music to keep us moving

may day...

a beautiful may day, sunny and bright, full of color, full of friendship and conversation, full of hope. we walked through the market taking in all of the colors, the foods, and the vibrancy that blooms bright this time of year.

(in celebration of spring, a coupon for the little shop 10% off all photos, simply use SPGPHOTO as the code)