Rasberrycreek

Crw_4785

The Journal from the Heart workshop here at the River House Studio, was a wonderful success. The theme for our workshop was Harvest: Balancing Light and Dark. Mabon
is the time of the second harvest. During this time of equal darkness
and light, we harvest crops and prepare for winter. It is a time of
giving thanks for all we have received and gratitude for that we
already have. It is a time of balance,  and reflection and preparing
ourselves for the winter’s shorter days and longer nights.The studio was a bit crowded, but the women rolled with it and were patient and encouraging about hosting more workshops here.

We began the workshop in the brisk morning air, weaving our hearts together, gathered around Open Heart, a sculpture created for me by glass artist Shannon Muse.
With the sounds of the geese as they flew overhead and gently flowing river taking us into a
relaxed and creative space, we began with a guided meditation and
silent walk, to reflect and set our intentions for the day. Thank you so much
Shannon for creating such a magnificent piece to bless our day.

Openheartcopy_2

Makingpages

Colorwash

Aspens

Since taking my hiatus from teaching to write the book, I have
missed teaching. It has been over a year since my last
class and it was truly amazing to take a moment and reflect on the last
year of my life. Last fall, I was just beginning the process of writing
Creative Awakenings. In many ways I was still wrestling with my fear
and uncertainty about creating a book readers would enjoy. It was
incredibly synchronistic-there are no accidents-that as I began to
organize for the workshop, the final book draft arrived for my review!
This copy had everything in place for the first time. All the photos,
the contributing artist stories and the techniques. I called my editor
and told her I was squealing because I could not sit down and read it,
as I had a full day of clients. Talk about HARVEST! To see the
manifestation of this long held dream, was truly my bountiful fall 2008
harvest.

Contribute: Take some time this week to
reflect on your own harvest. What have you planted in the soil of your
life in the last year that is just now being harvested?

 

5 Responses

  1. The ongoing, constant process of nurturing the seeds of a dream bit by bit, drop by drop, can be exhausting. But if I listen to that little voice inside, I can always hear its message. Wheher a whisper or a shout, it continues to say, “Yes, you have found your right path, your true north. Have faith.” And keeping the faith, the path does indeed unfold before me. And the harvest, however small, is always sweet, and it nurtures my spirit until the next harvest.
    Thanks Sheri

  2. Sheri, thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures of autumn in the Colorado mountains! When reading your post I immediately wanted to step inside the first one and join all the feisty females in such an inspiring setting. I hope you find the final pages of your book to be a harvest well worth the wait!

  3. Hi Jessica,
    How great to find you here! I have thought of our time together at F&W often. You were so helpful-as was everyone-and kind!
    I remember you said you loved Colorado. I am thinking next year we might just create something VERY cool around here this time of year.
    We would love to have a few of the Feisty women from F&W visit!
    Hugs and thanks for helping to make this book everything I hoped for!
    Sheri

  4. hi there! Thanks for the comment:) Your blog is great – I so wish i could go to a workshop like the one in your post (someday!) I keep telling myself I am NOT going to click on any new blog links, but I just can’t stop myself-there’s just so many inspiring people/blogs online!! I do believe it has helped me to keep taking those small steps towards improvement (I never received such wonderful encouragement until I started blogging) well, I must go, I am working on my art journal (and I am NOT going to tear the pages out anymore if I don’t like how they turn out) have a great week and I hope to chat with you again!