“Reality is what you believe it to be.
It’s what you put your thought and energy into,
because your hands physically manifest thought.
So your world becomes what you feel and what you think.”
– Jewel
Thought for Today
Studio Envy and Being Content
I am blessed to have an in-home art studio. An actual room — with a double window — at the end of the hall — where all my cool art stuff lives — and I (sometimes) actually work, and … it has a door! That door can be closed when the room is a mess. What more could an artist ask for? Well a view of the lake would be nice. And I do get studio envy when I see photos of gorgeous studios that look like they were actually planned, with lots of shelves and cabinet space and a professional photo set up and a custom made work table, and of course all kinds of machines and gadgets. And studios with lots of natural light and a beautiful view? Well that is when I start to drool.
Yes, I am human. I do sometimes want more than I have. Then I think about all the strings that come attached to the stuff we accumulate in this world. Like debt, worry and clutter when we realize we really didn’t need or don’t use all the “stuff.”
So I am happy with my little studio. After all, we live at the lake and if I want to work lakeside I can. It involves packing stuff up and walking about 2 blocks to the lake, but there is a picnic table down there — and a bench — not to mention a view that many people would love to have. Then I realize that there are people who are actually jealous of my little life at the lake and I realize how blessed I am.
After all, being an artist isn’t about what your studio looks like, or even if you have one. It isn’t about having all the latest and most expensive tools, supplies and gadgets. It also isn’t about being rich and famous or people gushing about what a great job you have. The people here where I live (my neighbors) are totally unimpressed. 🙂 Being an artist is about being in touch with and expressing the creative nature of God. And that is a very cool thing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Talk to me! What’s one very cool thing about your life you wouldn’t trade for anything? Please think about this — we all have one. Post your responses in the comments below.
Thank-You Notes
We all love to receive thank-you notes, don’t we? An unexpected kind word or recognition of a job well done can really brighten someone’s day.
That is why during these last few days before the public inauguration of a new president I am asking that those of you who are U.S. citizens and think President and Mrs. Obama have served our country well tell them that. Please also consider doing this for Vice President Biden.
I have been reflecting on how difficult the past 8 years have been for our President and First Lady who have served our country with dignity, wisdom, grace and class through trying times as well as good times. It saddens me to see racism rearing its ugly head with a vengeance trying to erase the good that both President and Mrs. Obama have done.
I sent an email this morning to both the President and Mrs. Obama. It’s easy. Just go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact and select who you want to address your message to from the pull down menu under message type. Then simply complete the form and write your message. Give it a read over and hit send. Simple as that.
Don’t let the President and First Lady who have served us well during these difficult times leave in a tirade of hateful rhetoric without knowing that many of us do love them and appreciate them. Please join me in sending a thank-you note.
Thought for Today
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thought for Today
Thought for Today
“Let us move into the New Year with a great sense of the thrill of living.”
–Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author and pastor
National Soup Month
Copyright 2014 by R.A. Robbins
January is National Soup Month. This is great for those of us who are trying to eat healthier this year, especially those of us who live where January is typically cold and snowy.
Soup is a good way to start on the path to healthier eating. But remember not all soups are created equal. Some are healthier than others. I believe the healthiest way to be sure I am eating a healthy soup is to make it myself. That way I know exactly what is going in the pot and don’t have to worry about something not so good for me slipping by me.
So what are a few ingredients I want to include to make my soup healthier?
Start with a low sodium broth — check the label or make your own. Don’t forget vegetable broth. You can also use water.
Add lots of veggies. Try to include some dark green leafy veggies such as broccoli, spinach or kale. An easy way to include veggies is to use a bag of a frozen blend such as a California blend or stir fry vegetables. And don’t forget cabbage soup — just don’t overcook the cabbage.
Add whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat groats or barley (barley is not gluten free).
Add beans and lentils for extra fiber.
Make cream soups without cream by adding some pureed pumpkin, squash or carrots.
Watch the garnishes. Try to slow down on the croutons, sour cream and cheese or replace them with healthier options.
Spice it up. Herbs and spices are always a good way to add flavor to anything. If you use packaged blends be sure to read the label for added sugar, salt, gluten, etc.
Start on your path to a healthier way of like with a bowl of nice hot, healthy soup for an easy way to work in those much needed vegetables.
Thought for Today
“Never surrender your hopes and dreams to the fateful limitations others have placed on their own lives. The vision of your true destiny does not reside within the blinkered outlook of the naysayers and the doom prophets. Judge not by their words, but accept advice based on the evidence of actual results. Do not be surprised should you find a complete absence of anything mystical or miraculous in the manifested reality of those who are so eager to advise you. Friends and family who suffer the lack of abundance, joy, love, fulfillment and prosperity in their own lives really have no business imposing their self-limiting beliefs on your reality experience.”
― Anthon St. Maarten
Thought for Today
Copyright 2016 by R.A. Robbins
“Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen Hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.”
― Mary Anne Radmacher
Standing
Sometimes in the very early morning hours I find myself lying in bed silently thinking, writing or being taught. I’ve had entire written or artistic works come to me during these times, but then I have to get up and actually create them in reality before the thought or idea slips away. This morning I woke up thinking about a current artwork I’ve been working on called “Unraveled.” This art work was started during the Presidential campaign and continued in the aftermath as I watched what has appeared to be the foundations of American life — democracy, freedom and even civility coming totally unraveled.
Then I started hearing the music of my Baptist upbringing — the grand old hymns and gospel songs, sung by people who sang with great gusto, proclaiming their faith and not worrying about their singing not being good enough. One by one they played in my mind — …I’m standing on the promises of God, …,How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is prepared for your faith in his excellent word…, On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand…, Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. Even a newer song by the late Dottie Rambo creeped in there — I go to the rock of my salvation I go to the stone that the builders rejected I go to the mountain and the mountain stand by me…
Noticing a theme here? These wonderful hymns and gospel songs all talk about standing and hiding in God, that firm foundation we can count on when the world seems to be falling apart. Growing up Baptist, I believed that each person has direct access to God through Jesus, the Christ, and I still believe that. When I pray and when I meditate there is a complete oneness with God that is beyond explanation. Teachings and prayers from others are important in the lives of the faithful, but no one can keep us from the pure joy and comfort of connection to Spirit.
The world may be falling down all around us but that solid rock, that firm foundation, still stands, hiding and comforting us and helping us to stand strong in our faith. We may be called to take action in the days ahead, but first we must stand in the light, love and protection of God. And so it is.
Now let’s all stand and join in singing the closing hymn.
espirational.com 