Mental Health Mantra 78/365 and Dog Mantra Meet Hugo, he's 3 and featuring for Day 78 of 365 Mental Health Mantras. He's a truly loyal member of the family and as Philippa tells me, it doesn't matter if he's completely tired out, if you call him or get out his lead, he always gets up and goes with you, he loves hugs and being with the people he loves. Hugo is a prime example of being spontaneous despite feeling tired, but always 'up' for an adventure, as long as you're going too, he is totally delighted. Sometimes I feel I have lost site of this spontaneity but spending time drawing and painting Hugo has given me some oomph and inspiration. Keep shining Star Seeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
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Mental Health Mantra 77/365 and Dog Mantra This is Maia who is Day 77 of 365 who lives in America. Maia is a Blue Tick Coonhound mix - Possibly Plott Hound, Cristen tells me. She recently turned 5. Cristen tells me "the ironic thing is, she would rarely come near me when I would visit them in their first 8 weeks. Now? She won’t leave me alone. She is also the most vocal dog I have ever experienced. It goes beyond barking. She also talks back when she’s being disciplined. This past week I learned how in tune she is with my emotions and changes in mood. She’s always been that way, but I saw it differently in this specific instance. She will do whatever she can to get as close as possible to me and grab at my arm to distract. She will go as far as climbing on me to sit or lay on my chest. If I can’t handle her doing that, she will lay as close as possible and lay her paw on me. When it comes to other people, she is very reserved and shy." I would love to meet Maia, she sounds like a real character, plus I would love to meet Cristen as we have been kindreds for about 9 years now. The photo that was sent to me for Maia's Dog Mantra, captured something in her eyes, the way she looked in the lens, and her dog mantra matched it completely. Keep making your presence known folks. Keep shining. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 76/365 and Dog Mantra It is Luna's birthday today, she's 8 years old. I remember the day so very clearly, her coming to join us at 8 weeks old, it was 6 months after Jack Lucy had passed, we had opened our home to a stray cat called Pudding who was the heartbeat we had missed in the house - cat mantra month is coming ;) Luna is an absolute sweetie pie. The most tactile and huggiest dog I have ever blessed to have been with. She has many names; the first one was Parrot Dog, because she would wrap herself around our neck like a scarf and perch on our shoulder, and fall madly asleep. Her names keep coming, she's now called The Boones, because of course of her niece who's called The Buns. The Boones and The Buns has a cute little song that goes with it / if you remember I talked about Singing your tunes every Day in this dog mantra here Luna is never far away from me. She is my constant companion. Always near. As I sit in my studio working, painting, talking, she's there in the grey wicker chair. I hear her breathing, snoring and dreaming. Every now and then she'll get up, tap my knees to ask to come, have a hug then settle back down. She is by my side always. Luna is not just physically by my side always, she is there emotionally and spiritually. We are there for each other. It is a beautiful friendship. People often say they would love to have a dog but can't cope with losing them. I can't cope with not having them next to me as I travel this earth school. It is a heartbreaking when they leave, as they don't live the same years as us, yet, the connection is what my soul desires. It's non negotiable. By my side always. *** The painting bit I messed up the background here as the ink I chose to do it was a lovely green colour but only on applying, (I hadn't used it before) I discovered there were yukky bits in it - the pigment had gone all hard and crackly inside. It ruined the background paper, so I cut out Luna and placed her on a new background, so she appears to be slightly raised here - and she is. Keep shining Star Seeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 75/365 and Dog Mantra This is Wizard. A Sharpei. Deeply Selfless Deeply Loving. A simple soul Yet holds infinite wisdom. He dishes out the kisses to everyone and this is his mantra. Don't hold back, Dish out the Kisses. **** Expanding my practice and connecting to these souls is giving me a daily focus and go-to. It's not the tidiest of practices as my table gets very messy with pens, ink, pencils, papers, containers are all over it. Yet I love being in this zone. I always have. Julia aged 8 with a table awash with pens of all varieties and colours. Using a variety of media is freeing. Having no rules. Thank you Wizard for encouraging me to being out the HB pencil to add more contours to your fur. Keep trusting your inner knowing Star Seeds. By now you know that to do that you have to get quiet and go within. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.' process photosmessy studio tableMental Health Mantra 69/365 and Dog Mantra Meet Puncho, he's 3 years old, a French Bulldog from Canada. Puncho saves lives by being there by being present by encouraging whomever is in his charge by going outside in nature. Puncho his eyes say it all they say love they say knowing they say wisdom. Being with Puncho even for such a short time, can have a huge impact. On day 69 of my Mental Health Mantras and featuring Dog Mantras for March, I am soaking up hearing about all the heart centred tales ( tails ) of these sentient beings. I have been very fortunate to have lived my 52 years with 6 dogs. They not only educate us about The Way of the Dog, they educate us about The Way of the Human. For anyone who has had a beautiful relationship with their dog friend, they will know. It's priceless. Despite all that is going on externally around you, know that you are loved. Be centred in your truth and knowing. Keep shining Star Seeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 67/365 and Dog Mantra For Day 68 of 365, meet Bailey who is a Golden Retriever and nearly 2 years old living in America. I was captured by Bailey's photograph on his Mama, Alia's stories. I drew Alia's Muse in 2013 so it is lovely how full circle this comes round. She was one of the original 76 women who featured in Muse Mantra Colour Meditations / a colouring book I created from drawing the 76 women in an online self development group. This time, it's Bailey's turn. Bailey popped into Alia's life only a few weeks before her son was diagnosed with cancer. The first six months of Bailey’s life were pretty lonely, as they were navigating the treatment. Bailey became extremely close with Alia's son and helped him through his difficult times. Now they are both happy, healthy and vibrant! Bailey's Dog Mantra is definitely to Live the Most of Every Day. Live with Joy. Embrace the wisdom of nature. His favourite place is on a nature trail. Bailey reminds us to live each day as if it’s our first and our last, with fresh eyes and wisdom. Drawing Bailey I tapped into this essence and his knowingness, he really is a wise being and his spontaneity is clear to see. It is a reminder for me to find the joy around me and live that joy, even if small snapshots. The joy of turning up to a table full of paints and colours, brushes and paper, is a daily joy. Find the Joy Live the Joy. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 68/365 and Dog Mantra This is Maya, she's a Golden Doodle and lives in Canada. She's sharing her Dog Mantra for Day 68 of 365 Mental Health Mantras. Her Mom, Gabriella, told me that Maya is goofy, but lives and protects wholeheartedly. I love this Dog Mantra because this is what Dogs Do...... all they want to do is LOVE us. Committing to this daily practice of not only drawing and painting every day, then writing a journal entry, following that with posting and sharing, is like Soul Food for me, despite all that is going on in my life right now, this is a snapshot of what is possible and helps me take steps forward into the future version of myself. It gives me the space to view a future me and feel my way through it, whilst taking small baby steps of action. Thank you Maya for your beautiful face and kindness. I loved capturing your essence. Thank you Gabriella for giving me the green light to paint her. Keep loving and shining. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 63/365 and Dog Mantra This is Kao. He is the love of Linda's life, her soul dog. He emits love from every pore/paw. They found each other almost 14 years ago. Her friend had his father, Zeek, a loyal, loving and gentle dog - he was the first pick of the litter. Kao has been by Linda's side since that puppy pic, through breakups, moves and her Parents death. He loved her even when she had trouble loving herself. He listens intently and knows what she is saying, even when she says nothing. He snores and farts regularly, always waits to be invited up to the sofa and will grunt at her until she says yes. He loves running but sometimes doesn't know how to stop. He wiggles with abandon and will show his toys to anyone who comes to visit. Kao is Linda's love. Her Soul Dog. and even though she hasn't gone to the bathroom by herself in 14 years, she would not change a thing. Kao's Dog Mantra is "I know you are worthy." To remind us all that we are worthy. Right now. Right here. I adored painting Kao, he has such a wise knowing that was nudging me forward - I could feel my inner critic come in and tell me what I was doing wrong, trying to steer me in certain directions. I told Inner Critic to PIPE DOWN. I continued with my hypnotic painting of Kao and feel honoured to have spent this time with him. Keep feeling worthy Star Seeds. Listen to Kao. Check out Linda's two books featuring Kao; George and Mildred Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.
Mental Health Mantra 59/365 28 days later. 28 Flower Mantras. The variety of flowers and their mantras have got me through this month and all that it has delivered. I could carry on and paint more flowers - who knows I may very well return, there are another many more days here, but for now I will move on to March with a new feature. This gives me the opportunity to develop and to challenge my hand/eye/brain connection. The mantra that came forth this morning is Sat Nam. "Sat Nam is the mantra repeated at the end of a kundalini yoga practice to end the session, it also can be repeated during meditation. I find it very reassuring and soothing these days. Sat Nam, is one the most commonly used mantras in Kundalini Yoga, in the ancient Sikh language called Gurmukhi, Sat means truth. Nam means name. Together, Sat Nam essentially translates into something deeper: “I am truth,” or “Truth is my essence.” Sat Nam is like a seed that begins to germinate inside of you. The vibration of a mantra shifts us on an atomic level (ref Kundalini 101)." I am called to commit to this practice more and more, to translate the feelings I have and the healing I am doing as I move through this next phase of moving out and moving on. This morning, upon waking early, I sat with the colours and the water. This was such a hypnotic piece, first with the paint and once dried, I came back to spend snapshots of time to add elements with pen. It feels a good place to end for February. The flowers have been very different and although I continue on my Bach Flower course, I can always return to paint more flowers. Thank you for joining me here / I hope so far these Mental Health Mantras are supporting you as they are me. Day 60 tomorrow / Onwards to Month 3. Keep shining Star Seeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 58/365 This felt right today. Let it Be. As a Liverpool girl, this phrase has meant so much in my life. "Just let it be will ya." Paul was on to something, he shared in his Carpool Karaoke with James Corden as he was being driven round Liverpool, that his Mum who had died when he was young, had visited him in a dream. She was reassuring him, saying 'it's going to be ok, just let it be.' He woke up and remembered those words and it inspired him to write the lyrics and song Let it Be, inspired by her positivity. I feel this today. I can relate to Paul. I feel Mum close, whispering words of wisdom in my ear saying 'let it be.' I am going to Let it Be. Let it all Be. Love x Day 58 of 365 just 1 Flower Mantra left - what will March be? Let it Be When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom Let it be And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom Let it be And when the broken-hearted people Living in the world agree There will be an answer Let it be For though they may be parted there is Still a chance that they will see There will be an answer Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Yeah, there will be an answer Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom Let it be And when the night is cloudy There is still a light that shines on me Shine until tomorrow Let it be I wake up to the sound of music Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be There will be an answer Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be There will be an answer Let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be Whisper words of wisdom Let it be 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 56/365 I had an energising morning on the first day of the Level 1 Bach Flower Remedies course. Revisiting flowers, it seems that I brought in the flower course during February as I immersed myself in painting flowers, which got me thinking about the Law of Vibration and Frequency. I learnt some interesting things about Dr Edward Bach this morning, and want to study more about this very exceptional man of the early 20th century, up against the rise of the pharmaceuticals. So now to the flower mantra for today. I decided to paint Mimulus. I do not profess to being a botanical artist and I need to study this much more - I'm not that precise. Yet it felt lovely to focus on this bonny yellow flower and explore the emotional connection. The purpose of the flower remedies is to support our own dis-ease. Dr Bach felt that our emotions impeded our physical healing and vice versa. The main premise is that they can be used in preventative ways for many of us and Mimulus is a great example because this flower remedy helps to transform any negative emotion into a positive one, stimulating self healing. However we don't have to be physically ill to benefit. Mimulus can very much assist us at this moment in time. A fear of known things, of known causes, such as illness, death, a loss of job, friends, pain etc..... It counterbalances these fears by providing courage. I do love that with such a simple and gentle flower remedy we can be more aware of our own feelings and emotions, it encourages us to be reflective and contemplate what is going on in our own lives and the lives of our families and communities, including our pets and natural environment. I am looking forward to learning more and exploring the 38 Bach Flower Remedies. If any of this resonates with you, Mimulus may be calling you. Keep connecting to your intuition Star Seeds : ) Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 54/365 I opted for a different way today. This time putting down and drawing first the flowers and bottles, then going back in to fill with watercolour paint, pencils and pens. Pretty much anything that is around me. It got me thinking about Neville Goddard's book Feeling is the Secret, which I have been re-reading and studying again. He talks about how sensation precedes manifestation and is the foundation upon which all manifestation rests. As he writes "think feelingly only of the state you desire to realise. Feeling the reality of the state sought, and living and acting on that conviction is the way ....... " This book is an eye opener, if you haven't already read it, you can read/listen to it here. We're talking quantum physics. It felt well matched with this Mental Health Mantra, because stepping into the feeling of spring, of feeling like spring, of spring flowers, is a place where I'll reside, despite all the things coming up for me and needing to be 'done.' There are more huge life changes along the path in the next few months, and I have to step into the feelings of what it is I actually desire. And Reside There. Stay Tuned In Starseeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 53/365 I am pleased as punch that I am on Day 53. Now, I wake up and after making a cuppa, I settle at my studio table, it's waiting for me. In the quiet start of the day, I fill up fresh water in my two glasses. The solitude guides me ... what flower today? I then remember the photograph of the small pansies I took round the corner starting to show through the earth. It feels fitting that they are the flowers today for this flower mantra because.... Later on....my friend Melody Salad who has been right there by my side this past year, I am so grateful to be surrounded by friendships in my 100 acre wood, those that virtually sit round my table to eat cake and drink tea. Think of Winnie the Pooh and all his table mates - it's pretty much that. They are far flung and spread all over this earth. We chatted today about entering a new phase of moving, bringing this 18 month circle to a close. Melody Salad, like a gentle reminder calmly says to me: "Choose the path of least resistance Julia" She was spot on. I choose the path of least resistance. It felt so fitting to be paired with the pansies as they choose the path of least resistance to emerge into spring. A great mantra to keep close to my heart today (and tomorrow) as I navigate this ship. Maybe you too? Keep shining star seeds, know your intuitive thoughts are always there. Love x PS Thank you Melody Salad x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 52/365 This is what hypnotic painting is becoming for me, finding new layers of meaning behind the water colour magic. I had spent an hour or so simply enjoying the colour and the ways the water was moving over the paper. It felt good to just be there. Here we are on day 52, of 365, that's 52 days of consistency, with considering what is going on right now, I am really pleased with myself that I have got here and delighted to be writing these journal entries here, on my website. I found myself cutting and creating this collaged flower from a water colour page. It feels really cool to have created this different flower, with many layers. Right there and then, the mantra appeared as I was simply just playing with it all. Know there are always many layers. It's not meant to be cryptic, just really tells us that what you see is never really what is happening. All those phrases you have heard 'don't judge a book by the cover.' 'what you see is not what you get.' This felt really spot on for me.... know there are always many layers. There is always something to peel back, in my own personality, personal learning and professional learning. There is always something to peel back with others. The layers are their layers. What rings true right now is on social media, on main stream media, it's not what it seems. There are always many layers. We don't know the story and we can't figure that out without connection. Keep sparkling and shining starseeds, you're doing this. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 49/365 This particular mantra has appeared in my life, many times, when I felt stuck. Today suddenly these words appeared. I find that as a mantra appears, I will get to know it in more details, I'll start by writing it out 25 times in my mantra journal, I'll repeat it in meditation, sometimes I will write out the words and colour them in. This colouring meditation can help to soothe what is currently challenging. Today whilst dealing with a specific situation that was making me apprehensive about the outcome, and worrying. I found myself sat at my studio table, using colour and water, making these circles above, watching the water and colour merge, it was very relaxing. After letting it dry thoroughly, I returned to the desk to find a wonderful sample of circles, just calling out for flowers and petals. Here's the bit I also enjoy, taking the black uni-pen and marking out, adding in white, coloured gel pens, it was methodical and calming, again I keep using the word, hypnotic. Trance-like. It is here as a reminder - This too shall pass. Every moment passes into the next moment. Whatever I am feeling in this moment, passes. A reminder to release. The situations are still there, the worry and the apprehension Yet this is a tool for moving it through me. Keep shining star seeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 48/365 Tune in to Tune out.... ..... something I have done for a long, long, while. Turning everything off, stepping away from the external noise. Tuning in, going inside. Turning off what's creating too much static, that keep the radio waves clogged. In the tuning out, I began tune in. Now I know that I can Tune In, which in turn, Tunes out that which doesn't support me. It's a great Mantra to remember. Tune in to Tune out..... .....sometimes though we have to Tune out to Tune in. Either way, it's a great one for repetition today/ and the next and the next! These flowers are really meditative and hypnotic - I am really loving the process of sitting down and getting into the magic of Colour, Water and Brush. The flowing ink here is mesmerising. I may keep repeating myself, but that's what a journal is all about. To go back and check what is being repeated because these are the soul messages. Keep shining sunshine, connect to your gut instinct. Love x Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 46/365 I have been sitting with this all mantra all day today. The sun shone, it was cold, but I sat on the bench immersed in a chink of sunlight, catching it just moving slowly behind the tree. In this sad situation I find myself in on this 46th day of the year, I sit down to let my tears flow into the water, colour and flower. I didn't know what would appear. Yet I knew I wanted PINK. Carmine is this watercolour ink by Winsor Newton - I am at the bottom of the bottle and had to add more water to the colour - it still held a beautiful pigment. This pink is where I can fall into. It is the contrast. Somehow I dig deep to find some more strength to see me through. The things that keep me going right now:-
Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 44/365 There is so much happening right now. All I can do is grab snapshot of time to immerse myself in flower, colour, water and brush. These are 'whatever comes forward flowers' they are helping me navigate this time. Sleep is still what is needed. And a bunch of daffodils Also to stand back and observe, from the eagle eye's point of view. Trust my instinct and intuition. Know that everyone does what they need to do. Keep shining starseeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 42/365 If there's one thing that I try to do it is take one step at a time and not pro-ject into the future. It's a daily thing, I have to remind myself and reel myself back in, if I feel that I'm doing 'down that road.' ((picture a fishing line reeling back in, that's me.)) There are things coming up in the next few months that tempt me to fall into old ways of worrying about outcomes, worrying about the possibilities, I have to really tune out to tune in, it's like learning scales on a piano. Because, my job .... is to focus upon staying steady.... taking one step at a time one room at a time one cupboard at a time one item at a time one box at a time one form at a time one phone call at a time one email at a time one decision at a time Remembering to Stay Steady and remind myself of this mantra helps me - brings me back into that present moment. I am a work in progress, evolving and moving, shifting and changing, getting clear and becoming focused, H E A L I N G. Keep shining sunbeams, and remember your own intuition knows. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 41/365 It is now becoming a practice to sit and play with colour and water first thing, soon after I wake early, after sorting the dogs and making tea for both of us, I head to my studio table, filling two new glasses full of water and sit down. There is something methodical and ritualistic about this - it helps my day. Today it was a bunch of flowers. I took inspiration from my A2 vision book, I check over there and see what is resonating. Through these 10 days of focusing on flowers, I have been thinking alot about the vibe flowers have. Each flower has a distinct energy of its own .... it has got me revisiting Bach Flower Remedies, something I was introduced to 32 years ago as I was navigating ill health and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Turning to the flower remedies can support our emotions - I have always tapped into them, you may be familiar with Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, made up of 6 flowers that can be used in emergency situations to calm nervous/ anxious times and in 'emergencies.' I really adore how they work and as I painted, I pondered. Since I began painting flowers on 1st February, a Bach Flower Level 1 course literally dropped into my inbox unexpectedly with an old mentor, I begin on Feb 25th. Really excited to learn more about how flower remedies can help soothe emotional systems. It works in tandem with our nervous system. I was going to call this Mental Health Mantra ..... Flowers Rock. Well, because they do. Who doesn't feel cheered by seeing flowers and we need cheering these days. Tune into the Flower Vibe and my very lovely friend Carolyn Flower is testimony to the gorgeous Power of Flowers. Happy New Moon Peeps, keep shining and raising your frequency. Stay centred and grounded, stand in your truth. Love x If you're interested in flower remedies, check out the Bach Flower Centre 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.' PIP (painting in progress). |