Birthday Blessings

Happy Birthday to Me! I started the day a bit sad so decided to spend some time investing in myself… which includes seeing the value in what I have to offer and hence, actually increasing prices in my shop a bit. In doing so, I’ve been uplifted by the art that has flowed through me in the past few years. 🙂 And now, I’m feeling grateful for the beauty, wonder, and inspiration that mysteriously dance with me through the creative process! I’m going ‘offline’ for the rest of the day so I want to thank everyone for birthday greetings now. And to those dear few of you that have helped me see my own beauty and blessings reflected in your loving support and encouragement, thank you for tending the small flames, my heartlight, when I’ve needed help to keep the spark alive. I realize how very rare (at least in my life) it is to be deeply seen and accepted. I am so grateful to have a few magical mirrors (sweet, sweet souls!) that cheer me on and I am forever grateful for my angel momma who gave me the gift of unconditional love – I am learning to see and love myself the way she did since she died. I am learning to be my own beloved and celebrate the treasure within. I am learning to shed obligatory surface interactions (quantity) and nurture more intimate connections (quality). I am glad I’ve made it ‘over the hill’ and have a broader, beautiful view now. I’m glad I’ve learned to play with my shadows and find solitude a sanctuary. I’m glad that I’ve learned to see beauty even in darkness. I’m grateful for the time and space to get to know myself instead of the culture and media’s suggestions of who/what I should be. I’m grateful to have recently realized that my big appetite is actually okay and not something to be hidden or denied… that I have a healthy hunger for life, love, exploration, wonder, beauty, communion, etc… that I don’t want to be a ‘small’ woman with a little appetite… that it’s okay to be seen and to want to be seen, deeply and genuinely, as my messy, clutterful, wonder-filled, sensitive, silly, sweet self… that I love to give and want to have the financial ability to do so in a variety of ways… that I want to be both full and free and let big, bountiful, beautiful blessings flow to and through me.

That is my long winter shadow after walking up hill. 😉 I survived 40. Though I often see it, I am not afraid of my shadow (having been born on groundhog’s day, I was often asked about it!). I’ve recently learned that my birthday also often falls on a different holiday, Imbolc (seems to vary from Feb 1 to 2). According to wikipedia, “Imbolc was the feis or festival marking the beginning of spring, during which great feasts were held. The holiday was a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring… Fire and purification were an important part of the festival. The lighting of candles and fires represented the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months. A spring cleaning was also customary.” It is the beginning of the ‘light half of the year.’ So, today, I’m cleaning out old thoughts, expectations, and shadows that I no longer wish to carry (including anxiety, hesitation, doubts about external criticisms, and my own inner criticisms, denial, hiding, and belittling). I’m celebrating warmth, lighting candles, and tending my inner fire. And I’m grateful, as always, for all those that fan the flames!

“The Sun Also Rises” Original, Art Prints, Mugs & Totes Available in Gift Shop

If you’d like to explore with me, I offer you the gift of ‘The Present’ – an online retreat of sorts that I put together and host. I’ve learned that one of my ‘love languages’ is apparently gifts… I often look for excuses to give gifts to people and wish I could afford to do more! You can use coupon code ‘giftofnow’ to participate for free this month (February 2017).

If you’d like to see what I’ve been pouring my heart into, I’ve added a little online art show/gallery to the site this week (still in progress).

If you’d like to invest in me and select a gift for yourself or someone you appreciate at the same time, I’ve added more art that can be printed on practical items like cups and tote bags to the shop. These make great unique gifts for so many occasions, including birthdays, friendship, gratitude, get well, sympathy, hostesses, moms, teachers & ourselves! Or if you value what I share online, yet don’t want to have any more stuff, aren’t interested in the online courses, playdates, and retreats, and still want to contribute something, then you can send a little love through paypal.

If you’d simply like to nurture intimacy with me, you can leave a comment below to share your thoughts.

If you’re not interested in anything I have to offer and don’t find value here, then please do not feel obligated! I’ve been thinking a lot today about what makes us feel ‘obligated’ to do something versus genuinely ‘wanting’ to do something, including wish someone a happy birthday, listen to someone, visit, buy gifts, be ‘friends’ on social media, etc. If we’re not on the same wavelength, let it be. I wish you farewell and all the best riding your wave. 😉

If you’ve taken the time to read this, thank you… thank you for listening, thank you for caring, thank you for sharing a bit of your sacred time with me, thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing to continue being in my life, thank you for seeing me, thank you for the gift of your time, attention, energy and connection… the gift of you. ♡

May we thrive in harmony!

Julia/Jules

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