Of Journals, Lists and Doodles

Yes. I have a journal. I know...I have a blog so it may seem a little silly to have a journal, too. There is something so deliciously tactile about putting pen or pencil to paper. Maybe it's the artist in me. Maybe it's my love of lists (list love?). Making lists, mind you, not having them handed to me!

My journal is another place where I go to take a deep breath of inspiration, jot down an idea, doodle or even scribble about a hidden hurt. Some thoughts are random while others are cohesive and threaded together in a stream of words that come pouring out in moments of creativity or clarity.




The very first page is my "title page" where I wrote - Inspirations, Dreams, Creative Bents & Other Things. I don't write in it every single day but I keep it close at hand, ready for me to scribble away. It comes in handy on days when I have so many things flying around my head that I need a way to keep them straight. Out comes the journal and pen and suddenly I can think straight again...or straight-ish, anyway.

Putting pen to paper - even in a world of blogging, texting, and tweeting - is still a wonderful thing!

Inspiration and Breathing

I once looked up the definition of inspiration and, interestingly, one of the definitions was "the drawing of air into the lungs". As soon as I read that I stopped. I drew in a deep, deep breath.... and slowly released it.

I felt reinvigorated and somehow, at the same time, more peaceful. It's amazing what a truly deep breath will do for you isn't it?

The last few weeks in the wake of the Hubby's shoulder surgery I've found it difficult to find, not only time, but energy and inspiration to dive back in to my painting and creating. This is a big prob for me, y'all! My art is my business and, more importantly, a vital part of who I am and a great way for me to unwind. I missed it greatly and was searching for that inner spark and inspiration for my next creative projects.

Then it hit me. I needed a deep breath.

So I paused and breathed deep of my favorite inspirations that I'm surrounded by~

• the smiles and laughs of my family
• spending time chatting with the Hubs...he is my best friend, after all!
• praying for those I love and even a few I don't! ;)
• reading
• music and singing
• grabbing my camera and trying new things
• books, mags, blogs, websites that make me wanna grab a paintbrush
• raising my head from the task at hand to notice the beauty in my world
• writing messages on my little chalkboard in the kitchen
• I tried to do something creative everyday...take a photo, blog, bake something special, doodle or draw, research a new technique...something!

What do you take a deep breath of when you need to refresh and recharge?