Success

" Life doesn't require that we be the best, only that we try our best"

- H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

There are many books, quotes, television shows, you name it- it's out there to advise you on what success is and how to obtain it. However, if you stop to think about it...what is success and what does it mean to YOU? I mean true success for you - measured by you and enjoyed by you. 

We can rarely be the perfection that society advises us to become, after all we are only human. And at the end of the day, week, year, or life we are the ultimate deciders on whether or not we succeeded- you are the ultimate judge. So don't set yourself up for 'failure' by attempting to reach society's goals for you, set yourself up to succeed by attempting to reach your goals for you... 

Cause and Effect

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."

 - Perciles

 

In my experience all humans want to know that they've made a difference in the lives of those around them. It brings a kind of satisfaction and fulfillment to our life reflections. I thought this quote exemplified this sentiment perfectly.

What makes a difference in the lives of those around us are our actions, our thoughts, and our words to each other...as well as to ourselves. Kindness to yourself, in turn radiates out into the world, affecting the lives of others...and the effect of this act is amplified by kindness shown to others, ultimately making a difference in the world.

We all make a difference, no matter how small...we are all connected on this planet, let the kindness flow.. 

Who's your Safety Pin?

"Thanks for being my safety pin.

The best of friends through thick and through thin.

For holding me together,

when I felt things just wouldn't get better.

For the laughter, smiles, and tears.

For sharing my hopes and my fears.

Thanks for being my safety pin.

The best of friends through thick and through thin."

This bracelet and earring set were made as a thank you gift for a very dear friend. It's meant as a reminder that although we live far apart, I think of her often...and am thankful for all the memories; as well as for the continuous support, love, and laughter. Thank you for being my safety pin...

Who are the safety pins in your life?

Discovery

" Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself."

- George Bernard Shaw

How do you personally create yourself? Truly create yourself, not just 'find' yourself? What's the difference? 

For me finding myself is the static act of bringing myself back to center, my zen space in the chaos of the outside world. The place where I know I can find joy, peace, and contentment. Whereas creating myself is an ongoing process. It is the dynamic art of discovering how to bring new joys and new feelings of peace and contentment into my life. 

Without this step, for me, life appears stagnant. True,  life can be just as fulfilling and wonderful without this step, but what I have come to find, in my life, is that life seems a little brighter...a little lighter...and I have noticed myself using my  'wondering eyes of a child' more and more in my daily living, not just the extraordinary moments of life. 

What brings you back to center? Gives you greater feelings of joy, peace, and contentment? Both are wonderful questions, always worth revisiting over and over again...

Decisions

"You are what you are today because of the choices you made in the past. "          - Jim Rohn

In this life there are many decisions. Some come easy and some come hard, but they come none the less. It is these decisions, these choices we make, that shape us into who we are..who we are meant to be. Each one brings a lesson with it. So, no regrets...

Learn from your decisions,  grow from your decisions, and live your life.

Thankfulness and Gratitude

Jambo!

Tabibu Africa, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of educating, empowering, and providing medical clinics to the women, children, and men of Eastern Africa. This November they will be having their first annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. I crafted the following two items to donate to the silent auction.  (check out the website: www.tabibuafrica.org)

As I made them I only thought of how grateful I am for the other co-founders of Tabibu Africa, Inc.  We helped each other's dreams become a reality. I love each of you and am grateful for  having you in my life. Asante Sana Rafikis! 

If you like what you see, attend the benefit dinner! Help out a good cause, make new friends and acquaintances, maybe come home with a few great wares, and last but not least eat, drink, and be merry surrounded by the feelings of thankfulness and gratitude.

Asante Sana! 

Blossoming Beauty- Pendant and Earrings

Helping Hands

Reputations

" Self Esteem is the reputation we gain within ourselves" 

- Nathaniel Branden

Reputations most often sought in today's society are the ones 'given' to us by those around us. As humans we yearn, and aim, to please those around us thus obtaining some form of a notable reputation, feeling slightly inadequate if that goal is not reached...

What about the reputation we give ourselves? What do we see when we look in the mirror? Are we critical? Judgmental  Or are we Kind? Loving? The view we take of ourselves shapes are inner reputation, which...ultimately helps in defining the reputation we ask to obtain from others...

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

I dreamed of Africa...

"Be the change you wish to see in the world". 

-Mahatma Gandhi

Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to go to Africa. I fell in love with the rich culture, the history, and wildlife... This year that dream became a reality when I traveled to Kenya on a humanitarian medical trip. I went with old friends and made plenty of new along the way... These are two frames I made for two of the best people in the world who made my trip fabulous. 

I used various materials to create them, the most memorable being bottle caps from two of our favorite African beverages! 

For Shujaa, my "little brother", and a most excellent friend.

For Tabibu, my mentor, friend, and basically sister...

Living

" When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive--to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. "

- Marcus Arueliu

Life isn't always easy..but isn't always hard either. It has its ups and downs, its highs and its lows. Life is meant to be lived, whether you are driving a bumpy road or sailing smooth waters, each day is a gift, meant to be cherished.

 So, no matter how hard it gets when I awaken each day I reach down and feel gratitude that I got one more day to journey, another chance to live...

Pathways

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over

if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

We are all on a Journey...traveling down a path. Some paths are twisted and snarled and some are clear and smooth. 

But no matter what, you have the power to trudge, crawl, or stroll along in this life...and even during those times when the sun can't be seen, take heart that someone is there thinking and hoping for you...just as you are there to think, hope, and pray for them when they travel down their own dark paths.

 And the best is when your paths meet, and you can skip and laugh together on the journey...just remember to never give up on your path.

Definitions

"First say to yourself what you would be;

and then do what you have to do"

- Epictetus

Take a step back and think what defines you. Who you are and who you want to become? Life is fraught with definitions, lines to stay behind and lines to cross. Choosing those definitions and roles is no easy road to navigate. Are those definitions limiting you, pushing you to be better, or making you strive for that unreachable perfection? Never lose track of you yourself, hold true to who you are. Always remember, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"- Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Inspiration

The inspirations for my various arts and crafts stem from the desire to make a difference in this world,  and to spark that desire in others around me.


During one of his lectures Mr. Alan Watts, philosopher and scholar, discusses 'Music and Life' stating that life is like music; It's meant to be enjoyed, life is not a means to an end.
Just like music, art has the ability to inspire others, move others, and shift perspectives...even if just for a moment. 


What are your inspirations?