“In the world of chaos, let lavender be your calm oasis.” — Anonymous measure of calmness lavender-steeped breath of air unbottled healing * * * A versatile and fragrant herb, lavender offers numerous benefits, from stress relief to culinary delight • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Calming” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2024
“Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” — Robert Fulghum stones stacked in layers symbols of balance and calm stay still and create * * * Commonly associated with spiritual devotion and prayer, the ancient practice of … More Well-Balanced
“It’s our challenges and obstacles that give us layers of depth and make us interesting.” — Ellen DeGeneres layer on layer sculpture of gentle edges nature’s creation * * * How often do we go right by the sweet spots of our environment without observing their display of beauty? Being aware is a first step … More Awareness
“People are most creative when they care about their work and they’re stretching their skills.” — Teresa Amabile stretch the way you see woven basket with pansies wren sees otherwise * * * See beyond the expected ~ Hanging basket of pansies. Nest nestled in folds. Check out “Say Yes! to Your Creative Self” for … More Stretching Exercises
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” — Georgia O’Keeffe bobbles of color determined by soil and sun organic painting * * * With their pom-poms of varying shades of purple, pink and blue, Hydrangeas are a virtual … More Organic Painting
“Sometimes the embers are better than the campfire.” — Thomas Overbury flames shrink to embers before bursting forth again restoring day’s light * * * Radiant Heat ~ With its throat of gold, this glowing red daylily illuminates the garden • Photos by Jan Logozzo • “Glowing Embers” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2024 Say … More Radiant Heat
“The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.” — Mata Hari listen says the wind choreographed dance of limbs ballet of beauty * * * The world is rich with prompts to help us develop and express our creative selves. For tips and exercises to open up new ways of seeing … More Language of Dance
“Beauty awakens the soul to act.” — Dante Alighieri impetus of joy sight of beauty stimulates artistic vision * * * Stimulants of creativity ~ Shades of color, fragrance of beauty, softness of petals • Say Yes! to Your Creative Self is filled with tips and exercises for building creativity possibilities. Available here. Pride of … More Shades of Beauty
“Sometimes it’s good to contrast what you like with something else. It makes you appreciate it even more.” — Darby Conley misty morning veil juxtaposition of tone contrasts of beauty Contrasts of tones, interests, intensities offer a powerful way of telling a story. Say Yes! to Your Creative Self is filled with tips and exercises … More Contrast
“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” — Alan Keightley see what is wiggling maybe a baby white whale won’t know til you look To explore an idea, to dig deeper, is to open up creativity • Find … More Exploration
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 