Re-Creation

I went to a conference with Peak Potentials called Life Directions this past weekend.  I was able to reconnect with old friends and form new relationships as well as focus on my message.  I have more
work to do to clarify what I want to cover in my book but basically I want to help people let go of self judgement to unleash their creative spirits.  In order to do that one of the things I've done is explore what I'm really good at.

Ha!  No small task.  One of the exercises that helped uncover what I love involved looking back at myself from five to eight years old.  In examining what I'm good at two things stand out.  I am good at discipline, especially related to self care, and at creativity.  While the discipline keeps me on task for the most part, creativity is like breathing to me.

My family was Roman Catholic and from the military. I grew up with a mother who quoted St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine to us from a very young age.  (seriously!)  Critical thinking was a given.

At one point we lived in Gainesville, FL.  I had a lot of
timeto run around on my own.  Mom was obviously busy!

A holiday scene from our time in VA.  I'm in the 

foreground behind Dad's head drinking from the family silver in

refinished chairs.  I think my brother Pat needed his 

elbows to keep from falling under the table!  He's tiny!

As a Naval Academy grad, my father was a stickler for things like sitting up properly at dinner:)    There were four of us so it was an ongoing challenge.  I was pretty wiggly.   I was also very familiar with great art and music, history and rich traditions growing up.  Numerous family members, especially on his side of the family, had formal training in both art and music.  Being Irish there was also a strong tradition of, ahem, storytelling...







The creative side came in part because my mother gave me the opportunity to explore the natural world from a very young age.  Her mother was a biologist, so scientific observation was part of the formula. Mom knew how to create something from nothing or, in her words, to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.  For example, she had us weave baskets from pussy willows and dye Easter eggs with onion skins and beets one Easter.  We composted in our garden with scraps and got loads of fertilizer from the local slaughter house.  (South St. Paul for the Minnesotans who know the area.  I moved around a lot.)  I was able to paint a rainbow on my bedroom wall with tempera paint to match the curtains she made from sheets bought at Target.  One of my memories is of hiding in the back seat of the station wagon as she pulled treasures from the trash people put at the curb.  (I hid in embarassment. Yikes!)  We had a lot of beautiful furniture because she knew just how to fix it up.

Me now

Growing up that way means I see everything as a possibility for re-creation.  All that time running around outside building forts, playing on play equipment, and dancing with my friends has been a part of my life forever.  While raising my children it was natural to model many of the things I learned as a child.  I later brought the re-purposing skills into the home accessories arena.  Graduating to fine art over a decade ago has been the joy of my life.  Now I'm called to share some of this.  Of course there's more.  We all have complex life experiences and amazing skills.  I'm fortunate to have chosen a path doing what I am really passionate about.

 I hope you continue on the journey with me.  

I have BIG DREAMS and I want to share!