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- Three days of creative bliss!
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- The first painting over with cheesecloth
I had such good intentions. To spend the time between Christmas and New Year’s diving into what I’ve written over the past year to compile a New Year’s message full of insight and wisdom and thoughts on what I’ve learned about making a difference.
And then, my daughter had an accident. Sitting down to think about making a difference took backseat to thinking about what a difference she makes in my life. Coming to grips with my feelings and thoughts and realizations about that accidenttook over my thinking.
That’s okay, I told myself. I’ll give myself a day to settle into peace with the fragile nature of our hold on life and then, I’ll work on my New Year’s message.
Good plan.
And then, I put my back out. I kind of knew it was happening. One of my favourite places to sit in the early morning darkness is the chaise in the corner of the living room. With the lights of the Christmas tree twinkling in the darkness and the candles flickering, it is meditative, calming, creative. Except…. it’s a killer on my back. I know this because whenever I choose to spend a few days in a row sitting there, my back always goes wonky.
Ahhh. But this time will be different, I told myself. Doing the same thing that caused pain in the past will not cause pain in the future.
Yeah right. Hello? Who am I kidding? Them be mighty fine drugs you’re smokin’ girlie! Cause, sure as the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, my lower back surely goes into spasm after sitting on the chaise that puts all the pressure on my lower back, for three weeks straight.
Which meant, my plans of sitting at my desk, or anywhere, gathering my thoughts for a New Year’s message were not to be. Sitting for any length of time just didn’t work.
But I could stand. As long as I was wearing my super-duper Nike walking shoes, I could stand. And so I did. Stand. And yes, I know I could have stood with my laptop on a counter but seriously…. there’s too much stillness and my back needed me to move to keep it limbered up.
So…. instead of being in front of my computer, I stood in front of an easel. For three glorious days, I stood in front of an easel and I created. I splashed colour. Collaged. Drew. Contemplated and splashed more colour.
Thanks to my friend TZ who is house sitting for a woman who has turned her basement into an art studio, I spent two glorious days with her and another friend DQ stirring my creative juices and throwing my expression of it onto a canvas. On Sunday, C.C. came and joined us. He sat in a big comfy chair in the corner reading while we painted to our heart’s content.
It was divine!
And then, yesterday, still unable to sit for long periods of time, I turned the dining room into my art studio and spent a third day immersed in colour and texture and visual stimulation.
I am happy.
I am content.
I am satisfied.
And I still don’t have a New Year’s message written.
And that’s okay.
Because it’s one of the very first things I learned in writing about making a difference. The difference I make isn’t in the doing, it’s in my being. Present. Conscious. Awake. It’s in my loving acceptance of where I’m at, how I’m at, however I am, present, willing to know myself as I am without needing to be different. It’s in loving myself through whatever I’m doing, without wishing I was somewhere else or some other way.
The greatest difference I make in the world is found when I am being where I am, how I am, right now, right here, in just this way. And when ‘just this way’ is founded on acceptance, my ripple becomes one of acceptance.
I’ve learned a great deal about what it means to make a difference in the world, and one of the greatest things I’ve learned is that to make a difference I have to turn up, pay attention, speak my truth, and stay unattached to the outcome.
When I step into each moment with an open mind and loving heart, when I surrender my fear to Love, I become the difference I want to create in the world. And in that difference, miracles happen.
Looking back on the year of making a difference I know I have created more of what I want in the world. And I am grateful. I have touched hearts, opened minds and set spirits free and in the process my spirit has been freed to express itself exactly the way it is. My voice has been heard. I have reached out and been touched by hundreds of people reaching back.
I am grateful.
This morning, my back is feeling much better. This morning, the sky is still dark as I type but I know the sun hovers on the horizon, waiting for the soft sweet calling of day’s light urging her to slip out of night’s blanket and leap across the sky.
Tomorrow is another day.
For today, I wish each and every one a Happy New Year. May you celebrate the passing away of 2012 with love and compassion and the knowing, you made a difference. May you welcome in 2013 with your arms wide open to the possibility of the wonder and awe unfolding in your life knowing, you make a difference. May you surrender fear and fall in Love every moment of every day.
Tomorrow, I shall be back here. I’ll be changing the name and design of my blog, but the theme will remain the same. I like exploring what it means, what it takes, what is, the difference we make in the world everyday.
And I love sharing the journey with all of you!
Thank you everyone for being part of my exploration. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being you. You make a difference.
Happy New Year!
See you next year!
Dare Boldly 
This looks like such a fun time … I hope your new year is filled to the brim with rejoicing in the ordinary and the extraordinary.
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Thank you Misifusa. It is feeling much better today. I too love that we’ve connected. connecting with inspiring people has been one of the many gifts of this place and I am grateful for the presents you bring me with your light. Blessings on a Happy new year!
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You painting are fabulous. There was a clear plan for your back going out again so you can concentrate and paint these beautiful canvas. Hoping you have a great 2013. Sounds and looks like it is starting off well.
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Thank you Jenn! As I mentioned on your blog (love the name, btw) I am inspired by your week’s worth of menus. I’m going to follow along and shed those pounds too! 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Louise, I am sorry to hear about your back, but i hope it heal quickly. I love that we’ve connected and I look forward to connecting more in 2013. Keep painting, keep being in the present and keep enjoying the Presents of Presence in your life! I love how you inspire us all ~ thanks for being you! xo
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Is it cliche of me to say that everything happens for a reason (even when we can’t see the reasons for it at the time) I’m sorry your back was hurting – but your pictures are beautiful, I have such an overwhelming awe of people who paint.
I’m not surprised that this is another creative outlet that you do such justice. You are an inspiration – I hope 2013 is amazing for you
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Thank you Fi — and you’re right. The gift from my back going out is the fact I took the time to paint — something I love to do and something that feeds my soul so completely! I am grateful for having met you through this space Fi — you too inspire me. Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year, Louise. Hope you continue to inspire and give us something to also make a difference. You are amazing. Be well my friend. Hugs (gently)!!
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Hello lovely Bev (and Larry). Thank you. I love that through Terry we have connected. While he is gone, he continues to be a light between us. Happy New Year to everyone there!
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I have a bad back so I feel your pain yes a nice long sock in hot tub can help, well it helps me………lol
You inspire me and lift me up every time I come and visit you……..and I look forward to visiting you more in 2013……….
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Thank you Joanne! And you’re right, the soaks and the heat really help. I’m feeling so much better today! Happy New Year my friend. I’m delighted to share this journey with you. Hugs
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Happy New Year Louise! I look forward to being inspired by you in 2013!
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It’s a mutual inspiration party Diana — I look forward to being inspired by you!
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Thank you for occupying one of the prime spots in my list of bloggers-to-follow. You bring so much to us all. And for your deep and abiding friendship, I’m so grateful. Wishing you all the very best in the coming New Year. Love to you.
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Maureen! Thank you. I really appreciate your words and your support. One of the best things about blogging has been the people I’ve met — and your friendship has been a wonderful gift. Blessings on a Happy New Year my friend.
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Thank you Mark. As the person who inspired me almost six years ago to write a blog everyday, I am grateful for your presence on my journey.
And your feedback/perspective is always interesting, enlightening and sometimes challenging– in a good way. You make me think and that’s a good thing! 🙂
I like that you see me as spreading hope. I like that a lot!
Thanks my friend.
Happy New Year!
Coffee this week for sure.
L
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Elgie,
So glad to hear you’ll continue what you’ve started – and sorry to hear about your back. A good massage and time in a hot tub will make you feel better. Neither will make your back better, but for a while, you’ll feel better.
I’ve followed you year closely sometimes, sometimes not – but I’ve read them all. I was honoured to do one of your guest bits too. I expect most of your regular readers will have their own view on what your 365 consecutive demonstrations have meant to them.
For me, the ‘at times’ excessive religious references make me retreat – I have a different belief system, so I find them too preachy for my likely. Your often references (or are they commercials) for groups you teach/coach in, again, are not something I require.
What I do enjoy – more than all those bits about people who made a difference is the difference you make in my days when you portray, so freely and humbly, the frailties of your own life and experience, your joys and pains, your ‘on track’ and ‘off-track’ experiences. Why? Because it makes you one of us. It makes us one of you. Shared joy, pain, empathy, understanding – all that good stuff, makes a difference in people’s lives. And, for those who might find they are all alone, feeling they are the only one who ever experienced their trauma – along comes Louise to demonstrate so many ‘oops’ moments in her life or the lives of those you encounter.
You spread hope.
You spread joy too, but mostly you spread hope.
Keep spreading!
Cheers and happy new year,
Mark
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