remembering who you are, exciting news (and some inspiration)

Do you ever feel as if you're forgetting something very important? Sometimes it's something that you've forgotten to do. Sometimes it's something else. Just on the tip of your tongue.

It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day. The to-do lists and schedules. We're carried along on the swiftly moving current of time itself. (Where the heck did June go?). It's something that I constantly fight against, but I know it's not something I can win.

studio, watercolor, art print calendar, nasturtiums, paint brushes, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Moving so fast and being so focused (and having our focus fractured into so many pieces) makes it easy to lose things along the way. The other day I realized that I haven't been filling the house with little flower arrangements. It's something that I always used to do during the summer months. I told myself, oh, it's because there aren't many flowers yet. Although I am still waiting for a lot of plants to start blooming, there are flowers. There are always flowers. I just hadn't been taking the time to put together arrangements.

I quickly rectified that. They don't have to be fancy. They don't have to have a lot of flowers.

flowers, roses, herbs, flower arrangement, bouquet, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

A stem of roses and a couple stems of herbs will do. Or any combination of this and that. A single flower, even. Cutting the flowers. Bringing them inside. Finding the right container. Setting it in place. The entire process is joyful. It makes me slow down. It makes me pay attention and be present and enjoy the moment.

And I think that's my problem. Not slowing down enough to pay attention to these days. Some things help. Writing in my journal. Taking a walk through the garden first thing in the morning. Tasting. Touching. Smelling.

It's constantly a work in progress. And I need to remember to be easy on myself, too. That can be so hard. It's so much easier to let the negative thoughts flow. Again. Work in progress.

How about that exciting news?

Are you an Uppercase Magazine reader? The newest issue just came out. I'd seen the flip-through on Instagram and I was excited for my copy to arrive. Even though I'd seen the flip through, when I sat down with my copy I got a big surprise.

Uppercase Magazine, Encyclopedia of Inspiration, Botanica, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Yes, there I am!! It's an ad for the forthcoming B volume of the Uppercase Encyclopedia of Inspiration. B for Botanica. I've mentioned the Encyclopedia of Inspiration in another blog post, when I was sharing the first volume. I did know then that I was going to be included in the third volume, but I think I was afraid of jinxing things if I mentioned it. Now it's official!! My work will be featured in the book!!!

(Enough exclamation marks you think?).

The second volume is also out and it's really inspiring, too.

uppercase magazine, stitch*illo, Encyclopeida of Inspiration

Such a diversity of creativity. That diversity of creativity is what makes Uppercase Magazine and its publications stand out. I was so grateful to have my 2x2 Sketchbook project with Dana Barbieri published in the magazine and I am over the moon to be featured in the Encyclopedia of Inspiration, too!

Here's a bit more inspiration for you today:

Soulflower, My Soulflower, Lisa Estabrook, journaling, Soulflower Oracle Deck, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

I hope you're having a joy-filled week! I'll be back on Friday with an inspiring Artist Interview. You won't want to miss it.

Comments

  1. No Anne, balance is not a myth, only we understand it in the wrong way. Balance is in the hand of the Creator. All we have to do is let go. The struggle comes when we try to be in control of our lives, be everywhere, do everything and we are left with no time to actually live. That is when that feeling of not being enough, of not having enough creeps in and we loose happiness.

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    1. Hi, Meda, thank you for sharing your thoughts. And you'e so right. If we struggle to control then we're doing just that, struggling. But when we let go, then we can find balance and joy and peace.

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  2. Hi Anne,
    Thank you for sharing me on your blog.
    I had many set backs and could have given up. Someday I will have to share the set backs I received. I cried!! I almost did give up one evening when everything went wrong at the Farmers Market.
    Thank You so much for your blog. You are inspiration to me.

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    Replies
    1. It was my pleasure, Carla. There are always setbacks in any venture. The important thing is to keep going.

      So glad to know I inspire you, my friend. You inspire me, too!

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