What I wish I could make more of right now

Transitioning

The Juggle

Glimpse of Eternal #4

How are you feeling today?

I found this really amazing website called Kickstarter a few months ago. In a nut shell, this website enables you to help people raise money for various creative and innovative projects by pledging an amount of money. If the project does not meet its finding goal by the deadline, then it doesn't get any of the money-- you don't get charged. As an incentive to donate, each donation comes with a little gift that you receive if the project gets funded, and the gift is usually related to the project, like having your name listed in a documentary, receiving a CD of an album, or in this particular case, being able to commission a work of art.

Through Kickstarter, I came across Jim Ether who was raising money so he could buy some more time to continue his pursuits as an artist. As a fellow artist, I loved the simple request of someone who genuinely just wanted to make some art. As a "thank you" for donating, he would include you in his pursuit by making some art just for you. I was hooked. I perused his website and saw an image of various colored heads with different facial expressions. I was reminded of those simple posters some therapists use with smiley faces and the question "How are you feeling today?" I have always thought those posters are really limited in terms of the full range of human emotion, so I thought it would be fun to see if Jim could craft me my own "poster" just for fun. I think he did a pretty good job. What do you think?

How are YOU feeling today?

For Mom -- not just on Mother's Day

Mom:  I honor you yesterday, today and every day. 

You embody the strong feminine spirit of motherhood. Because of you, I learned how to share my feelings. I learned that it is ok to cry, and there is no weakness in apologizing. I learned how to sew, to cook and enjoy well-cooked food, how to appreciate art, books and stimulating conversation. How to be opinionated yet empathize with others. How to value and respect other cultures. How to hike and love the outdoors. I developed a passion for learning and questioning, for travel and creating relationships. I learned that it is ok to say no, it is ok to make mistakes, it is ok to say, “I don’t know.” You taught me I could be anything I wanted to be. You showed me your faith, through your words and example. You treated me with respect, like I was worth something, and so I believed I was worth something. You listened to me and continue to take interest my life. You are human and maybe sometimes you feel your own humanity too much. You are vulnerable and you share that vulnerability with all your imperfections. To me, that makes you real and accessible. You are my best friend, and confidant. You are my mother. 

I hope someday to become a mother just like you—to build on your strengths and add my own.

Happy Mother's Day everyday.

Sick (a poem about mental illness)