Kathryn Costa - Collage Diva

Quiet moments bathed in morning light.

This week I found myself getting up early for a morning walk. I savor this time when the light is warm and filled with promise. The morning light whispers, "What will this day offer you?" This question excites me as I think about the possibilities and opportunities that are waiting for me. I pause to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and I feel nourished and pampered in these moments. 

I had my new cell phone in my pocket and I'm sure glad I did. I was able to capture this peaceful moment where the morning light illuminated some ferns and Lilies of the Valley in a neighbor's yard. This photo delights me.

What a way to start the day!

How do you kick off the day? I suggest you keep a camera on you to capture those sacred moments.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark.

PSS: Be sure to click on the photo above to get a closer look at it.

 

Happiness Lessons from the Busy Bee

A few days ago I was invited to be a pioneer and beta test a new website called Happify. This NYC based company has taken the latest in "happiness" research and created a unique online experience. The underlying premise of the site is that we make our own happiness and have the ability to increase it by cultivating and practicing habits and activities that are shown to bring happiness to our lives. Although I'm generally a really happy person with a positive outlook on life, I was curious to see what this site was all about. The invitation came at a good time, on the heels of my father's passing. Coincidentally these past few days I've been writing about what gives me CREATIVE JOY. Add to that the Happify mission to foster happiness is aligned with what I'm doing on True North Arts. 

The website is set up with different tracks to choose from relating to different areas of our lives. I decided to start with the "nurturing my body and soul" track. Each week we are encouraged to do 3-4 short activities. These activities are challenges, games, and polls designed to take only a few minutes a day. Although I don't really need another thing to do, I figured I could spare a few minutes a day if it means I would feel happier.

My first task is to SAVOR the small stuff by MIXING IT UP. I love the word savor. Every time I hear it, I feel invited to pause, to take notice with my senses, and to enjoy the moment. I decided that my activity would be to slow down when I eat. I have the tendency to "wolf down" my food. I know this isn't good for digestion and by slowing down I get to enjoy the delicious foods that I prepare.

Yesterday I decided to change my lunch time routine and take my lunch over to the "pretty park" located across the street from where I work. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for an alfresco lunch. My husband surprised me and showed up with some warm Brazilian cheese bread that paired up perfectly with my salad. We felt like little kids sitting on the park bench together.

When I finished eating we strolled around the little park. It felt so glorious to be among the beautiful Spring blossoms. I felt my body relax and my heart fill with joy.

I lingered a bit around some rhondondenrons where a fat bee was busily collecting nectar. Have you ever tried to photograph a busy bee? It was a fun challenge.

I think I typically eat as fast as this plump bee works these flowers. hmmmmm

Once again mother nature is my teacher. She says,

My dear busy bee,

Oh how I love your creativity and zest for so many things. Your mind is always busily working on a project idea or brainstorming something new. You need more restful moments throughout the day. Think of your meal times as an invitation to SLOW down and to SAVOR the moment. This will help you to tap into your CREATIVE JOY and to fuel your body, mind, and soul.

Love you always, 

Mother Nature.

I left the park feeling refreshed and I carried this feeling back to the office. As I sit here writing this post I'm realizing that I need to make my meal times more sacred. The best part of this challenge is that I get plenty of opportunity to practice each day.

How about you? Are you a busy bee? Do you make your meal times sacred moments of the day?

Here's to savoring the moment.

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: Be sure to check out the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark. 

 

What brings you CREATIVE JOY?

One of the best things about a good question is that I carry it with me for days even weeks and it has me looking at life differently. I love it when I'm awakened and in just a couple of days I'm feeling really awake and energized by the question, "What brings you CREATIVE JOY?"

I'm noticing the things that I do that I love and I'm remembering other things that I've done in the past that I want to do more of. I've been using Adobe Photoshop now for over 15 years and I'm at the point where I can play with this tool rather than fumble and struggle. One thing I desire more of is PLAY. Today's post features a "nice" photo that I altered in Photoshop. I think it took me about 15 minutes to select the photo and alter it. It was a simple little dose of HAPPY and a moment to remind me how much more play I crave in my daily life.

How about you? How will you play today? What brings you CREATIVE JOY?

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark.

PSS: Be sure to click on the photo above to get a closer look of the interesting textures and details.

The Thin Veil Between the Ordinary and Sacred

This week I've been observing how the sacred is present and available in any moment. To see and feel the sacred is about being mindful. It isn't always easy to let go of the details of my busy life that keep me anchored to the ordinary. When I slip into the precious present moment, I see with wonder and awe. I feel at peace. I tap into my creative joy.

Looking through the lens of my camera I can cross the thin veil between the ordinary and the sacred.

What gives you CREATIVE JOY, today?

I'd love to here. 

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark.

PSS: Be sure to click on the photo above to get a closer look of this sacred moment.

What Brings You Creative Joy?

What brings you creative joy?

I love a good question and this one definitely resonates with my spirit. The question came from Jen Louden's newsletter. She points us to the Creative Joy Retreat where she will be presenting along side Marianne Elliott, and Tracey Clark in Garrison, NY in October. As a gift there is a gorgeous Creative Joy Workbook and tucked inside is an invitation to enter to win a spot in the retreat. CLICK HERE to go to the website and click on the workbook. You'll find the contest details on page 65.

Lately I've stalled a bit on my blogging routine and I'm inspired by this question. I'm thinking I may seek out my creative joy and blog about it each day between now and June 15th.

What brings me creative joy?

My very favorite project at my day job is the annual poster I design to celebrate Religious Education Month. This is my 5th year designing the poster and this year I decided to involve high school students. It was so much fun sharing with them the collage process I used for the posters over the years. Today I get to scan the stack of collages that will be worked into the final poster design.

I feel creative joy when:

I bring my love for collage to my day job

+ sharing this passion with young people.

How about you? What brought you creative joy today?

I'd love to hear it.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

I believe in miracles.

I have a stash of fortune cookies tucked into a glass jar. I like to randomly pull them out from time to time to see what my special message is. When I saw my fortune, "Believe in miracles" I knew instantly that it would be my next affirmation.

Do you believe in miracles? I definitely do but sometimes when I desire something so strongly and it seems impossible I forget to believe. Writing about the miracles in our lives helps us to remember that we are divinely supported. This affirmation magnet will be a reminder to you to BELIEVE.

This magnet also makes a sweet little gift for a friend who needs a gentle reminder that there are miracles just waiting for them.

Swing by my Etsy shop to buy this and other inspirational art.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa
Collage Diva 

Thank you for taking me under your wing!

I was thinking about my mom this week when I came up with this design. There are so many little things that she taught me. One lesson that I drew upon this week was what she would tell me whenever I felt afraid. She would ask, "What is the worst thing that could happen?" That question would shed light on the situation. The worst thing always seemed so far fetched. After I ask myself that question, I now ask, "What is the best thing that could happen?" My mom always taught me that there was a lesson in every situation.

I made this magnet for you to give to anyone who has helped you, or shown you the way. It could be your mum, a sister, a dear friend, a wise teacher or helpful mentor.

I have a sweet printer that really captures the texture of the paint. You'll want to rub your hand over this print. Thanks to my darling husband for the photography. He captured it!

You can get this magnet over HERE on my Etsy shop.

{soul hugs}

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

Where I soothe my soul.

After I finished my previous blog post this morning about listening to my heart, I was feeling like I needed to get out of the house and in nature. Today is my mother's birthday and the first time that she is not with us. I've been thinking of her all week anticipating this day and Mother's Day just right around the corner. Feeling rested and in good spirits I was up for an outing to one of my favorite places, the ocean.

My mother also loved the ocean and I thought of her as we drove the windy coastal road from New Hampshire to Maine. By late afternoon we stopped by Nubble Light (Cape Neddick) pictured above. (Click photo to enlarge).

The tide was coming in and the waves were crashing hard. My photos don't really capture just how awesome it was but fortunately we did get it on video and plan on incorporating it into one of the videos for my upcoming Journey of the Heart online class. In the video, we look at surrendering those things that we are struggling with and letting go of our worries. It is a montage of gorgeous ocean views with waves crashing and the tide ready to carry what we have to offer it.

Once again the ocean soothed my soul and today I feel relaxed and happy, restored and renewed.

Happy Birthday Mom. I know your smiling down on me today.

With Love,

Kathryn

I listen to my heart.

It has been an intense three weeks. I was operating on fumes for two weeks and then my body relented and a heavy chest cold settled in forcing me to stop and rest. I'm grateful for the cold for it gave me permission to stop. Truth be told it forced me to stop. My body required me to take a couple of sick days this week.

I felt some resistance to taking more time off from my blog, website, Facebook, and the day job. I'm a doer with lots of creative ideas and projects. Waiting for me are these irresistibly beautiful Spring days and adventures with my husband, gorgeous connections with people who have signed up for my new online class Journey of the Heart Journal, and so many creative ideas waiting to be born.

I've had days where I felt so exhausted that I wanted to quit everything and bury myself under my pillows. I turned to my heart.

I listened to my heart. She speaks like a gentle mother soothing a scared child. In her wise and encouraging voice she says, 

rest now

take your time, you have plenty of time, you don't need to rush

take gentle steps

be kind toward yourself

take time to be still

I've had moments when the realization sets in that my Dad is gone. Then it hits me that I'm now orphaned. Both of my parents within 10 months have passed. It is an odd dangling feeling. The last nine years have involved them both. I've anticipated this moment, even started grieving three years ago when I saw my Dad's health decline. A new chapter in my life is beginning and all that I've dreamed about is now waiting for me. What is next? This question both excites and scares me.

I've slept a ton this week and I'm now finally ahead of this cold. It is amazing how much better the world and my life looks when I get enough rest. I'm eager to stretch this stiff body and walk in nature. I'm eager to soak up this springtime beauty. I'm feeling renewed this morning and eager to make more heart-art.

I'm ever so grateful for the deep connections I've had recently with my siblings, my dear husband, and my heart.

I'm looking forward to stepping out again, gently and slowly, to connect with friends, colleagues, and my art.

Yesterday I worked up the affirmation art you see pictured above. I'm going to keep it next to my computer to remind me to listen to my heart.

What is your heart saying? I hope you'll find some time to rest, be still and to listen to your heart.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

The Gift of Being Present

When we open our hearts, I believe we attract the people we need most in our lives. The day before my Dad passed, I interviewed Susie Itzstein for the Journey of the Heart Journal online class. The timing could not have been more perfect. Susie is a therapist whose focus is on working with couples. Susie says it well, "All life is about being in relationship - whether it is with our partners, children, family, friends, work colleagues, neighbours and also ourselves ...it's about communicating and truly connecting."

This is one interview I know I will be listening to again and again as it is filled with so many practical tools, tips, and wisdom that we can use daily to nurture loving relationships. 

One of the many take-a-ways from this interview is the importance of being present. In the last week, I had so many opportunities to practice. One day I took my father's wife, Nancy out to lunch where we sat in a beautiful setting. It was just the two of us.  At times Nancy would sit quietly lost in thought and I sat patiently, watching her. When she came back and looked up at me, I smiled gently and in a way that no words were needed. When she was ready to talk, I listened and didn't try to fill the space with chatter or cheerleading. I practiced being fully present.

My brother came into town for several days for the funeral. I was so lucky that he stayed with me. We stayed up late on most nights talking. Once again, I found myself deeply listening as he shared what was on his mind and in his heart. I found being patient was easy as I really wanted to hear what he had to say. One of my favorite phrases is, "meet people where they are at" and in these moments I was careful not to fall back on old assumptions of what I "think" of my brother. In my listening practice, I discovered that my old habits of interrupting didn't happen. After listening for a while there came a time when it was my turn to share and I received the gift of being heard.

This morning I had time for just me and my 17 year old son. I pulled out a deck of virtue cards to use as a guide for our discussion. I had my son pull three cards and read each one out loud. After reading each card I asked him what words or phrases caught his attention. As he talked, I practiced listening, really listening. I asked him questions and then listened some more. I pointed out his strengths, and positive characteristics. I mirrored the words he used as he talked about his challenges and I encouraged him to be mindful of these things in the next three months. I learned so much about my son in this one conversation and I now feel an even greater connection with him. I could see that my son felt heard and my mother's heart swelled with love.

The practice of being present, the focus on connecting, and the tools of mirroring and asking questions are just some of the many lessons in this one interview that I put into practice this week. There are a total of six interviews in the course and each one is packed with so much wisdom and so many practices that we can use in our journeys.

I hope I have you intrigued and interested in joining me for an incredible 6-week journey that begins on June 10th.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Journey of the Heart Journal online course and to register.

CLICK HERE to sample the course by downloading the first chapter.

Here's to the journey and savoring it's many lessons.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa