True North Arts

Journey of the Heart Journal - Transformation

Dear friends, I had no idea that my blog break would extend to the end of May! So much has happened in the last couple of months. I've moved from the "tree house" to the "light house" a little pad just next door to my old place. My BIGGER NEWS is that I found Mr. Wonderful! As you can imagine my routines have been thrown off and I'm adjusting to all the these changes.

I want to welcome you in to my new kitchen...

...to tell you my story and catch up on the great things that are happening. Today's story is about personal transformation and the lessons I've learned. I hope you have time to stay a while. Won't you join me for a little coffee and eggs? 

My last post was about crosses - the crossroads in our lives and the crosses (burdens) we carry. I published the cross project in Lent with the intention of returning to blogging on Easter. But alas, I've returned just in time for the end of the Easter season (Pentecost on Sunday marks the end of this cycle). 

To prepare for this post I picked up this dried branch from one of my walks. It's simple lines remind me of a cross. My thoughts have been on the burdens I've carried and the burdens I see my friends and the people around me carrying. It has been an incredible 7 year journey with the most transformation happening in the last 2 years.

Here I am pictured on the left in 2008. I look back and see a sweet woman who was carrying more than extra weight. She was carrying years of emotional pain. I look at this woman and I see a creative woman who is very bright but who didn't believe in herself. Pictured on the right is a photo of me from last summer and 50 lbs lighter! I'm often asked how I did it.

The answer is that it starts with LOVE.

I had hit a wall and felt tired of being tired all the time. I had no energy. Marianne Williamson's book, Course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever was really instrumental in helping me to identify those things that were weighing me down. This time I approached my weight loss journey from my mind and heart first and then my body responded. You see once I recognized that I no longer needed to hold onto the hurts and pain from my past, I awakened to what my body needed. My focus is now on my energy and the choices I make are all about what gives me energy. Losing the weight has come naturally with this new focus. 

Before I could make this change I had to be ready. I had to hit that wall and I had to ask for help. The first lesson in Marrianne's book was the hardest but the key to unlocking the change. In this lesson I looked a 20+ words like shame, disappointment, anger...and I spent time in my journal writing about the experiences connected to these words. As you can imagine it was a painful yet instrumental process. As I finished with each word, we were to imagine this word as a heavy brick and hand it over to the Divine who would and could take the burden. I felt so much lighter after working through this process. I felt a freedom from the emotional weight I had carried for so long.

Six months after losing all of the weight I was ready to invite love in my life. I had been yearning for a companion to share this journey and I felt ready. I tried out several different online dating sites and told everyone I met that I was looking for someone. I picked up Arielle Ford's book, The Soulmate Secret and worked through the exercises in the book. I recognized much of what Arielle Ford suggested in her book as it echoed what I learned from Shakti Gawain's book Creative Visualization. I've manifested so many things in my life and now I was ready to invite a loving, healthy relationship. The key to manifesting things in our life involves the following steps:

1. Clarity and Intention - It is important to clearly identify what it is that we want. I took a lot of time to look at the qualities of the person I was interested in and "how I wanted to feel"  when I was with him. This was more important than what he might look like or what he did for work. I was looking for specific qualities and an outlook on life. Most of all I wanted to feel my best, playful self when I was with this person. I went on a lot of dates and remained open to everyone I met. Everyone was so nice, but there was something lacking, the connection wasn't there until I met the right man.

2. Surrender and Letting Go - Just as I handed over my burden to the Divine to help me with my weight, I decided to hand over my heart's desire. I was telling a colleague of mine about this process and she said she had the perfect thing for me to photograph. She loaned me the hands and heart rock pictured above. It was a gift from one of her students who first found the hands in an antique shop in Ireland and the next day found the perfect heart rock to tuck into the hands. What makes it even more special is that this student didn't know that my friend collected heart rocks. It was a week before moving into my new place when she gave me this treasure. Set on my kitchen table, this beautiful hand and heart reminded me of what I needed to do - hand over my desire, to let go, and to trust in divine timing. The beautiful hands and heart waited for me to be ready to surrender.

3. Preparing for the Outcome - It is important that during the waiting period we use this time to take care of ourselves and to prepare for the outcome. I continued to take care of my body with getting lots of rest, eating healthy foods, and exercising. I knew I wanted to be in my new home before I welcomed my soulmate into my life. I even spent the last 7 years working on getting debt free as I didn't want to bring any baggage into the new relationship. Living a healthy lifestyle has become a way of life for me.

4. Welcoming - When we get what we ask for how do we receive it? Do we get scared, closed off, and run the other way? Are we ready to welcome what we truly desire? I knew that I needed to be open, receptive, and welcoming. I'll tell you a secret, when Mr. Wonderful showed up, it was easy to welcome him because I was ready.

5. Gratitude and Celebration - I feel so blessed. Even before I met my Mr. Wonderful, my heart was filled with such gratitude because I knew that when the time was right, I would share my life with someone who was right for me. It is important to be thankful for what we have right now as well as when our prayers are answered. Celebration is so important and a fun way to honor our blessings.

My Easter Story

The week before Easter I moved into my new pad. It was a Saturday and by Monday night I was all settled in. I stood at the edge of my kitchen and said with certainty, "Okay, I'm ready to welcome him." The following evening I was exhausted and emotional. I was finally ready to surrender and I asked for help. I looked at the hand holding the heart as my heavy tears relaxed my tired body. I closed my eyes and pictured handing over my heart's desire. I said, "I can't do this on my own any more. God, you have so much more information than I do. You know the right person for me. I trust you." In that moment I completely surrendered. I happened to be sitting in front of my computer when I did this. I was ready to drag my body to bed when all of a sudden I received an e-mail from one of the dating sites that said I had caught a man's attention. I was really too tired to care, but thought the timing was interesting. I had just asked for help and here I received a message - quite instantly! I clicked through and was intrigued. Although I was super tired, I pressed on and left a lot of comments on his photos, then went to bed. The next morning I woke up to messages in my inbox. The e-mail exchange over the next few days led to a wonderful conversation. We discovered quickly so many unique interests (including a passion for Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging) that we have in common and a similar outlook on life. The conversation was so different than what I experienced with anyone else. There was no awkwardness at all only deep connection! By Friday night of that week we met. As he walked up the stairs to arrive at my door, he and I both knew he was the one. When he turned the corner and we looked at each other for the first time, we recognized in each other what we've been waiting for all these years. Like magic my walls disappeared and I welcomed him home. By Sunday morning it was Easter and I was sitting in church with my dad singing Alleluia like I had never sung before.

Pictured above is me with Fernando at a friend's artist reception. I love that the altered photo hanging behind us of the three dandelions is titled, "Three Wishes." What are your three wishes?

The day after we met I lit this candle. It was from the same friend who loaned me the hand and heart. She had it for years and it had never been lit. In the early morning, I pulled out my camera and lit the candle and said a prayer of thanksgiving.

Since we met we spend as much time together as we can. We both love to go on outings and to photograph our adventures. You'll see some of what we've been up to on my blog, CollageDiva.com. Here we are enjoying a picnic at one of my favorite places in Maine.

I'm so excited because we are teaming up on making my publishing dreams a reality. We collaborate so well together and share a vision for our future. His dreams and mine converge so beautifully. I'm so very excited, for everything I've worked so hard for over the years, is now coming together.

I hope my story inspires you!

Let my story of personal transformation shine a light on your own story. Whatever burden you are carrying, take heart and know that you have the ability to make a change. Begin by saying, "Yes! I'm ready." From there take some time in your journal to explore your feelings and desires. What is it that you want in your life? Get really clear. Explore what has been holding you back. What are you afraid of? Take your time and above all take really good care of yourself. Treat yourself well by feeding your body with the best foods and giving yourself time to rest. Know that your dreams are not only possible, but waiting for you!

As I prepared for today's blog post, I pulled out my "Journey of the Heart Journal." In the last year I designed over 30 pages. I had the pages printed and patiently waiting for me in a folder.

It was time for me to cut them out and glue them together. As I stood up my journal, I was astonished by all that I had created. I love this little journal and I'm so happy that I've been able to share it with you.

If you are new to this blog, you can access and download these journal pages to make your own journal by subscribing to my e-mail newsletter. I have a private blog just for my subscribers where the journal pages are found. Each page has reflection questions and affirmations to guide you. 

I'm still adjusting to my new life and I'm not sure what is next here at True North Arts. For now, I intend to stay in touch regularly with blog posts and e-mails that offer gentle reminders to make time for yourself and your dreams. There are a number of artists I'm interested in interviewing who I know will inspire you. Look for these interviews throughout the summer. And, when my BIG DREAM project emerges, my readers will be the FIRST to know!

This is an exciting time and I'm so grateful to all of you for sharing this journey. I look forward to hearing from you. Your stories inspire me. No matter where you are at on your journey, you have so much to share!

Winner Announcement

It pleases me to no end to announce the winner of the Making Crosses book. One blogger who goes by the name, Morning Dove embraced the cross making project and endeavored to make crosses throughout Lent. I loved seeing how her creativity emerged. Check out this cross that she made from a gorgeous Camilla blossom. Her enthusiasm made her the natural recipient of this book. Congratulations dear one!  

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Until next time,

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

The Lucky Winner is...

If you pick up a copy of the newest Art Journaling zine from Somerset Publications hitting newstands on April 1st, you'll find...

my face along with the other 20 artists from the 21 Secrets Art Journal Online Playground. It looks to be another gorgeous issue.

When I asked all of you to share with me one thing you feel really lucky about, I had no idea the impact of your responses. I read each and every response and I took the time to send each of you a personal message. Well, actually I fell behind in writing back to you all yesterday, so I will catch up in the next day or so. I promise!

I was touched by the support of family, friends, and husbands that many of you have, or the experience of surviving illnesses, the connection found in art journaling, and all the stories of deep appreciation, gratitude, and love.

I felt like the lucky one to hear from each of you and to witness your dear shining spirits. In each lucky comment that I received I could see how an attitude of gratitude was clearly the underlying theme. I was telling a colleague yesterday about it and it struck me that:

gratitude = great + attitude

Oh how I wish I could give you all a spot in the workshop. Fortunately, I don't have to decide. I'm turning to lady luck and the random generator. I totaled the number of comments left here on this blog with the total left on the Journey of the Heart journal blog and randomly selected the winner.

The lucky winner is: Jan!

She wrote: 

I feel lucky to live during this time when technology allows me to connect so easily with other creative people. Here's to sharing our gifts, talents, and inspiration with each other...that just expotentially multiplies the luck for all of us.

I couldn't agree more with what Jan shared. You can find more of her dear spirit at her blog called, Juicy Journey.

Before I let you go, I want you to check out this quick 1 minute video created by one of the artists, the very spunky Alma Stoller offering a workshop called, "Child's Play." This will give you a taste of the energy that you'll find in the playground. I feel sooo lucky to be part of this creative tribe and you can join us too!

Follow THIS LINK to get all of the details, meet all 21 artists and to join us.

The playground opens up April 1st and you can pick and choose which of the 21 workshops you would like to start with. You have until December 31st to work your way through the entire playground. If you are not ready to commit just yet, not to worry, you have until October 1st to sign up.

Will you come out and play?

I sure hope so!

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Feeling Lucky?

Be sure to scroll down to see how you can enter to win a spot in the upcoming 21 Secrets Online Workshop.

Are you a lucky person?

I recently stumbled upon Richard Wiseman's study on luck on the website, TheLuckFactor.com. Over a 10-year period, Wiseman studied the beliefs and experiences of lucky and unlucky people. To sum up his findings in my own words, luck is really a matter of two factors: attitude and action.

What are the qualities of a lucky person?

I see my self as basically a lucky person so I was curious to see if I fit the profile in this report. Here are some highlights from the study:

• Lucky people are outgoing.
• Lucky people smile 2 times more than unlucky people and engage in more eye contact.
• Lucky people's body language is receptive: body pointing toward the person they are talking with, uncrossed arms and legs, and gestures with open arms.
• Lucky people are generally calm, relaxed, and meet people where they are at in situations rather than look for what they want.
• Lucky people are open to new experiences.
• Lucky people trust their intuition to make decisions.
• Lucky people expect good things to happen.
• Lucky people know how to transform bad luck into good fortune. 

Have you forgotten how lucky you are?

I was chatting with a friend of mine today about this topic. She explained how this week she felt a cloud had rolled in. She was feeling stuck. As I talked about the qualities of lucky people she could identify with them and recalled how lucky she felt when she traveled to India. Recalling that memory helped her to dispel the cloud and regain her sense of good fortune.

"What could be a daily reminder of how lucky I am?" my friend asked. We talked about maybe making a sign, or having a small object, a touchstone that one could carry in their pocket. Do you remember having a rabbits foot as a kid? Maybe a little stone or special coin would do the trick. For my friend a photo from her trip to India or maybe a SoulCollage card hanging on the fridge would make for a good reminder.

Several things are mentioned in the study on how lucky people's action differ from unlucky people.

• Lucky people consider how a situation could be worse and feel better about their current situation.
• Lucky people consider if the unlucky event even matters.
• Lucky people compare themselves to those less fortunate.
• Lucky people believe that it will always work out for the best.
• Lucky people don't dwell on ill fortune.
• Lucky people take constructive steps.

Learning to be lucky

The study goes in far more detail than what I highlighted here. In fact, concrete examples and steps are offered throughout to help you cultivate a lucky attitude and to take actions like a lucky person. 

CLICK HERE to download the abbridged version of the report, "The Complete Guide to Luck". I highly recommend it.

The site also offers a variety of other free stuff like affirmation cards and posters to download that will serve as reminders as you cultivate your own lucky disposition.

Here is your chance to test your luck!

I'm offering one lucky person a spot in the upcoming 21 Secrets Online Workshop hosted by Dirty Footprints Studio.

I'm really excited to be one of the 21 artists who are facilitating this event. I've had a chance to meet many of the other artists and preview their workshops. Each of us has a spot within the playground where we posted details about our art journal secret including a video and pdf download.

My workshop is called, "Let's Get Into Shape: Learn to collage like the Collage Diva." In my video, I share 12 ideas that you can mix and match as we focus on the design element shape. I've often been asked how I create collages where random elements look like they always belonged. Well, here is a very detailed answer to this question. It will definitely get you looking at shapes differently!

Here is how to enter:

• Leave a comment on this blog post. Tell me one thing that you feel really lucky about.
• You are welcome to enter twice! Visit both the Journey of the Heart Journal blog (available only to subscribers of my newsletter; see below to subscribe) and True North Arts blog.
• Enter by Wednesday, March 28th, Midnight EST. 
• I will compile all entries and randomly draw a winner. The announcement will be made on Thursday morning.

Good luck!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Big Dig

The Big Dig has officially begun! Pictured above was the first wave of stuff collected, bagged up, and donated - 16 bags full! Yesterday was an industrious day, I dove head first into the creative cave of chaos. It has been a long time coming and a move on the horizon is giving me the deadline and push that I've needed to declutter 7-1/2 years worth of stuff. It is so amazing how quickly things accumulate. It is interesting to observe how I collected stuff to fill a void felt most of my life. Yup, I had this feeling of unworthiness and I not only tried to fill that void with food, work, and serving others but also with stuff. Now, I look around and I feel like I don't need so much. In fact, I feel like I have more than enough. It is a wonderful feeling to be free of the compulsion. Oh how I love this feeling of freedom. So much weight has come off, not only the physical weight, but the emotional weight, and the weight of the stuff collected.

To stay on track with preparing for this move and to keep up on some other projects, I've decided to take a mini blog break. I'm thinking it will be two to three weeks. Friend me on Facebook, if you would like to stay in touch. I'll still post daily notes to my wall.

One of my projects is to prepare for the upcoming 21 Secrets Online Workshop. I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful creative tribe. My online workshop is called, "Let's Get Into Shape." I share some tips on how to create collages like the Collage Diva. Our focus is on the design element shape. I provide 12 prompts to mix and match to create beautiful magazine collages. What is so wonderful about this course is that the "playground" remains open until the end of the year and you can take your time visting each of the 21 artists' offerings. Each artist shares a different technique for you to play with in your journal. It is reasonably priced too at only $59! I hope to see you in there!

Meanwhile I hope you'll make some time to listen in on my interview with Liz Rosky. I'm so thrilled that the Journey of the Heart Journal has found its way to Honduras! Liz and I talk about what life is like in Honduras and how she is bringing the gift of journal keeping to the teens. You may be inspired by my big dig project and feel the need to begin your own spring cleaning. I encourage you to round up your extra art supplies and mail them down to Liz. There are several ways you can support her heARTfelt work in Honduras, CLICK HERE to learn more.

Several people have caught the cross making bug. I hope you'll find some time during Lent to make a cross. There is still plenty of time to collect some materials to make a cross and enter in the drawing to win a copy of the book, "Making Crosses." CLICK HERE to get the details.

With all of this I'm also working on developing a new website for the Women's Caucus for Art - NH Chapter. Life is soooo full! My head is whirling with some great Journey of the Heart Journal prompts. I'll be back before you know it. I do hope to still hear from you. I'm always interested in what is happening in your adventures. So please stay in touch!

Until then happy creating and connecting!

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

The Journey of the Heart Reaches Honduras

It was mid-December when I received an e-mail from a woman named Liz Rosky, an expat from Canada who retired to Honduras seven years ago. She shared with me her story of how she discovered the Journey of the Heart Journal. For years she had been asking "Why am I here?" As she worked through the journal prompts and questions Liz gained greater clarity. Liz called me about five weeks ago to discuss the progress of her dream. It was clear then that the train had left the station. I interviewed Liz two nights ago to capture her story, what she discovered, and where she is taking the Journey of the Heart Journal.

I invite you to sit a little closer and listen in on our conversation. Be sure you have 30 minutes as you will not want to miss any of this interview.

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview with Liz Rosky.

Working with the Journey of the Heart Journal has been a transformative experience for Liz and she has set out to share the gift of journal keeping with the teens in Honduras. Pictured here is the first Journey of the Heart Journal class.

The Journey of the Heart Journal was adapted to remove a lot of the color to make reproducing it more economical. I can't tell you how awesome it is to look at these photos and see my journal pages. Wow!

Look at the focus! How cool is this?

Pictured here is Liz and the students. Oh how I wish I was there to give her a big hug and to share my love for journaling in person with these students.

Look at that smile! I'll let you know further down what we can do to keep these smiles coming.

This is only the beginning for Liz and her "Colour a Childs World" dream.

I am really passionate about Liz's dream. You see I had the opportunity to travel to Honduras about 10 years ago. I went to visit my brother who ran river trips.

While I was in Honduras, we went on a 4-day, 3-night rafting trip. Pictured above is one of the darling little children playing along the river. Can you see the goat? 

At the time my brother was the only commercial outfitter running down the river and to thank the locals for sharing the river, he collected donations from his guests and delivered dental and school supplies. I was with my brother when he delivered the supplies to two Peche Indian Villages.

These mountain villages are so remote that the only way to get to them is by paddleboat (raft, canoe, etc.), burro, or helicopter. Pictured above is a boy in the village boat. I mention in the interview how this is the only boat for the entire village. It is carved out of a tree. Think about that. Think about how many cars a single family household in the US has.

In these short five weeks, Liz's train is moving fast! You see many of these children in these remote villages do not have shoes. There is a wonderful company called Toms Shoes. For every pair of shoes purchased, a pair is donated to a child in need. Liz was approached to help deliver over 1,000 shoes to children in the remote villages. In order to match the correct size shoes with the children the feet were traced. Pictured above is what Liz received. Is your heart tugging? I know mine is. Listen in on the interview to hear more of this story. Liz had called me and told me about all of this and she said, "Kathryn, I set out to bring art and journaling to the students, to colour their world. What do shoes have to do with it?"

I said, "Liz, you and I both know that if a child doesn't have their basic needs met, they are not prepared to be a student. Think about Abraham Maslow's pyramid of hierarchical needs. These children will not be ready to work in a journal if they are hungry and not clothed."

I urged her, "Go Liz. Go and put shoes on those children. It has everything to do with coloring their world."

In our interview we touch on several topics including:

• How she is going to take the Journey of the Heart Journal to a girl's detention center.
• How the online art community supports each other.
• How challenging it is to make things happen in Honduras.

I asked Liz how we can help her to "Colour a Child's World."

Here are some things you can do:

1. Visit Liz's website to learn more: http://colourachildsworld.weebly.com

2. Send art supplies. Raid your stash! We all have a ton of stuff that we've collected. Let's share it. Here are some important tips for mailing packages to Liz.

• Don't send air mail (The postmaster may insist that the package is marked "air mail." If it is marked air mail, Liz will get charged a fee to receive the package. It is one of those corrupt Honduras issues.)
• Keep the weight down, break it up into multiple packages rather than one big one.
• Padded envelopes work better than boxes.
• Double check the address. Yes it has to have all that stuff on individual lines as noted below:

Elizabeth Rosky
Barrio Centro
Edificio Optica Lux
Arriva Urgente Express
Tela 
Atlandita 
Honduras
Central America

3. Make a cash donation. Liz mentions in her interview that she will need to hire the Honduran military or police to have an escort when traveling to the mountain villages. This is one example of cash that she will need for her efforts. Visit the donation page on her website: http://colourachildsworld.weebly.com/donations.html

4. Organize a local drive with schools, parishes, or organizations in your area. Be sure to contact Liz to find out what is needed at the time you are ready to rally. E-mail Liz at: lizabett.rosky@gmail.com

5. Post a badge on your blog. Write about Liz on your blog and Facebook wall. Tell everyone! To grab a badge visit Liz's blog and you'll see the code on the sidebar: http://colourachildsworld.weebly.com/lizzies-news.html 

6. Keep in touch! You can follow Liz's journey on her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/liz.rosky

7. Support Toms Shoes. For every shoe you purchase, shoes are donated to a child in need. Visit their website to learn more: http://www.toms.com/

8. Subscribe to the True North Arts newsletter. You'll get free access to the Journey of the Heart Journal and I plan to post updates on Liz's adventure.

 

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

I can't tell you how humbled and touched I am to see where the Journey of the Heart Journal is going. I have often been told by others that I give away too much. When I look at these children and read the tender e-mails from those who follow my blogs, I know that I will not stop giving from the heart. Thank you all for sharing this journey. I hope you'll be in touch and let me know about your experiences with the Journey of the Heart Journal.

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva 

Lenten Journey - Making Crosses: An Act of Grace

 

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. This blog post on cross making was originally posted last year. My online friend, Grace Bower from New Zealand encouraged me to repost it. She writes, "Just reread your cross making post - are you thinking of updating it and redoing the competition? Everything you said seems to me worth repeating as we are all in a new space one year on. Feb 22 is the one year anniversary of the deaths of 185 people in the huge Christchurch quake. So many people have had their lives changed forever that this will really be a day of reflection for many. For NZ it is poignant that it is also Ash Wednesday in preparation for Lent."

Revisiting a post, book, theme, prompt always brings new insights for we are never the same person from one moment in time to the next. When I prepared the Journey of the Heart Journal post on crossroads, I was thinking of reposting this cross making project. Grace's question affirmed what I had already been thinking.

So I've dusted off this post, added some new reflections, and picked up another copy of the book, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God by Ellen Morris Prewitt to giveaway to one person who participates in a little contest. Details can be found further down on this post. 

Will you join me on a Lenten Journey?

Making time for reflection during the 40 days of Lent is a very powerful experience, regardless of your religious background. I've found the process of making crosses to be very transformative and insightful. Whenever we tap into the creative process, we touch the divine. It is experienced as GRACE, that feeling of ease where we enter the creative zone where images seem to emerge and words flow from the pen. This Lenten Journey that I'm inviting you to take with me is an invitation to enter into that creative space and to open up to GRACE. 

A project for everyone.

Making crosses doesn't require any background or training as an artist. All you need is a desire to collect stuff and put it together. There are no rules, guidelines, or expectations. You can make the crosses from magazine images and collage them together in your journal. Broken dishes, dried flowers, seashells, old jewelry - really anything you can imagine can be worked into a cross. Allow yourself the creative freedom to select what piques your interest. You may need to experiment with different adhesives, wire, or nails to assemble your cross. The process of selecting materials and pulling it together is part of the journey - I hope you'll have fun with it.

If you are not of a Christian background this symbol can be seen as a CROSSROADS. It is a great visual for representing the paths in your life, a point of intersection, and a place to check in before moving on in a journey. I write more about the crossroads theme in the most recent Journey of the Heart Journal post. In the post, I share a cross made out of paper that represents my word for the year, "embrace." I offer several questions in that post that may help you as you reflect upon and interpret your own crosses.

I was first inspired by the book, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God by Ellen Morris Prewitt. The book offers steps, reflections, and journal exercises to guide you in making crosses.

 
Each cross has a story to tell.

Each cross is a unique reflection of the person making it and holds within it a very personal story. Clues of the story emerge from the materials that were selected. Whatever is burning in our hearts becomes the story our crosses tell. Like all of my art making, I work intuitively to make the crosses. I pay little attention to "why" I'm selecting materials. I grab what grabs me. Making time for quiet reflection is an important part of the process. Storytelling has the power to heal - when we share our stories we learn that we are not alone in our struggles. Often we make peace with what has been stirring inside and our stories offer comfort and resolution. As you tell your story, consider how you will tell it. You have the opportunity to tell it anew and in a way that is empowering.

My first crosses and the story they tell.

To get started on my first crosses, I was drawn to natural materials and pulled out a large hat box stuffed with dried materials left over from my Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) practice. What follows are five crosses and my reflections on each one.

Cross 1: Believe
bleached kiwi branch, eucalyptus pods, and seashell

As I looked at this cross I thought, "What are you struggling with?" A torrent of emotions welled up and shook my body like a violent storm. I was watching myself and silently asked, "What is behind this strong reaction?" Looking at this sweet little cross I heard the question, "What do you believe?"

After thinking a bit I replied, "I still don't know." For most of my life and even today I have difficulty speaking the name God. For me it is rife with a history of man's ego acting out so violently throughout the centuries in the name of God. In my own life I've been saddened to witness (albeit far lesser) trespasses on the name by mean and petty "Christians." From a young age and even today I struggle separating man from religion. How much of traditional religions are divinely inspired and how much is designed by man to serve man? I mean no blaspheme here and wish to add that in my work of the last 7 years, I have come to know so many dear, honest, and faith-filled people who inspire me to look closer with an open heart. What I do know is that we are part of something bigger. I have been blessed to witness miracles every day, yes every single day. With each miraculous coincidence, kismet seems to be dancing in front of me and asking, "When will you get it?"

"But what exactly am I to get?"

I turn to my next cross.

Cross 2: Spiritual Growth
safari sunset for cross bars and decorated with grevallia
both materials are from South Africa 

With the branches full of leaves and an unusual flower at the center, my second cross speaks to me of growth. This cross reminds me just how important it is to make time for contemplative practices. As I prepare to take up a Lenten Journey, this cross is a signal to dedicate more time for journal writing, daily walks, and yoga.

Cross 3: Harvesting Humility
corn broom 

This cross, made of broom corn reminds me of the autumn harvest. It also reminds me of the simple lifestyle of the Peche Indians I met when traveling in Honduras. The homes were so simple. They used branches as brooms to sweep their dirt floored homes with the leaves. When I look at this cross I am humbled and reminded that we do not need as much as we think we do. The cross speaks to me, "Live a simple life and you will reap a harvest that will nourish you and those whom you serve."

This cross asks me to look around at all that I have collected. "Do you need all of this stuff? What can you give away that will help another less fortunate?"

Cross 4: Bound Together
pussy willow branches, leaves, starfish 

As I tied together three pussy willow branches, I imagined the leaf as a bandage holding together three parts of myself: the child, the mother, and the artist. The starfish was attached with another leaf at the center of the cross. Doesn't the starfish look playful? It is as if it has outstretched arms and it is dancing. As I seek to balance the different archetypes and roles, the dualities of my mind and body, I see how important it is to approach life as a dance for when I resist, I feel the struggle.

This cross says, "Lighten up! Get playful." On this Lenten Journey I will seek to be like a child - full of wonder and curiosity; like a mother - nurturing and gentle; and like the artist - creative and contemplative.

Cross 5: Forgiveness
Japanese foxtail pussywillow, seed pod, red dogwood branch 

This last cross is perhaps the most intriguing to me.

At the center is a prickly seed pod that is empty of all seeds and a branch of red dogwood, twisted and turned to form a loop.

The top bears several branches reaching out. I sat for quite a time looking up on my wall of crosses thinking, "What is the story behind this cross?" I sat still in silence. I sat and sat. My mind seemed empty. On a small table next to the crosses I pulled out my box of Zen cards and randomly choose a card. FORGIVENESS came up. "Ah-ha! Yes, forgiveness is the name of this cross." I've been exploring forgiveness in the last seven years and more recently the focus has been turned inward on forgiving myself. As I look back on that first cross and my struggle, perhaps it is time to open my heart and forgive those who have been so very human, broken, and misguided?

The back of the Zen card reads:

FORGIVE

yourself and everyone

around you. When you

judge others, YOU

are the one who feels

pain. Through

forgiveness, all pain

disappears.

Now it is your turn!

I invite you to take up your own journey during the 40 days of Lent. Try making a cross of your own. Consider getting together with your friends to share this creative practice - and be sure to leave time for telling the stories of the crosses. The crosses also make a thoughtful gift for a friend, loved one, or colleague.

Enter to Win

I'm interested in posting a gallery of crosses in time for Easter. Wouldn't it be cool to see crosses designed by people from all over the world? I hope you'll be inspired by this post to create one. As a little incentive I picked up a copy of the book, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God by Ellen Morris Prewitt for one lucky participant.

1. Design a cross using any materials of your choosing. Maybe you'll take a week to collect materials before you sit down to work. One suggestion from the book is to select items to honor your past. To get organized, consider setting up a table just for this practice so you don't have to complete your project in one sitting. When I work I allow myself to slow down and observe the process. Feeling resistance? Breath into it and let go of any expectations. Turn to your journal to empty yourself of any frustration. Remind yourself that you have everything you need to make your cross.

2. Post a photo of your cross on your blog. (If you don't have a blog, e-mail me at kathrynantyr@mac.com)

3. Include a link back to www.truenortharts.com on your blog post.

4. Include a description. In your blog post share the materials used, the name of your cross, and if you feel comfortable, the story of your cross. (I know this can get personal and I want you to feel safe sharing your stories.)

5. Come back to this post and leave a comment. Be sure to let me know what country you are in. If you are in the US please add what state you are in. You may also write to me directly at kathrynantyr@mac.com

6. Submit your entry by Friday, April 1, 2012 at midnight EST.

7. I'll post the CROSS GALLERY and announce the winner on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012.

Go! Collect some materials and fashion yourself a cross. In this creative time, look inward. Listen to your heart. May you find a deeper connection to the divine. I look forward to seeing your beautiful crosses!

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

 

Journey of the Heart Journal - Crossroads

When I first set out yesterday to write this post, I felt restless. I decided to follow my instincts and hopped into my car and headed to the ocean. I landed first in Portsmouth where I savored a gorgeous Tempranillo wine from Spain at a restaurant called Agave Mexican Bistro. Just a few doors down I stopped into a darling consignment boutique called Cheap Chique where I splurged and bought the sexiest shoes made in the mountains of Italy. Oooooh I think it is time for a pedicure before I step out into the world with these new shoes.

I was feeling pretty satiated from the food, wine, and recent purchases. I headed to North Hampton to walk the beach. (click photo to enlarge) My lungs filled up with the salty air and my body relaxed to the lullaby sound of the water moving in and out. Even as I write this I can hear the deep sound of the waves crashing. Mission accomplished! My restlessness disappeared.

Earlier in the week, in fact on Valentine's Day, I received a surprise package in the mail from California. Tucked inside was the handmade paper cross pictured above. Nance had been inspired by my cross making blog post from last year and has taken up the practice of making crosses using found objects. (I've since updated and reposted the CROSS MAKING post and contest.)

When I asked her about the cross she said that it reminded her of my word for the year, "embrace." Intrigued by this little paper treasure, I spent some time reflecting on it in my journal. The origami base forms what looks like wings and illustrates my own emergence from a 7-year period of hibernation. Like the figure I'm spreading my own wings. I thought about the cross and and my own crossroads. I posed the following questions in my journal,  "Where am I heading? Who will join me? What will I do?"

I thought about the everyday crossroads in our lives, you know those little decisions that when added up make a difference in how we live.

"Do I eat the cake?"
"White or Wheat or skip the bread altogether?"
"Yes? No! or Maybe?"

Then I made another connection that this Wednesday begins Lent. For those of you who are Catholic you might enjoy this virtual Stations of the Cross that I designed where you can follow the Passion of Christ. Thinking of Lent naturally lead me to thinking about questions like:

"What crosses am I bearing?"
"Do I continue to carry the same burdens?"
"Is it time to let go?"
"Am I carrying someone else's cross?" 

I'll close this post with sharing a few thoughts about the burdens we often carry. Take a moment to think about something that is weighing you down. How do you talk about it? Do you find yourself making excuses or using words that paint a negative picture? Every time we tell these stories we dig ourselves deeper into the pit of despair. I challenge you to try a couple of things if you are feeling burdened. 1. Stop talking about it. Talking can get you stuck like a broken record and you can't move forward. 2. Drop the excuses. Excuses don't help any situation - they will only serve to hold you back. 3. If you feel compelled to talk about it, reframe the story in a positive way, a way that will inspire you to take action, move forward, and make healthy choices. Identify the successes found within the situation, the skills learned, the knowledge gained. Change your focus not on what you have done as much as what you want to do and what you get to do.

As I look back on my cross, I see the man with his arm stretched out and I think "Go for it. Embrace life and all that it has to offer. Don't be afraid! You may not know exactly the course you are charting, but you do have wings. Step into your future!" I love that when I do step out, I have a new pair of beautiful shoes to wear.

A friend on Facebook posted this quote:

Today I will be open to the future rather than trying to create it through my expectations.

Do you have a word for the year? Consider making your own cross and incorporate images and words that reflect the meaning of your watchword. Download the Journey of the Heart Journal page and consider the crossroads in your life.

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Journey of the Heart Journal - Love

With Valentine's Day only a couple days away, it seemed only fitting to speak of love. In 2011, my word for the year was love. I selected it in the hopes of finding that romantic love dripping with giddiness and on the course to true intimacy. But alas, I was served up a different experience of love. My regular readers who have followed my journey know this tale - it is a story of learning to gracefully let go of people and things that I loved. I also learned about loving myself completely and this resulted in restoring my health and losing to date 55.5 lbs.

In this year I also discovered the Aphrodite in me - a juicy, sensual woman. As the Aphrodite archetype activated in me, my eyes opened up and I began to see the beauty within everyone I met. I see their individual gifts, even if they don't, and my desire is to help them to realize this beauty so they can go out into the world and grace us all with their unique light. Aphrodite, in the purest sense is not about sex but about loving the divine in others and loving the experience of life with every sense: sight, smell, taste, hearing, and feeling.

As I sit at my computer this morning writing this blog post, I feel rested, refreshed, renewed. I love the bright sun lighting the room. I'm listening to the soothing voice of Deepak Chopra. He speaks of love and I'm filled with contentment. He says:

love is meant to heal

love is meant to renew

love is meant to make us safe

love is meant to inspire us with its power

love is meant to remove all doubts

love is meant to oust all fear

love is meant to unveil immortality

love is meant to bring peace

love is meant to harmonize our differences

love is meant to bring us closer to God

Deepak Chopra speaks of:

The Secret of Love

The Secret of Attraction

The Secret of Infatuation

The Secret of Communion

The Secret of Intimacy

The Secret of Sexuality

The Secret of Surrender

The Secret of Passion

The Secret of Ecstasy

and the recording includes meditations, affirmations, and poetry. (See: The Secret of Love by Deepak Chopra)

Yesterday I randomly opened up the book: 365 Mary: A Daily Guide to Mary's Wisdom and Comfort . I landed on a page titled, "Heart Transplant." Here is an excerpt from the reflection:

Despite the fact that most of us will be neither the donor nor the recipient in an actual heart transplant, when we risk forming intimate relationships with others we take part in a heart transplant of a different sort. Whenever we fall in love, connect with a soulmate, give birth to a child, or form a deep, intimate relationship, we give away our heart, or at least part of it. Sometimes the transplant takes and we get back as much as we give; other times the tissue isn't a close enough match, and we end up being hurt. Most of the time, however, the reward of love is worth all the pain and the risk.

Questions: Am I afraid to love? What do I think would happen if I let myself love and be loved?

Affirmation: I'm willing to risk love.

I can not write of love without including a little Rumi.

I WANT THAT LOVE

Lift your veil
So I may see your face
Part the clouds
So I may see the moon
Scatter your hair
So I may sense your fragrance
Part your lips
So I may kiss your breath
I want that love
That moved the mountains
I want that love
That split the ocean
I want that love
That made the winds tremble
I want that love
That roared like thunder
I want that love
That will raise the dead
I want that love
That lifts us to ecstasy
I want that love
That is the silence of eternity

(Deepest thanks to my dear friend Chris O'Connor  for sharing her Tango Couple SoulCollage card pictured above.)

 

 I'll close this post with some words from the Henri Nouwen Society:

Words That Feed Us

When we talk to one another, we often talk about what happened, what we are doing, or what we plan to do. Often we say, "What's up?" and we encourage one another to share the details of our daily lives. But often we want to hear something else. We want to hear, "I've been thinking of you today," or "I missed you," or "I wish you were here," or "I really love you." It is not always easy to say these words, but such words can deepen our bonds with one another.

Telling someone "I love you" in whatever way is always delivering good news. Nobody will respond by saying, "Well, I knew that already, you don't have to say it again"! Words of love and affirmation are like bread. We need them each day, over and over. They keep us alive inside.

This week I invite you to turn your attention inward first and love yourself. Fill up with the knowledge that you are completely loved and lovable. Then, answer Henri Nouwen's call to speak your words of love to others.

May you have a lovely week!

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Journey of the Heart Journal - Manifesto

Today I made this manifesto, a collection of words and statements that express what is important to me and how I aim to live my life. In the last 6 months I had some challenges thrown at me that derailed me from working on my dream projects. I stalled. I gave myself permission to rest but I also needed a jump start to get back into the game. A colleague of mine gave me a little book, "The Rhythm of Life" by Michael Kelly. This was just the jump start I needed. In the last couple of weeks, I'm re-energized and you'll see it in my recent posts. I discovered some other books that are reawakening my passions and I share these links further down in this post.

Let's take a closer look at my manifesto, shall we?

 

 

embrace - bring it on! accept challenges gracefully. savor change. meet people where they are at. create a space for yourself and others to be their BEST.

creative life - saturate every day and each  moment with creativity.

healthy, vibrant, zesty - green + energy rich foods + movement + increase awareness of my body + infuse with love.

purpose + intention - see it + feel it + believe it + live it

 

 

joy - laughter, play, seek joy, joy FULL, spread joy, enJOYment

love + passion - with an open heart my love and passion is expressed in all that I do.

 

 

grace + trust + belief + divine timing.

intuition - I listen deeply. make time for solitude each day. "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying. "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

 

I love this quote from Mary Anne Radmacher. I keep it out to remind me to live with intention. I see the manifesto as being a source of inspiration when life throws challenges my way. I've posted it next to my computer, on the fridge, and even in the bathroom.

To create your own manifesto check out these resources: 

The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose - Matthew shares his observations of successful people. He writes about having a Life Principle, a single sentence, phrase or idea that sums up the focus of a person's life. He notes that "successful people have a direction. They do not react to the day-to-day happenings, but rather, their life is a conscious action, moving towards a specifically defined goal, directed by a carefully considered philosophy, which is summarized by a single principle - a Life Principle. Their Life Principle brings them into focus, keeps them focused, and protects them from being distracted."

The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose - This book echoes the advice that Matthew gives. They offer some clear, specific exercises and steps for identifying your top 5 passions and goals and what to do to go from dreaming to doing and living the dream. 

Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat - This is a delightful and zesty book by Kimberly Wilson. Chapter 4 titled, "Visionary Value: infuse your life with a value-led vision" brings another voice to this topic with different activities. Be sure to check out her manifesto on her website, HERE.

Graphic designer, Aileen of "Creating Clever" has a great post where she shares her manifesto,  CLICK HERE.  She also designed a fabulous template to help you to build your own, CLICK HERE. She was inspired by the Holstee Manifesto Poster.

What's next? Now that I have my manifesto that is focused on words that inspire me to be my best, it is time to get specific and write my top 5 passion-filled goals. I'll share more on that process next week.

This week's Journey of the Heart Journal page offers you a place for collecting words and phrases to build your own manifesto.

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

I would love to read your manifesto. Send me a copy at kathrynantyr@mac.com or post it to my Facebook wall at www.facebook.com/collagediva

Happy manifesting!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Journey of the Heart Journal - Passion and Joy

Happy New Year! I love that several weeks into the new year I can pull out that greeting.

"And now we welcome the new year,

full of things that have yet to come."

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Oh how I'm energized by the possibilities! It is the Chinese New Year and the year of the dragon, the most passionate of all the signs. All week I've been thinking about passion and how I might invite the qualities of the dragon in my life in 2012.

One of my very favorite things to do is to go out on outings to discover new places and people. I chat people up in the hopes of uncovering what they are passionate about. Pictured here is Naomi Scanlon who I met last fall at a local farmers market. She is passionate about garlic ---- oh how my Italian blood was whizzing as she told me about garlic scapes as I sampled her scape pesto made from garlic that she grows at her charming farm in Canterbury, NH. 

On another outing in Portsmouth, NH I met Zip from Eliot, Maine. Zip is really into vintage bicycles. Look at him, isn't he darling? I have some fabulous shots from this unexpected encounter that I'll share later in the week on my Collage Diva blog. Be sure to swing by. Zip and his wife have over 80 bikes and they travel all over the world with them. Now how cool is that?

This week I met up with my hair stylist. Tina McCown is a dynamo! Here is a woman who loves, loves, loves what she does and damn she is soooo good at it! I love her energy and zest - it mirrors my own enthusiasm for life. I told her that I was writing about passion this week and I asked her how she found her calling. I left feeling energized, not only by my fabulous hair, but by witnessing how this person is living her true authentic life. (If you are anywhere near Southern NH, you must go see her. She is a master hair designer and an expert with color. You can find her at the Be Day Spa on 55 S. Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101. Call her! (603) 540-3736 or e-mail her at cosmo90@comcast.net. Tell her that I sent you. Let her work her magic on you.)

I am really one lucky girl for I am surrounded by passionate people. At my day job, there are a number of people whom I admire who have a deep faith. Each one of these dear souls inspires me to be my very best, to do good, and to share from my heart. We have a new chief at the helm who I'm so impressed with, he is not only humble and faithful, but silly and down to earth. You can see  pictures of this amazing man, HERE. Across the hall from me are a couple of women who get me. Our impromptu chats always leave me feeling inspired. Oh and there is one priest who I've worked with for years and I dubbed him the "liturgy geek" this week. Although I don't understand the Catholic Mass as he does, I love seeing him light up when he bounces into my office to share his latest thoughts on sacred architecture or the nuances and details of the liturgy.

So tell me dear reader, what makes your eyes widen? What stirs deep within your heart and wakes you up? Whether it is garlic, vintage bikes, hair, or faith, each one of us has stirrings, longings, and a calling. I see *BEAUTY* in others when they are expressing and living their passions. When we fully realize our gifts and share them with others - well, it just doesn't get better than that.

I have a spare room that was once my "creative room" but has become more of the "creative cave of chaos." I suppose the chaos is really a hazzard of being the Collage Diva - the littlest scrap of paper holds such potential. Last weekend I decided to tackle clearing out the cave. I found many gems that I had forgotten - the Dragon from Bali (I needed a dragon for this post.) and the scrap of paper pictured above (Now how perfect is it's message?).  I even found cut up words from magazines that were in among piles of stuff and the words: love and joy kept showing up. It was so much fun diving into my cave and letting serendipity guide me on finding just the right images and words  for this post. Who would have thought that de-cluttering would be so much fun!

All week I had this Zen card propped against my computer. This is what it says on the back:

Joy is INSIDE you.

Not in the attainment of things desired,

nor in the achievement of goals made.

But in the simple feeling that lies within you.

Know that this JOY is unaffected by outer circumstance,

and joy will be yours forever.

I was chatting with a dear friend of mine about the distinction between joy and happiness. We determined that happiness is a fleeting feeling as fleeting as clouds that appear and disappear in the sky. Things outside of us make us happy - a gorgeous sunset, a beautiful piece of music, the touch of a loved one. The happiness we feel is temporary and easily changed to other feelings. Joy on the other hand is found within each of us and it is always there. It is like the sun that is ever present even if storm clouds come rolling in. The best part, no one can take your joy away from you - now how great is that?

What are you passionate about?

It is so much fun being on this Journey of the Heart. Two weeks ago I started contemplating "passion" and different books came into my life that I think you'll find helpful if you are stuck on the question, "What are you passionate about?" Here is a list of several things you can do:

1. Keep an excitement list. Each night for the next week or two reflect on the day and write down what things lit you up. Notice when you felt energized. Notice when your eyes sparkled and widened like my Bali dragon. After a couple of weeks go over your list and circle any recurring things. Look for patterns. Notice your reaction to your list. These are clues to what you are passionate about.

2. Read, The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose by Matthew Kelly. It is a quick read that will give you a spark and inspire you. Matthew has had a lifelong interest in successful people and has sought out how they work. He found some interesting common threads and underlying it all is passion. His book will give you ideas on how you can cultivate your own rhythm that supports living your fullest and best life.

3. Take the "Passion Test." I stumbled on the work of Janet and Chris Attwood this week. There is a free passion test and some inspirational videos on their website. I'm just now 40 pages into their book, The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose So far, their reflections echo what I know to be true and I'm excited to gain clarity of my own purpose and to get acting on a new plan. Yahoo!

4. Make time for solitude. Matthew, Janet, and Chris all stress the importance of making time for solitude. It is in this sweet silence that we touch down to our higher Self and the divine. It is in this sweet silence that we become grounded and gain clarity, find peace and tap into our JOY. In the sweet silence you will be able to listen to your intuition, pay attention! Find quiet time in meditation, yoga, or a solo walk.

5. Dive into your journal. Download this week's Journey of the Heart Journal page (see below). The page bears a dragon's wing and a gentle reminder to listen to what stirs your heart. Use this page to record your excitement list and brainstorm what you love.

I hope you can feel my own excitement radiating from this screen. I've stopped several times while writing this to do a happy dance. I love so much contemplating different themes and how they may help me and YOU to live our best possible lives. I love photographing stuff, meeting people, sharing stories, and making connections. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your time with me and joining me on this Journey of the Heart. Your witness means the world to me. May you uncover your own passions, gain greater clarity, and embrace the journey. Much love to you dear readers.

Namaste, Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.