Looking from Above

Sometimes we have to close our eyes and reopen them with a new perspective.

We look forward so much. In the car, our eyes are glued to the traffic ahead. At work, we glare blindly straight at the computer screen. Or ahead from the couch to the TV or iPhone.

I learned a lesson the other week, so focused on my task to clear out overgrown brush in my yard... I didn't look down to see the poison ivy surrounding me (which led to the most horrible itchy rash I've had since the chicken pox when I was 7!) 


We can learn a lot from our winged friends, as they circle and soar from above. Taking in the big picture, which helps them focus on what sustains them.


Love to Pixie Campbell and my SouLodge sisters for their continued support and inspiration to see views I never imagined.

Use your flight to its highest abilities. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and look at life with a new perspective. Aho.

 

Rooting in Solitude

I love to be in the mix of my community, my family, hear the noise and the laughter and occasionally the tears. But it’s draining as well and I often need to step away, be alone.

People used to tell me that was because I was introverted or shy like that was a bad thing.

But I’m learning that going into solitude is ok. 

Fills my cup, replenishes, place my feet on the ground and and feel my soul connect to the earth and what’s important.

Let nature wrap her warmth around me like the safety of the womb. Listening to my heartbeat and what the rhythm yearns for.

Be wide open to the world around you, reconnect to your inner child, don't be afraid to sit alone and reground your soul.

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The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go…

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Finding inspiration in some outdoor beauty...

photo credits:
http://frommoontomoon.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html
http://thehemloft.com/
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86774299/arizona-open-road-photo-art-print-desert
http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/2012/04/23/secret-hideout/

 

Life Under Glass

Spring is in full bloom here in Maryland. I can not get enough of putting my hands in the dirt and planting flowers and getting the garden beds ready. I would sit outside with my feet in the grass and my face to the sun, all day, everyday, if I could. 

I work with a woman who is severely allergic to any type of flower or plant, so I'm unable to have any at my desk. Then I saw Etsy was having a workshop on terriums and I thought what a great idea! Little green life all enclosed and under glass, for my desk! So of course I'm all over Pinterest looking for ideas! I especially love the ones that reuse glasswear that would otherwise be tossed.

 

Have you guys tried any DIY terrariums? What fun containers can you think to reuse? I'm on a search for something fun to use!

All pictures are either property of Twisted Whimsy or from Pinterest.

Front Page!

So my dream is to one day (soon I hope) be a feature on etsy's blog in their "quit your day job" series. I don't mind where I work now and the people are great but I really want to be my own boss, make my own hours and make a living doing what I truly love. On Sunday I checked my Twisted Whimsy email account and saw tons of people had added me to their circles. Turns out one of my treasuries had made it to the front page of etsy.com.

While I know I still have a way to go to be able to quit my day job, seeing my name there on the front page was a reminder of my goal and an inspiration that I'm one step closer.

You can check out the wonderful items in the treasury here: Spring into I Do
Thanks to all the sweet shops that gave me inspiration that day :)

Today's shop in the series is super awesome, hoakonhelga. I loved her story and her lovely words to keep plugging and believe it'll happen.


Peace & Whimsy,
Joanna

Crazy Sexy Life

A couple days ago I pulled out my book by Kris Carr, Crazy Sexy Diet

If you haven't added this one to your bookshelf it is a must have. She is a fierce wellness warrior and inspiration for a total life upgrade. It's not a diet book at all, it's more about getting back to real food, putting our true selves first and as the book cover says "ignite your spark and live like you mean it."

But it's not always easy right? I often struggle with that word perfection. If I can be the best, I'm defeated. I don't even want to try.  As so often happens the universe drives me someplace to kick my ass out of the pity party and defeat...I ventured to Kris' blog tonight and was scrolling through and found the most amazing post, by Sherold Barr. 

She asks the question does perfect really matter. Not really, that you have to be willing to "suck" to live your best life.  But suck doesn't really mean suck the way you first think...
She goes on to say that means you have to be... 

-Willing to show up and take action.
-Willing to accept whatever comes back to you -– be it praise or criticism.
-Willing to be vulnerable.
-Willing to do what you love no matter what anyone thinks.
-Willing to break the rules.
-Willing to be fearless.
-Willing to do what you want to do, not what others want you to do.

 

and the one that really stood out to me:

-Willing to look underneath shame and acknowledge the universal belief with which we all struggle, from time to time that tells us, “I am not good enough.”

Because guess what... you are enough! I might make that my new mantra. 

A little self-care is good for us all!

I've been going a bit inward lately, attending the SouLodge with a group of wonderous sisters, realizing that I have all of these ideas stirring in my head, heart & soul. Creative needs, business wants, life expectations but they always seem to stop at ideas. I rarely move forward with a lot of things that I know are meaningful and that I want. I've placed this wall, this barrier that keeps me from moving forward and honestly I think often keeps people out. But I feel changes coming and a new strength that's helping me take some well needed baby steps to complete projects and get to goals.

Part of this self-care has opened up a vision on the world around me, nature in particular. Sounds corny, I know. But I've never been a fan of winter and this year I find myself enjoying early morning cold walks with my dog. Listening to all the birds chatter and taking it all in.

The weather in Maryland has been a bit warm but we had a bit of snow the other day and it was so fun to run in the backyard with Crosby and look up as the huge snowflakes fell. Ahhhh, I've got a little room to breathe the fresh air and it feels so good. I hope to meditate on this feeling and keep it going for 2012.