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Sunday, February 21, 2010

Two words.

Two words.

They might be all it takes to change my life.

I've been working this past week on Connie's awesome program "Art Journal Love Letters". While learning some amazing techniques for our art journal (which I've just started - and LOVE), we've been reflecting on our foundation.

My foundation. Hmm.

It's something I often ignore. After all, life can keep going with a foundation that is "solid enough". If it's solid enough to keep me going through laundry and child meltdowns, financial crises and snow days, it's solid enough. But solid enough won't make a life lived. It just makes a life survived.

When I'm out on the track, at mile 4.5, solid enough won't get me to that next mile. My foundation screams out that it is enough that I ran, enough that I'm out there, and that walking certainly won't hurt.

And solid enough keeps our home in disarray, our finances just balanced enough so we don't overdraw, and the kids happy enough that they don't have a breakdown.

But I am More than Enough.

Getting the time and over the fears to examine this foundation has taken a lot. And I'm still not done...I know this is an ongoing process. But, as with the art journal, I have to stop messing with the foundation at some point. I have to create it - mindfully and with purpose - and then have the confidence to keep going and the trust that the foundation IS.

My foundation can't be too complicated and vague, otherwise I have the tendency to just sink into it like a pool full of mushy, squishy, comforting thoughts. At the same time, I need my foundation to have some depth and complexity - otherwise it is too hard, too cold, too inflexible for me to build anything on.

So I move forward today based on a foundation of two words:

Strength and Joy.


I'll elaborate, perhaps later this evening, on what those words mean to me.
For now, I challenge those of you who read this to stop for a minute - yes, right now - and contemplate what your foundation Is.
Many blessings for us all as we journey through the process.

6 comments:

  1. Strength and Joy.

    Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I am speechless.

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  2. I truly love that I found your blog thru OWOH! This was another beautiful, inspiring post, and I think your banner says it all!

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  3. Hi Lisa,

    I wanted to say the words you chose for foundation words are wonderful. Words that can inspire and enhance the lives in which we live.

    Also wanted to let you know that I used JoSonja Acrylic Gouache for the paint on my bird project. I love the paint and use it for many things, it is very versitale. Here is the link if you would like to learn a little more about it http://www.josonja.com

    Hugs

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  4. Lisa, I loved your post! Really thoughtful. So glad to have found your blog. Good luck on your upcoming 5k. Running can bring us strength and joy. Even at mile 5! I need to start running again! :) Have a great week.

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  5. What a wonderful post. I might be able to run 5 feet if the house was on fire, but not sure how much more. I'm simply amazed at your stamina, which translates into strength.

    To me, strength means the courage I have each day to put myself out there. Joy comes when I know that people are actually reading my blog and enjoy it. Thanks for such an inspirational post.

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  6. strength and joy are the perfect words for you. i think of those two words when i think of you. hugs!!

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