Giveaway! One World One Heart

UPDATE: ENTRY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ENTERED. I WILL BE DRAWING A WINNER ASAP and POSTING LATER TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH & GOOD LUCK!

_______________________________________________________________________

My first ever giveaway! I'm so excited to be giving back to the community that has given me so much.

To My Followers:

This post is for the One World One Heart Giveaway. This is an amazing event that I only recently learned of...but am so glad that I did. This giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not you are a participant in the OWOH (One World One Heart).

Lisa (at awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com) created this annual giveaway in 2007. (And what an awesome name, huh?! Gotta love those Lisa's.) It is open to anyone who wants to participate and is a way for bloggers to journey around the world, meet fellow travellers, possibly win some lovely gifts, and find CONNECTIONS...all while in one's jammies. Lovely, eh?

I ADORE her description of this event and am so thrilled to see so many people taking part. As she states, "If only it took a simple giveaway to create PEACE everywhere, in the mean time here we give from our hearts. We are not solving the worlds problems nor are we curing anything nor are we changing the world. We are merely generating a closer community between humans through blogging. "

EXACTLY! I'm sure that's what many of us hope to do with our blogs...simply find that community and those connections with others of open hearts.

I'm quite the procrastinator ...the deadline for joining the group has already passed (I got in at the last minute!). But I encourage you to go over and check out more about the event - and Lisa - at awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com .

I plan this to be the first of many giveaways here. I love the feeling of creating something to be sent out to a lovely soul in the universe.

TO ONE WORLD ONE HEART Participants (and my followers who would like to enter!):

You are truly an amazing group. At the time of this posting, over 1000 strong!

As you've probably noticed, I'm one of the last few to jump on board...mainly because I had such a hard time deciding what to do for a giveaway. I've only recently discovered my inner artist and she's still a bit shy. A perfectionist-by-training, I'm still learning how to create while silencing the "shoulds".

So it is still hesitantly (but with the best of intentions to be confident!) that I offer up my first-ever altered book for my first-ever giveaway!

The story? Very simple...how one might learn to grow. Should, Could, Might, Will....AM. The book itself is about 8 1/2 inches x 5 inches in size.

I will post more about the history behind this book (and my plans to keep right on going with creating altered books, journals, and mixed-media poetry!) in a post to follow this one. (No need to make this post pages long!)

And to be honest, that little inner critic was a persistent li'l bugger ... she only now let me finish the cover. The book is in progress, but I promise it will be done and beautifully wrapped to send your way! I will continue to update THIS post with photos as it gets completed. (Finishing the cover has released some fears - it's full steam ahead from here.) UPDATE 2/9: New photos at the bottom of this post!

TO ENTER:

• Please leave a comment ON THIS POST by Monday, February 15th, 2010 before 6:00 p.m. (EST). If you've not been here before, I'd love to know a bit more about you - perhaps a fear of your own that you've recently overcome!!

• Be sure I have a way to reach you - include your blog or email address. (I can't send you the book if I can't get in touch with you!)

(I've had someone mention they were not able to leave a comment before. If you have troubles but still want to be entered in the drawing, email me at Lifeunity (at) gmail {dot} com and I'll include you.)

I will choose a winner by random number generator and announce the winner on the evening of February 15th . I will contact you if you've won (and have left a way for me to get in touch with you!). The book will be sent out the next day as long as I have a valid mailing address.

ABOUT ME:

I've seen a few OWOH sites where people have included some information about themselves and/or their blog for first-time visitors. What a great idea!

I am a "stay-at-home" mother of two young children, a registered yoga teacher, and an awakening creative spirit living in a college town in Southern Indiana.

My typical day-to-day activities include training for the Indianapolis mini-marathon and a triathlon (both of which I still can't believe -- a year ago the thought of running made me cringe and my hubby and I didn't even own bikes), getting our kindergartner to and from school, playing with our 2-year old, blogging, creating a myriad of projects, reading, laundry, and pondering the mysteries of life. Yeah, it's an interesting life I lead.

I love Anthropologie but can't afford most of their things, am far more addicted to chai than I'm comfortable with, and get annoyed when I end sentences or phrases with prepositions.

I am an avid (but not professional) photographer, get revived by the outdoors, practice yoga on and off the mat whenever I re-member my Self, and hope I am moved to start teaching again within the next year.

I am in my 30's and have followed a life indulged in Wonderment...not willing to let go of the idea of "something more" merged with the daily "to-do's". I like to challenge my own and others' views of reality, including questionning that darned phrase "that's just the way it is". I enjoy wine and diet coke, though I'm trying to drink a lot less of the latter. Neither quite fit into training, but we'll see how they work over the next few months.

I keep our house a controlled mess because there are more important things to do with my time (but am still embarassed if we have people over), am a vegetarian (but live in a household of meat-eaters and never judge other peoples' choices of what they eat), and value honest friendships -the kind where you never feel judged by the other person - quite highly (though I'm horrible about getting back with those wonderful friends I do have).

This blog exists to bring all of that - and then some - together. It is my attempt to radiate that which I've learned (and am learning) in hopes of connecting with others in the same boat and possibly inspiring some who are struggling with similar issues. It is my way of reaching out to the universe, constantly acknowledging who I am, and hoping to skip along with some fellow travellers and maybe learn some interesting songs along the way.

If this calls to you, please feel free to join me! Just click on the "Follow" button or send me an email at Lifeunity (at) gmail [dot] com. (You know the drill...gotta foil those spammers.)

Namaste - and good luck!!

--Lisa

UPDATES 2/9/2010:

I am finally almost finished! I plan to do a bit more embellishing, but here are some photos of the insides of the book...ya know, the actual story part?!

I am truly overwhelmed by all of the kind comments and the blogs and talent of the OWOH participants! Thank you all so much for sharing your worlds with me...

Divine Play

What if...

...We were divine beings who decided to take a little time to explore what it means to be "human".

We chose our body - and each of its uniquely human characteristics - fully understanding how rich of an experience it would be to inhabit one.

We confined ourselves to a mind - knowing that by simply remembering the divinity that resided there we could explore limitless possibilities that arise from intellect, wisdom, and infinite awareness combined.

We did all of this solely to explore,

to PLAY,

to LIVE.

What if....??

Oodles of Opportunities

I started off this post wanting to just explain the little widget links I have for the Art Journal Love Letters workshop and the WishFull Virtual Art Retreat....and I just kept right on going.

I don't know if this happens to you, but I have at least 20 Internet Explorer windows open between the desktop and laptop of courses and books with which I want to follow up. It seems like there has been a flood recently of beautiful and inspiration energy flowing out there...

I also seem to notice that, as communities develop online, certain bloggers, artists, and yogis/yoginis I "follow" seem to congregate to the same events. Over time, I would check out an event (or website or book) simply because I'd noticed it mentioned on several individuals' sites.

What I am sort of attempting to do below is list all of those wonderful opportunities I've run across in the past few weeks. At the very least, it provides a list for me (so I can close some of these windows and let my hubby reclaim at least one computer) -- hopefully, it provides a rich list of resources for you as well. (But be careful - these can be addictive!)

So many awesome community-building and learning opportunities out there!



I've recently joined Connie's (dirtyfootprints-studio.com) new lovely workshop: Art Journal Love Letters! She does a beautiful job at explaining the class at the site....oh MY I can't WAIT to get started! My hubby doesn't know about the love affair yet, though, so shhhh.....

I'm frantically trying to create something (or several things) to have as give-aways for the One World One Heart project (going on right now, but we have until Feb. 8th to add a link). It is such a wonderful idea! I've been meaning to have a give-away on this blog for quite some time (I REALLY want to give back to the wonderful community that has given me so much)...this is a great way to do so and continue to meet beautiful folk out there.





There are so many other courses in which I'd like to take part - right now it's all a matter of determining what I can afford and what will have to be part of a wish-list for later. I encourage you to visit these sites, if you haven't already - there is some AMAZING stuff out there! And, if you take part in any of this, email me (Lifeunity (at) gmail [dot] com) and let me know your experience!

Where I'd like to be and when (and where you can be too)!:

WishFull Virtual Art Retreat - from April 30th - May 2nd. A plethora of opportunities all in one place and in one weekend...and all can be done in your jammies! What a brilliant idea - a VIRTUAL art retreat! Oh, how I dream of learning from such fascinating women!! (Oh, and the Wish Studio was just featured in the recent Artful Blogging - I won a copy (thanks Mindy!!), received the beautifully packaged magazine a couple of days ago - and have already devoured the whole thing! Gorgeous - check it out!)



Mermaid Warriors! class - Feb 22nd - April 2nd - an exciting opportunity to learn how to teach art to young girls (and, I'd guess, pick up a few techniques myself!). I'm super excited about this one because not only would I learn a few fun tips but also how to pass on this information to bright, brilliant young ladies (including the one shyly hiding in myself). :)


Jenny Doh's Crescendoh website - opening March 1st - will be CHOCK full of items I'll be itching to buy. The site has this logo right now: "Creative Passion * Authentic Community * Focused Compassion" - seriously, how perfect is that?? Jenny has been listing several photos of items to be available on her blog at jennydoh.typepad.com.


Susan Tuttle's (at ilkasattic.blogspot.com) ecourse Digital Photomanipulation 2 - while the current workshop just started on February 1st, she's offering another one in the spring! I love playing with Photoshop and I ADORE Susan's work ... I can't imagine what could come of taking this course!


Jennifer Lee's (at lifeunfoldsblog.com) Right-Brain Business Plan course just started on February 1st as well...but I'm hoping it will be offered again! As all of us creatives itch for the freedom of our own business (or struggle maintaining the one we have), how nice would it be to have a way to organize it all from someone who understands??


Pam Carriker's (at thebagladysart.blogspot.com) course Journal 365 starts April 1st - and goes for an entire year! How exciting is that...creative inspiration the whole year through. As she puts it, I may need to jump on that Ferris Wheel!!

Susannah Conway (at inkonmyfingers.typepad.com or SusannahConway.com) has an ecourse, Unravelling: Ways of Seeing Myself that starts on March 8th. This course I've been drooling over...it combines photography, writing, self-exploration, exploring the senses -- my life's pursuits all examined & taught by an artist I adore!

The Squam Art Workshops (from June 2nd - June 6th) just opened for registration. I'm still dancing around dreaming like I'll be able to make it...we'll see how the stars align!

And Richard's (twomindsmeet.blogspot.com) Philosophy Cafe groups sound awesome...but seeing as how they are hundreds of miles away, I think I'll just stick to enjoying his blog for now. (I'll see you again soon Richard...and bring that $199 with me!)

On top of all this, there are so many books coming out (some already on shelves!)!

Karen Maezen Miller's (mommazen.blogspot.com) The Laundry Line: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life. (Her first book, MommaZen, literally changed my entire outlook on parenting....and then some. I have two copies right now - one I keep delving into and the other I pass around among friends...and I'm hoping to buy yet another and keep spreading the love! Also, Karen commented on a post I wrote about her first book awhile ago - I was absolutely giddy. It was my first venture into connecting with inspirational women around the globe - and gave me confidence knowing that those I admire are "real" women too.)


Shona Cole's The Artful Mother (Shona has wonderful information listed at shonastudio.blogspot.com - follow the link! I'm anxious for this to come out...this is just what I need right now.)


Kimberly Wilson's Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play at tranquilista.com or kimberlywilson.com (One of those lovely yoginis I've followed for awhile - her first book, Hip Tranquil Chick, unleashed the girly side of me that had been lost for too long. Suddenly, it was ok to be a yogini - mindfulness and all - and "hip" at the same time! Ok, so I never consider myself hip, but at least I felt much better about wearing a bit of glitter every now and then!!)


Naomi and Jamie at IttyBiz (ittybiz.com) (wide range of products) While these are e-books, and have been out for awhile...they're new to me! I simply can't decide which class/e-book to choose - I need all of the info. listed. While I don't mind business "stuff", I usually get turned off by the lingo (hence the word "stuff") - I have a feeling that the way their information is presented would fit quite nicely with exactly what..and HOW...I need to learn.


Kathy Cano-Murillo a.k.a. The Crafty Chica has a new book coming out, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. (While I just recently discovered her, I was immediately smitten by this blog post on living an artful life on her blog at thecraftychica.blogspot.com)


Leo Babauta's The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and In Life - (again, not a new book, but new to me! He also has several wonderful books (and is so generous with oodles of free information) at his website zenhabits.net.)


Jo Packham and Jenny Doh's book (coming in April) Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration. (My first introduction to Stampington and Co.'s magazines were through an issue of "Where Women Create"...is it too much to say that it changed my life? Combined with blogs, these publications have been soooo inspirational for my creative development. I'm always hungry for more!)


Rachel Whetzel (at minetothine.com) was just featured in Art Doll Quarterly, another Stampington publication. (While I generally don't get this particular one, I love following artists whose lives I admire...and Rachel has an exciting one! I can't wait to check out her work.)

And of course, Rowena's (warriorgirl.blogspot.com) work listed at her Etsy shop (Seriously, I DREAM about Flying Girl at night...I didn't jump on one of her earlier works that I really wanted and am now kicking myself for it) and Maya's (mayamade.blogspot.com) Etsy shop (which was just updated...I can't decide whether to buy the pattern or just the burlap bag!!)...

What is a girl to do?!

p.s. I have to add one more recommendation, even though it may hurt my chances of winning: The LOVELY artist(s) at Sleeping Dogs Studio are having a give-away (in honor of her mom's birthday...how sweet is that??) - a totally unique picture frame! I've seen these in person...they are amazing.

If you have any more recommendations (books, websites, events), please let me know. (It's not like I don't have enough on my plate. I'm a glutton for punishment.) If I've missed you and follow your blog, please leave a comment here -- I'll add the info above! I don't want anyone to miss out on opportunities.

However, my hubby just got home and is feeling neglected. Better spend some time with him so he doesn't mind too much while the bank account dwindles down as I take advantage of everything above ..... (oh, do I love that hubby o' mine!!)

I'm Learning. (a.k.a. Fear Sucks.)

What I Did Today:

*Elliptical - 30 minutes (after 2 days of absolutely nothing. Just being honest here.)

*Faced My Fears

What I Learned:

*Determination is HARD. But it is worth every single second of it. (More on working out stuff later.)

*I am a big old scaredy cat. If someone peeked in the windows of my home they'd see me cowering in the corner. But once I leave the house I walk with the confidence of a Diva. It's not a good way to live.

Funny enough, I even had myself convinced.

In the process of creating this big project I'm working on, this next step in my life, I walked confidently forward oh-so-sure of where I was headed. Aaand then I ran into the mirror.


Allow me to share a conversation I had with myself in my journal (yeah, I do this sometimes. It's odd, yes, but it works.):

What the hell am I doing? What is this project for?

(There's so much out there already.)

Yeah, but not my unique perspective.

(You don't have a unique perspective.)

.....

And there it was. My fears standing with hands on hips, not letting me go any further, shoo-ing me back to where I've sulked off so many times. And because I was walking so confidently, I didn't even see them until I'd run into them!



These things have been said already. No one really cares. The medium (art, web, writing) will water down or interfere with the message & I won't be able to share it again. My views are nothing but a collaboration of others' - the more I read, the more I view other blogs, I see it's all already been done and said. Nothing new. I'll put my deepest messages out there, make myself vulnerable, to be met with scorn ...or worse.....indifference.


I'm not good at rejection. I can't do this.


Oooh, then I get ANGRY.


NO ONE tells me I can't do something. Even myself.


But the problem is that I usually storm back in the other direction. My fears are still standing there, hands on hips, smirky grin on their face. ("You'll be back.") Like a child playing Red Rover, I just revert to my comfort space, get angry, filled with ideas, and charge forward again thinking that maybe this time I'll break through the hand hold. It never works.


I'd love to end this post with " and then I found my aha moment and this is how you can do it to for only $199 - send money now!! ". I feel dirty even writing that.


Truth is, I'm still here. I didn't retreat. I have taken a step closer to my fears and am standing face-to-face with them so close I can feel their breath on my forehead. I gotta say, they look a bit confused. They haven't backed down, but neither have I. I'm going to stay here until I figure out how to get past them.



I'm not naive. I know that even if I slip past they will still be there and it's pretty likely I'll find some more on my path. But guess what...if I get past these doozies, even if I try to retreat next time I won't be able to go all the way back. I'll run back into these fears I now face, realize that I'm on the other side of them, and have a new "comfort" place.



This is where I am. I'm hoping to confidently walk past (or at least slip around the side) here pretty soon. But I can't say when that will happen....thus, when my big project will actually be revealed.



Right now, I'm working with "Taking Flight" by Kelly Rae Roberts. It is STUNNING. It is speaking to me on every step of this process, calling to me over the shoulders of these big fear bullies. (I'll be writing more about her book later.) I have wonderful friends (on both sides) offering encouragement.



I'm going to keep sipping on my chai, playing with my kiddos, journaling until my hand hurts, playing with working out, and glaring at these fear sons-o'-bitches. (See? Hubby says I curse like a sailor at home but I never do it when I go out or online. I'm terrified of offending someone! Already my fingers are typing I'm So Sorry If I Offended You. But, dear readers of my blog, this is me! For those who appreciate honesty in this format, I recommend checking out a site I ran across last night, http://www.ittybiz.com/. You'll love it.)



I'm not backing down. But being who I am, snarky and all, as I pass these tall fear monsters - on the way past I'm going to give them a little kiss on the cheek.



tee hee.



See you on the other side.

Wilderness Ahead...

Oh my blog friends how I have been neglecting thee! But, as with any parent who ducks away to prepare a delicious surprise, I've been away for good reasons. And even better news? My concoction is almost done cooking!!

First, I want to again thank Connie over at DirtyFootprints-Studio. Her gratitude has boosted me to the place I am now, with the energy to boost up this stove and take the heat in the kitchen.

And Ms Melita and EcoYogini - thank you so much for continuing to visit & comment!

To all of the others who are joining in this Life journey, (some leaving comments, others just stopping by) I know you are out there... (Dana & Beth, I adore you, my lovely family!)...thank you for your invisible presence. (Of course, I always love comments...even if just a smile!)

So, due in huge part to the love I've gotten from family and friends, old, new, and some never met face-to-face, I am taking a deep breath and another large leap into my life.

I blogged a bit ago about how I felt things changing...I think they are finally swirling down together and starting to meld into the life the disturbance was meant to create. It's not all being done for joy-reasons...as with almost everyone else I know, the ripples of the economy are being felt around our house. While we are blessed to be able to maintain our house, hubby his job, and me my stay-at-home status, the "little things" have all been sacrificed and we're forced to take bigger steps. For you others who are in two-income parent households, I'm sure you understand how expensive childcare is. It simply isn't worth it right now for me to re-join the workforce. And yet...that doesn't mean I can't do my part.

As a yogini, as an artist (I still don't feel comfortable calling myself that)...I struggle with the concept of money. I've heard others who feel the same way -- there is something "off" about charging for something that I would gladly give away for free! And yet, idealism aside, I still realize that money is just one form of energy. It is a way that the energy I put out to the world can be returned to me. Oh, how I wish we could all live on love alone! But until our li'l utopian society is created, money will have to suffice as a means of energy-transfer. And I am putting it out there to the universe that I'm ready for a li'l energy.

This does not mean I'm sacrificing my fervent belief in the importance of passionate pursuits, however. Money & My Soul can walk hand-in-hand ....if I can get my kids to get along, I have no doubts I can create harmony in any other situation.

Enough teasers...I need to get back to working on this venture so I can get it out to the world! My head and heart are about to explode from keeping it in for so long. Until next update (or the reveal!)...


On another note, I also realized I've been neglecting my training updates! At first I thought that no one really cared (and maybe no one does!)...but if I'm sharing this journey with even one other reader of this blog, and my story (and maybe your comments??) can keep each of us going -- it would be worth it.

I've neglected recording many days and am not going to take the time to record everything. Suffice to say, I am happy with my discipline, and THAT is what matters.

What I Did:
*10 laps in the pool

What I Learned:
*Sometimes I just need to listen to my body. I wasn't going to go to the Y this morning, but hubby convinced me he needed to...and I couldn't let him go alone! After upper body strength training yesterday, a fierce 10-minute (indoor) bike ride, and high-exertion 10-minute (treadmill) run yesterday, my body and my mind were just tired. I splashed through the laps today and certainly don't regret doing it, but I didn't find any meditation...nor any extra energy...through doing so. The best time I had? The few minutes after where our daughter was still in childcare, Chris was still in the weight room, and I had time to sit and meditate over the new upcoming venture....

I guess sometimes doing what needs to be done means taking care of my body...whether it's a joyful process or not.

Creative Community

The inspiration throughout the blogging world is stupendous, tremendous, and never-ending.

Have you ever gone on a blog joy-ride? Try clicking one of the "Blogs I Love", then clicking on one of the blogs listed on their site (or click on a follower to check out their blog), then just keep right on going until you are so deep in inspiration that your head is spinning. Then come on back to this site and start all over.

One of the beautiful things you'll find is the generosity and camaraderie of so many, especially in the artsy-blogging community. One site (which I have linked under the afore-mentioned list) is the WishStudio (inthewishstudio.blogspot.com). They are offering a give-away to the Wishfull Virtual Art Retreat (April 30th - May 2nd), a unique idea that allows remote creatives to take advantage of the wisdom of several brilliant beings. It is an experience in which I hope I can take part! (Check out more here)

I cannot speak enough of the love I have for the community I've found...one that keeps right on growing. Those who have experienced this will certainly understand...it is changing my life. I plan on writing more about this soon, but for now, this sums it up:

If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand, extraordinary things begin to happen.

-Loretta Gizartis

Breath By Breath

In the passenger seat of the car.

I look up to the gray billowing clouds and suddenly I am rising up to them
breathing in my lungs getting fuller and fuller and full

and I am there

and I feel the cool mist of those clouds on my cheeks and my lips and in my nostrils
and as I exhale I lower ever so slightly ever so slowly
with my inhale I am back up

and so it goes

buoying up and down and up
And I look below me and think how lucky I am to be above
out of that all
and then I

pause

Why? Why is that lucky?

I see the driver mindlessly following the road in front of him the trash on the side of the road the mother cradling her child the man yelling at the attendant the lovers embracing and I see it

all.

together.

And I exhale and float back down, intentionally
come into my body
and feel its twings and twangs
and I realize

How fortunate I am.