Words To Treasure: Comes the Dawn by Veronica A. Shoffstall *Lauren Giglio

I re-discovered some words I treasure. It was hidden among the multitude of notes, notices, reminders and other bits of paper collected in a box.

The poem first showed up in my life more than ten years ago. Since then, it seems to always come at a timely moment. Sent to me recently by my good friend and mentor Dorothy Connolly.

Having found it again, I did a little research to find out who the author was. Veronica A. Shoffstall is the most accredited author. However it may have originally been written in Spanish by Jorge Luis Borges, an author from Argentina. There is also someone called Judith Evans who claims to be the author, never had it copyrighted and was quite happy for it to be published under  ‘Author Unknown.’ Unsurprisingly, the poem goes by various names: ‘Comes the Dawn’, ‘After a while’ and ‘You Learn.’

These words touched me deeply when I first found them and still touches me now. Every now and then I come back to this poem. It's like a little reminder. I hope you enjoy them too.

After a while you learn the subtle differenceBetween holding a hand and chaining a soul. And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning. And company isn’t security. You learn that kisses aren’t contracts. And presents aren’t promises, And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes open With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child. And you learn to build all your roads on today, Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. After a while you learn That even sunshine burns if you get too much or stand too long in one place. So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure…That you really are strong, And you really do have worth.You learn that with every good-bye comes the dawn.

Spring is in the air🌷

Happy Spring🌷
With Spring now upon us, we are enjoying the increasing sunlight hours, with earlier dawns and later sunsets.

JOE MALONE LONDON MASTERCLASS
Last week I was invited to a Joe Malone London MasterClass, a virtual event to experience their new Blossoms collection.

Beautifully wrapped and bagged with Joe Malone luxurious boxes, tissue and ribbons, Fragrance samples, paintbrush, a watercolor pallet and paper arrived in advance with a bonus travel candle! I’m a sucker for presentation, and Joe Malone London spares no expense in the luxury experience. The new scents paired with a tropical background, and relaxing brush strokes was such a great way to end the week and begin the weekend!
Lisa Miller, @handwrittenaloha an artist from Hawaii, shared her Aloha Friday spirit and taught  us how to create our own watercolor artwork, taking inspiration from the colorful new spring collection featuring Joe Malone’s Blossoms Yellow Hibiscus.

it’s always exciting to have a new spring fragrance especially coming out of a year in quarantine! Thanks Joe Malone and Wendy for including me in this fabulous event!

mahalo🌺

Lisa Miller teaches us about yellow hibiscus while AllowIng us to create our own watercolor hibiscus.

Spread the Love

Saturday afternoon Spreading the love project with these lovely girls! These signs are being created as part of the #spreadthelovemv project initiated by the @mvrhs2023 and being put up around the island to show support for our essential and front line workers. Make your own or purchase one from @andrea__morse and spread the love and support the @mvrhs2023 ❤️

Creating Living Altars with Earthscape artist Andres Armador

2020 certainly has been a unique year to say the least - many peoples lives have been drastically affected by the COVID pandemic. Although it’s terrible not being able to visit with family and friends and not to travel anywhere, my life has not really changed all that much.
I am truly grateful for my health, my home, my daughter Cali, my family, a refrigerator full of nutritious food, my computer and my iPhone. I could go on, but my point is as long as I have everything I need staying at home and being hunker down isn’t so bad for me.

In spite of the pandemic life does go on just differently….

In an effort to spark creativity I have signed up for a workshop given by renowned Earthscape Artist Andres Amador. The workshop is titled ‘My Living Altar’.

The 'My Living Altar' program is a multi-session experience spread over time in which we are guided in creating an altar that is personally significant to each of the participants. Each session is guided by a prompt for what to add next. These prompts have enabled me to inquire within, seeking my inner wisdom.

As I write this, our group will meet for our second zoom meeting tonight. I have selected the site for my altar as well as upcycled a German glass block table from my basement to use as the base of my living altar. The first prompt has us looking closer at what lays within our path. Numbers, symbols and beachfinds are what I have collected so far. I look forward to sharing this project as it comes together.
In the meantime, here is a link to Andres website. No doubt you will be inspired by his Earthscape projects!
Stay well, stay safe and bless up!

https://andresamadorarts.smugmug.com/

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Given to Fly- what we learn from butterflies at Homegig

GIven N TO FLY

Butterflies are a symbol of resurrection, hope, joy, and new beginnings.  It is a symbol of rebirth and a transformation of change: meaning out with the old and in with the new.  Just like a caterpillar must go through several growth and development before it can become a beautiful butterfly, so must we go through several growth experiences in life before we experience our true purpose and get to a place of inner peace in life.

Something that was once unattractive – the caterpillar – over time developed itself into something marvelous to the human eye.  So this goes to demonstrate to us that with time, self-improvement, dedication, commitment, and diligence, we too can resurrect ourselves and change or make a major transformation or makeover in our lives. 

What do you need to let go of so that you can develop into the beautiful butterfly that you were meant to be?   After going through some things in life – disappointments, hurts, resentments, The butterfly reminds us that we can now be ready to put it behind you and experience a new beginning.  

Replenish yourself and take flight today! We are given to fly🦋