Wishcasting Wednesday - Frivolity

It's Wishcasting Wednesday again and our inspirational host Jamie Ridler asks this question:

What frivolous treat do you wish for?

I would just love, love, LOVE to participate in a weekend workshop at:

Valley Ridge Retreat & Conference Center

Valley Ridge Art Studio

Take a look at some of these workshops!

• Story Booklace: an Intensive Three Day Journey into the Magic World of Jewelry Designs I - Instructor: Nina Bagley
• The Black Swan and the Lost Key - Instructor: Juliana Coles
• Stairway to Heaven I - Instructor: Michelle Ward
• Personal Geographies: Mapping Your Life - Instructor: Jill Berry

Spending a weekend with other creative souls being inspired by such tremendously talented people sounds like a dream! Maybe you can meet me there?

(I don't really think this frivolous but it's something I'd love to do!)

Wishcasting Wednesday - Soul Wishes

This week our inspiring Wishcasting Hostess Jamie @ Starshyne Productions asks:

What is your highest self wishing for?

What's rumbling in your soul?

What is my highest self wishing for?

I wish to be ever closer to God and know His plan for me. I wish to hear and truly listen when He speaks and I wish to be used as His instrument for the benefit of others. I wish to ease the burdens of others and encourage them in their endeavors. I wish to be more selfless and think of random acts of kindness before the opportunity instead of after it.

What's rumbling in my soul?

I wsh I had more time for writing and drawing and other creative pursuits. With my day job and the commute, I'm away from home for approximately 11 hours per day, then there's supper and errands, laundry and whatever family time we can pull together. I fire up the laptop around 9:30 p.m. and try to get some blogging, commenting, site creation, writing, research and surfing done between bouts of falling asleep with my fingers on the keyboard. Round about 12:30 or 1:00 a.m., I give up the fight, shut down the laptop and shuffle off to bed.

The possibility exists for me to take one day off every other week which would allow me time for the activities I've mentioned but it would require me to either work longer hours the remainder of that week or take a cut in pay. Neither one is a viable option right now unless we can get creative with our finances. I'm not sure I can get any more creative in that area than I already have!

I also wish to take better care of myself and my family by eating more healthy and non-processed food. I wish to get more sleep and pray that my struggles in this area be resolved. I wish to amp up the exercise and also find time to just sit and look out the window and dream.

There's a whole bunch of wishes right there! I pray that all of our wishes come true! :)

Wishcasting Wednesday - Connection

Super cool funky chick and Wishcasting hostess Jamie asks this week:

Who do you wish to connect to?

I wish to connect with my son in a more meaningful way that will ease his anxiety and release his negative self-talk and self-image. He is intelligent, kind, handsome, talented and a complete stitch(!) and I pray that he develops a true self-love.

I wish to have a deeper connection with the creative and fearless side of me. She and I are getting closer as I'm able to start a few projects and make a few messes BUT the connection could be stronger.

I wish to continue the beautiful connection with my husband. As we grow older, I pray we continue to grow ever more committed and in love with each other.

I sometimes wish to disconnect with the more empathic side of me because the feelings can be overwhelming but today I wish to embrace empathy and pray that I'm shown the best way to use it.

I wish to connect in love and friendship with my family, friends (on and offline) and all those I'm supposed to meet.

For more connections, please visit the other Wishcasting Wednesday participants here.

Wishcasting Wednesday

With our esteemed Wishcasting Wednesday hostess Jamie Ridler on a balance break, I still planned to write about wishes today. It just doesn't seem right not to. Then, I saw Tabby's, of *I Choose Bliss*, post about wishes and thought, "Hmm, she must feel the same way I do." I was then off to Genie's blog, Reality Insanity, and found that Jamie had given her permission to host this week's WW.

Seems to me there's something special going on here. Something I've always felt and have noticed even more so in the last few weeks as the list of participants grows longer. Wishcasting Wednesday gives us permission to wish out loud. We are given the opportunity to think about what we truly want, explore the possibilities, and sometimes find out that we don't really want what we thought. WW also nudges us to dream and support others in their dreams.

Genie's question for today is:

What do you wish to find on your doorstep?

Goodness, what possibilities! I might have to write a list for this, both selfish and non. I wish for:

1. A giant box of books that I've never read by my favorite authors and some from authors new to me.

2. Another box of paints and pencils, markers and erasers, beautiful papers and stamps and all sorts of cool art supplies.

3. An envelope with a certificate stating that some kind soul is gifting me with maid service for the next year or more.

4. Might as well ask for a gardener, too!

5. Ed McMahon with a big fat check. One for my family and one for himself since I hear he's having difficulties.

6. Family who live out of town.

7. A bunch of friends who have come to pick us up for a day of fun and serving others.

8. A beautiful box filled with the endings to the stories I started and never finished.

9. An abundance of energy and confidence, both of which I often lack.

10. A key that will open the door to cures for the world's diseases and hate, bigotry and greed.

What would be really awesome is if all of you showed up on my doorstep. I'd welcome you warmly and we'd spend a glorious day sharing stories, encouraging each other and bonding with our tribe. Just like we do now, only in person! :)

..................................................

When asked what my son would wish to find on our doorstep, he said: "All my friends! I like them for them and they like me for me."

I love that answer, Alex. People who do that are true friends.

.................................................

Thanks, Genie, for hosting this week's Wishcasting Wednesdays!

Wishcasting Wednesdays - Read

How do you do it, Jamie? Each week, I read on several participants' blogs that you asked a question pertinent to what was in their hearts at that moment. Once again, you've hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Jamie's question this week is:

What do you wish to read?

Reading has been one of my greatest joys my entire life. Escaping to new lands, caring for new characters, and resolving new conflicts not only takes us out of ourselves, it provides us new perspective on our own lives.

For quite a while now, I've tried to cram in some reading while riding the bus or immediately before falling asleep which leaves me with a fractured reading experience. It gives me bits and pieces and not a good overall picture.

I've been telling myself I must write, write, write; put what little free time I have toward that. However, my writing has been sporadic and my enjoyment of books has been the same.

In order to write, we must read. We must lose ourselves in fantastical journeys, gain insight from the sage advice of others, and be inspired by those who have overcome. Isn't time spent reading time well spent?

I wish to spend more time reading without worrying about other things I "should" be doing instead. I wish to take my coffee, tea or hot cocoa and curl up on the sofa or a chair on our Juliet balcony and enjoy a light, warm breeze as I lose myself in another world. I wish to read without guilt.

A few books I'm looking forward to reading:

Happy Reading!!

More wishcasters have cast their wishes here.

Wishcasting Wednesday - April 22, 2009

"Be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes."

Jamie's wish prompt today is:

What step do you wish to take?

Hmmm....I guess wishes aren't enough. We've got to take action? Jamie's right. As my sister and I were saying just the other day, "It's time to stop waiting for that big thing around the corner and start living in the here and now." Many of us believe from an early age that our lives are destined for greatness. We just know that at some point, big things will happen and everyone will see our true worth.

I always thought I'd be a great writer and artist by this time, traveling the globe and thinking lofty thoughts. Maybe I'd come up with the solution to world hunger or find a way to bring peace to the stricken.

In my head, I always knew my destiny wasn't going to play out without some involvement from me, and yet I kept looking ahead, waiting for it to fall into my lap.

How can we be content when we think something better is just ahead of us? I'll be happy when such and such finally happens, we think. Why not be happy now?

What step do I wish to take?

I wish to make a concerted effort to live in the moment and enjoy not only the end result but the process of what I'm doing at any given moment. Hear the clickety-clack of my keyboard as my fingers fly over its keys, smell the tempting orange sitting in a bowl on the dining room table, enjoy the jumble of words tumbling about my brain as they jockey into position and form sentences, forget about whether or not these words bring me riches and glory but only care about whether or not they'll have meaning for me or someone else.

It is wise to set goals and reach for the sky; it is also wise to find value in the steps you take to reach those goals. Should I not become a famous writer and artist, but stay exactly where I am, a sometime writer/artist, daytime legal assistant with a fabulous family, a few extra pounds, and a generous heart...that's okay, too. I will take steps to find the beauty in each act and moment.

What steps do you wish to take now? To find out what others are wishing, visit Wishcasting Wednesdays hosted by Jamie Ridler at Starshyne Productions.

Photo by ClickyPenPixieofDoom.

Wishcasting Wednesdays - Clear it out!

"Be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes."

Wishtress Jamie always knows just what to ask. Her prompt today is:

What do you wish to clear out?

I could go in a number of directions with this one. There's always the household clutter and storage (junk) room downstairs or last year's leaves still mucking up the yard but I think something more important needs clearing.

Fear.

My mind seems to be riddled with fear. It's not that I'm constantly quaking in my boots but I see a theme running through the past several years of my life and its time to look for a new template.

I want to make a living as an artist and writer. I want it so much I can taste it but the fear of failing chokes me and has held me back from even trying. Less than two years ago, I decided to try blogging, dip my toes in, if you will, and I found the waters quite warm. Since then, I've written a few pieces of flash fiction, some short poems, and started writing more than one novel.

Dreams became reality when I started drawing again after the group decided to create another logo for Texty Ladies. Not only am I excited about the finished project but I'm enjoying the process as well.

You say, "Well, where's this fear you speak of?" The fear prohibits me from getting really messy, making mistakes and discovering a host of incredible lessons in creativity. It cripples me and begs me to play it safe.

This fear isn't satisfied ruling one area of my life...no, its tentacles have latched onto others as well but I'm putting a stop to it now.

My wish is to clear out the fear faction so I may explore, discover, command, produce, release and yes, even fail at whatever I choose to do.

I'll be participating in Jamie Ridler's "The Next Chapter - Wreck This Journal" to help break free from fear and give myself permission to play and get messy. Maybe you'd like to join us!

For more wishes, go to this week's Wishcasting Wednesday at Starshyne Productions.

Wishcasting Wednesdays - Transformation

[NOTE: My following wish is a true wish but I'm going to claim another one and explore the topic of transformation in another post. - 4/9/09]

Jamie's question today for Wishcasting Wednesdays has me perplexed.

What do you wish to transform?


Hmmm. What WOULDN'T I like to transform right now? My figure, my yard, a certain relationship... Wait, I DO know what I'd like to transform! My kitchen!!

Let me give you the picture (I'd post one but then I'd have to do the dishes):

Our stove/microwave combo is I'm sure one of the first models ever made. The fan is basically a whole in the kitchen ceiling rimmed in silver. There's a pretty cool cut-out oval shape in the ceiling but it's trimmed in a faded border of peaches, leaves and butterflies (not the pretty you're imagining). The maple cabinets show an awesome grain but the hardware is dated and the overall look is tired and 1950s.

I don't know what the original owners were thinking but they put in a white tiled floor. White! Besides being incredibly cold on the feet, it shows every little speck of dirt and I end up getting on my hands and knees to wipe it down more often than I'd like. I'm not EVEN going to get into the curtain situation!

It might not sound too terrible but it drives me crazy and if we ever have the funds to do a remodel, that is where I'd start.

I wish to transform our oft used and outdated kitchen!


Find out what other participants are wishing at Wishcasting Wednesdays.

Wishcasting Wednesdays - Trust

Wishtress Jamie asks this week:

What do you wish to trust in?

Learning to trust can be an issue. With the exception of my husband, most of my romantic relationships were doomed by me from the start simply because I'd always choose someone I could never trust: men who could not commit, were semi-committed, musicians with groupies... you get it.

Even though I know in my heart that I can trust my husband, I still play games in my head on occasion worrying about what-ifs. Instead of getting freaked out because I'm conditioned to expect the worst, I now talk myself down, reason it out, and talk to him if I'm still concerned about something. It's amazing how our minds can convince us of something that is not true.

My wish this week is to trust:

1. My loved ones;

2. My abilities;

3. My intuition and instinct; and

4. My heart.

Visit Jamie's Starshyne Productions for more participants' wishes.

Wishcasting Wednesday - Money

Rub the Money Buddha

Whispering your wish

Expect results tomorrow

So make your wish delish!

Jamie has a knack for asking the question that needs to be asked.

This week, she asks: What is your money wish?

I've been in a particular funk the past few days over money issues. I even gave in to a pity party yesterday afternoon but it was short-lived. Like others participating in Wishcrafting Wednesday this week, I wish to be financially secure, enough to cover debt and have a little extra left over. We don't need millions, although it would be grand! ;)

There are so many worthwhile causes and people we could help with a little extra cash and I'd love to get moving on that as soon as possible. We do what we can but I'd love to do more.

I have a few projects in mind to help special teenagers in our community. There's that age group of kids who are too old for daycare but too young or immature to be on their own for lengthy periods of time. What to do? What about kids with special needs who are in the same predicament? Community centers, after school activities and part time jobs will fit the bill for most teens, but many are not set up for teens with special needs.

I would love to provide a place for these kids. A second home they can go to where they can learn job skills and social skills, participate in fun activities and hang out with friends, grab a sandwich and contribute to a positive, nurturing environment. A place where they can get the encouragement they need to build a more independent life. A place I wish could have been there for my son.

I believe that God has given me this wish and desire for a reason. What role I will play in its manifestation is up to Him. My wish is to secure our financial position so I can focus more clearly on the bigger wish.

Wishcasting & Wordful Wednesday

I'm so glad I started participating in Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesdays. Her prompts are so thought provoking. I always find discover a new perspective while contemplating my answer. Today's prompt is:

What do you wish to say yes to?

I wish to say yes to the promises of Spring: beginnings, growth, fresh starts, wondrous discoveries and life! Not only do I welcome warmth after a brutal winter, the beauty of green grass and budding leaves, petal blossoms and sweetly singing birds, but also the excitement of new projects at work and home.

The protective shield I've surrounded myself with is melting from the fire that's been ignited inside me. I'm ready to take risks and refuse to miss another opportunity to follow my dreams. I say yes to doing all the things I've always wanted to do but was too fearful to try. Perfectionism is overrated. I will enjoy the journey and not worry about the end result.

I say yes to the friendships I am building both in the blog world and physical world. I am hesitant to say "real" world because my blog friendships are real to me.

Oh, I could go on and on... Thank you, Jamie, for a prompt filled with so much promise!



You'll find more wishes at Starshyne Productions and Worldful Wednesday photos at Angie's 7 Clown Circus.

Wishcasting Wednesday

[For WORDFUL WEDNESDAY - Please scroll down.)

Our beautiful and inspirational Wishtress Jamie asks today:

What do you wish to change?

My dreams.

More specifically, my night dreams. I will go into this further when I finally post my first Full Moon Dreamboard but right now I'll just say that for many years, at least all of my adult years, I have not looked forward to going to sleep. My dreams are odd or disturbing, as my husband can attest to after listening to some weird stories from me, and I rarely feel rested in the morning.

I'll say more in another post but for now, I wish to have more pleasant dreams.

By Josephine Wall

Visit Wishcasting Wednesday by Jamie's Starshyne Productions for more wishes.

Wishcasting Wednesday - Help

(PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO PRIOR POST FOR WORDFUL WEDNESDAY.)

Wishtress Jamie asks the following question today for Wishcasting Wednesday:

What help do you wish to receive?

Hmmm, this is a tough one. I have a difficult time asking for help. Seems to me I should be able to handle things on my own but I know I want to be there for others. Why I am having such a hard time with this?

I could say I'd like help with freeing my creativity or furthering my career. I could ask for help with a number of things but I think I'll make this a practical wish.

I wish to receive a boon to our finances. We were going along fine, meeting our bills and on time, stashing away a little for the future when this whole economy thing happened. Now we're turned upside down. I'm not whining. Worse things could happen. We're certainly not the only ones in this rocky boat. But, it would ease our minds and lower our stress level immensely if we could just get a break in this area. Soon.

I'd like to wish this wish for everyone struggling with their finances (which might just be everyone!).

Click on the photo above or link to Wishcasting Wednesday to read more wishes.

Wishcasting Wednesday - Sending Some Love

Jamie's wishcasting prompt today is:

Who do you wish to send some love?

My wish today is to send love out to my good friend Jane. Jane and her family have had to deal with some tragic events the last few months and my heart goes out to them. No one should have to lose loved ones the way they have. I'd like to gather up all the love and peace in the world and beam it directly into their hearts, minds and spirits. They have some very rough days ahead of them but I pray the burden will be lessened with the knowledge that they are loved and cared for not only by their friends and family but by the One whose love surpasses all.

Please join me in sending them love and strength.

I love you, Jane!

~*~*~

Join other wishcasters at Starshyne Productions.

Wishcasting Wednesday - To the Moon and Stars

Wishtress Extraordinaire Jamie's prompt today is:


Where do you wish to go?

I wish to go:


1. To Indiana and visit my in-laws.
2. Up north to visit my sister and her family.
3. San Francisco. I spent the day there once many moons ago and would love to go back.
4. Japan. My husband, son and I will get there some day! Maybe during cherryblossom season.
5. On a grand tour of Europe.
6. To a zone where creativity flows and I'm able to produce my visions and express my thoughts.
7. Visit my dear friend Jane in Ohio.
8. Dancing with my husband.

More wishes at Wishcasting Wednesdays.

Wishcasting Wednesday - On Becoming

Jamie's question today for Wishcasting Wednesday is:

What do you wish to become?

There are a host of things I could answer here but in keeping with one of my recent posts I will say this:

My son turned eighteen in January and you'd think I would have it figured out by now but what our kids need from us sometimes changes. Some things should be constant, like the values we try to instill in them, hopefully visible in the way we live our lives. But as our kids get older and learn to tie their shoes, say please and thank you, ride a bike, finish homework first, be considerate on a date and fill out a resume, we parents need to be creative in our responses and approach while raising them.

I'm reaching the point now that many parents would have reached at an earlier age with their child, and I hope I can handle it as gracefully as some. How do I let go? How do I hold on to the bond my son and I share, yet help him separate from me and become his own man? In my head, I'm fairly certain I know what to do, but my heart? My son has what a therapist called a "Peter Pan complex," meaning he hasn't, up until now, wanted to grow up. It was just the two of us for many years and his preoccupation with me has been almost obsessive in nature. But, now, something has changed, clicked, become clear for him and he is now looking forward. It makes me feel good that he seems to have turned this corner but now I have to prepare myself for what must always come: the time when our children go up and begin to lead their own lives.

I wish to become the mother my son needs to help him gain independence and become a strong, confident young man.

Wishcasting Wednesdays - Creativity

I'm so glad I found Wishcasting Wednesdays hosted by Jamie Ridler at Starshyne Productions!

"Be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

This is a lovely idea and I'd like to support the dreams of others so I'm going to join this group. Today's prompt is: What do you wish to create?

My first wish is:

I'd like to break through the wall that's been holding me back

and start leading a more creative life.

I want to create a more creative life. In that regard, I'd like to try art journaling, collage and other mixed media but am not sure where to start. I write and draw but would like to try something more. If anyone has any book, website, or class recommendations they'd like to share, please do so in the Comments. Thank you!

Others are casting their wishes at Starshyne Productions.