EYE IPad Drawing

I am learning how to draw on my Procreate App in Ipad and post to my blog. I hope more of these are coming. 

Be Flexible in Your Thinking

 

I have to keep an open mind otherwise I set myself up for disaster. I have learned this from my 12 Step programs. It is part of the open mind, willing and honesty that we include in it. My problem often is my thinking. I can get into so much negative stuff and I have to bring into consciousness that I have good things going on too. 

Today's Reading comes from  The Rules of Life

Be flexible in your  thinking  Once your thinking gets crystallized, rigid, formed, you’ve lost  the battle. 

Once you think you have all the answers, you might as  well hang up your boots. Once you get set in your ways, you’re  already part of history.  To get the most out of life you have to keep all your options open,  keep your thinking and life flexible. You have to be ready to roll  as the storm breaks–and by gosh it always breaks when you least  expect it. The instant you are established in a set pattern, you  set yourself up for being knocked off-course. You might need to  examine your thinking pretty closely to understand what I mean.  Flexible thinking is a bit like mental martial arts–being ready to  duck and weave, dodge and flow. Try to see life not as the enemy,  but as a friendly sparring partner. If you are flexible you’ll have  fun. If you stand your ground you’re likely to get knocked about  a bit.  

We all have set patterns in life. We like to label ourselves as this  or that and are quite proud of our opinions and beliefs. We all  like to read a set paper, watch the same sorts of TV programmes  or movies, go to the same sort of shops every time, eat the sort  of food that suits us, wear the same type of clothes. And all this  is fine. But if we cut ourselves off from all other possibilities, we  become boring, rigid, hardened–and thus likely to get knocked  about a bit.  You have to see life as a series of adventures. Each adventure is a  chance to have fun, learn something, explore the world, expand  your circle of friends and experience, and broaden your horizons.  Shutting down to adventure means exactly that–you are shut  down. 

The second you are offered an opportunity to have an adventure,  to change your thinking, to step outside of yourself, go for it and  see what happens. If this thought scares you, remember that you  can always go back into your shell the second it’s over, if you  want to.  But even saying yes to every opportunity isn’t set in stone as a  rule, because that would be inflexible. The really flexible thinkers  know when to say no as well as when to say yes.  If you want to know how flexible your thinking is, here are a  couple of tests. Are the books by the side of your bed the same  sorts of books you’ve always read? Have you found yourself saying  anything like ‘I don’t know any people like that’ or ‘I don’t go to  those kind of places’? If so, then perhaps it’s time to broaden your  mind and take the shackles off your thinking. 

Only Two Emotions

 Today’s Meditation for me, I noted this and I made a little card for it. It is a reminder that I have choices on how I react to what is going on around me. I may not be able to control what is happening or my feelings of hurt and sadness. I can acknowledge them and ask God to give me the courage and strength to do the right thing.

I am completely bankrupt in all matters and I think this may be a good place to be, because God can build me where he wants me to be.

Today’s Topic - Please feel free to share on this topic

 

Day Thirty-Two

                                               There is nothing permanent except change. – HERACLITUS

 I do not like change. As a nicotine addict, change can be completely devastating for me. When change comes into my life, whether I have invited it in or it is knocking down the door uninvited, I lose the sense of control and change embodies a total lack of control.

 During times of change I need to remember the Serenity Prayer – “God, grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change ….”  I don’t really have any power over the direction my life goes, even when I believe I am in control. But not matter what path my life takes, my Higher Power is always there to hold my hand and to guide me.  

“Living Life on Life’s Terms” is a good philosophy to practice, it is an acceptance of whatever turns my life seems to make. When I accept it rather then fight it, I find I enjoy my path so much more and serenity really can find a place in my heart, Fortunately for , change – both the good and bad – is part of the journey of recovery, whatever shape it takes, it molds me into the new person I am becoming.

 Thank you, God, for giving me the courage to change with serenity.

 

                                         This material came from “90 Days 90 Ways - Daily Meditations”  . 

Please visit  https://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/store.php to order it.

Procreate Daffodils Practice

 

I am doing this one Procreate on iPad. I got a new iPad pencil that works well. I have lost two very expensive iPad pencils, so If I lose this one, I will get over it a lot better. Lol. 

I truly enjoyed working with the iPad and Procreate. I know I have a long way to go with working on it. It’s gonna be fun.

My Backyard

 

Good Morning! I am so grateful for my backyard. I have two turtles living on a log across the slip, overgrown with foliage from the last hurricane. It is still a beautiful view, and I can't wait to see what blooms. The only drawback? Mosquitos and alligators! We have screens and citronella to protect us when they start coming. Alligators? My husband has a pistol. Yikes!

I didn't put the boardwalk in this scene, but it does have one that leads out to the lake. My fear is alligators, lol. I will not let my dogs out in the backyard without closely watching them. I have been here two months and have not seen a gator, but they say they are there. 

Today's Artwork is a 12 by 9-inch multi-media watercolor painting.  I used these materials: artist loft watercolor pencils and gouache. I was inspired by my backyard meditation,

I am and God Is Love, Light, Joy and Ease

 

I have been worried a lot about Ken's and my medical care. Things are getting so expensive for us. It just keeps piling up. Our co-pays are so costly. This past month, so far, I have put in $450 alone in co-pays, and that doesn't count the hospital stay. We have a lot more coming up, too. 

Right now, I am on the back burner in medical care because Ken's health at this time is worse than mine - cardiac, and now, he needs a total knee replacement. I know I need to get in to see the cardiologist, too, as I am starting to lose hair like I did when I had broken heart syndrome that landed me in the hospital. I might make that appointment with psych, though. Stress is what gets me.  It raises my blood sugars - so far I am managing it. So, I am doing something right. This stuff is hard work, but God gives me rest when I seek him. 

I know God has us all! He is, and I am grateful. 

Wise Owls

 

This is a 12 by 9-inch multi-media Painting.  I used pen, ink, and gouache to develop this colorful multi-wise owls with flowers. Perfect as a wall hanging.

Flowers Everywhere

 

This was done on 5.5 by 8.5 Mix Media Paper with Gouache and Glitter Pens.  I pulled out some of my stencils for this one.  I very rarely go by the complete stencils. I always have to make modifications. 

Large Flower with nine spikes

 

 

This was done on 9 by 12 inches multimedia paper with ink and glitter pens. 

Old Town Campgrounds Office

 

Old Town Campground | 55+ RV campground | 2241 SE Highway 349, Old Town, Florida 32680

Come get your mail, cool your heels, and socialize with our over 55 community. We enjoy Arts and Crafts, walks around the grounds, planting a raised garden, swimming and boating at the springs, and small get-togethers. We have a hippie-like commune going on, lol! Love and Peace to you all. Come join us. We love it here!

I started my camping journey here over a year and a half ago. This group loves to socialize, and it begins with a walk as people take their pets to the dog park. We all say a pleasant "Good Morning" and wave to each other. Sometimes, we sit and visit when invited in. We all give a helping hand when needed.  I have seen these people work conflicts out, too.. as a community, we can clash because of our different needs, but I have seen lots of respect, too. 

Start Anew

Given to Cheryl at Old Town Campgrounds