Mandalas and a Zentangle

Kathryn at SoulJournal (see her badge on the sidebar) gave Mandalas as this month's SoulJournal prompt. It's a really great post that you might enjoy even if you've never done a mandala. Perhaps even especially if you haven't. She has links to photos and tips and even a video from Milliande.

I did these in my Mandala Journal. I've already drawn circles on about half its pages so that when the mood strikes I can just start doodling or drawing or collaging.

The black and white one was started before I saw the prompt. It's all in pencil.

The other two were made afterI saw the prompt.

Mandalas are great for a little mental vacation. At least that is how they serve me. I get carried away and forget my responsibilities for a little while.

Now that our business is picking up and my time for art-making is more limited, I have been feeling a need to focus in on the creative activities that really feed my soul and bring me peace. I have decided that I will make time each day to meditate through SoulCollage, Mandalas, Small Spirit Dolls or working in my art journal. I will also spend my fun online time (as opposed to work-related online time lol) to those ends. I was spreading myself really thin with too many ning networks. They're just so delicious! So many creative people out there and I want to know them all! But that doesn't leave much time for actually keeping centered, balanced and connected.

I've spent some time getting more organized with the business and Patrick and I are now having actual sitdown business meetings together on Monday morning so that we know where we stand on campaigns going out and what information I need, etc. That's a big relief. I was feeling scattered there, as well.

As I was reading Michele's NewMoonJournal SoulCollage site this morning (badge on sidebar), I was really amazed at how she was describing everything I have been feeling lately. I'm very happy and at peace down deep. But all the little nit-picky things of life were really starting to feel like chaos and I have been voicing for a couple of weeks that I just feel this need to really narrow my interests and organize and focus. It was very affirming to read that that is just where I am expected to be at this moment and that I can do something about it.

I feel a load has been lifted already. Just cleaning up my blog from tons of extra ning sites and places to explore has helped me to feel more focused and less out of control. Next, I want to do more organizing of my supplies and weed out the things I don't need. Watch for giveaways. :)

I am not complaining or unhappy about the business growing. Just the opposite! This is how we envisioned it and it's a great business that we both feel proud to be a part of. But with every change and every growth, adjustments have to be made. I am happy that I have the tools to recognize when those adjustments need to be made and the tools to make them.

Now that the weather is warming up, I plan to make it a daily practice to get out and walk and meditate in the park or take my journal and color in the park. :) It is so satisfying to my soul and gives me a little time to connect firmly with Source which makes everything in my life better.


So, if things begin to look and feel a little different around here, that is why.