strength and flexibility

The wind gently whispers 

as the iris reminds me
 to unfold
 and bloom
 larger than before

while the stillness of the bamboo

anchors me with its

strength and flexibility

Happy Mother’s Day

10 year, 50, year and 70 year  ~Birthday Celebrations ~ 2010

So grateful for all that I’ve shared 

and continue to share with my mom.

She is so special to me, and 

I’m so fortunate to have her in my life.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you beautiful mamas out there.

The gift of another year

My husband gave me this beautiful journal, a year ago today, on my 50th birthday.

When I read the first several pages that were filled with his words, my jaw almost dropped to the floor when I came to the part about his plan to fly me out to Esalen in Big Sur; to attend a workshop, bathe in the hot tubs, eat amazing food, be one with nature, and to reconnect with myself. 

As I read deeper into the journal, becoming more and more touched by my husband’s words, I found a card that he inserted in the journal.

Me and my brother, Pripo, at  Esalen, 2010

It was from my brother (who I adore), explaining that he will be joining me (my husband was to stay home to take care of our daughter) on this amazing adventure.  My heart opened even wider to all the love I was receiving.  What a perfect gift my husband and brother had planned for me as I began to journey into my 50s.

I was exploding with love and anticipation.  I had been to Easlen years ago, when my brother lived there, so I know of the magic and possibilities that grow from the experience of being there.  My excitement elevated and took flight as I continued to read the details. 

View from our workshop

When I found out it was a writing workshop, I was surprised to feel butterflies in my stomach, resistance in my throat, and uncertainty in my head.

It’s my dream to write … to be a writer.  I have so much to write about.

But, the truth is, it scares me.  It’s not so much about exposing my feelings, emotions, dreams, lists, or even my past. For me, the vulnerability, self-doubt and judgment, lack of courage, and apprehension, come not so much from the words on the page, but more so, from what’s in between the words.  

You see, I have an uncertain relationship with commas and semicolons and all those other little dents, dings and slashes on the page.  They can send me into a panic, stiffening and paralyzing my fingers, and tangling my thoughts like spaghetti being twirled up onto a fork.

It’s been a year since my adventure at Easlen (which was amazing). The experience gave me confidence, confirmed my dreams, and  opened up possibilities for me. Since then, I’ve started my blog for friends, family and even for people whom I may never meet, to read. I’ve woven words into my art, and started to write the book that has been floating around in my head for several years.  

It’s my birthday again, today.   Another year of my life will be revealed. 

My big wish for this year is to…

…  rewrite my story by simply releasing outdated and self-limiting patterns and beliefs that no longer serve me.

…  shift my negative beliefs into positive ones; swim out of the shallow, mucky, waters, navigate past the waves of fear and self-doubt, and go deep into the clear sparkles of my authentic self.

…  excavate myself out from being stuck in the observer and judgment mode, take action, and morph into the role of an active participant.

And then, just then, I can unleash myself from whatever inhibits me and soar towards my greatness, towards my light, towards my brilliance. 

My wish is to be as brave as I can be, so that I can soar higher than I’ve ever soared before.

Mystical

    Artwork by my beautiful soul-sister, 

       Julia Fehrenbacher  

“Beginnings”

It’s the mystical time of day

when others are still rolling over

far away in dream land

with hands not ready to dance
with the snooze button.

when voices, beeps, drips, or 

creaking of the house,

are not heard

only the stillness within me is.

when the first bird serenades
me with joy and hope

as the darkness of the sky turns 

into beautiful hues of brilliant blue

 melting onto the sides of the houses

 and into the streets

becoming more and more distilled

 eventually becoming a full palette of color

as the sky cracks open

and illuminates  into a new day.

Write from the Heart

~~ Workshops and Gatherings ~~
retreat, explore, breathe, connect, and be present 

Dear Friends,

Join us for an evening of self-exploration, discovery, and connection. There are a few spaces still available for my workshop, "Write from the Heart” which will take place at "The Present Moment” on Wednesday, April 27th from 7:00-9:00. pm.

'Write from the Heart' 

is an invitation to pause in your life and connect with other women in a safe and intimate space to develop clarity and insight, create abundance and joy, and heighten your sense of what it means to be present.

During this journey of self-discovery, you will be guided through a process of meditation, reflection, the power of the pen, and optional sharing.

Each and every element that makes up your life experience is drawn to you by the thoughts you think and the stories you tell.   You can create positive change in your life by simply recreating “your story”.

Please bring a favorite pen and notebook, a sense of fun and adventure, and willingness to listen to the quiet voice of your heart.  

As you “Write from the Heart”, you may reconnect with a lost part of yourself or a self you have been longing to encounter.

To register, please call

The Present Moment

521 North Milwaukee Avenue  Libertyville, IL
(847) 367-1581

$25.00

I'd be delighted to hear from you regarding questions, workshop locations, inquires about where you can find my art, or just to say Hi.

Feel free to share this with friends whom you think may be interested.

Here's where you can reach me:
Eydie@whatwecreate.net

I look forward to connecting with you.
In JOY and Light,
Eydie 

writing our stories

"I am what I am. I accept myself as I am. I don't need to please other people by pretending to be what I am not. I can never be what I am not. I can only be me, and that's it."  –Don Miguel Ruiz

We are all creative beings.

We all create the bits and pieces that are woven together to form our uniqueness.  These bits and bits create who we were, who we are, and who we are becoming.

Yes, we all create.

Some of us create relationships, families, beautiful homes, gardens, tasty meals, art, music, photography, poetry, joy, drama, passion, sadness, fear, hope, boundaries, dreams, well-being, sickness, truth, lies, secrets, and promises.  The list is infinite.

Each and every one of us begin with a blank canvas. Over time, we splatter many shades of color and depth onto our canvas.  Some colors are filled with more light, brightness and joy than others. We also give meaning to our canvas by choosing words and phrases that we believe reflect our true self.  Our canvas holds the stories we’ve created, some of them are true, and some are not so true.  Yet, as we tell these stories over and over, and over, again, the more these stories appear to be our truth.

Many of our stories (beliefs), tend to drag us down and dim our lights because they are not our true stories.  Instead, they are sabotaging thoughts and beliefs we’ve created, or assumed from someone else’s judgments, expectations, or jealousies of us.


These stories all start as our beliefs.  Whatever we believe, becomes true for us.

Even though our beliefs create our stories, we have the power to release outdated, self-limiting patterns and thoughts so that we can re-write our story to reflect our greatness, our light, our truth, our authentic selves.

What story are you going to write today?

Releasing

I was inspired to write this as a celebration of honoring my spiritual being and physical self after listening to my soul sister, Annie Burnside talk last night on her perspective of “Soul to Soul”.

Esalen, Big Sur. May 2010

She carried it all on her shoulders.

In the beginning, she learned to be responsible for others.  She felt their disappointments, fears, weaknesses and sadness. She yearned to patch and reconnect the areas of their “being” that needed mending. 

She carried it all on her shoulders

She often pondered, (well, maybe even obsessed) over should haves and should not haves, over what might have been, what never was, and what could still be. (How interesting that “should” is inside the “shoulders”.)  

She carried it all on her shoulders.

And the more she said “yes”, when she meant “no”, her light began to dim, as the joy seeped out through the cracks, and into the darkness. 

Over time, she became very tired and her shoulders became very stiff and sore.   Until one day, she heard a whisper, the one that had been calling out to her, all along the way.  Yet this time, she really listened, and she began to quiet the other voice in her head.   She started to take tiny steps and she began to trust the process.

The more she listened, the more she stopped thinking about everything she thought she should be doing.  And she allowed herself to be.  She allowed herself to hear the whispers, “let go” …”let go" … and the whispers become louder and clearer …

“let go”.

The more she listened, the more she let go.   And, the more she let go, the more her jaws softened and her throat opened. And, as her shoulders loosened, they began to swing freely as she danced and twirled toward the brightness of the moon

What would happen if you let go?

What I don't know

I don’t know why the dust settles so fast after I clean the house.

I don’t know how to stop losing and gaining the same 15 pounds.

I don’t know what my dog is thinking when he stares at me.

I don’t know how to keep up with the laundry.

I don't know how my life would be without my daughter in it.

I don’t know how to finish everything I start.

I don’t know how to make my bed each and every morning.

I don’t know how to use most of the remotes in our house.

I don’t know why I find math to be so challenging.

I don't know if I should have had my uterus removed.

I don't how my life would be if my husband was not in it.

I don't know what my favorite color is ( I like so many of them).

I don’t know what I’m going to dream about tonight.

These are a few simple thoughts that were written on paper after receiving the prompt, "What I don't know" during the Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing ecource.

Happy Birthday, Sage

Dear Sage,

When you emerged and entered the world 11 years ago today, my heart opened wide, and I experienced a love so pure, instant, and deep.

During our 11 years together, you have taught me more about purpose, intention, awareness, intuition, patience, and acceptance than I have known in all of my 50 years.

You instantly created a pink glittered world, filled with magic, swirly dresses, tea parties, everyday celebrations, ritual, and fairy dust.

Through our adventures together, I have gained a clearer understanding of my inner child and also how I continue to become who I am.

You have taught me when to hold strong and when when to let go.

You have taught me to always have an open mind, heart, and arms.

You have taught me the true meaning of listening to my inner voice.

Today, I celebrate you and the beauty you have brought to my world.

I admire your strong sense of of your self, your unique style and individuality,  your compassion and acceptance of others, and your positive approach to all that surrounds you.  You radiate joy each and every day.

Happy Birthday, my sweet 11 year old daughter.

My wish for you is to always be surrounded by kind, loving, supportive, and considerate friends all the days of your life.

To have quite moments where you can just be.

To always know how to find your way home.

And, when you look in the mirror, I wish for you to always see a confident, beautiful, creative, inspiring being who is always worthy and deserving of genuine love, pure beauty, greatness, and to be centered in truth and peace. 

  May of all your dreams be your realities.

I love you with my whole being.

Love Aways,

Mom

missing you

August, 1990

You would have been 76 years old today.  

There have been so many times during the past 19 years when

I have felt you watch over me and smile from that peaceful place where your spirit roams.  

There have been so many times when I have wanted you to continue to see the loving life Josh and I have created together.

There have been so many times when I have wanted you to kiss your beautiful grand daughter and know the abundance of joy she has brought to my life. 

There have been so many times when

 I've missed hearing your encouraging words.

There have been so many times when

 I've missed you being the first to call and wish me "happy birthday".

There have been so many times when 

I think how grateful I am to have grown up knowing what unconditional love is.  

There have been so many times when 

you've told me, "You can be and do anything you want to."

There have been so many times when

 I've  known how very proud of me you are … 

Dad, I love you and miss you so much!

Love, Eydie

Crazy Hat Day

  My daughter and I recently watched and drooled over the tiny hat video that the amazingly creative, humorous, and generous, 
Julie Fei-Fan Belzer recently shared.  

And what perfect timing ... tomorrow is "Crazy Hat Day" at my daughter's school.  So, out came the felt, glue, flowers, and embellishments. ,,, And, here it is!

When they ask, "where did you get that awesome and unique hat?   My daughter can answer,  "It's my creation, I made it."  I can already feel the satisfaction and excitement skip in her heart.

Don't you just love crazy hat day!

New beginnings

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."  -Seneca 

As snow melts to earth

a tulip pokes its head high

above to be seen.

seeds of intention

~ Garden Goddess ~ Esalen, Big Sur

Spring peeks around the corner,

shining her abundance

of color, song, and possibilities,

as she gently reminds us

to plant our dreams, desires, and wishes.

 I came across this beautiful video, Your Dreams are Important,

 created by the amazing, Andrea Schoeder,  

and just had to share it with you.  

One of the abundant gardens at Esalen in Big Sur

So take a deep breathe

and plant a handful of seeds.

Water, nurture, and sprinkle them with patience, trust, and courage,

enabling them to bloom into

 what you want to be, do, and have in your life.

 It's time for you to live your life full of possibilities and abundance.

  What are your seeds of intention?