Across the Universe We Go

For a sweet dose of inspiration, check out Across the Universe. It's one of my favorite blogs by artist, Shilo Shiv Suleman. Her illustrations, photography and poetic genius always make me smile. Can you believe we all have this creative thread running through our veins? We do.  Each of us has an instinctive desire to create.  It makes us feel alive! Closer to our truth.  I believe there is a proverbial source of creativity at our disposal.  A communal pot, which we can add to or collect from dreams beyond our imagination.  It is where we get our most animate thoughts and ideas from.  The more we add to it, the more we grow and get in return.  That's the beauty of it.  Nurture each others thoughts and endeavors.  Grab a nice cool glass of lemonade and watch them sprout forth incredible deeds before your eyes.


 

Frenchtown or Bust

Last week, my good friend and I decided to jump in the car and head to Frenchtown, NJ.

If you find yourself yearning to escape the stresses of everyday life, head to Frenchtown!  It's such a quaint town full of charm and artistic spirit.  Our first stop took us to Two Buttons, an incredible warehouse owned by Eat Pray Love, author, Elizabeth Gilbert and her husband. 

Two Buttons Imports

The warehouse has some of the most amazing  imports from India, Thailand and beyond.  From gorgeous pendant light fixtures to the most divine garden statues, one could easily lose track of time and get immersed in how special it is.  I was in heaven!  I picked up some of my favorite Nag Champa incense and some Tibetan prayer flags I will display in our new yard very soon!    We had the pleasure to meet Susan, who was such a warm and welcoming friend.  Susan has such an inspirational life story tailored to fit A Woven Life's philosophy.  Stay tuned for our upcoming post on Susan.  Afterwards, we dropped by the Lovin Oven next door at the suggestion of Susan and had a wickedly delicious warm strawberry rhubarb pie.  We walked around with no agenda, we laughed like school girls and sang Frank Sinatra songs off key all the way back home!  The perfect ending to our little adventure. 

We all work so tirelessly to attain the things we need in life.  Take time out for you to breathe.  Grab a friend, jump in the car and drive.  Indulge in the sweetness of life and rhubarb pie.  Let your mind wander, dream, envision and you are one step closer to creating A Woven Life.  You deserve it! 

Inspirational and Unconventional

At times ridiculed and thought to be crazy, these men marched to the beat of their own drum and emerged as innovators!  May we all find our inner creative genius! Happy weekend.  Keep on weaving!

John Lennon

Johnny Depp & Tim Burton

Albert Einstein

Live Your Life.

With life comes responsibility, right.  I'm sure that many of you can relate to having to hold down one, two, maybe even three jobs in order to keep up with your daily obligations.  We have bills to pay.  Student loans that seem will never be satisfied and so; we wake up everyday and make the most of what we've got.  What about our responsibility to ourselves and our dreams?  I've had many people tell me I'm just a dreamer.  That I have a fantastical idealistic view of what the world should be.  I stand before you guilty as charged.  Is there something wrong with believing, down to my core, that we have the right to live the life we desire?  Are you living that life?  Or was it neatly tucked away in the back of a closet in exchange for someone else's expectations.  Perhaps, I am the only one feeling this way, but something tells me I am not alone.  I have to admit there are days where the rebellious side of me wants to make erratic decisions in lieu of doing things responsibly.  In those moments, I can't help but feel I am a child trapped in an adult's body.  To those of you who may be thinking I need to suck it up and grow up, I'll leave you with these words of wisdom, by a man who knew these very struggles.  Henry David Thoreau.

"The mass of men, lead lives of quiet desperation.  But there is no need for them to, if they would only direct their own lives rather than doing what they thought others expect of them.  Live your own lives".

........Sticks out tongue and smiles.

The Ole' Stink Eye.

Having a meltdown at work is a sure sign that it is time for me to have another women's empowerment meeting.  It drives me crazy that I can effortlessly inspire others to reach for their goals but when it comes to me, I have a meltdown.  This is the ironic scenario that has been playing over and over, reminiscent of the movie Groundhog Day.  I mean, why is it that I can have the creativity to create mix media collages, a handbag, a woman's inspirational group or even a blog?  Yet, when it comes to creating a tangible version of my ideal life the task morphs into some obscure foreign language that I do not comprehend.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were born with a set of blueprints that detailed exactly what it is we are meant to do?  If one more person asks me "What is it you want to do with your life?" I may just break out into a comical song and dance that will land me a starring role in the looney bin.

Since, the age of 15,  I have worked every kind of job you can imagine from McDonald's drive thru, numerous administrative jobs, design assistant,  showroom assistant, to a Deli, just to name a few.   Now, at the tender age of 32, I work in a retail environment and if it weren't for some of my amazing co-workers, there may have been numerous times where I would have driven right past my job until I ran out of gas.  That's actually a timely metaphor.  Whoever, coined the term 30 is the new 20 just set me back ten years, considering I could not wait to get out of my 20's.  Thank you, whoever you are.  As, I was under the impression that once I entered my 30's I was sure I would know what it is I was meant to do with my life.  I know I'm not the only one going through this.  Although, I must admit, putting it all out there does feel good.  I know what some of you may be thinking: "With the current economic status I should be grateful to even have a job."  Please allow me to respond.  It's not that I am not grateful, I am.  However, I cannot ignore the fact that my spirit is stifled and all of my creative energies are being consumed by a huge corporate dragon, which I have aptly named StinkEye. 

                          "Oh, StinkEye why do you loathe me so?"

     

It's a New Day.

This morning I was awakened by 70 degree weather.  Spring is unofficially making its arrival!  It's been a long time coming and my weary spirit is already gaining strength from the sun.  I have to admit I've been struggling with the process of creating "A Woven Life".  Daily obligations and routines have a way of sneaking up on you and attempting to decide what your life should look like.  Times like these are when we must stand taller and stronger and refuse to let our lives be created for us.  Only we know what our truth is and it's our right and responsibility to ourselves and  the universe to go within, realize and actualize that truth.  As I get older, or shall I say wiser, I am understanding that life is never set in stone.  In order for us to become who we are meant to be, we can take notes from mother nature and begin shedding the parts of ourselves that no longer fit who we are.  By doing this,  we make room to grow into our best self.

A couple of months ago, I decided to put together a support group in honor of these ideals.  The group consists of roughly 13 amazing women.  To date we have had two successful meetings!  It is our sacred space where we create our ideal life goal by goal.  We discuss our fears, aspirations and come together to strengthen one another through tears, laughter and words of encouragement.

Little Syara creating visions.

Last  month we began creating our vision boards which represent all of the elements that make up our ideal life.  

Courtesy of Flickr.com

I encourage you to start creating your own.  To make your vision board, you will need old magazines, pictures, embellishments, glitter, stamps, glue, scissors etc.  It's like starting with a clean slate.  You can make your life be anything you'd like!  We would love to feature your vision board on A Woven Life.  Email us a jpg. of yours at elkie1005@yahoo.com.    

Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

The world has lost an amazing and genius designer.  Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Lee Alexander McQueen.  May he finally rest in peace.