Couldn't wait to share ... something fun, easy, and deeply satisfying amid the busyness of summer play time ...
Details and sign up available HERE. It is designed to be easy to follow and on the wallet, and crafted to give lots of inspiration, ideas, support and encouragement for what is a simple, but profoundly rewarding practice.
Start gathering your pens, pencils and paints! Camp begins July 21!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
sacred work
What may be simple crafting to one person ...
can be deep soul work for another ...
Each set of prayer flags is a practice of meditation, opening to intuition, and inviting spirits and guides to present themselves to me. I play with images, making my own stamps;
and collage fabric bits to create appliqué designs.
In the past few months, I've been making flags for some special sisters of mine. Some I know better than others, so each set of flags has been my private way of connecting with each person.
and outside
The outdoor flags carry my written prayers to the universe ...
and my midwest wind quickly does its job ...
It's been awhile since I've taken orders for custom flags. I am so enjoying this experience, I am offering to create custom 5 flag banners for sale for a limited time this summer. I'm a working mama, so I cannot guarantee immediate turn around. If you are interested, shoot me an email: lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net.
Of course, the best thing would be for YOU to pull out your supplies and discover for yourself the depth and magic of this practice! I'm happy to answer any questions. I would love see what others create!
May we fill the skies with our prayers ...
can be deep soul work for another ...
Each set of prayer flags is a practice of meditation, opening to intuition, and inviting spirits and guides to present themselves to me. I play with images, making my own stamps;
In the past few months, I've been making flags for some special sisters of mine. Some I know better than others, so each set of flags has been my private way of connecting with each person.
 |
| my original flags were for One Word or Yearly Intention themed |
I marvel at the way story is create through a few squares of fabric; how each piece unfolds in a way that I could never plan or predict, but always seems perfectly fitted for the recipient.
My own flags hang both indoors (I've been making new sets for each season) ...
The outdoor flags carry my written prayers to the universe ...
and my midwest wind quickly does its job ...
It's been awhile since I've taken orders for custom flags. I am so enjoying this experience, I am offering to create custom 5 flag banners for sale for a limited time this summer. I'm a working mama, so I cannot guarantee immediate turn around. If you are interested, shoot me an email: lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net.
Of course, the best thing would be for YOU to pull out your supplies and discover for yourself the depth and magic of this practice! I'm happy to answer any questions. I would love see what others create!
May we fill the skies with our prayers ...
Friday, June 13, 2014
camp invention (finally, friday!)
It was a good week.
 |
| upcycled battery operated car, created in Camp Invention |
Possibilities truly abound ... all that is needed are rubber bands, feathers, a few wires, boundless imagination and the willingness to try.
Lessons learned by all. An exciting summer ahead ... dare I say, it shall be the "Summer of Creative Joy Warriors."
Monday, June 9, 2014
done with fixin' (and being fixed)
I am blessed to be part of an amazing women's circle that meets monthly at my home. We have been meeting for - gosh! - over two years now?
It is fascinating to observe the cycles we each have moved through, and to tease out the common threads and themes in our lives. Some of those areas are: finding work that is meaningful and connects us with deeper purpose than making a buck; connection and sense of place in community; understanding and valuing the work of creating a home and caring for family (children and aging parents); finding comfort and ease in our own process of changing, aging, and deepening into the wisdom that journey provides; and crafting personal spiritual practice that is authentic, vibrant, and vital.
This past gathering as I listened to each woman in the circle sharing her story (council style sharing: one person speaking at a time, no interruptions, no commentary from the others; just being heard and witnessed by the group), I had a mini epiphany.
Actually, the night before while brushing my teeth I received the first flash of a very dangerous thought: I'm done with self-improvement.
Like the home renovation shows that Cowgirl and I like to watch, the process has come to feel like a constant sledge hammer to internal walls and out-dated fixtures. Ripping out, adding in, only to tear myself apart again ... and again ... all under the guise of coming into my fullest, truest, authentic expression of self.
While scrubbing my newly straightened teeth (yes, my self transformation has been both structural and spiritual) I realized: this is it and I am there. With all the efforting to create the life I believe I was born to live, I am overlooking the fact that I already am living my life. Living a damned good one at that! I am not a project to bring into some elusive state of perfection, but a living expression and extension of the Universal creative force. It's not a matter of doing anything to bring about growth or change; actually the more I try, the more I get in the way of things.
As I've often heard in Yoga, it's not a doing but an undoing. What is required isn't effort so much as releasing my death grip upon things - my infantile attempt to control - and relaxing into the life that is happening while I busy myself with hammers and saws.
In our circle, I came out with a variation upon this theme: what if we entertain the idea that there's nothing we need to fix? What if we accept our lives, and the people in our lives, as is? Which is not to say we don't hold aspirations, that we want to continue to learn and grow and evolve in positive ways, but we open to that growth, we open to our individual evolutionary path.
I know this sounds dangerously naive or head-in-the-sand-ish ... I don't mean to imply that there isn't some seriously shitty and harmful and dangerous stuff happening in our world that requires change, that demands we take action ... it's just the attitude of fixing, the restlessness of "not enough" and the culture of constant and continual up-grading makes me feel like a dog ever and always chasing her tail.
I can only attend to myself. What if the violence stops there? What if I embrace myself and my life as is in this moment and proceed from there? What if I cease the fixing, tinkering, adjusting and attend instead to what fills, nourishes, augments and enlivens me? As I learned in Flora Bowley's painting classes, build upon what is working rather than pouring energy into fixing what isn't working.
The not-so-subtle message we've received for far too long is this: something is missing, you are incomplete or lacking in some way BUT here's what will fix you ...
I'm done with being fixed. And I vow I am done trying to fix myself or anyone else for that matter. As I am, I am enough. This life of mine is more than enough. I want to appreciate and enjoy it and that is hard to manage if I am continually sledge-hammering it - and myself - down to the studs.
All I need is right before me ... under my nose or sleeping by my feet. Waiting for me to wake up and pay attention ...
 |
| lots of tea and conversation happens in circle |
It is fascinating to observe the cycles we each have moved through, and to tease out the common threads and themes in our lives. Some of those areas are: finding work that is meaningful and connects us with deeper purpose than making a buck; connection and sense of place in community; understanding and valuing the work of creating a home and caring for family (children and aging parents); finding comfort and ease in our own process of changing, aging, and deepening into the wisdom that journey provides; and crafting personal spiritual practice that is authentic, vibrant, and vital.
This past gathering as I listened to each woman in the circle sharing her story (council style sharing: one person speaking at a time, no interruptions, no commentary from the others; just being heard and witnessed by the group), I had a mini epiphany.
Actually, the night before while brushing my teeth I received the first flash of a very dangerous thought: I'm done with self-improvement.
Like the home renovation shows that Cowgirl and I like to watch, the process has come to feel like a constant sledge hammer to internal walls and out-dated fixtures. Ripping out, adding in, only to tear myself apart again ... and again ... all under the guise of coming into my fullest, truest, authentic expression of self.
While scrubbing my newly straightened teeth (yes, my self transformation has been both structural and spiritual) I realized: this is it and I am there. With all the efforting to create the life I believe I was born to live, I am overlooking the fact that I already am living my life. Living a damned good one at that! I am not a project to bring into some elusive state of perfection, but a living expression and extension of the Universal creative force. It's not a matter of doing anything to bring about growth or change; actually the more I try, the more I get in the way of things.
 |
| my dream that night: tigress is always resting right by me ... i just have to lean into her, trust and receive |
As I've often heard in Yoga, it's not a doing but an undoing. What is required isn't effort so much as releasing my death grip upon things - my infantile attempt to control - and relaxing into the life that is happening while I busy myself with hammers and saws.
In our circle, I came out with a variation upon this theme: what if we entertain the idea that there's nothing we need to fix? What if we accept our lives, and the people in our lives, as is? Which is not to say we don't hold aspirations, that we want to continue to learn and grow and evolve in positive ways, but we open to that growth, we open to our individual evolutionary path.
I know this sounds dangerously naive or head-in-the-sand-ish ... I don't mean to imply that there isn't some seriously shitty and harmful and dangerous stuff happening in our world that requires change, that demands we take action ... it's just the attitude of fixing, the restlessness of "not enough" and the culture of constant and continual up-grading makes me feel like a dog ever and always chasing her tail.
I can only attend to myself. What if the violence stops there? What if I embrace myself and my life as is in this moment and proceed from there? What if I cease the fixing, tinkering, adjusting and attend instead to what fills, nourishes, augments and enlivens me? As I learned in Flora Bowley's painting classes, build upon what is working rather than pouring energy into fixing what isn't working.
The not-so-subtle message we've received for far too long is this: something is missing, you are incomplete or lacking in some way BUT here's what will fix you ...
I'm done with being fixed. And I vow I am done trying to fix myself or anyone else for that matter. As I am, I am enough. This life of mine is more than enough. I want to appreciate and enjoy it and that is hard to manage if I am continually sledge-hammering it - and myself - down to the studs.
All I need is right before me ... under my nose or sleeping by my feet. Waiting for me to wake up and pay attention ...
Thursday, June 5, 2014
dog days
My stars, where did this week go? I confess, I come to this space to touch that part of me that feels enduring, that tastes of my essence, that holds space for my dreams. Sometimes it is easy to share stories from my days; like plucking ripe fruit and savoring. Other times, it is hard to find me.
It has been a challenging week. I could lay blame upon the weather ... the build up by the local news for storm system that threatened - and proved - to be severe.
As much as I hated living in earthquake country, the hype around storms here is akin to blow-by-blow reports of an invading army. It is hard maintaining an even keel when all about you are screaming "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" The girl and I did what we could do: offer prayers for protection and support from the local fairies, dragons, and spirit protectors. We walked the perimeter of our yard scattering herbal offerings, smudging with sage and chanting. My neighbors are getting used to us and our "usual" ways.
But storms aside, I have to be honest and acknowledge that summer (or summer-like weather) is and always has been my challenging season. When all around me is activity, sunshine, and go-go-go my tendency is to want to seek a quiet spot, preferably in the shade and read a book, sipping iced tea. What trips me up, is questioning myself: what is wrong with me? Why no ambition?
Yet I know this is how I feel every year. My already hot disposition requires cooling off. Less is more is a lesson for me year round, but especially now. I believe I ought to be able to do more, fill the days with activity the school years doesn't allow, yet the truth is, we all need this time to empty out.
What I want to remember for myself, for this time with my girl, is to allow ease into our days. In these bright, sunshiny days there is more to receive: the songs of the birds, the bounty of our garden, the space and time to cut loose, relax and enjoy.
I sat down to write this post with a dark cloud over my head. But sitting here, allowing myself to be with my experience (not pushing it away, not denying, not questioning) something has shifted. Or rather, I just shifted. Releasing this inner battle with my dark dog allowed me the space to look up and see the first butterfly of the season visiting my hanging planter.
Message verified and received.
The days ahead fill up without me having to add any more ... martial arts, pool, our neighborhood garage sale (ah, divine decluttering ... but it has an energetic price!) it's all I can do to fling some tuna salad on a plate, gather the girl and keep going. Honoring my inner rhythms and tides, recognizing this is my outflow time, and lazy is the new self care.
Perhaps not lazy ... but blissfully simple and elemental. Grass (grounding), deep breaths (air), letting go of judgment (grace), and surrendering to play (flow). I swing wide and wild this time of year, so I need to honor the pull towards the extra space to allow myself to be ... to thrash and roll without getting hurt by rigid expectations or limitations.
It has been a challenging week. I could lay blame upon the weather ... the build up by the local news for storm system that threatened - and proved - to be severe.
As much as I hated living in earthquake country, the hype around storms here is akin to blow-by-blow reports of an invading army. It is hard maintaining an even keel when all about you are screaming "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" The girl and I did what we could do: offer prayers for protection and support from the local fairies, dragons, and spirit protectors. We walked the perimeter of our yard scattering herbal offerings, smudging with sage and chanting. My neighbors are getting used to us and our "usual" ways.
But storms aside, I have to be honest and acknowledge that summer (or summer-like weather) is and always has been my challenging season. When all around me is activity, sunshine, and go-go-go my tendency is to want to seek a quiet spot, preferably in the shade and read a book, sipping iced tea. What trips me up, is questioning myself: what is wrong with me? Why no ambition?
Yet I know this is how I feel every year. My already hot disposition requires cooling off. Less is more is a lesson for me year round, but especially now. I believe I ought to be able to do more, fill the days with activity the school years doesn't allow, yet the truth is, we all need this time to empty out.
What I want to remember for myself, for this time with my girl, is to allow ease into our days. In these bright, sunshiny days there is more to receive: the songs of the birds, the bounty of our garden, the space and time to cut loose, relax and enjoy.
I sat down to write this post with a dark cloud over my head. But sitting here, allowing myself to be with my experience (not pushing it away, not denying, not questioning) something has shifted. Or rather, I just shifted. Releasing this inner battle with my dark dog allowed me the space to look up and see the first butterfly of the season visiting my hanging planter.
Message verified and received.
The days ahead fill up without me having to add any more ... martial arts, pool, our neighborhood garage sale (ah, divine decluttering ... but it has an energetic price!) it's all I can do to fling some tuna salad on a plate, gather the girl and keep going. Honoring my inner rhythms and tides, recognizing this is my outflow time, and lazy is the new self care.
Perhaps not lazy ... but blissfully simple and elemental. Grass (grounding), deep breaths (air), letting go of judgment (grace), and surrendering to play (flow). I swing wide and wild this time of year, so I need to honor the pull towards the extra space to allow myself to be ... to thrash and roll without getting hurt by rigid expectations or limitations.
Friday, May 30, 2014
soul ℞
Days full with family,work, play, and gardening leave me satiated but also depleted energy-wise. When I find my mind spinning, my attention anywhere BUT where I am, I know it is time for a dose of much needed self-care:
Clearing my head and calming my nerves ... I think I must have been a china plate painter in a past life, the act of filling in small spaces with colors and shapes is incredibly soothing. I cannot hurry ... I must go slowly ...
Tending to all my senses is how I find my way back to myself. For immediate emotional and/or energy shift, I turn to scents. The very best soul medicine I've been blessed to experience are blended oils by this plant goddess:
Special treats arrived today and we both are captivated by the scent stories in Hummingbird (a beautiful ruby red botanical blend including rose and jasmine) and Mountain Lion (sunshine and courage in a roll-on!) After a long and steamy Midwest week (sadly, my favorite seasons - spring and autumn - seem to be vanishing under the assault of long winters and summers) the sweet grass blessing cream has me blissed and chilled out. (Meanwhile, I ration out Owl and Deer - two other blends that keep me inspired and grounded.)
Blissed and blessed. All that is required is a little time, adding color, air, light and breathing in deeply. Very deeply.
(Full disclosure: I am not an affiliate for The Gatheress; I am a fan and happy addict of all that she crafts and as a lover of fragrance want to say that her botanical blends are nothing short of artistry, magic, and olfactory heaven.)
Clearing my head and calming my nerves ... I think I must have been a china plate painter in a past life, the act of filling in small spaces with colors and shapes is incredibly soothing. I cannot hurry ... I must go slowly ...
Tending to all my senses is how I find my way back to myself. For immediate emotional and/or energy shift, I turn to scents. The very best soul medicine I've been blessed to experience are blended oils by this plant goddess:
Special treats arrived today and we both are captivated by the scent stories in Hummingbird (a beautiful ruby red botanical blend including rose and jasmine) and Mountain Lion (sunshine and courage in a roll-on!) After a long and steamy Midwest week (sadly, my favorite seasons - spring and autumn - seem to be vanishing under the assault of long winters and summers) the sweet grass blessing cream has me blissed and chilled out. (Meanwhile, I ration out Owl and Deer - two other blends that keep me inspired and grounded.)
Blissed and blessed. All that is required is a little time, adding color, air, light and breathing in deeply. Very deeply.
(Full disclosure: I am not an affiliate for The Gatheress; I am a fan and happy addict of all that she crafts and as a lover of fragrance want to say that her botanical blends are nothing short of artistry, magic, and olfactory heaven.)
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
distracted (paying attention)
Spring draws me outdoors and thankfully, out of my self. More precisely, the activities of spring distract me from habitual pursuits of navel-gazing.
I am hopeful for my new garden boxes. This past weekend we filled them with tomato and pepper plants, a Japanese eggplant and lots of herbs: cilantro, basil, sage, rosemary, chive and prairie onion. I've also filled pots with mint, lemon balm, and thyme. Each year I marvel at my vast collection of terracotta pots and slowly fill them with geraniums in as many colors as I can find. It is my garden center scavenger hunt.
Meanwhile, Cowgirl and I stay busy watching the progress of the two robins' nests situation on the drainpipe and outdoor lights of our neighbor's house. (We have a nest of grackles tucked way up high under one of our roof lines.)
These baby birds keep us on our toes.
In recent months, I've become aware of the necessity of carrying my new(ish) reading glasses with me ... seems to be a trend towards smaller print these days. A rare excursion to buy new shorts (I tend towards mail order ... never have to leave my house!) found me in a fitting room wondering about the poor quality of modern lighting (candlelight being much more soothing and energy efficient, don't you think?) ... those lumpy masses in the mirror couldn't be my legs?
It seems my eyes prefer spring-time sights. Even my painting seems to be youth-oriented:
My handsome boy as he appears to me. I'm certain I appear equally vibrant and bright-eyed to him.
It isn't the dog days of summer just yet, but with school out (!) it is all I can do to keep tap dancing through my days. Squeezing in time to write, paint, sew, and garden ...
while keeping one Cowgirl busy will either prove to be my secret youth serum or what brings me to my knees.
Either way, I will have good company.
(Moose has started therapy for low thyroid function and has moments of perkiness! There is still some issue with his bloodwork, but x-rays did not reveal anything "too awful" according to our Vet who is mildly concerned. Of course, I tend towards the anxious end of the spectrum, but am following my boy's lead and attempting to chillax.)
I am hopeful for my new garden boxes. This past weekend we filled them with tomato and pepper plants, a Japanese eggplant and lots of herbs: cilantro, basil, sage, rosemary, chive and prairie onion. I've also filled pots with mint, lemon balm, and thyme. Each year I marvel at my vast collection of terracotta pots and slowly fill them with geraniums in as many colors as I can find. It is my garden center scavenger hunt.
Meanwhile, Cowgirl and I stay busy watching the progress of the two robins' nests situation on the drainpipe and outdoor lights of our neighbor's house. (We have a nest of grackles tucked way up high under one of our roof lines.)
These baby birds keep us on our toes.
In recent months, I've become aware of the necessity of carrying my new(ish) reading glasses with me ... seems to be a trend towards smaller print these days. A rare excursion to buy new shorts (I tend towards mail order ... never have to leave my house!) found me in a fitting room wondering about the poor quality of modern lighting (candlelight being much more soothing and energy efficient, don't you think?) ... those lumpy masses in the mirror couldn't be my legs?
It seems my eyes prefer spring-time sights. Even my painting seems to be youth-oriented:
My handsome boy as he appears to me. I'm certain I appear equally vibrant and bright-eyed to him.
It isn't the dog days of summer just yet, but with school out (!) it is all I can do to keep tap dancing through my days. Squeezing in time to write, paint, sew, and garden ...
while keeping one Cowgirl busy will either prove to be my secret youth serum or what brings me to my knees.
Either way, I will have good company.
(Moose has started therapy for low thyroid function and has moments of perkiness! There is still some issue with his bloodwork, but x-rays did not reveal anything "too awful" according to our Vet who is mildly concerned. Of course, I tend towards the anxious end of the spectrum, but am following my boy's lead and attempting to chillax.)
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