Release That Inner Child!

 Fingerpainting For Grownups is a new 'local' workshop that I'm planning for August. I love to be creative and messy, and sometimes I don't have a project in mind, I just want to play with color. So this workshop will be all about releasing your inner child! That carefree feeling you had when you were young, scribbling and splashing color for colors sake, with no end result in mind. I feel my most creative when I just let myself go and splash color around, scribbling away. Afterward, I can look deeper into the painting and find the imagery that wants to be found...but this is the first step- the one that gets those creative juices flowing and makes me want to create forever!

 I haven't planned an online version yet, because I have a lot of 'releasing' questions that I ask as others are working. Questions that may make you look into yourself and figure out what inside of you is holding your 'inner child' back. and I can't quite wrap my brain around how to get live to you to work together and question you at the same time...chat and live stream? I'll figure it out, but for now it will be in Gastonia NC in August, more details to come soon!

Yoga, Giving, and Dreadlocks...

I created this poster with the Calm-o-matic

I LOVE yoga. LOVE. But when most people think of yoga, they think of pretty ladies, super bendy in spandexy stuff, with no sweat, all serene like...

What's really happening, to me at least, is work. I'm practicing to make my body stronger, my mind smoother, and my soul more open. Yoga isn't just asanas and chanting, it's getting into you, being quiet and centered. And listening. To you. Deep down inside where you forget there is a voice. I am constantly practicing and trying to hear my rhythm to sync up with the universe...that's my goal. Meditation is more yoga than poses. It's posing your mind and stilling your heart. I do love a physical challenge. And i feel exhilarated when I conquer a pose that I thought was impossible for someone like me. But the true yogic feeling comes after my practice. When I sit and be still, and just BE. That connection I make with myself is like no other...and I find true bliss.

There's another way that I find bliss. Giving. I did this last year, and I feel like it's time to start again! Starting December 1, I will begin to go through my belongings, and give all of the things away that are no longer useful or productive in my life. It makes me feel wonderful knowing that the things that I once loved will now be loved by another. I also want to use this time to give of myself in service. I like to help out at women's shelters and donate my time to animal shelters as well. Giving of your items, time and love are all equally important, and i feel like this season need more love and more self sacrifice, than more buying and stress. If you'd like to join me in 31 Days of Giving, leave a comment below and I'll add a link to your blog...we'll follow each other in service and love!

Two years ago at this time, this is what I looked like...and so many different people commented on my appearance, spitting the word 'hippie' like an insult constantly, that I cut my hair off...and now, of course, I regret it. I think what I am going to do is wait until my hair has a bit more length(it's only about 4 inches right now) maybe chin length, I'm going to re-dread it, and add extensions to the ends for length.

I did this before and you can see a tiny tutorial here. Never again will I let others dictate my appearance! I'm a lot stronger and way more sure of myself now, thank goodness! When I start to redread, i'll post plenty of tutorials and lessons here on the blog.

My weekend coffee fueled babble-thon should probably come to a close...I hope y'all know how much I appreciate being listened too, and i love community! Please feel free to email me with any comments or questions... happysappytrees@gmail.com

~Namaskar~

Anastasia