BE BOLD

Take fantastic leaps towards the unknown. 

That thing that you fear?

Conquer it.

Do it.

Procrastination be damned! 

Go live your life NOW.

Take your future in your hands and make the steps to make yourself happy.

Need more education? Go back to school.

Need more money? Go over your finances...do you really need that $5 Coffee? Cut back.

SAVE! Every penny counts.

Want to be more artistic and creative? Do it! Scribble, doodle, splash color, but do it! 

PRACTICE REALLY DOES MAKE AWESOME!

But above all, BE BOLD. Don't wait for fate to deliver that special path to your door. Go out and make it happen. No more excuses, no more "I can't because..." If you want it, be positive, think and ACT.

 Make it happen. 

And 

Start

TODAY!

(IT REALLY IS THAT EASY)

Oldie but Goodie

 I love to create from home, but sometimes I'm missing the space of a 'real' studio. I now have a HUGE studio, and it feels a bit lonely there. When I teach classes it's awesome, women, laughter, music, food and wine. But when I'm alone I'm super aware of how silent and alone it is. So I have a home studio for smaller projects,sewing, journaling and blogging, and my away from home studio is for teaching, yoga classes, meetings and big paintings. I do think i tend to work better when others are present, but leave me to my own devices. Weird huh?

 I'm STILL rearranging my home studio for more space and just because, you know, I'm a hoarder, and something has to go! I've been so preoccupied with making art, I'm avoiding making a space for art. Someone stole my phone, which was my camera too, but as soon as I get a new one I'll post new pics. For now enjoy my oldies but goodies...

Visual Journaling with the girls.

My Intuitive painting created with a live band...awesome!

I'm So Awesome, You Are Too!

So it's not always pretty, this life you live. MAKE it pretty. Own it, decorate it and live it. Open your own doors and get on your soapbox. Shout from the rooftops about how awesome you are. Make yourself happy- the rest will follow- I PROMISE.

I wear tutu's and tiaras-
So what I'm 37 and not royalty. That's in your reality. In mine, I know that I looked damn cute dressed as a princess ballerina,and it makes chores so much more fun! Stop doing what you think others approve of and do what you approve of! Now I'm not giving you free anarchist reign- we have laws and ethics and morals for a reason. What I am saying is- who made it a rule that you can't wear pink hair at 50? Who says forever 21 is only for those under the age of 21? Why- Why is it frowned upon to have fun and act a little kooky?
I could give a seminar dressed in a monkey suit and I bet my words would reach you just the same. We put to much emphasis on adult hood and being stodgy. I refuse to be of the mindset that I need to wear a pantsuit to be accepted,or taken "seriously",  make your silliness acceptable! Prove that you can be professional, efficient and damn good at what you do- even if you are carrying a Jem lunchbox for a purse. Have fun with your life- It's yours and you may not get to come back...enjoy yourself while you can.

Positivity breeds.....more positivity!
And negativity does the same. So drop the Debbie downer act. Look on the bright side- there's always a bright side if you look for it. And if you're always looking for the downside, waiting on the other shoe to drop, sad sacking it around town, or wallowing in misery...you're going to get more of the same. You are wasting your life, if you are being down and out about everything-always. QUIT IT! Your bumming yourself out, and probably everyone within earshot...booo, NO FUN.

Forgive the asshole-for you, not for them.
Humans do stupid things. Some because they're assholes, some because they're mean, and some are really accidents. Regardless- forgive them, and move on. If I held a grudge against everyone who purposefully or not had hurt me in the past, I'd have to pull a wagon behind me, my grudge would be that big. But you're not the only person that's been wronged, or deceived  or hurt. You are, however, the only one that can make yourself keep going. Release your sadness and anger- and focus on making yourself happy.

I'm easygoing- but I'm no ones doormat.
I forgive and  move on, and I release. But I'm no sucker. I choose my arguments and let things slide. But- when you are blatantly being harmed- FIGHT BACK. Don't allow anyone ever to bully you, hurt you, cheat you- or just generally screw you over. Get away from those situations, and LEARN. REMEMBER. And don't fall for that shit again. You are not a bad person for expecting respect and speaking up for yourself. And you don't have to be violent to get your point across. But, get your point across. Make sure others realize you are a good, honest, open, and loving person- that takes no shit from nobody. That won't make you less of a good person, it'll make you better.

My life's awesome.
Because I say so. Because I make it so. Sure I have poopy days, and my husband and I argue, and my kids get wacky from time to time. But those are small compared to the fact that I'M ALIVE. I get to experience something new everyday and change and grow and learn. How awesome is that?!? Get your ass out there and live, breathe, love. Quit floating through life like a ghost...don't just exist-  create the life you want and make it freakin colorful and bright! LIVE!

Svadhisthana

this is the second in the Chakra series- 

self worth- the seat of life

(I've been working on my Chakras for a while now, and I feel like it's an ongoing process, but that I'm really starting to understand the process and myself a lot more...here is just a bit of what I've learned for you to start your own practice and healing...)

What are Chakras?
 Chakra's (pronounced Cha-kra, like chocolate chip...thanks Sam and Kaoverii!) are mental and emotional energy centers placed along your spine. Asana's (yoga poses) were invented to help heal and release blockages within your chakra system. ANYONE can work on their Chakra's- without going against their religious beliefs.  Learning about your chakra's gives you access to your bodies physical responses so you can minimize the negative effects and maximize the positive ones!
 There are currents of energy that course throughout your body - like a road map they are plentiful, but there are 4 main highways...the first two are-
 The upward current-Mukti or the freedom path runs from the earth and rises through the body toward ever more awareness.
The downward current Bukti or manifestation  starts at the crown of your head and goes down towards the earth growing more and more specific until it manifests on a physical plane.

Peoples issues are almost never physical but always tied to mental or chakra energy. Heal that and heal yourself.

Svadhisthana is your second Chakra also called your Sacral Chakra. It represents how you handle your own emotions and sexuality. Imagine it as an invisible wheel of energy located a few inches below the navel in the center of the pelvis right in front of the sacrum. Blocked Svadhisthana energy can result in feelings of 
having done something wrong and guilt can ensue. It is difficult to taste life’s sweetness and nothing seems good enough. There also may follow a feeling of helplessness, as if you have no choice and no initiative to change. In some cases denial of pleasure may result along with self-imposed boundaries about food intake or exercise.The Sacral Chakra is associated with passion and creativity – and the soul desire to feel.

So, I recommend journaling everyday, and also meditate and do asana's. While working on your Sacral Chakra ask yourself a few questions while sitting grounded comfortably and concentrating on the chakra such as...

Am I well in my body- where are my insecurities and how can I fix them?
What can I let go of that was traumatic to me?
What can I forgive or grow away from?

As you journal, really listen to your truth. Envision your self; safe and sound, and open your self to the energy around you. This may bring up issues you never realized you had, with yourself, environment or your spirit. That's okay! Getting to know the real you is scary. Admitting your different than what you thought you knew is weird to most people. But, the better you understand yourself, you give yourself the gift of growth and truth and change. Open up and experience all that life is offering, it's an amazing trip!

Following journaling try to meditate – focus on the region of the chakra, envision the color orange and repeat a mantra (I am well in body, mind and spirit or something that resonates within you)

If you feel as if this is a journey you can't handle on your own, you're welcome to email me ( happysappytrees@gmail.com) with questions and comments. I would be happy to help in any way I can. I'm no expert, but,  I have been working on myself since I realized I was alive. It's a never-ending journey and I'm constantly being taught by others around me as well as my subconscious. You can never have enough knowledge or growth! I'd love to hear about your journey!

 I will be offering an on-line workshop based on healing, art,  chakras and intuition starting in January. I hope that you will join me for that as well!

Full

This is the time for rejuvenation!

Fall brings shifts in weather, more love, more family, and a lot more time spent indoors. What better time than now to re-organize things? Now is the time to get everything back in to order for the fullness of your soul. 

Why not...

 Unclutter your home, throw out things that you know you don't need anymore! I've been the worlds worst at keeping clothes for ever...I literally still have undies from ten years ago. There is no reason to hold on to things from a decade past!! Go through everything, but make it manageable- split everything into small tasks, room by room, or pile by pile. Make it manageable and then DO IT! Donate your old clothing and items to your local Salvation Army or Kidney Foundation. I'm sure someone there will appreciate it more than you do,  shoved away in some closet.

Replenish yourself, body and soul. Restart that forgotten meditation regimen. Start a daily A'sana practice. Eat more fruit! It's really easy to take care of yourself and once you get into the habit of doing things differently and daily you'll actually start wanting to do it! I've made myself start eating more fruit everyday, fresh not packaged. The added benefit of fiber has been keeping me full longer too which is awesome cause I'm not starving all the time! Which means less crazy bad snacking. 

Start a Collective of like minded people. Gather like souls and just spend time with them, enjoying their energy, their intellect. Laugh! Find people you never thought you'd enjoy and give them a chance! I love to create art with a group of people. I seem to create more freely when I am surrounded by the energy of other creatives.

Start small-but start today. Enjoy the fullness of the moon tonight- gather that beautiful energy and harness it! Use it to inspire your new change, and then

 Begin.

How I Settled Into My Skin

I'll be 37 this month and I'm really just settling into me.

I just wish that I worried more about who I was than what I was or what I could do to make others know me in my twenties and teens.

I was sexually abused from a young age, and then I allowed abuse through my teen years- giving of myself and being used up and tossed to the side for attention. Once I got to my twenties I was hard and cold...even after I had my son at 20~ I was un-affectionate and hard to read. My first husband and I split up at the age of 21, and I dated unsuccessfully for three years...cheating or being cheated on, falling for people who I knew were not for me, just because of the crowd I'd keep. During all of this time- I never accepted how unhappy I was, never was willing to accept the fact that I was being untrue, and down right mean to myself. My husband and I got back together when i was 24 and I was happy...in love...ME! For a bit...we got pregnant with our daughter and she was born in '01- I had someone who loved me truly, I loved them truly and we were honestly happy. Then he died. Two months after my baby was born, he had a work accident and died suddenly, during the day. I was devastated. Ruined. LOST.

FF through the doom and gloom to my husband of 8 years. Honest, soulful, beautiful. He was younger than me and accepting of a widow with two young children. Now~ I'm not painting this into a floral and rosy picture of joy...we've had our ups and downs...and for the most part the downs have been something I brought on...I never allowed my self to grieve- Grieve my childhood, my teen years, my first Husband...my innocence.

2005- I began to create...art, yarn, food, clothing.

 I had forgotten how much I loved to make things with my hands. I never took art, well not since the 7th grade. When I was little I would cut up paper and create elaborate structures, sometimes taller than me...I would get lost in a book and then spend the rest of the day recreating the story through my drawings. As a teen, I would cut out pictures of others and glue them in a sketchbook, writing through my anger and changing the images to suit my mood...never quite breaking through but always feeling a bit better afterwards.

So when I remembered my hands could be used to create joy, not just shield pain...I used them constantly. I painted, cooked, spun yarn, sewed. CREATED! Every new thing or task that I accomplished gave me a little bit more of my soul back. I became whole! A solid girl who was not afraid to be real, blunt and honest.

TRUE.

My family has always supported me, even when they didn't know what was wrong with me other than I was cold and angry and bitter. And my wonderful husband had my back and helped me in every way he could, as well as giving me TWO MORE (!) beautiful children.

Now- I'm happy, mostly, and when things set me back I get over them, knowing that everything will be better. I now have faith...in me and the world, in man-kind.

Now I create daily

I journal- writing and doodling my emotions all over pages in my books, working through my emotions without wearing them on my sleeve before they've been examined.

I meditate- Listening to me, getting deeper and deeper into my soul, sometimes I'm so deep I'm not in my body, just fully encased in my soul- able to understand what is before me.

I paint-Creating colorful shapes that may make no sense to others but to me they tell an intimate story of my past present and future...creation has become my art. Not the finished product.

I move- Everyday...Yoga has tethered me more solidly into my physical body and allowed me to feel at home in it. I no longer feel trapped in a place that I'm uncomfortable, don't like and am scared of.

I love- I allow myself to feel without the fear of being betrayed, hurt. I can control what affects me. Without feeling separated from myself, I feel whole. My family, children, husband, friends encase me in love and warmth and safety, and I am not afraid to return that love...I give freely of my emotions and except the world around me.

This is what I do and did to become me...I didn't start this page this way, trying to give my story, but I felt moved to be real and true. I have learned a lot in 36 years and I would not change a thing...I get to be me fully and make no excuses for it. I own my soul -LOVE,  ART and CREATIVITY have helped me see that. And now I know that my reason for being here is to help others who are hurting, or don't understand themselves fully, or are just stuck a bit- how to be TRUE. I teach truth and love through creativity and meditation and journaling. And I want to help everyone I can.

I hope that my story opened me up a bit for you...I honestly believe creativity can help you transform your life mentally and physically. And I want to help you...please email me at happysappytrees@gmail.com and I promise to try and help you with prompts and love. The classes I am creating will help us dig deeper into our souls and teach us that TRUTH is the way.

thank you for giving me a little of your time today...

Love,

Anastasia

Confidence from the Universe

It's not the steps that matter, anastasia, but the path.

All is well,
    The Universe

I receive these emails from the universe every couple of days , and let me tell you....they're almost always on time!I need these confidence boosters as much as I second guess myself sometimes, and they always make me smile! To start receiving some universal love into your inbox go to Mike Dooley's website at TUT and sign up, while your there peruse through everything and be amazed at the positivity that seeps through your computer!

Recent conversation on Facebook with a found again friend

Hey you! Thanks!You have always been braver than me expressionistically (word?). My hands have been buggin' me lately to MAKE, something I'm not too familiar with, I'm mostly cerebral.


But reading and seeing your stuff lately... Pretty Momma, YOU are an inspiration. I am questioning my pre-established personal limitations (I'm not good at this, stick to what I know, that sort of thing).

Keep preachin sister,

Love.
 
Dood- I just got to the point where i wanted to make myself happy and it started with these crazy hallucinations that my new meds were giving me- i had to get them out of my head. Then i started surfing the net and saw all of these people living the life i feel i deserve and i knew i wanted. So I decided instead of waiting on the lottery i was gonna make my own good fortune. And I AM. I don't care who hates me or my stuff, i paint intuitively, for me not even for the end result, but for the process. And for all those folks out there who don't like me or my stuff, there is someone else who does, and who gets me, and who applauds my trials and triumphs. So I say if your having that feeling and you want to make, don't ignore your intuition, start TODAY! It's cliche but, tomorrow may not come! And what have you got to lose? You'll gain a better feeling about yourself and you'll understand you better!