Wolf Moon

Whew! The holidays flew by in a rush. Almost so fast it was hard to enjoy them! I have been making and planning and procrastinating quite a bit lately, but I think I figured out what's going to happen. I'm going to be HAPPY! I know without a doubt what I want out of life, and I almost have a plan figured out how to financially support my dream and keep my family loved and fulfilled.
 Since forever, I've known that I love to help others. Listening, offering guidance, being there for them. My hands sometimes feel as if they are on fire with energy and I just have to touch. I have repaired my own soul through help from others and a lot of hard work on my part. And I know that's what I want to do. I want to help others find themselves. I want to help them heal and mend the broken pieces. I want to offer guidance in growth, both spiritually and physically. Through art, meditation, writing, yoga, and a lot of personal soul searching I feel as if I can help others heal. I'm combining all that i do into a package/service to offer. I've only been offering things locally, but with Skype and via phone, I will now offer to help others anywhere. In the next few weeks I'll be able to cement all of the boring stuff so that I can get down to business.

 I've also been reading cards for others at home. You can go to my facebook page and get a card pulled by commenting on the daily post. Stop by!

Tonight is the first full moon of 2014 and I'll be making smudge sticks for my Etsy shop and sitting with the spirits. There are so many things that you can do during a Full Moon to help your energy. At the full moon the energy builds and builds....there's an explosive outgoing aspect to it. All of nature grows and is more vital at the full Moon. This surge allows you to take action on behalf of any new Moon intentions you set, as well as set new intentions and beginnings. 

• You could use this evenings moon to release any old internal baggage you've been letting weigh you down. Write everything you want to rid yourself of; be it bad habits, or bad relationships, anything that does not lift you up. Find a container ( I use a cast iron pot) and using a candles flame burn all of those slips of paper and watch the smoke disappear, taking with it your anxiety and frustrations that surround the subject.
• Sit in a quiet place and allow yourself to become centered. If you are able, try to get somewhere where the light of the moon can be seen. Imagine that light as a healing light and let it bathe you with it's beauty and power. Strengthening your soul as well as your will. As it washes over you allow your mind to quiet down and accept the purity and cleanliness of it. Feel your soul becoming rooted in love and trust; of yourself, your power, your love. Believe in yourself and allow your body to be healed in the strength of the moon.
• Set an intention, something that you want to accomplish or create in your life. Write it down, or paint it...create something that you can come to and be reminded of what you wanted. Intentions set under a full moon create a powerful wave through the universe, letting all who will listen know that you are ready to accept change. 

I hope this finds you well and helps you through all that you are experiencing. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have questions or comments. You can reach me through facebook, twitter, pinterest, etsy, or through my email-happysappytrees@gmail.com. Namaskar!

Wake Up and Get Grateful!

Be Grateful.

Everyday.

When you start to get pissy or down on yourself, think about what you really do have. I've found that I get a lot further in my life and I'm a lot happier when I remember the things that I have than the things that I don't have. Make it a practice to write three things that you are grateful for EVERYDAY.

Today I am grateful for:

My Life

My Family

My Creativity

Actually, this would probably be my list everyday. I'm so blessed, just for the fact that I woke up this morning! Then I look into my children's eyes, and I know, no matter what, someone loves me. If I didn't have kids, I'd know that my friends loved me. And I am super grateful for my creativity. For ALL creativity.I imagine that there is an invisible energy stream running through the universe, to me it kind of looks like the Northern lights, but it's everywhere, and I imagine that this is the "Universal Stream of Creativity." Everyone can tap into this stream of creativeness, you just have to want it. Sometimes, you tap in at the exact time as someone else, and you both have the same idea- even if they're in another country! Anyone who wants to be creative, can be. 

So today, take a minute to think about what you are grateful for. And every time you start to say "Woe is me" come back to your list of blessings.

                                         

How You See Your Truth

 One of the paintings I was working on the other day was on the coffee table when some folks came by. A lady picked them up and was looking at it when my son said "that's one of mama's Goddesses!" The lady replied with a "yeah, she always paints this face." Completely harmless statement...but for some reason every bit of wind went out of my sails and I completely deflated. She had absolutely no idea that what she said affected me. No one was aware that anything happened at all, I however, haven't painted, sketched or written since then.

 And then I realized- Duh, that's her opinion - not your truth!

 Yes, I paint the same face over and over, that's my STYLE and also, that's what I look like. I paint myself: sad eyes, wonky teeth, happy heart. It's me, over and over...and i'm okay with that. Had I not thought long and hard about this as quickly as possible, I could have been left in an artistic slump and spiral for a really long time. Some folks are always going to say things that deflate your soul. The ability to surpass that, move on, and create even more is where the challenge lies. You are the only strength that you can lean on in this creative journey. No matter how much praise you receive from the outside world, if you don't believe in yourself and your own abilities, nothing else is going to matter.

PS-That lady was my mom... 

Shhh- My Souls Talking

Free Printable-share it, give it, love it.

Shhh- hear that? That litany of voices in your head...how do you ever get anything done? I have the same mixture of sounds blaring through my skull every day. Here are a few things that I do to shush them up.

!. Julia Cameron is a genius...I write three pages in long hand everyday. EVERYDAY. Some times its lists, sometimes its notes, diary pages, sketches with catchy phrases...but everyday I write something. It totally dispels a bit of that noise and trash that's cluttering up my brain space.

2. Meditate- I sit for 10 minutes EVERY DAY in a quiet place and let my self quiet down and I just breathe. When a thought comes in my head, I gently imagine that I let it float into a box and then I concentrate on my breath again. Even if I only get a few seconds of real meditation everyday, a few seconds to me is better than none.

3. Walk outside. Go into nature. Sometimes just letting my bare feet touch grass and soil soothes the loudness in my brain.

Try one or all of these things. Get a routine set up, where you write, then meditate, and then maybe go outside. Slow down and b-r-e-a-t-h-e. With time you'll notice that its a lot more quiet and roomy in that ole skull of yours.

Intuition-a practice worth listening to

 Intuition, that thing that your gut does when you aren't thinking with your soul. The tiny whisper that vibrates through your body that you know you should listen to. It's your soul knowing whats right for you, and your 'logical' self not listening.
 Why? What are you afraid of?
 Me- being wrong.
 I get afraid. I question my spirit and think "does my intuition really know better than I do?" the answer, quite simply, is yes. In my life, I believe my spirit/energy/soul has been around a lot longer than my 37 years. And I know that I have definitely put it through some adventurous growing this time around. But it still knows more than this body of mine ever will.

"How do you 'hear' your intuition? Just listening doesn't seem to do the trick." And it probably won't either. Think about how full your mind is right now...your reading this, maybe judging it, fending off a child, eating a burrito,  listening to the radio/TV- anything...how often do you really take for yourself? Just quiet. No electronics, no noise, no other distractions. Hey, I have 4 kids and a child like husband, I know all to well how hard it is to find a bit of quiet. But for your sanity, connection to your intuition and relationships with others I urge you to TAKE IT! You need quiet time or meditation every day! You don't need a designated space (although it makes it easier to quiet down, quicker) or a gong or candles or anything. All you need is you, 10 minutes, and a quiet private place to just be. Just sit somewhere comfortably, sit don't lie- you'll fall asleep and defeat the purpose!  And begin to breath. Really inhale at a slow steady pace and then exhale at a slow steady pace, try to inhale and exhale at the same slow deep steady pace. Ideas are going to form, and inner conversations are going to sound...when they do don't get frustrated! Just nudge them away for later reflection and come back to your breath. Concentrate on breathing fully. That's it! Just breathe and be, nothing hard is involved. The more quiet time you give your mind, the tighter your soul and mind/body become. You'll stop second guessing yourself. All good things come with meditation.

I meditate everyday, if I miss it for a day i feel...frustrated, angry, easily aggravated. It's soothing to my soul, and I really feel like it fine tunes my 'intuitive channel' and i can hear it more clearly. Since I've really started giving myself meditation time and started listening closely to my intuition, its gotten stronger. My inner voice is strong and positive. and I found that listening has also given me a new sense of strength and confidence I never really had before. Your intuition knows you better than you know yourself. Take some time to listen to it and embrace it. After all- it's the real you!

Lost in Loss

I'm a superstitious person. I always have been, but I've always been intuitive and a bit of an empath as well. My mom and grandmother are the same way and my mom has had many encounters with energy in a way that I envy and am a little afraid of too.

 that being said- 

A bird flew into my house 2 week-ish ago. As soon as it did, I told my husband- three deaths to come. He of course laughed it off, he always does. That evening, I found out a young friend of mine had passed in his sleep. In his thirties, healthy and strong-dead. This past Tuesday, the same dang thing...My friend and boss was found in his sleep- passed at 42. I know negativity breeds negativity- but facts are facts. Every time a bird comes into my home, 3 people I know pass.And the scariest part of this is the final waiting period- the last shoe to drop. 

I don't grieve in a 'normal' way.  Every since my best friend and first husband passed suddenly in 2001 I've kinda put up an emotional wall to the passing of a soul. I don't feel as if i'm hardened, but i do feel as if I'm not as touched by sadness.  I feel as if spirit is formed into a new being and given a second chance- maybe that's why i'm not so saddened...but I don't like to be around the sadness of the living- the grieving. That much emotion in one place really affects me in a negative way- and I try to avoid it at all costs. So I generally bow out of funerals  Does that make me weak? no one likes funerals  I realize that, but I honestly get physically and mentally ill at death gatherings. I don't know that I can participate in another procession. 

And now the looming fear of Whats next-who's next is over my head and heavy in my heart.

I'm lost.

I'm lost in loss.

I'll find myself, soon, I know this- but this is a journey I never like to take.

Soul Talk

Please print this out and hang it up!

There are not enough people who are aware of what acceptance of a gift feels like.

Or hear the opening of a door. 

Or realize when their wishes and desires come to fruition.

You need to listen to your soul talk, hear the whispers, and know that they are true. 

Accept the offerings and open doors; before they are whisked away, or closed.

Never to return.

Trust what you feel,

and

Listen.

PS- You can never want or wish for too much- but it's up to you to be open to getting it.

Manipura

(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.

Manipura is the Solar Plexus or Naval Chakra. This chakra is involved with self-esteem, a “warrior” energy.”  It gives the power of transformation, governs digestion, metabolism, can take risks, assert our will, take responsibility for our life. It controls actions such as ambition, possession and conquest.As the seat of digestive fire, this Chakra regulates the function of the Pancreas and digestive organs. Blockages in this center can cause many health problems such as digestive disorders, circulatory disease, diabetes and fluctuations in blood pressure.This is where you also hold your guilt, shame, and annoying behaviors. 

Many people hide behind substance abuse when this chakra is out of whack...spinning in place and never getting anywhere...

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

* How do you control yourself? What issues do you have with control?
*How can you channel you energy into something more productive?
*What can you start doing TODAY, to move forward?

When you meditate, focus on your tummy(naval) picture a bright shining light feeling you up, warming you up, and ridding you of darkness. Picture upward flow, un blocking the angst and weight that sits there.

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!

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

I am Triumphant!

Today I dropped my keys into my car engine...and then dug around on all fours looking in the grass and on the ground under the car, no luck. Dug through the engine, took the battery out, did everything I could think of...but never not once, did I get angry...I just kept trying different things and knew something was gonna work. I lied on my back and banged under the car to try to 'hear' the keys jingle...I finally heard a muffled jingle. Guess where they were?!? 

IN THE BUMPER!

IN THE FREAKIN BUMPER!

So...i got the screwdriver and took half the bolts off the body of the car, then I pulled the plastic of the front bumper back and shimmeyed the keys out- 

SUCCESS!

I never had the idea "I can't do this" or, "I'll never get this figured out", I just tried everything I could think of until something worked! Something always works. Always. 

Never give up.

Never think you can't do something.

And never, never, forget that the Universe has a twisted sense of humor...and that it's always telling you something...

You just have to listen.

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.

The Fire Within

My fire is burning bright today. Being fed ideas like fuel, and fanned by the long ago false notion that I had ruined my life. I am an

  UNTEACHER.

I take every thing you have every been told about rules and throw them out the window. You don't need rules.

You need to LISTEN. 

Listen to your heart, your soul, your gut...

that's called

Intuition.

We all have it, some just hear it louder than others. 

I'm here to show you how to turn it up!! 

The Fire Within Intuitive Painting Workshop

Reclaiming your magic and opening your heart through paint and journaling.

I will be unschooling the whole workshop. There are no rights or wrongs or rules. Just Paint and Passion. We will relearn the art of creativity through process and intuition. Letting color splash and play on canvas. Creating BIG and BOLD. Artists and creatives of all levels and backgrounds are invited to join.

We will...

meditate, journal, move

and...

Paint our heART out. 

For those of you who like an itinerary- 

We will begin at 10am on Saturday December 1 at Arts on Main in Gastonia NC by joining a circle and setting our intentions. We will then  journal and meditate followed by 2 hours of passionate painting. We'll break for lunch and then reconvene to continue to paint, alternating painting, movement and writing our souls out. We will be ready for clean up by 5!

Cost is $140 

All supplies and lunch will be provided, as well as a playbook to take home.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal, we will have some for sale if you'd like to purchase one. Plenty of fun and surprises are in store!!

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

We offer plenty of free and safe parking behind the gallery/studio in a secure parking lot. 

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

please contact Anastasia Boswell at happysappytrees@gmail.com

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. I will have a copy of attendees.

What is the refund policy?

It is necessary to pre-register for all workshops in advance. Fees are returnable if your cancellation is made at least 1 week prior to workshop date (less a 20% service fee)

If the class is canceled by HappyTrees Studio for any reason, your fee is completely refundable. Fees are due at the time of registration. Sorry, no exceptions. No refunds after the one week deadline.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

That's fine! In fact I encourage you to purchase a ticket for someone you know who will benefit from this workshop!!

I'll be sending out more information about the class after you register...and you can register here...The Fire Within