One week in and many more to come.

 

Winter Moon

Ok, most of us have made it through the first week of quarantine. We have discovered that a small unseen virus has challenged how we go about living. Along with the social distancing and the late winter snow storm I am feeling especially isolated. My routine of journaling on the deck, no matter what the weather, has gotten me a cold. So now I am sick as well.

I have noticed how quiet everything is. Not many cars traveling on our street or the sounds of construction in our neighborhood. People are not walking in small groups, so the chatter has faded. It’s a good time to hear the conversations of the birds playing in the bushes. It’s a promise of things to come and that nature keeps on humming along. Even our Bradford Pear Tree has survived the heavy snow, albeit a few less branches. It gives me hope that after this season of darkness we will find the light again.

As I resume writing this week, here is another snippet form my book, “Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces” that I know will bring you hope.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Seasons come and go and sometimes you may linger in them for long periods of time. Sometimes if you stop and listen you will hear a knock; just open the door.”

If you are interested in getting on my waiting list for a copy of my book CLICK HERE.

Reflections of Grace

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Grace is something I  reflect on during the season of Lent, which also coincides, this year, with the writing of my book;  Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces. It is the perfect time to reflect on my faith journey which I talk about in my book and it is a perfect time to think about Grace and how lucky I am to have received it.

Here is another excerpt from my book: “Amazing, GRACE is a beautiful thing, and when I realized that I was given it for free and unconditional by the light and love of God I raised my hand and said, ”Me too Lord”.

Lent is my time for contemplation and forgiveness of myself and others. It is the one time of year that I sacrifice my own comfort to draw myself closer to the light of God. Lent is the time to be thankful for grace, given to me simply because I am loved.

Douglas McManaman who is a Deacon and a Religion and Philosophy teacher at Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in Markham Ontario, Canada states it this way in his article What does Divine Grace do for us? “Grace is a sharing in the divine life. It is the infused presence of God, a presence that is supernatural, not merely natural. Human persons are not born in a state of grace. And there is nothing we can do ourselves to earn grace. Rather, divine grace is favor, and it is freely bestowed.”

If you are interested in following my journey of faith while I write my book. Sign up now to be put on the waiting list

Forgiven, another byte from my book

 

Forgiven

“Forgiven” 8″ x 8″ Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas 

Writing my book has been very cathartic. When you review your life as Chapters in a book, like I am doing, you begin to see the whole picture; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I ask myself, “Do I really want to make this public?”

My answer is “yes, a resounding YES”; if my transparency helps one person identify with my strengths and weaknesses. As a former therapist my words may help that person step out of their own dark space and forgive themself and love themself, and through that transformation become a new person.

An excerpt from my book Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces: “When you venture into a dark space, say a cave, the smallest spark will create the brightest light. We can’t always predict or know why life takes us into dark spaces, but when they come it is the greatest time of growth. Those of us who come out of dark spaces are transformed into new people, and we find the light”

As I write this book I am sharing excerpts and paintings that will be in my book. The painting above is calledForgiven”. If you want to follow along and are not on my mailing list you can sign up HERE and receive a free digital download of one of my paintings, or just scroll below and you will also find a link.

Journaling my way to a book

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One of my practices is journaling each morning on my studio deck,  No matter the weather I am usually out there unless it is freezing or below. This morning it was cold but refreshing and beautiful after a lovely snowfall last night; so I sat quietly to take in deep breathes of the clean air and gather my thoughts.

This year I have felt a subtle shift in my being. I don’t know if it is because of the beginning of a new decade or just me moving into another season of my life; but I do know that it is God directed. I feel as though I am joined with everything. A wonderful oneness with my environment has settled over me. A freedom to be myself has loosened me up, and I feel loved.

This is the year that I have committed to writting my book and God has placed all the people and tools I need infront of me. I feel so overflowing with gratitude and love that I want to share this feeling with others.  I am like a waterfall flowing into a river and finally meeting the sea. I want others to be encouraged by my journey and find their own sea of joy and happiness. Please feel free to follow this journey with me, by joining my   e-mail list, as I share snippets of thoughts as I write my book. “Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces”

Blessings, ~Pam~

If you aren’t already on my mailing list and would like to get a free digital download of this beautiful painting and follow along with updates on my book, just enter your name and address below.SPRING GARDEN

 

A New Book Is Coming

 

 

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“As I begin my story and describe an important first picture, I will take a moment to paint the background. When one thinks of creating a new painting, the background is the first thing that needs to be laid down. With the appropriate background, the things in the foreground are noticed more easily.” An excerpt from my new work in progress. “Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces.”

After five years of procrastination I have finally hired an editor and started working on my book. For the longest time I did not know how to start. Fear can stop you dead in your tracks. This year I promised myself that I would be unstoppable, so here I am. Six Chapters in to my faith journey and how it has influenced my art. This is the tentative Cover.

It will be a beautiful book, full of art and hope. Release date should be sometime in July.

~Pam~