It’s been more than a hot minute since I last wrote a blog post— maybe more like a stone age ago. Some of you have been with me on this art/life journey since 2008 when I started blogging at ZenDotstudio, and some of you have recently boarded this little train.

Welcome and all aboard.

I have felt lost in the woods of life, roaming around in the hinterland of 2 moves and 18 months without a studio. Not to mention the pandemic-induced global fear storm we’ve all been caught up in. 

While time has been plentiful this last year, my mind has spent much time in places that haven’t felt conducive to creativity.

How about you? Have you found some peace amidst the chaos? Have you found ways to tame the mind from running wild?

Recently, I’ve been paying more attention to the thoughts I choose, and to making intentional space for creativity.

And I I wanted to share a twig of encouragement I’ve found, in case it is of help to you too. 

I believe it’s always possible for us to live lives of hope and joy and equanimity, even in these strange times.

I find it helpful to start from a place of understanding that circumstances are what they are. 

I can’t change the world, but I can choose how I think about it. I don’t always get all my thoughts like little ducklings in a row—but that’s okay. I can herd them back into place eventually. 

Lately, I spend time everyday choosing my thoughts with intention. 

What do I want to think about my life, my work, my family, the world? 

Sometimes I think there are a lot of idiots out there, but how does that make me feel? How does that thought contribute to the energy of the world? 

It’s a practice of constantly redirecting my mind from what is unhelpful, to what feels better. What allows me to be of service in making things better, even in my own small corner of the world.

I believe that now more than ever is a time to be conscious of the stories we’re weaving about what’s going on and what the future will look like. 

In truth we don’t know. 

If you believe that we impact those around us with our feelings and our energy, managing our thoughts is a concrete action you can take towards a better world. 

Many indigenous cultures, shamans, and even Albert Einstein knew that imagination and creativity is more important than “knowledge.”

This is the world view I wanted to share with you—the world view that has allowed me to return to my life in a way that feels good, a way that has brought me the energy to rise out of lethargy and fear. 

Our minds are powerful places. You can impact the world with your thoughts of love, compassion and hopefulness.

As a small after note, I would like to say I am working on a series of small works on paper that I plan to share soon. They are fun, calming and uplifting. A perfect antidote to what ails us these days. I look forward to showing them to you soon. If you feel so inclined come join my mailing list where you will receive the occasional advance notification of new work and words like these to inspire.

Wishing you well in these strange times.