Some Thoughts on Control

There is a lot of talk in the world today about control. Opinions vary on if, and to what degree, we as human beings exercise control. Some say, “Yes, I am always in control!” While others say, “No, control is an illusion!” My analytical brain wants to put me in the “Yes!” camp, but from experience and what I read in God’s Word I know that the latter is where I live.

Why do we feel the need for control? The world says it’s primal, a survival instinct, hard-wired into us when we crawled out of the ooze a bazillion years ago. As a Christian I reject the idea that my ancestors were ever protozoa or ever “oozed” anywhere. Honestly, which is more fantastical: a) humans were once single-celled organisms and “evolved” or b) God brought everything into existence?

I believe the answer lies, perfectly enough, in the idea of control.

If the universe simply sprang into being, one second there was nothing and the next, volia, Earth we are not beholden to anyone or anything for our existence … it was an accident, happenstance without purpose or design. After all, a human can’t be indebted to protozoa or the big bang! If, however, God created the Earth in seven glorious days, breathed life into Adam and from his rib created Eve, well then there is someone we owe! Someone who has control over our existence.

Submission, by it’s very definition, is an absence of control. When we submit to God’s plan for our lives, when we follow His commandments, when we acknowledge our fallen sinful nature and finally, blessedly when we are washed white by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, we are most surely “out of control”! The point being … we’ve given control over to God.

However, for all this “lack of control” I would suggest that in perfect submission there is control … God’s control and reign over our lives gives a peace and joy that no white-knuckled grasp on the handlebars of life could ever give! He is a loving and wonderful Father who promises to safeguard us when we submit to His plan for our lives.

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11 (NAS)

When asked, “what is the reason for the light that lives within you” what is your answer? Mine is simple, “I was born a sinner, separated from God. Were it not for His grace, mercy, and love I would be damned to an eternity of loneliness and darkness in Hell. He loved me so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to pay the price for each and every sin. That kind of love is epic, without equal and is the reason for the light that lives in me!”

To some being in control is safety … the only way they can live. I challenge each of you to take close look at how “control” plays out in your life. For me, I’m ever the broken girl, making mistakes but following (and ceding) control to the Lord one day at a time.

What matters most…

I originally started writing this 4 years ago, in 2010. In the intervening years a lot has happened, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Sandyhook shooting, earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, tornadoes … there never seems to be a shortage of tragedy in the world. I liked my start so I am going to post it as it links to one of the best rants about something near and dear to my heart, STUPID DRIVERS. In that respect, I have not changed one iota. I’m going to create a calendar of blog ideas and see if I can get off my duff and actually blog about life and art. It’s a test … let’s see how I do.

January 26th, 2010 – Ask 100 people “What matters most…” and you will likely get 100 different answers. There will be themes: family, love, money, success, God, but most likely all slightly different. I’ve been all over the place with this my first blog of the new decade. For some reason I’d put all this “importance” over this blog and unwittingly given myself writer’s block and I began to worry. Why, I’m not sure since I’m convinced that no one besides my best friend and her computer-loving cat, Emma Bean, actually reads this blog. But I did begin to sweat. To keep me honest, I’m sharing my 1 New Year’s resolution: to write at least 1 blog entry each month in 2010. -EPIC FAIL

A few days ago I thought of writing about Haiti and why it seems we only reveal the “better angels of our nature” in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Then (thanks to my friend, The Sessionista, who so eloquently wrote about it) I thought to write about stupid drivers in metro Seattle, a topic that can escalate my BP like no other (read The Sessionista’s blog here). Last night I’d nearly decided to write about Teflon and ethics. I know what you’re thinking … Teflon is a non-stick surface. It is, but it can also be a descriptor for someone to whom nothing sticks. I mean nothing. Not bad deeds, not ethics, not morals, not emotions, not conscience, nothing. Then I thought, “Who am I to judge someone?” What makes me think I know best? and then it hit me, “I’m a blogger.” I’m supposed to take stands, spout opinions, and make judgments, right?

Get ready for a roller coaster ride of my opinions.

I Resolve…

Okay, so it’s once again time to observe that long held tradition of setting (and eventually breaking) New Year’s resolutions. There’s nothing like a new year and in this case a new decade to make millions of people stop, take stock and set some goals. I am no stranger to the resolution racket. I’ve made them all: exercise more, get a new job, lose weight, find a boyfriend, you name it, I’ve probably sworn to achieve it in the new year.

So why do we feel compelled to make (and break) these grand resolutions? In thinking about it, I decided to ask a few friends (via Twitter and Facebook). Here are a few common (and sometimes colorful) responses…

“Cause I can’t accept the fact that I’m unable to change.”

“I don’t make ’em. If I did, I would probably make them on my birthday, not the new year. New Year’s is so arbitrary somehow.”

“Because I’m a masochist. Because sometimes I surprise myself and get them done. Because I love lists.”

“To break them. lol.”

“I don’t make them. I know my habits are stronger than I am.”

Ryan Mitofsky says in his post (http://bit.ly/8D3SVJ): “We reminisce over the year that has passed and our thoughts wander to what we could have done better. The “if only” statements flood the actual memories that we hold onto and the thought of change permeates our desires.” He further states, “In creating these arbitrary goals with no significance behind them there is no fuel to feed the fire of change.”

All this “make life better”, “let’s walk down a 365-day long memory lane” and “it’s a new year, time for a new beginning” aside, what if we made (and kept) silly, even nonsensical resolutions? Enter two of my favorite online mentors: @Mashable and @unmarketing. About an hour ago a blog post appeared on Mashable.com titled “A Boon to the Indecisive: A New Year’s Resolution Generator”. A short blog post for, yep, you guessed it the indecisive (not to mention the Internet-addicted).

Get Jiggy Wit It
My 1st 2010 resolution!

Of course I had to click on the bright yellow box that promised to hold the key to a complete overhaul of my life in 2010. My first New Year’s resolution: Get Jiggy Wit It.

No offense, Mr. Will Smith, but somehow I’d hoped for something a wee bit more “substantial”. I wasn’t expecting “solve world hunger” or “create world peace” or “provide healthcare for all Americans”. I’m not deluded, at least not THAT deluded. Alas, it seems the indecisive can’t be choosers. Here’s hoping 2010 is a fulfillment of your dreams, but in case it’s not, just for fun, you should give the 2010 New Year’s Resolution Generator a spin (or 2)! Happy New Year!

Ready, Set, GO: it’s time for Art & Soul

I know, I know. I promise to be a better blogger and then a month or two will go by without a word from me. I have the very best of intentions, especially as I write a post or add something to the site but then life creeps in, okay sometimes it blows in like a tornado. As I sit in my studio, typing on my laptop with the sound of the Seahawks vs Bears game in the background I find that I love many things: kittens, best friends, making art, meeting with friends, playing Mafia Wars on Facebook…the list goes on and on.

Do I “love” blogging? I think the simple answer is no. I’m not used to anyone (besides by best friend, Dabby) much caring about the thoughts that roll around in my head. Perhaps if I were younger I would feel differently, but each time I post I find myself asking the following questions. 1) “Did you offend anyone with this post?” and 2) “Who is going to care about what you’ve written?” I think this is why I haven’t publicized my blog. That isn’t to say it’s stopped me from blogging. I just don’t do it on a regular basis. Enough about my blogging angst let’s talk about something fun: Art & Soul!

I am SO excited to be teaching at Art & Soul Retreat. No only do I get to teach with my dear friend Stephanie I get to reconnect with friends from across the country. If you’re attending Art & Soul, please make a point to stop by our table at vendor night and say “hi”! I can’t wait to reconnect with old friends and make some great new ones as well! There are still classes available. If you live in the Pacific NW, I encourage you to check it out! Until next time (and we both know there’s no telling how long that will be) have fun and laugh often!

Breaking rules is always fun, right?!

So, when I built this web site my intention was to keep my personal/art life separate from my working life. This site was to be for art/teaching and personal events (vacations, adorable pictures of my best friend’s kittens, you know the important stuff). My situation has changed the landscape of what I thought I wanted to do with this site. While it will still be primarily about art, teaching and personal stuff, there are so many exciting things going on in my professional life that I want to share. So, I’m breaking my “rules” and this is my first career-related post.

A few weeks ago (Memorial Day night to be exact) my best friend was surfing the web and sent me a link to a web site, ProLango, which is a behavorial coaching firm run by Paul Anderson. Paul has an interesting history (having worked at both Expedia and Microsoft) and his manner and style are open and infectious. Anyway, Paul was offering a series of free 1-hour seminars on “getting a job” in today’s market. My best friend thought I should attend one and even though I was feeling down I decided to attend.

It was a great thing I did because I left that seminar feeling energized about my search and armed with a tree-top level of new information and techniques. I’ve since enrolled in Paul’s 12-week Career Bootcamp. While not free, Paul has significantly reduced the cost of the bootcamp and I feel the rewards are well worth what I paid. In addition to meeting with Paul as a group for 1++ hours each week, bootcampers also attend three 5-hour seminars (Career 2.0, Resume 2.0, and Interviewing 2.0). Paul starts a new bootcamp every 12 weeks or so and I believe he limits the number of campers in each for a beneficial “leader to student” ratio.

As part of bootcamp we have to commit to being one of the following each week (and we can’t “go back” to an easier level once we’ve committed to a higher one): Minimalist (connect with 5 friends/former colleagues), Standard (5 strategic connections w/strangers), or Superstar (10 strategic connections w/strangers). This is how we build and refine our network and having a strong network is how we move forward in our career. Right now I’m a standard. Networking is not my favorite thing but I have the proof of its value so I’m out there connecting. It’s been good for me; to get out of the house, meet new people, and find ways make meaningful connections.

I encourage you to check out one of the free seminars if you live in metro Seattle. Paul is able to offer these seminars free of charge thanks to his partnership with thinkspace, a “virtual office” provider in Redmond. To learn more about the suite of services offered by thinkspace, visit them at: thinkspace.

Art & Soul | Registration Open!

Online regirtration for the fall Art & Soul retreat in Portland opened on Sunday, March 15th. The retreat runs September 30th through October 5th. There are hundreds of workshops that span the entire spectrum of art and craft.

To learn more, visit Art & Soul Retreat and select Portland workshops. Our class, Little Shop of Memories, is sure to be a fun day of creativity, learning, and sharing. We hope you’ll join us!

If you have any questions about our class, please e-mail us.

Kitten update: my they grow up so fast!

Rainey plays with her younger sister, Emma.
Rainey plays with her younger sister, Emma.

The last pictures posted of Rainey and Emma are from around Christmastime. My oh my, how fast they grow up. Both Rainey and Emma are getting longer and filling out nicely. They are both going through personality changes though Rainey is still a cougar and Emma a cuddlebug.

Dabby told me today that Emma can now jump from the floor to the top of Kerri’s desk – a feat she enjoyed performing last evening while Dabby was trying to get to sleep! Both kittens seem to have settled into the household and both enjoy being carried around the house like princesses – what will we do when they are full grown…

Paper or plastic: Emma's choice is obvious!
Paper or plastic: Emma's choice is obvious!

Art & Soul 2009 | Teaching Update

At long last, the classes for the Portland retreat were posted at Art & Soul Retreat on Sunday. There are wonderfRock & Rollul classes available representing many different mediums and skill levels. Instructors include: Louise Duhamel, Stephanie Lee, Michael deMeng, Richard Salley, Jane Wynn, Helga Strauss, Lisa Kaus, and Dj Pettitt.

Our class, Little Shop of Memories, is a both a technique and methodology class. Students will learn techniques (wood preparation, painting, adhesive, and crackle techniques) and overall project methodology (at least the unique way we approach design). To view additional sample photos, please visit the Little Shop of Memories gallery.

Class sign-up begins on March 15th.

It’s been awhile….

So, life’s been going on, but I’ve been slacking on my blogging duties. It’s not 2nd nature to me, getting on the Internet and writing about me and the goings-on in my life. This is partly because I’m a private person and partly because I haven’t made blogging a habit. I’m going to try to correct the latter, there is no hope of changing the former.

The view from the beach-access park near the house.
The view from the beach-access park near the house.

I kitty-sat for my good friends (sisters) Gigi and Claire over New Year’s. They rent a very lovely home on Bainbridge Island (a 35-minute ferry ride West of Seattle). It was fun being over there, as I said the home is lovely and it’s nice and quite. I cared for their two princes, Enzo and Sandy. Both cute Persians who are spoiled rotten by their mama Gigi. Sandy eats his food (actual baby food in the evening) from a spoon! Yes, I fed a kitty from a tablespoon.

Enzo is a lovebug who loves to snuggle up next to your head at night. Several nights I would wake up with his cheek pressed up next to mine. What woke me? Enzo snores, which I can’t complain about since I snore too!

Here are a few pictures from this visit…

Ferry coming over from Seattle
Ferry coming over from Seattle.
Enzo rests up in the den one evening...
Enzo rests up in the den one evening...

Another new niece…Emma

That old saying, if one kitten is fun surely two is even better, brings another bundle of joy into our lives. My best friend, Dabby is such a considerate mother and as Rainey got settled it became clear that she needed a playmate. While Gizmo (aka the vile one) is another cat, she is in no humor to put up with kitten shenanigans.

Emma's first official photo!
Emma's first official photo!

Rainey needed someone closer to her own age…enter Emma. Dabby and I made a visit to the King County Humane Society in Bellevue on December 12th. Dabby had seen a kitten, Poo Bear who was an adorable 3 month old bundle. Of course he was gone, adopted by some other loving family. While several kittens did their best to convince Dabby that they should go home with her, she wasn’t drawn to any of them.

Girls just wanna have fun!
Girls just wanna have fun!

All seemed lost (the KCHS told us that they would likely not have any more kittens for several months)…enter a vet in West Seattle.

Dabby went to check this place out on Saturday (the only day they performed adoptions) and got chosen. Emma latched onto Dabby body and spirit. She’s wormed her way into all of our hearts, including her big sister, Rainey. Here are a few pictures of the little cuddle bug…