The End of 2015

Copyright: Jennifer Lee - Artist

     Here we are almost Christmas and all but weeks from the end of 2015. First off, I have to say I'm embarrassed I didn't keep up with my blog at all this year. I can't help but feel like the sands of time seem to be moving faster and faster. It's either that, or seeing the evidence through my children becoming adults has forced me to notice it more!

     This year has been more challenging than most. My mother had emergency heart surgery, and though the surgery was a total success, she hasn't recovered mentally/emotionally. Then my dad was in and out of the hospital for months, till he finally lost his battle with Parkinson's and dementia (it became too difficult for him to fight) even though my father was so strong (US Marine Corp veteran), so wise and my own personal hero. He always gave me hope and strength to keep up my chin throughout my own battles with being disabled. 

     Then my youngest daughter turned fifteen a few weeks ago. All four of my children have now officially outgrown me (though that's not saying too much since I'm only 5'1" lol). Pretty soon even my two beautiful grand daughters will be taller than me as well! It really is with great pride that I look upon my children and how big or grown up they all have gotten! It's such a sense of accomplishment to be able to see your children's achievements.

     My oldest son is a Supervisor for UPS, my second child/daughter is graduating from college AND is a wonderful mother to her two daughters (working, raising them & going to college full-time), my third child/son is now a sophomore in HS (and getting great grades!), and my youngest child/daughter is a freshman in HS (also getting great grades!). I have no doubt that the last two ducklings will be successful in life as well as their siblings. 

     I suppose my purpose of this gibber-jabber is just to say....no matter the good/not so good choices in my life, or my loss of independence/disability, I am so very thankful for everything my life has given me. I don't believe in making New Years resolutions really, but rather passing year retrospection. Forty-six years of life has been a blessing, not just 2015. Every thing that has come across my path over the years has lead me to today and I wouldn't regret a single thing, because without a single moment/memory, good or bad, I couldn't be as thankful for all I have lived, loved, or learned. Never take a single day for granted. Every sunrise, every sunset and every minute should be cherished always....every day of the year, not just one day a year. 

Happy holidays to you all...and may the new year bring you much happiness, love and laughter!

P.S. I do promise to be more active on my blog in 2016 though! I plan on sharing my art more frequently than in the past!

     

Finding Perfection

Copyright: Jenn Lee - Artist

     The world is filled with perfection...you can find it all around you if you can truly open your eyes, your heart, and your mind. Look at nature and all the creatures found in it. Close your eyes and let yourself think about the furthest most happy memories you have from when you were young. I bet you're smiling aren't you?

     When we are born into this world, we are like sponges. We have this brain in our heads and it's completely empty ready to absorb and learn from everything around us. We absorb everything we see, we hear, we touch. Our eyes don't see clearly or very far...we find joy in things right in front of us, the faces of our parents, the sounds of their voices, the feel of their arms around us.
When was the last time you took off your socks and shoes and just felt the feel of grass between your toes, splashed your feet in a lake or walked along a beach?

     As our vision allows us to see more, we take in more and more...we learn more and more...and then we start learning about hatred, prejudice, bullying, or pressures to meet an unrealistic social, physical, or intellectual standard in school, via the television, or even in watching or interacting in our earliest relationships. As we get older, we start to lose the ability to see perfection because of our responsibilities as adults, but we can choose not to lose that vision. 

     I challenge you all to make yourselves see five new things a day in the world around you. I promise you that you won't regret it. You'll find yourself smiling more often, being inspired more and more, and even being more and more excited to wake up each morning and find more perfection to absorb into that brain of yours! 

The First Day of the New Year - 2015

Every year, many people make New Years resolutions. Resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, obtain goals, etc. often times these goals are failed because of the way they go about trying to reach them. They leap into them with too little planning and trying to find the quickest path.

To reach your goals, you have to plan, and you have to take baby steps. Every little step forward is a step toward your goals. There is no such thing as a shortcut or quick way to the finish line. Also, if you feel the need to make resolutions, make your goals realistic. Don't make them too big. 

During the past few years I became tested with health issues I had no control over. The feeling of overwhelmingness, and lack of control was depressing. But I learned an important lesson...we are often faced with many things in our lives that we have no control over. We have to understand that sometimes we can't change situations we are faced with, but we are able to change how we face them, approach them, and get through them. 

When faced with tests we can't stop from happening, we can choose to find different paths around these obstacles. Maybe the path is steep, maybe the path is rocky, or maybe the path seems dark and hard to see. Once again, every step forward still is a step in the right direction. 

Because of my recent health battles, I decided not to make my usual resolutions, instead this year I decided to make them simple. This year I will strive to appreciate and be thankful for every little thing in my life, from each sunrise to each sunset, waking up every morning to every kiss from my children, being the kindest person I can be and not sweating the little things. I will love a lot, smile a lot, laugh a lot and enjoy every little thing in my life. 

So in closing, I wish you all a wonderful year. A yer filled with much happiness and love, and for you fellow creatives out there...the wish for endless creativity and inspiration.

Respectfully,

Jennifer Lee