A Little Found Love

Something happens when I choose to be present.

When I focus.

When I ignore the hustle of NYC.

I see love. 

I'm more grateful for where I am,

who I am with,

and what I have.

What happens when you choose to be present?

Soul Whisper - Love Yourself

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjure emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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Love Yourself

I escaped my apartment this past weekend. 

I wanted a couple of new art supplies so I ventured downtown. 

It has been a while since I've been out to do anything except go to my day job, buy groceries, or take money out of the ATM. 

This illness has kept me down, in bed, in pain, and pretty miserable - and it still isn't over. I'm doing better, and I thank you each for your kind words and love but isn't gone and quite honestly I'm running out of patience. 

But, while I was out on Saturday, I walked past this message from the universe.  It was a reminder that I needed to hear. I thank whomever wrote this on the side of a mailbox and for the wrong turn down the wrong street - which I don't believe was a wrong turn, I believe that I went the wrong way because the universe knew that I needed this message.

Love Yourself

Even when things are difficult,

or not going the way you want them to go,

even when you are struggling,

or in pain,

Love Yourself.

Actually, it is during these times 

that you need to love yourself the most.

Today, do something to nurture you - to love yourself.

All too often we are busy taking care of other people, 

doing things for others, 

getting caught up in the world around us 

that we sometimes forget

 that in order for us to be effective 

and able to do those things 

we must first take care of ourselves. 

So, today...Love Yourself.

Soul Whispers - True Love

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjure emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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True Love has nothing to hide.

In honor of Valentine's Day this week I decided that love had to be in this week's post.

Luckily there are many options around NYC.

This one made me think...

I wonder if there are people who hide what they love?

Do you?

True love has nothing to hide.

I believe that if we each 

did what we love 

rather than, all too often, 

what someone else thinks 

we should be doing 

- the world would be a happier place.

Are you doing what you love?

By the way, I also believe

that just because you are good at something

doesn't mean it feeds your soul.

This week I want to encourage you to seek out your true love.

What makes your soul sing and your heart dance?

Can you do it at least for 15 minutes each day?

True love has nothing to hide.

Paint Party Friday - Creating a Little Love

My week has been filled, over the top filled, with travel, conferences, presentations, long days, very little sleep, and not enough art. (All because of the day job.) So last night, instead of watching tv in zombie mode, I decided to paint some love.

I cut out some hearts from watercolor paper, painted, and doodled.

I love the way they turned out.

I am linking up with Paint Party Friday today. Hop over and visit.

Soul Whispers - Love

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and reminds me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjure emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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I've being seeing the word LOVE and hearts everywhere the past couple of days.

The tragedy of the recent violence in our world crushes me. 

I've avoided the news, purposely.

I'm a person who is deeply passionate and because of this I would take in the sadness like a sponge. The constant news coverage would honestly put me into a depression. That being said as I flipped channels last night, I paused at the start of the memorial service and was so touched by the few moments of the interfaith service that I did watch. People coming together, putting their differences aside, to mourn, to heal - I envisioned the reverberation of prayer echoing around the world.

I want to take this moment to encourage you to love, to listen, and to ask for help. 

It is my opinion that in today's world we are all very busy and we are tied to the electronic gadgets. 

So, I want to encourage you to put your phone down, to turn your tv off, and to listen with love. 

I encourage you to enjoy dinner with your friends and not text or check your email.

 I encourage you to have dinner as a family, together, without the tv being on. 

I encourage you to ask the person next to you how they are and I want you to be present, in the moment, and I want you to listen with love and intention.

I also encourage you to share openly, tenderly, honestly, and if you need to...I want you to ask for help. 

Know...that it is okay to ask for help. 

Know that you are safe and that you are with the people that love you.

To the town of Newtown, CT, which is less than a couple of hours away from me, my sincerest prayers and love to you.

Shared Messages from the Universe - Love Me

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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On Friday, as I walked around NYC with my camera, I was surrounded by LOVE. 

 I saw this beautiful word everywhere.

The above picture is the very first thing I noticed when I climbed out of the subway in Chinatown, NYC.

It made me think about being selfish and how it is necessary to remember to take care of yourself. 

LOVE ME

Being selfish has a negative interpretation and I'm going to go on the record and say 

- enough already!

 It is necessary to take care of yourself; to slow down, to pamper, to spoil, to breathe, to love yourself. 

You are the only one who knows how you feel physically, emotionally,mentally, spiritually, etc. Therefore, you are the only one who will know when you need a break. You are the only one who will know when you shouldn't try to do six things at once. You are the only one who will know when you should pause.

So, I want to encourage you to spend a little "Love Me" time today. 

You deserve it!

Love of Art

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I've been creative in way or another since I was young. My love of art started in grade school and was inspired my Mom and her friends who used to craft and create small pieces of art, mostly ornaments, to sell during the holiday season when I was a child. Today I love all kinds of art and simply respect an artist for creating from the heart.

I've fallen in love with photography all over again during the past year. 

During the past two weeks, while walking throughout NYC, I've been capturing photographs of hearts. It honestly has been so much fun seeing and noticing the world around me with heart shaped glasses. What do you see in the world around you?

Click the Fly Tribe button below and visit the other bloggers that are participating in the Love of Art blog hop today to see what they've been inspired to create or simply what inspires them for the Love of Art.

Little Bliss List...

Every Friday, Liv Lane hosts the Little Bliss List link party...it is about listing the little things that have touched our hearts and made us feel joy, peace, warmth, love and/or a little bliss during the past week. So, I'm jumping on the bliss band wagon.

My Bliss List for the past week...

1. Unexpected sweet notes from Superman always make me smile deep within my heart. 

2. Speaking of sweet notes - I have received so many kind and warm comments from all of you this past week. They mean the world to me, keep 'em coming. Giggle, seriously your comments touch my heart. An added bonus is that they pop up on my phone throughout my day job and make me smile every time. Joy!

3. Sweet kitty snuggles and purrs. The unconditional love from Tucker is a blessing - adopted on a whim - I think he needs a furry buddy, hmmm. Thanks, Mom & Dad for letting me have my first cat when I was 6 years old - my heart has been full since.

4. I took myself on a photo date during my lunch break this week and fell in love with hearts. There are so many of them all around me and I've never noticed before. Make sure to visit on Tuesday, Valentine's Day for a special Love post featuring my found hearts.

5.  A few of us from my day job went to dinner last night - such joy sharing food and  laughs with people that you adore. 

Click the button below and visit the link party to stalk a few other blogs. Get inspired by reading their blogs and remembering what brought you bliss and touched your heart this past week.

As always, thanks for being a part of my creative journey.  - Lori