Change Is Good

I got this book out of the library last week and I've been meditating each morning on these cool modern mandalas that are in it. I'm finding it easier to focus on something visual than what I've done before, which is staring at a candle or at nothing in particular, or eyes closed. I was riding the bus home after work last night and it was chaotic and crowded as usual (is all the drama REALLY necessary, people?!?), but I was able to summon up that morning's mandala and I felt some serenity!

I'm also on a MAJOR de-cluttering/cleaning kick in my apartment right now. My clutter is *contained* somewhat, but it still feels oppressive to me. If I were to post a pic or two, you might be shocked. It's artsy clutter, but it's clutter all the same. I think that this is a problem that many other Americans are dealing with in our consumer/disposable economy. Hence, all the books and Oprah shows about it.

Nude-ling Around on Another Sick Day...

I read my work schedule wrong today and didn't realize it until too late (as in: I would have been two hours late for my shift if I had shown up!). So I did the easiest thing and called in sick again. Woohoo. I still felt sick anyway after a grueling Post-Xmas Bargain Shoppers and Return-ers Day yesterday. I think I've just been OUT OF IT due to this killer of a cold.

RE: the post title-- I do have clothes on! It refers to the quick study charcoal nudes shown here, from one of my recent painting class sessions. The poses were each maybe 15 seconds long. This particluar model was very bony, kind of muscle-y for a Lady, and some of these remind me of primitive African sculptures, especially the second one that's lower on the page.

I just came back from a beautiful walk around "Serenity Lake," which was my healing gift to myself for calling in sick! :-)

Insanity vs. Serenity

Yesterday I started work at 7:30 am and today at 6:30 am. No one was shopping at 7 am when the store opened! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I know that many people in the rest of the world have to go to work early, but I am not the rest of the world! I need my beauty sleep!

I've been spending extra time in Golden Gate Park or out at Ocean Beach during my time off lately. Being in nature replenishes my spirit, which I really need right now. I am so lucky to live in a city that has so much natural beauty in it! This photo was taken at a lake in the park that's about a 10-minute walk from my place. I call it Serenity Lake. It's a great spot for bird-watching, and the ducks and squirrels that aound live there are quite well-fed and happy too.