Video – https://youtu.be/z4Kx1PimFSc
Hello Friends,
Welcome to Sunday’s ART of Truth. Today I wanted to talk with you a little bit about Hope over Fear.
Life can be so hard. It is challenging to navigate changes in relationships, illness, conflict, misunderstanding and delayed or broken engagement with people.
I don’t know about you, but I automatically go to the place of fear and what ifs and ‘what do I do now”. How can I fix it? Do I run or face in?
Times have been hard in our world, for a number of reasons, so I know I am not alone in my struggle to find hope amidst despair and dark winters.
I have lost loved ones. I have struggled with having to make choices I didn’t want to make in order to keep my job. I have friends struggling with cancer and brain tumors and surgeries. It is a lot for any of us, isn’t it? It is painful and scary to experience changes in relationship and the unknowns of the future.
I have found as I struggle and flounder that I get to choose at each moment along the way whether to get swallowed up in fear or rise to hope. Easier said than done, yes. Indeed, it is.
While, I find myself initially succumbing to the fear, I cannot survive there. So, at each turn, I must choose.
I often ask myself what am I believing about a situation or event. Am I taking on things that do not belong to me? What do I have control of in the situation? What is the immediacy of what is happening? Do I have some time to do self-care and to get recentered? What am I looking for or needing in the situation?
I want to encourage you as I encourage myself to breathe and pause. To protect our hearts by choosing to respond rather than react. It is very hard when emotions rise. To slow down means to wait. To sit with uncomfortable emotion. To pause, just pause.
My friend that had the brain tumor came through surgery well but there is a long road ahead. In the midst of the waiting and the not knowing, I entered a deep fear place. I shut down. I shut out. I turn inward. I allow fear to consume me.
Then I remind myself that hope is greater than fear. Even if the outcome is not what I hoped for or wanted, living in hope is always better.
Do you ever find yourself in that place?
Desperation, fear, hopelessness, fear of losing connection…
My friends, I hope that you are encouraged and know that you are not alone. Let your hope be greater than your fear. Take care of yourself in raw and scary places.
Blessings,
Beloved-Reborn
Supply list under photos!
Supplies used:
Shawn Petite Collage Packs – https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Collage-packs-c12373759
Yellow twine from my stash – use what you have
Golden Artist Acrylic – Raw Sienna – https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Heavy-Acrylic-2-Ounce-Sienna/dp/B0006VBS1S/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=golden+acrylic+paint+raw+sienna&qid=1636685116&sr=8-2
Black Acrylic Paint for edges – use what you have. I used just craft acrylic
Raw Umber Fluid Acrylic – See Basic Mixed Media Supplies below
Golden Glazing Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supplies below
She Paper – Shawn Petite Collage Packs –
DecoArt Crackle Paint – See Basic Mixed Media Supplies below
FabricTac – See Basic Junk Journaling Supply list below
Lace – from my stash
Bird Napkin – Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/shop/TRULYALLSUPPLIES?ref=yr_purchases
Golden Acrylic – Sap Green Hue – See Basic Mixed Media Supplies below
Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supplies below
Rembrandt Soft Pastel – Black – See Basic Mixed Media Supplies below
List of basic mixed media supplies:
TCW Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=light+and+fluffy+modeling+paste&crid=3PFDSLJUPLGOO&sprefix=light+and+flu%2Caps%2C272&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13
Shoresua Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Shoresua-Transparent-Silicone-Scrapbooking-Embossing/dp/B07PGN3MR3/ref=sr_1_77?dchild=1&keywords=bo+bunny+stamps&qid=1601231832&sr=8-77
Golden High Flow Acrylic – Transparent Yellow Oxide – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=goldenhigh+flow+acrylics&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Liquitex Matte Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-8-Ounce/dp/B000IYWYNE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=74CDOKRUL040&dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+matte+medium&qid=1586229506&sprefix=liquitex+ma%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-1
Liquitex Glazing Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Multi-Purpose-Acrylic-Polymer-GAC-100/dp/B001YJPX58/ref=sr_1_46?dchild=1&keywords=golden+glazing+medium&qid=1586230065&sr=8-46
Liquitex Heavy Gesso- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Super-Surface-Medium/dp/B001UNREO6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+heavy+gesso&qid=1586229647&sr=8-1
Penny Black Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Black-Script-Unmounted-40-470/dp/B01HNO5R08/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Penny+Black+script+stamp&qid=1586229678&sr=8-1
Shawn Petite Stencils- https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Stencils-c14287046
Decoart Crackle Paint – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=decoart+crackle+paint&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Rembrandt Soft Pastel – Black – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rembrandt+soft+pastel+black&ref=nb_sb_noss
Golden Fluid Acrylics – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+fluid+acrylics&crid=1140N398O4PP1&sprefix=golden+fluid+%2Caps%2C520&ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-a-p_1_13
Junk Journal Basic Supplies List –
FabriTac Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fabritac&ref=nb_sb_noss
Art Glitter Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=art+glitter+glue&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Ranger Archival Ink – Vintage Photo – They no longer make the pad so I bought the reinker and a DIY ink pad – https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-AIP48077-Empty-Archival-Pad-Empty/dp/B016A88EAI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=ranger+diy+ink+pad&qid=1626104364&sr=8-4
Https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vintage+photo+reinker&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
This has turned out so pretty. The words you shared really touched me. Wish your friend all well!
-Hanana D
Thank you Hanana 💛
Thank you. I need your encouraging words so much. My Son, my only child, passed away August 6th 2018. His birthday is in November and then the Holidays. My family have their own problems and are rapped up in drama up to their necks. In which they all seem to thrive on. I don’t want to be apart of it so I pretty much stay away. This alienates me and I’m forgotten. Then the Pandemic really kept me separate and they all continued to mingle together.
I’m sorry. I could go on and on. But I felt you would care. I’m disabled and have chronic pain and sometimes I get really down but I have a support group in my recovery of 25 years of sobriety and they help. I enjoy your art and journal making. I pray your friend recovers and for your fears.
Love to you, Stacey.
Oh my dear…what a blessing it was to read your comment. I took some time before responding as I want to always handle this with much TLC. I consider it sacred ground to share, and I honor your words. I am blessed that you found encouragement in it. My heart breaks about your son. Losing children is the absolute most agonizing thing we can experience. I pray that you are comforted in ways that are good and fitting for you, and that things that are soft and gentle come your way through the holiday season. I know the difficulty over the holidays. My story is different but I share in the struggle of holiday time and feeling alone. It has gotten better over the years, slowly.
I entered therapy to heal from severe and relentless childhood trauma and it took me 30 years to feel like ‘me’, healed in a different way. And able to embrace so many things around me differently.
I am grateful that you have a support group as you continue your journey of sobriety. It is so important.
I have kids and grand kids around me, but your story of alienation within your family also resonates with me. I haven’t seen my family of origin for over 30 years. I send strength and peace to you around all the things that matter in your heart. I wish I could reach out and give you a hug. Please know, you are not alone. I hear you and I see you. Love to you Stacey. Take care. I hope to hear from you again. Blessings, Cara-Renee
I just really enjoy watching you work and knowing you are using your art as part of a healing process is so important! I appreciate your sharing this beautiful piece I find it soothing to watch you work and create, thank you!!
Lynne, thank you so much! My testimony is my life. It was a promise from God that He would use my story and my struggles to help and encourage others. I don’t know how to do it any different. I feel so blessed to be able to share with you all. It is always good to hear feedback about how people feel about the videos. It brings me joy that it is soothing to watch. Thank you. Blessings dear 🙂
I really love your work. You do a fabulous job all the time. Keep being a great Testimony to others. Share what God has done. Thanks for sharing. Blessings. (Your Way Crafting)
Thank you so much Brenda! I love that you are here. The encouragement is so appreciated. Blessings my dear 🙂
Another beautiful project. Know that you make a difference in other peoples lives. Mine in particular. I finished my little angel folio and am working on a journal. I am trying a kraft tex spine to get the feel of a soft book. Blessings to you my friend.
Thank you so much my friend 💛 I appreciate the encouragement 😊 I’d love to hear more about that spine. I love a soft book! Blessings my dear 💛