Video – https://youtu.be/OZNUP8U2PTM
Hello friends,
Welcome to Sunday’s ART of Truth my friends.
Today I wanted to talk with you a little bit about my word for the year 2022. The word that really resonated with me was, Serene. When the word entered my heart and mind, I knew that it was the word for me for the coming year. 2020 & 2021 have been so challenging for so many people and for a multitude of reasons. Some of them obvious, others, not so much. For our family and me, they have been years of incredible loss and unusual stretching. I am certain that many of you have felt and experienced the same. I am grateful that we get new days and new year’s and new hopes and dreams.
I was thinking about how I wanted to choose to face into 2022, on my feet and with peace in my heart.
Serene…
When I looked up the word to process why the word serene spoke to me more than the more common word, Serenity, I realized that the only difference between them is whether we are talking about Serene as a noun, or an adjective.
An adjective describes something. In this case, using the word serene or serenity means that same thing – to be calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
As a noun it means, an expanse of clear sky or calm sea.
Each one speaks to me in a different way. I want to walk through my days and my life in a state of deep calm, peace and without anxiety or being troubled.
When the waves crash and the winds blow…
When death comes knocking…
When friends leave…
When we have difficult life decisions to make…
When there is trouble…
What does it look like and feel like to be untroubled by the trouble?
For me, it means getting quiet. It means keeping my mouth shut so that I don’t say anything out of the sting of emotion. It means I pause. I wait. I pray. I breathe.
It means withholding judgement and believing the best in other people.
It means seeking peace above pride.
Additionally, Serene as a noun is ‘an expanse of clear sky or calm sea’. This provides a vivid picture of how we can affect the energy around us and others.
I want to be a person who causes others to enter in to a calm and peaceful place, especially amidst trials.
The sea when it is calm is both peaceful and powerful. I want my life choices and my very being to emulate peace and power. Not power as an iron fist or overpowering, but power as in confidence and the ability to be a conqueror. We know that in Jesus, we are more than conquerors, His word says. He has given us all that we need to rise and fight, but also to sit in peace and resolve.
It is a dance that we do though, isn’t it? We surrender our will and our way and resolve to sit in peace and wait, then we take up that thing again and we try to wrangle it into submission. Sometimes, the call is not to wrangle, but to sit in a place of being serene. A call to be calm and peaceful. A waiting place.
Knowing that Jesus has gone before me into every second and every minute of every future day, brings me peace when I remember it as truth. He already knows the way.
When life is filled with so much struggle and so much pain, it is exceedingly difficult to sit, isn’t it?
To sit with the tears.
To sit with the silence when our loved ones cannot meet us in our place of need.
To sit with the unknown….I think that is the hardest of all.
It is New Years Day as I am writing this.
I feel lost. I feel overwhelmed by grief and the unknown. Too much to process.
However, today, I put the word and the adjective into practice. I sat. I told myself I could choose calm and peace. I could choose to not stay in a troubled place. I could be tranquil even in the center of the unknown and the lostness. I didn’t have to figure it out or fix it or answer it. I could just sit.
I did. It felt good.
My friends, we can choose this. It means not carrying around the backpack of ‘shoulds’, wants, ‘what ifs’, fear, speculation, judgement, and the need to solve everything.
It is hard. It takes practice.
Can I challenge you as I do myself?
I challenge us to practice waiting. To pay attention to our breathing. To do something that is soothing for ourselves when everything around us feels very un-soothing and out of sorts.
I challenge us to sit with the places of no answers and the places of risk. Sitting with the unknown feels so incredibly impossible but it is where we grow. We grow to trust that it won’t kill us, it can and does make us stronger.
My friends, you are not alone. I see you and I care for you. I also know the one who sees the past, present and future. He’s got you. He’s got me 😊
Blessings until next time,
Beloved-Reborn
Supply list under photos!
I hope you enjoy!
Supplies used:
Digital Kit – Winter Garden – My Porch Prints Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/listing/921988035/junk-journal-winter-garden-regular-size?click_key=594da504025c27874f29e994d85ace82cddb9400%3A921988035&click_sum=add84755&ref=shop_home_recs_1&pro=1
Junk Journal Basic Supplies List –
FabriTac Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fabritac&ref=nb_sb_noss
Art Glitter Glue – http:/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
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
Website- https://www.Brebornart.com
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/BelovedReborn65
Yes, sit in peace and calm. Grief cannot be rushed. Acceptance of the unknown takes time and alot of thought. It’s good to have crafting to help you through. I am working on the winter wonderland book now and I have noticed it is not a happy color scheme for me. I am adding in other things and colors that are more uplifting for me. Perhaps your next project could be Spring themed with the colors of happiness and promise of new beginnings. My thoughts and prayers to you as you go through this difficult time.
I agree with you about the colors. That’s why I love to add colorful buts and lace. The tones speak to be but in a different way. Thank you for your words Evie, they are so appreciated. I feel out of it. My oldest sue her has contacted me after nearly 30 years. It is good and hard. Making decisions slowly and prayfully. I think I going to continue witty second winter journal. I feel like there is more I am to glean from it. Again, I thank you 💛