Video –
Hello friends,
Welcome to Sunday’s ART of Truth. Thank you for stopping by. This journal page is entitled “Breathe”. Sometimes, life throws things at us that we are not quite prepared for. Correction, a lot of times, life throws us things we are not prepared for. Do you find yourself struggling to slow down and reflect on what is before you or do you tend to rush in with a sense of urgency?
It is easy to be propelled forward for a variety of reasons. Perhaps, we want to rush in with a decision because we know it will help someone else. I don’t know about you, but I dislike uncertainty. I am reminded of something that Brene’ Brown shared in one of her books about choosing discomfort over resentment. What does that mean? To me, it means choosing to be uncomfortable about sitting in a place of uncertainty and leaning into vulnerability of that place. It means sitting with the discomfort to avoid the sting of resentment later.
Let’s face it, most of us want to be in control. We want to be able to plan, predict and avoid ‘unnecessary’ discomfort and risk. It means not knowing. It means feeling a lot of ‘wondering’ thoughts. It is often the ‘what if’ tapes playing on a loop. Uncertainty makes our tummy’s hurt. It can keep us awake at night. It is agonizing, right?
The opposite of discomfort can look like instant gratification. We want the thing, so we do it. We want to fix, so we give in. We want to please, so we say yes. We have longings that we want filled. Above all, we want to make the discomfort go away!
But…if we rush in…if we give in…if we don’t pause…if we say yes, when we mean no – we will often find ourselves feeling resentment.
It hasn’t been until the last year or so that this shifted for me. It used to be, when I felt that uncertainty, that meant that I wasn’t safe. I was not in control. It was terrifying. I had to do something, be something, go somewhere – anything but sit with those feelings. So, I would talk to someone, or make a rash decision, or eat a whole bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. I had to solve it (or mask it) I had to get out of that feeling, no matter the cost.
Don’t get me wrong, reaching out to someone we trust is healthy and important. However, what if we just sat? What if we just paused? What if we took the time to breathe?
What would happen if we suspend all decisions until we have taken care of our hearts first? What if we did whatever it takes to shut off the ‘wondering’ thoughts, and cut the spool on the ‘what if’ tapes? This is hard, very hard.
For me, it means a disciplined choice to get quiet. It means not rushing in or giving in. It means, to sit and just be. To pray. To wait. To tell myself I have choice and the discomfort is safe, even if it doesn’t feel like it. What I have noticed is that as I practice it, it becomes my first thought. Pause. Just pause. No rush. Breathe. You are safe.
My friends, do you find yourself in this place?
How do you navigate the discomfort?
I want to encourage you to find a quiet place and just sit. Maybe it is in the bathtub with the door locked so that the kids will leave you be. Perhaps it is something else that you already know calms you. Taking a walk or reading a book.
I love a cup of tea. It always begins that process of slowing down. It is almost as though it escorts me to another place and time where things are not so complex. I often find myself just closing my eyes, breathing in and out and imaging a place that is soothing. I often go to the ocean in my mind and heart. I like to meet Jesus there. He is my calm in the storm of uncertainty.
My prayer is that this encourages you, or at the very least, reminds you that you are not alone.
You are thought of and loved. You are precious. You can do this. You can be safe in the breathing and the waiting by simply breathing in and breathing out. I know this doesn’t solve the world’s problems and there are still things we must attend to but take care of you. Give your soul and spirit time to rest before you go into the arena again.
Know that I share these things knowing what the darkness of uncertainty feels like, I send you a gentle hug and waves of peace.
Blessings,
Beloved- Reborn
Supply list under photos!
Supplies used:
Ranger Black Archival Ink – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Ranger Vintage Photo Archival Ink – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Golden Glazing Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Golden Fluid Acrylics – Titanium White & Raw Umber – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Liquitex White Gesso & Fluid Matte Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
DecoArt Crackle Paint – http://DecoArt.com
Shawn Petite Stencil – Fave words 2 – https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Fave-words-2-stencil-8×10-p59013171
The Crafters Workshop Modeling Paste – https://www.scrapbook.com/store/cf-tcw9005.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA9tyQBhAIEiwA6tdCrOGAtcF-PzmzhBJCAEGyxBGxvgyq8iuZWhj-U0AANarEPoWnMp-h2RoCh8IQAvD_BwE
Mixed Media Journal – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083QZKGDS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Liquitex Acrylic Ink – Sap Green Permanent– https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Liquitex+sap+green+acrylic+ink&crid=3LM3YWRON27C1&sprefix=liquitex+sap+gr+acrylic+ink%2Caps%2C639&ref=nb_sb_noss
Liquitex Acrylic Ink – Transparent Raw Umber – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Acrylic-Transparent-Umber/dp/B00263VU7G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=244TMW5OXZD2M&keywords=liquitex+acrylic+ink+transparent+raw+umber&qid
Daler & Rowney Acrylic Ink – Indian Yellow – https://www.amazon.com/Daler-Rowney-Acrylic-Artists-Ink-Indian/dp/B08JSC9RWD/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3BWKFZAD1PE13&keywords=Daler+%26+Downey+Indian+yellow+ink&qid=1645731165&sprefix=daler+%26+downey+indian+yell%2Caps%2C2134&sr=8-4
Script Stamp – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list 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
John was able to “fix” the issue with my phone. Thank you for sharing today. The mixed media and the meaning was so profound. It’s amazing to me how God will speak to me through so many different resources. Today was a delightful much needed resource. I’ve taken notes and My sweet husband is making me a chai tea latte . I’m getting my devotional done for today.
I adored todays mixed media. Absolutely gorgeous. Stunning message. Thank you for sharing 💜
Thank you so much Cheryl 💛
I am always moved by your art and the healing that is going on, not only in you but through you. As you share your story and your faith, healing is taking place. I wrote the quote down about blooming from wounds that once bled. I am thankful and blessed that I happened upon your YouTube channel. I hope you have a blessed week!!!!!
Lynne, thank you, as always. I think there is a blog post here in the website about TV at quote 💛 blessings on your week as well my friend.