Downhill Run

Things have been quiet on Bliss Fruit lately. I haven't spent much time in my journal or in the studio at all. I blame Spring, and tasks like window cleaning have taken over my time. Fortunately I only got to a couple of windows before the dust storm of the century descended on Sydney, blanketing us all in thick, red dust. Freaky. Another lesser dust storm blew in over the ranges overnight, but this one has only left us with a white haze.

The end of the year begins in September, if you were to ask me. Both the men in our family have been in Soccer finals, my son playing in his Grand Final today (Go the Mighty Roos!) End of year exams for my son also, end of year School Formal, Christmas parties being organised and gifts being bought and tucked away - it's all downhill from here!

Sandalwood Memories

When I sit in meditation I keep myself warm with a light-weight pashmina shawl. I wrap this shawl around a cake of sandalwood soap whenever I put it away. Each time it lands on my shoulders, the sandalwood scent wafts around me, bringing back a happy memory.

A few years ago, my sister Helen took me to the Chenrezig Institute, nestled in sub-tropical rainforest in Eudlo, Queensland for my birthday.

We climbed the steep steps, passing a stupa dripping with offerings - anything from flowers to wristwatches and biro's! We sat in half-lotus on the wooden floor of the meditation hall and listened to a buddhist monk's teaching, with the help of an interpreter. We ate the best vegetarian meal ever, in the dining area beside the sangha. Later we browsed in the shop, where I found the sandalwood soap. It was such a peaceful, honest place.

Book Shelf

I picked up a library book this week called 'Dying For A Cure' by Australian writer Rebekah Beddoe. Rebekah tells her tale of misdiagnosis and the nightmare she was lucky enough to live through on a cocktail of anti-depressants (SSRI's) and anti-psychotics. For Rebekah, the drugs were the cause of her mental deterioration, not the cure.

I know there are a lot of bloggers out there who are either on anti-depressants, are trying to come off anti-depressants or who are maybe thinking of going on them. This book gives an interesting perspective, raising many questions. It is well written and researched and I found it a compelling read.

It has a foreward written by Psychiatrist Dr Jon Jureidini who says, in brief - 'This book shows that the inappropriate use of anti-depressants constitutes a major health risk, and it sounds a note of caution for depression-awareness campaigns'

The above pic, which I think is actually upside-down :) is another bliss fruit journal page.

Journal Bliss

I love seeing what artists are doing on YouTube and Violette is an unconventional artist with a house that has been featured on Weird Homes.

I have ordered Journal Bliss - creative prompts to unleash your inner eccentric, written by Violette and can't wait to see what's inside the covers. I love her unconventional house painted with bright colours, doors covered in paintings throughout, mosaic surrounding the kitchen sink and a painted swing hanging from a tree in the backyard!

There is lot's of inspiration for journaling out there and I'm absorbing every little thing. I've been lured by stamp making too, and would like to find out more. For now, I make very basic stamps by cutting out pieces of kitchen sponge into shapes & I use an old credit card to smoosh the paint around. So much fun to be had!

Organised Mess

When I woke up this morning the sun was streaming in through the blinds, highlighting what a mess my little studio had become. Today I cleaned it all up, tidied and organised, but not too much. The after shot is not much different to this one (LOL) an organised mess, rather than perfection!

I have been doing a lot of journaling lately and I 've really been enjoying the therapeutic benefits. It simply makes me happy. I dug deep into a boot box where I keep every little piece of art I have ever created. These little pieces are being pasted into my journal. They deserve to be receiving a bit of attention, not sitting inside a dark box with the lid on.

After quite a break I am back to a yoga practice, kneading & stretching all the kinks and tight spots in my body and mind. Another thing that makes me happy! I hope you are doing something that makes you happy today, life is way too short!