af Adam | feb 19, 2015 | From my life, Lise Meijer Web Shop, Paintings, Prints, Soul speed, Uncategorized
(“Healing hearts”. Text reads: “In the quiet spaces lives JOY – CREATIVITY – CONNECTION + CARE. Healing of our hearts. To purchase this original painting, contact me.)
The other night I sat down in my living room together with Rune after the children were put to bed. During all the busyness of life we have learned that if we want to have some time together we best put it in the calendar, at least once a week. But often, when we reach that point of the day where the dinner has been served + cleaned away and the children has got their attention and love and are put to bed, we are both a bit frazzled. And it takes quite a shift to move into anything new. So, that night, we agreed to just sit for a while. And take a moment to breathe.
And there I sat and was completely STILL. For more than 5 minutes. at 8.30 pm. Wow!
(Me, on a beach on Bornholm)
As I settled, I began to notice the many fine sounds in the room. The calmness of the evening, inviting us to listen to the inner voice and find peace with whatever IS. And I SAW my life, and me in it.
I began noticing how much I have in my life to be grateful for. It is a lot. And I felt the healing of being grateful for what there IS, rather than to long for what IS NOT.
It hit me almost as a chock how I very rarely just SIT. Without having some specific inner or outer activity going on. I have many wonderful practices. I consider my painting process as kind of a meditative state, a deep inner quiet and a connection to fine things. I do running and pilates. And I walk. I also write morning pages. But just sitting without doing anything has not been part of my practise, so far. From now on it will.
And to be quiet together with someone I care for before engaging is a beautiful way to start a meeting.
Thank you, Quiet moment. Once again, I am grateful to be alive. I will try to remember.
(“Dreamtree”, original sold – signed prints available HERE)
af Lise Meijer | maj 6, 2014 | Painting process, Paintings, Uncategorized
Some of you have been asking me how to know when I have new art available. So I decided to run a series here on the blog called “New art” – and will post whenever I have new art to share. I might share some of the process/thoughts too….
“Catching dreams”, paper and acrylics on deep edge canvas, 60 x 60 cm/23,6 x 23,6 in – available for purchase: 3900 kr./725 $. Contact me at [email protected] for more info NB: NOW SOLD!
I love the idea (and feel the truth of it too) that dreams are available as quiet whispers and silent inspiration everywhere. We humans can turn those dreams into reality by creating a net consisting of openness and daily work in the direction of our joy and passion. A net where dreams can land and bear fruit. Helped by us humans here on Earth, crystallizing light and goodness into something that stays and may lift more spirits and inspire more souls to do more of the stuff that matters whilst we are here.
Thank you for being here, would love it if you take the time to say hello here in comments, or let´s meet on facebook if you like!
PS: and yes, I used gold-paint in this one, shiny and visible!
af Lise Meijer | apr 1, 2014 | Finding courage, Finding strength, From my life, Lise Meijer Web Shop, Prints, Sale, Uncategorized
Image: “Pot of Inspiration” ON SALE right now. 20 % off everything in my webshop until coming sunday!!!
I write my morningpages most days. Some days it helps me be with the parts of me I would otherwise push under the carpet because it didn´t at first seem tempting to examine the feeling of fear, restlessness or sadness. Truth: they always hold a hidden gem, and morningpages is one way to uncover that. Other days it gives me a place and time to jump verbally with joy or count my blessings. In both cases, it´s like quietly stirring my inner pot of inspiration. It really is. I can almost feel the bubbles rising.
In my experience, Inspiration comes to visit when we make ourselves attractive to it. And, to Inspiration, attractive does not mean a perfect or always happy person. I find that what Inspiration seems to find most attractive is something I will call “Movement toward Joy”. When we dare to move – even with the smallest of steps – in the direction of our passion and joy and does so again and again, that´s when Inspiration decides to jump our train.
(Me, writing morningpages – yes, lefthanded!)
And “plop”, you have an idea that seemed to come from out of the blue. Or you suddenly SEE the solution of a certain problem. Or perhaps you just know that you have to begin taking that dancing class, for no seemingly logical reason. And when you do, even more inspiration begins to flow, which leads you in the direction of a more passionate and fulfilling life.
For me, writing morning pages (more about morningpages HERE) is the greatest help for inviting Inspiration as a daily companion. It keeps my inner pot brewing keeping up the temperature of my life passion without making me burn out. I highly recommend this tool, created and introduced by the blessed creativity coach, Julia Cameron.
I don´t think of it as luxury to live a life nourished by Inspiration. I think of it as a respectful and most fitting way of administering this marvelous life we have been given. May Inspiration quietly and steadily be bubbling in our lives every day. Perhaps hidden under the surface and not very feelable to ourselves on testing days. But all the time nourished by our quiet steadily Movement toward Joy!
“Dancing with Joy”, also part of the 20 % SALE this week!
af Lise Meijer | jan 3, 2013 | Collaborating, From my life, Paintings, small joys, Soul speed, Uncategorized
(“Sunshower”, original available)
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
(Old Irish blessing)
I love the simplicity and sincerity in the blessing above. Here, as I am gently getting aquainted with this brand new year 2013, these words that I originally know from a song keep sounding in my mind.
And also this:
“Remember, we are in this life-business together”
I know I am seeking to find a certain balance in 2013. To grow into a maturity where, whilst creating and pursuing and even going crazy wild with my own dreams, I all the time hold in my heart that I am part of a big tribe called Humans. We all are in this together. Interconnected in ways we may not even begin to comprehend the full scope of.
(Above: my 2013 calendar)
I know that every single one of us have our own dreams. However deep they may be buried, they are there. I know they are. I know you have dreams too. I am sure of it. Even if we don´t feel or hear them right now, they are still there, waiting for us to pay attention. And I also have come to know that those dreams are compasses, they point us in powerful directions in life. They whisper how to pursue what we came here to accomplish. And when we listen, they speak with a growing confidence, adding so much joy and a sense of meaning to any life. My life, your life. Revealing the dreams we did not even know was there. All it takes to begin is listening.
May 2013 be a year where many, many people listen carefully, helping those dreams get a chance to be born into life!
May the road rise up to meet you…..
love and best wishes for your 2013!
Lise.
af Lise Meijer | dec 5, 2012 | From my life, Lise Meijer Web Shop, small joys, Soul speed
(Heart, lift your wings of joy, print available here)
There is snow here in Denmark, and as always it reminds me to quiet my soul, it´s like a hush made by nature, reminding me of the importance of inward, heart-filled moments at this darkest time of year.
Right now I have two mindsets struggling to take up space in my life: One constantly reminds me of a to-do-list that only keeps growing. We just moved house about a month ago. And since the move we have all been ill in turns, and still are. My camera stopped working, my computer needs fixing and on top of that this is the busiest time of year for me, workwise. Oh, and did I mention that my workspace is still in boxes? From that level life seems like a no-win-situation.
Then, there is the other mindset, the snow-hushed one: It gently tells me that all those things are just details in the bigger picture of life, and that the true importance lies somewhere else: In every day finding back my vision for what I want to do wiht my life. Even if I don´t have time to do it all now. In taking the time to decorate envelopes with hearts for my webshop, simply because I can and love to do it.
It whispers that it may be wise to take that 10 min´s walk through the snow, trusting that life will grant me enough time to manage the important things from my list. It tells me a tale of how tending to my inner state whilst doing the best I can witht the time I have got is not only good enough, but very wise.
And if my first mindset is not yet convinced, it frankly suggests that this way will even be more efficient in the long run. The most enjoyable mindset? Nr 2, clearly. So, today I choose to trust that of course I have enough time to live my life with joy! Sending you smiles out there, and now on with my to-do-list!
