M Is For Me

Notes To Myself, Part II

/ Ally Bean / 18 Comments

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I’ve been in a good place lately.

Seeing reality more clearly.  Feeling more deeply.

Understanding and trusting the process.

So it is no surprise that I came upon this poster by Emily P. Freeman.

{“When the student is ready, the teacher will come.”}

It is her how-to guide to making art that matters.  Art with a soul.

I like it as an artist’s manifesto– and as a guide for living an authentic life.

It expresses what I have come to believe.

That mediocrity and love cannot inhabit the same place.

The good place– where everything is just as it should be.

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Notes To Myself

/ Ally Bean / 15 Comments

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I’ve been lost in contemplation lately.

Thinking about my goals.  My dreams.  Transformation.

And then I came upon this poster by Austin Kleon.

It is the how-to guide that my mind requires.  And my spirit embraces.

You don’t waste good.

You march ever onward.  Light.  Precise.  Smart.

With joy.

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Of Kayaks And Sunsets

/ Ally Bean / 15 Comments

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Four weeks ago we were in Naples, Florida.

We went to my favorite access point onto the public beach to watch the sunset.

Very few people were on the beach, which was a shame because the sunset was beautiful that night.

Not so much colorful, as dramatic.

Astonishing in its intensity.

As we watched the sun setting we noticed one person kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico.

The kayaker, who was only a tiny speck compared to the ocean, added perspective to the scene.

Peaceful.  Balanced.  Confident.

Moving forward with ease.

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Happy Leap Day Everyone 🙂

What More Can I Say?

/ Ally Bean / 14 Comments

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Try as I will to make myself believe that Valentine’s Day is a Big Deal, I cannot do it.  I understand that it’s a holiday and that it’s based on love & friendship.  Love is good.  Friendship?  I’m all for it.  

And  I get that many people think that it’s the most romantic time of the year.  I’m happy for them.  Enjoy.  

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But to me it’s just another day in the middle of February– and a good excuse to buy a pretty bouquet of red/pink/purple flowers.  And maybe eat some expensive chocolates.  Nice things to do, but not all that compelling.  

I don’t have any specific reasons why I feel indifferent to Valentine’s Day, but I do.  So instead of pretending otherwise, I’ll just end this Valentine’s Day post with the wisdom of Eeyore.  I think that he sums up my thoughts beautifully.   

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“We can’t all, and some of us don’t. That’s all there is to it.”

~ Eeyore 

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