Monday, November 5, 2012

Practice, Practice, Practice

Zendala Dare #30, tangles used: pinwheels, intersection, eke, poke pumpkin, and ennies

For this week's Zendala Dare, the challenge was all about Thanksgiving...PIE! In my opinion, along with the stuffing, cranberry-apple crumble, corn casserole, and bread with real butter, the pie is the best part. I'm getting a little hungry here now. In the name of PIE, the challenge is to use tangles that start with the letters P, I, and E. Plus, a tangle we have never used before.

Easy as... pie!

Well, not so easy, actually. I am not in love with the way my Zendala turned out. I'm not loving the tangle - Intersection, the one on the sides that comprises a bunch of lines intersecting. I tried to embellish it with a swirly tangle, but I don't know, there is just something about straight lines that rarely appeals to me. But, I tried something new and in the process remembered the importance of seeing tangling as a practice. The point is to try new things, to fall into the process, and to practice, practice, practice.

For the last several years, I have practiced gratitude each day for the 30 days of November by posting something I am grateful for on Facebook. When I first started it, in 2009, I was in the midst of a bad news storm. It seemed like all I was hearing from friends and family was bad news. I decided to bring some positivity into my life by focusing on the things that made me happy. I was amazed by the response. Several of my friends joined me by doing the same thing through November. This year, so many of my friends are practicing gratitude on Facebook and I love hearing what people are thankful for each day. It is always a great reminder that no matter what is happening in my life, there are truly so many things for which to be grateful.

For Mandala Monday, let's all reflect on the ways in which we practice gratitude. A real shift in energy occurs when gratitude plays a part in our daily lives. Practicing gratitude is like medicine for the soul. It heals our hearts. And, there are no adverse side effects! If you haven't already begun a daily practice of gratitude, I highly recommend it.

Thank you!
xoxo

9 comments:

  1. Your zendala is beautiful (but I do understand what you mean). I love your words of practising gratitude on a daily base. Especially beeing thankful with the little things in life, that are in fact the big things.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  2. Wow, such a lively zendala! Awesome!

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  3. I like what you did with intersection. I have not used it much and by adding the lines in or underneath it, it gives a whole new character. Do not think I am going to get a zendala done this week. Will hopefully get back into it after Thanksgiving.

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  4. I think your interpretation of intersection looks great. The overall effect is stunning. And thanks for sharing your thoughts on gratitude. Something that each of us needs to practice on a continuous basis.

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  5. poke pumpkin - what a great idea! Lovely Zendala with such a great variety of tangles!

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  6. Yes, gratitude definitely is medicine for the soul. I love that so many of us seem focused on it these days. Gratitude brings about big changes! I love the swirly pattern on the outside edge of your design, too. Great job!

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  7. Yup, yup....I'm doing something I'm grateful for each day this month. I do so love this challenge.

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