Hi Everyone,
I had a delightful surprise this weekend when an old friend came to visit and brought me a special, hand-made gift which she calls ‘Rooted in Love’.
It’s crafted from an actual root that my friend found washed up on the beach. I love the three dimensional beaded dangles, and the way the wire shapes cast shadows on the wall. It is such a thoughtful gift– the first 3D Zenspirations(R)– that I wanted to share it with you.
I also wanted to share a conversation we had about purpose. My friend and I both want to devote our lives to something meaningful… something which will make a difference… but question how we can be sure if what we are doing with our lives is fulfilling our divine purpose. It’s a question I’ve been wrestling with for a while… am I doing what God wants me to do? And, after much soul searching, I can only say ‘I hope so’.
I believe that each of us is here for a reason… and that we each have both the ability– and the responsibility— to use the talents we’ve been blessed with to make the world a better place. But we must start by discovering our special gifts. Coming from a musical family, I often gravitate toward musical themes, and try to interpret music visually. (Fun Fact: Zenspirations Dangle Designs evolved out of my attempts to draw music… some of my very first Dangles were an abstract staff and notes!) As I was grappling with concept of discovering one’s purpose, I created the piece below.
Zenspirations(R) is the song I’ve chosen to sing to world… and I invite you to sing it with me. It’s about reaching out in love, making your life’s journey meaningful, and inspiring others to fly.
If you have a special gift that you share with the world, I’d love to know what it is and how you use it to make a difference for others. And if you know someone who is struggling to find themselves, and to discover their special gift, please share the piece below with them. It’s a variation of a page from my gift book With God All Things Are Possible.
As always I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
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I've been given the gift of creating "craftsy" things with paper and beads. I use one of my God-given gifts to assist the rector of our church by implementing his creative ideas for Easter and Christmas services. This Advent he asked for blue crosses so that the names of parishioners' loved ones who have passed on can be placed on the crosses. The crosses are then hung on a guava (I live in Hawaii) branch on the Altar. By the time Christmas eve comes around the guava branches are full of blue crosses (last year it was the nativity star) and on Christmas eve, the crosses are transferred to our Christmas tree. After Epiphany when the Christmas tree is dismantled, the crosses "go home" with the parishioners as a constant memory of their loved ones.
I also make angels using beads and wire and give (NEVER sell) them away to anyone who wants one or needs one or more. I believe that angels carry God's message and therefore, the recipient receives whatever message is carried to him/her from God.
Joanne, I love your art and love the positive focus you always seem to have in your art!-thanks for sharing it with us.
I have used my artistic talents in painting memory boxes for parents who lose a baby in the hospital. The baby may be premature or die just after birth. These parents have no baby to take home with them but they can take a memory box filled with birth/death certificates, locks of hair, finger prints, photos, etc.
But one thing I give everyone I encounter is a smile. It is free and I almost always get one in return. It can brighten up the most down trodden face or elate even higher the face that is already smiling.
This is a beautiful post and a gorgeous piece of artwork. I'm sure you are over the moon about the gift from your friend. It's a very inspiring piece, thanks for sharing it with us.
Big Hugs!!
Reeah.
I make readers. I'm a librarian. And in my personal art time, it's all about celebrating color, whether through painting or writing. Now if only I could learn to letter the way you do! Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world!
This is a beautiful post and a gorgeous piece of artwork. I’m sure you are over the moon about the gift from your friend. It’s a very inspiring piece, thanks for sharing it with us.