December Blue Moon

High on my list of achievements in 2009 is the completion of my CD, “Honestly“. Not only is it a new genre, (singer/songwriter with a splash of folk and dab of country), it follows an intimate journey of my life over the past few years laid bare for the world to hear. The coming months will involve the exploitation – otherwise known as marketing – of my life, which is somewhat unnerving.

Susan Boyle took a huge chance when she stepped onto the stage of Britain’s Got Talent. I was among the millions of people who watched the YouTube segment of “I Dreamed a Dream” and was overwhelmed with the shear beauty of her performance. She had everything to loose, but when she shared her gift we took notice. Every once in a while it happens – someone finds the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Sometimes I get stuck inside construed boundaries and allow expectations I have for my life to get cemented under their walls. Standing still is not the answer. The mortar has not hardened. Not only can I rearrange the bricks, I can redesign the wall to include a new opening – a different vantage point. I know anything is possible, and sometimes all that is required is a shift in my attitude.

Today as I look forward to 2010 and beyond, I do so with hope. Tonight I will look to the sky, beyond the clouds, and count all the lucky stars that celebrate with me and this rare December moon.

Happy New Year.

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Icicles (photo by Noella Cotnam)

Last year at this time we were just getting our electricity back after an ice storm blackout that lasted eight days. This was the second catastrophic ice-storm I’ve experienced, so I was somewhat ready for the mayhem that ensued, but really, it’s hard to be ‘that’ prepared. Thankfully the kindness of friends and strangers abounded. We were able to find a hot shower, a hot meal, and even internet access within a short driving distance.

I have to say that the ambiance of candlelight and the radiance of a fireplace really were a wonderful prelude to Christmas. ‘All is calm’, albeit not so bright when everyday conveniences were unavailable. It gave new definition to the saying, “let’s make the best of it”.

When I was a youngster our family hosted big family dinners at Christmas. I’m sure all of these gatherings were special, but one really stands out in my mind: it was the year the power went out in the neighbourhood. The turkey had been cooked earlier in the day, but the trimmings were only half done when the house went black. As barbecues and Coleman stoves were being set up, candles were lit, and cousins, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles gathered in the family room. It was then that a lowly guitar player strummed out the chords and everyone sang carols together. We were connected and engaged in a way we never had been before. It was special – memorable.

Anytime we are pushed out of the ordinary, there resides the possibility of the extraordinary. Whether it’s a blackout, a layoff, a heartbreak or something else that comes to challenge you at this time of year, I hope the awesome power of peace and joy reveals itself to you. Look for it. It is waiting to be found.

Merry Christmas.

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On a bright, sunny Sunday this past October, I answered a casting call put out by WORKSHOP and CAPTAIN AND THE FOX to be part of the video reading of the Charter For Compassion in New York City. I jumped at the opportunity because I believe in the powerful, hopeful message of the Charter. (That’s me in the picture in the front on the left side) Click here to see the video

It’s been quite sometime since I’ve been able to engage in ’spiritual’ dialogue of any kind, even though I still consider myself to be ’spiritual’. I’ve been waiting and longing for something I could really sink my teeth into, and without a doubt, I have found it. “Treat all others as you want to be treated”. This simple, yet ancient philosophy of kindness and respect toward others is worth getting excited about, especially in a world that so desperately needs it.

There are numerous opportunities for everyone to get involved in events celebrating the Charter world wide. There is also an open door for each of us to create our own events, and in that spirit, I’ve been working on two. First, along with my signmaking peers, we’ve established a blog and gallery of Inspirational Word Art. Secondly, I’ve written a new song called, “Higher Ground” with co-writers Dawn Kenney and Christine Hatch. The song will ultimately find its way to a youtube video featuring the Inspirational Word Art, and hopefully will find wings beyond that.

Everyone can get involved in spreading this message: facebook-it, msn-it, tweet-it, blog-it. More importantly, we need to ACT on it. Compassion is a lifestyle. An attitude. An invitation.

Designed by Nancy Beaudette

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Duct Tape & 18 gauge wire

It’ll take two weeks for my new glasses to arrive, and in the meantime, I’ve wired and duct-taped up my old frames. Yes, they look funny, and I get a good chuckle at myself when I put them on. They’ve become a social experiment for me. I leave them on when I go into the grocery store, or gas station, or wherever. The reactions are fairly predictable: my friends laugh and jab, but strangers take one look, and never make eye contact again. I have broken glasses – not leprosy! How many people in wheelchairs or with other visible differences experience similar reactions? Though I didn’t scientifically measure the results, my two week experiment was certainly enough time to ‘experience’ the awkwardness of people I encountered.

We have the ability to touch each other with our eyes every day – every time we look someone’s way. We’re all broken in someway or another – mostly on the inside. Today my challenge to you is another social experiment – never look away. Focus your ‘kind eyes’ on friends and strangers, especially if they’re ‘different’. Don’t just look at them – ’see’ them – and take it to heart.

(By the way – I ordered new glasses online, progressive lenses and frames for a mere $66.00. Now we’re talking!)

Read Jackson Brown’s song lyrics: Doctor My Eyes

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Peace

I would like to invite you to learn about “The Charter of Compassion”. This idea was conceived by author Karen Armstrong. She was the winner of the TED Prize in 2008 for her unparalleled expertise and wisdom regarding the three theistic faiths: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and their impact on the world today.

“The Charter will proclaim a principle embraced by every faith, and by every moral code. It is often referred to as The Golden Rule.”

On November 12th, 2009, the Charter of Compassion will be unveiled, unleashing a week of celebratory activities around the world – in places of religious worship, public spaces, schools, universities and workplaces. We are all invited to participate and spread the word. This could quite possibly be the greatest accomplishment of our generation, and we can be part of it.

“Compassion manifests itself in the world not by thinking but by doing.”

Let’s do something!

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Sorting the pieces

Some day’s life really does resemble a box of moving parts. When the lid is removed, the pieces look like they should come together to create the finished-product of your dreams, if only you had more time. But if you’re like most people, it’s a struggle to find enough hours in the day to study the instruction manual, let alone sort the pieces.

I love spending time with my sister. Last time we were together she happened to be working on a 500-piece puzzle. She set up a card table in the living room, emptied out the box, and sorted the pieces into nice neat piles according to colour and texture of the picture on the box. By the time I pulled a chair up to the table, she had the perimeter done, and was working on the interior. Each newly placed piece felt like a small victory, and as the evening went on, it was clear we were on a quest for complete and utter triumph. A few hours later, we high-fived and called it a night, satisfied and proud of our puzzle making skills.

I love looking for lessons and meaning in the activities I do, and certainly there’s one here for me. I think it’s this: I need to believe my many small efforts will yield the results I’m hoping for. I like to be organized. I need confidence and steadfastness. Sometimes it just seems like I’m spinning my wheels – or that I’m just moving pieces around. My hope is that at the end of the day I’ll be that much closer to realizing my dreams.

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Sunshine After Rain

It’s amazing how a sunny day can lift spirits and make a person feel alive! This summer has been perhaps the most rainy on record, and on more than one occasion, it has left me feeling as sluggish as a bog. I use bad weather as an excuse not to get out for walks and fresh air, and of course, these are probably the two things that would help shift a dull mood naturally. This year, having two days of sunshine in a row is great cause for celebration, and I can’t wait to get outside and soak up some much needed vitamin D.

Thankfully there are still many ways to be productive and find inspiration on ‘house-bound’ days. Last week I decided to put together a medley of songs with a rain theme – if I can’t control the weather, I might as well find a way to embrace it. There’s an massive list of rain related songs, and I found at least a dozon that I either already know or would like to learn. Here they are:

• I Love a Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbit
• I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
• Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain – The Cascades
• Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Credence Clear Water Revival
• Fire and Rain – James Taylor
• I’m a Believer – Monkies
• My Little Runaway – Del Shannon
• It Never Rains in California – Albert Hammond
• It’s Raining Again – Supertramp
• Rainy Days and Mondays – The Carpenters
• In the Early Morning Rain – Gordon Lightfoot
• Here Comes the Rain Again – Eurythmics

An observation I’ve made about rain songs is that they also often make some reference to the sun! So most of the songs I’ve compiled could also be added to a “songs about sunshine” list. Eddie Rabbit sings, “Shadows wash all my cares away, I wake up to a sunny day”. “Rain won’t you tell her that I love her so, please ask the sun to set her heart aglow” is the plea made by the Cascades, and my favorite line from a very familiar standard, “I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way”.

This rainy day activity proved to be beneficial in a number of ways. First, I got to learn a few new tunes. Finding the lyrics and chords for songs is so much easier with an internet connection, but it is still an excellent way to do some ear and voice training. Secondly, I got to pull out some old songs that I hadn’t played in quite a while. It always surprises me how quickly I am able to recall lyrics and chord progressions. Thirdly, it made me sing! Singing is a fantastic way to make yourself feel better. It produces ‘feel-good’ endorphins, increases oxygen levels and can even help tone body muscles! It’s almost impossible to sing and feel stressed out at the same time. Try it! You really can ’sing the blues away’!

What’s your favorite ‘rain’ song? Share it here!

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Isabel Designs festival booth

This past weekend, Isabel Designs found herself exhibiting in Marlbank, Ontario at the Red Roof Women’s Festival. Our booth was made of things old, new, borrowed and blue. Not that we were headed to the alter, but it was the first time we took Isabel on the road, and our little store actually did contain all of these things. We had old drawers for shelves, an old screen door, and a well loved trellis for flaunting our wares. We borrowed a table from Dad and covered it with a blue tablecloth. A fancy banner, made by Noella, hanging under the canopy constituted our something new. All in all, I think we looked like seasoned experts – even if I do say so myself!

Sue and I had been – not so secretly – working on a few new products to introduce at the festival. After about an hour of selling, we realized we should have produced more pieces, so thank goodness we brought our tools and supplies with us! We even made custom jewelry and gifts on the spot for a few customers! To say that we were surprised and delighted by the reception we received over the weekend would be an understatement. 

Thank you to all our new customers for supporting our work and Ovarian Cancer Research. And thank you to the Red Roof Festival organizers for putting on such a great event! (I was also a performer at the festival and had a blast sharing the stage with so many talented women. See my facebook for photos).

As soon as I catch my breath, I’ll be updating the website with new jewelry and gifts. For now, I’ll leave you with photos of our weekend and a peak at our new products: SunDrops TM, Heart Catchers TM, and Garden Whispers TM. 

SunDrops TM

Heart Catchers TM

Garden Whispers TM

Eileen, Nancy & Chris on stage

Great crowd & amazing sunshine all weekend

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Nancy & the High Flyer

If ever there was a guaranteed recipe for feeling like a kid again, it’s this: sunshine, wind, and a colourful piece of nylon with strings attached. If you can find a sandy beach even better, but a big green meadow will work just as well. Stir up these ingredients and you’ll find yourself flying a kite and feeling like an eight year old. That’s probably just how old I was the last time I held the reigns of a kite, and it is as amazing to me now as it was then.

It wasn’t my idea to fly the kite. I would have been content to sit on my beach chair and catch rays all afternoon. My friend Chris, on the other hand, had the kite out of the package and in the air before setting up her chair! I was simply flabbergasted at how easily the kite propelled into the sky and danced effortlessly on the wind. I certainly don’t remember it being that simple to launch a kite when I was a kid. When it was my turn to take the reigns, all of my ‘adult’ inhibitions fell to the ground and I felt like it was me up there, soaring and swaying above the clouds. Quite simply, it was fun.

Riding High

So next time you’re feeling tired after a long day, or you need to release a little stress, consider taking the kite-flying challenge. You’ll be glad you did.

If you need more details on how to fly a kite, check out this step by step on eHow.

Strings Attached!

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Garden Flowers in June

If my mother was alive, she’d be seventy-three years old. She’s been gone eight years, and I still miss her. The first few years after her death, I would visit her grave site often. Somehow it gave me comfort though I never understood why. I knew she wasn’t there. Perhaps seeing her name spelled out on the granite stone helped me believe it was real.

Though my stops at the cemetery are less frequent these days, the visits I have with my Mom still happen regularly. I hear her voice encouraging me when I’m feeling uncertain – especially when I’m trying to learn something new. Just as she had said in past, “don’t underestimate yourself”, and “you can do it” still help me to believe in my abilities. As I get older I realize just how special it was to hear those words from her. 

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, it felt like our whole family got the disease too. The reality of her prognosis was devastating, but it also became an opportunity for all of us to savor the important things in life, like saying ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you’. Today I send out birthday wishes to the Universe, along with a song that I gave to my Mom years ago to try and say how I felt – and still feel. It’s a Natalie Merchant song called “Kind and Generous”. Listen Now on Grooveshark. Read the lyrics here.

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