A Luminous 2013

LightForce Network

LUMINOUS

This year I wanted to choose a word that would represent something that had to do with light. I wanted something a bit deeper and more meaningful than shine. Illuminate was high up on the list but the word luminous just kept popping up in the most unexpected places.

One day I was updating some information for my pharmacy 
e-course and as I was reading one of my old teaching books, the word lumen was used to describe the inner shaft of a needle. Lumen is also defined as the unit of luminous flux equal to the amount of light emitted per second… like from a candle. In reading this definition in a subject I thought would be far removed from the word luminous, I knew it was it. 

I got to thinking about humans and myself as candles. If I let my inner light, which I consider to be my soul, shine, would I have the ability to illuminate a small room? And if I could do this could I share my light with other human candles and help them illuminate from within as well? Everything I believe leads me to say yes to both questions. Everything I have learned about spirit and the one divine source of life tells me we can all be luminous and that when we allow our lights to shine from deep within, we can change the world.

This year I will radiate my light from within.

This year I will continue to live intentionally with love and faith.

This year I will strive to be the most luminous human candle I can be by:

Recognizing the divine Spirit in myself

Recognizing the divine Spirit in others

Honoring the places within myself of love, light, and truth

Living as my best authentic self…painting, loving, laughing, and embracing each day with humility and gratitude.

Be Luminous beautiful souls.

Namaste´

My Fly Tribe invites you to pick a word and join our word hop this year! Won't you join us?  Click the Fly Tribe button above and read more about it!

Highlights of 2012

This year has been a pretty good year. I made some BIG changes with my honey Jeff and we have come to a more elevated understanding about, each other, our lives together, and where we want to be. 

The beginning of this year was rocky and very stressful to say the least. We packed up a 5 bedroom house, sold many of our things and moved in with my parents. (insert terrifying shriek here) Yes it was a drastic move for us but we considered it to be a POWER move! Financially we have paid down a lot of debt and have been able to have the freedom to enjoy life more simply. From 3,000 sq. ft to 700 at first was cozy but now with both of us being so artistic our supplies take up so much of the space. 

It's really all good though. My heart smiles as I type this. We have set ourselves in a position to really be able to move forward and move into a space we can call our own. By my estimates this time next year we will be celebrating Christmas in our own house. I am so thankful for this opportunity and so very grateful to my parents and my family that have supported our plans even though at times they did not agree with our methods. 

Highlights of 2012:

• Met artist Brenda Figueroa and spent time in her art studio (love)
• Met artist Jess Greene from Seek Your Course
• Moved into parents house
• Quit my soul-sucking job! 
• Started a life coaching series with Julie Parker (one of the best investments of my life)
• Enrolled over 80 students in my IV E-Course (wow! and thank you!)
• Volunteered more at Unity Church at the bookstore and media room
• Ran and taught at my first Woman's Retreat
• My best friend Kim is pregnant with her first child and I will be an Auntie again!
• Jeff and I got married after 6 years engaged and 8 years together.

Phew! A good year indeed! I am looking forward to a LUMINOUS 2013! See you all next year!
Love and peace! 

xxx
Sofia

Mary Magdalene Canvas

Hi Everyone,

As we get close to the end of the year I wanted to post a couple more times some things I have been up to and also write a post to close out the year. With all the things the days bring I hope to find the time to organize those for you. 

Today, I wanted to share how I created a piece of artwork that was inspired by Sheri Ponzi, Daisy Coba and those that passed away too soon in Connecticut this month. I wanted to do something to remember them. My heart has been heavy and I needed to express myself.  Here are some pictures of the Mary's I made.

I am taking an online course Painting the Goddess Within with Sheri Ponzi and the divine, goddess mother, Mary was our guide for the day. Mary always comforts me. I love the symbolism of her and that she makes me feel protected. When I think of Mary and how I feel about her I always think to a scene from the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. It is the scene when Frances just moved in to an old house, Bramasole, in Italy. After her friend questions whether or not buying a house and deciding to stay in Italy was the right choice the phone conversation is interrupted by a thunderstorm. A great metaphor for what is happening to Frances internally. As mother nature crashes down around her house with lightening bolts and pelting rain she hides under the bed covers. She notices an owl on the bed post and connects with its fear. Distraught, tired and confused Frances looks just above and finds a painting of Mother Mary sitting in an oval frame on the head board. Mary's eyes are loving and soft. Frances reaches to touch her and prays to her quietly through the tears. I just love that! 

Another inspiration to this creation was that I also spent time with a great friend and artist Daisy that day. She showed me how to use polymer clay and I wanted to put some of the techniques she showed me to use. Mary signifies love, peace, and hugs and kisses from a mother. I am praying for peace for all that were left behind. 

My Facebook friends asked me to make a video on how to make these canvases. This is only my second video and I am very nervous about cameras but my hope is that through sharing my process and my grieving for the families that it will reach them and help them in their healing journey ahead. 

Here are the videos:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10 

Here are some pictures of the canvas and final mold. I wanted to use the baby in this one to hold the memory of the children. 

Thank you for watching and for your interest in my artwork. Love one another. Namaste´

xxx
Sofia