Be Nice {Period}

My office resides on a very busy street and in rush hour …bumper to bumper traffic.  The other day I was leaving my office and managed to pull out of the parking lot fairly easy {not a simple task}.  As I made my way home I noticed someone else trying to creep out onto the heavily populated street.  I slowed down and flashed my lights to give the ok to pull out in front of me {fully knowing how difficult this task is daily} and the car behind me blared their horn in disapproval!  “No way!” I thought to myself.  I then began to … question.  If this horn loving person has ever tried to pull out onto this street at this time of day would they be more understanding?  What did this simple gesture cost them?  Would a few seconds of time to take your foot off the accelerator be that terrible?  Why oh why can’t we just ‘be nice’ to each other?  Be courteous, be thankful, be generous to our fellow peeps.  We are all just trying to make it in this life together … right?  I guess I will never be able to fully answer this question.  All I can do, all I desire to do … is to be nice!

Have a ‘nice’ day everyone!

Artfully Yours, L

Calling to Deep Love

Every day, every moment, every second {whether we are consciously seeking it} we all are ‘calling’ or looking for that deep, true love.  Our souls just innately seek it … it’s a natural yearning.  We all want to feel loved, wanted and appreciated by our family, friends, neighbors and partners.  Yet we sometimes forget that our hearts have to be truly open to receiving this precious gift first.  If we hold hatred, envy, jealousy, greed or any other negative thought or emotion in our minds then we truly cannot be open to receiving the purity that is love.  It’s like trying to mix oil and water.  Every day I remind myself that there is much, much more than just little ol’ me in this world.  There are people who desire to be noticed, who need a smile returned, who need to know they are appreciated beyond words.  I call to deep love for myself so I can spread that love to the people around me and, in turn, hope they can spread some love to others.  May deep love shine on you today and wrap you in her loving arms.

Artfully Yours, L

Look … There’s Inspiration!

Don’t you just love it when your mind is open to the inspiration around you?  The conversation you are having with a friend, the ocean breeze that caresses your face, the random act of kindness you witness or the beauty from a quiet forest.  Inspiration surrounds us everyday yet we are sometimes so busy to open our eyes to the wonders around us.  We miss the beautiful moments that could change our careers, uplift our relationships or motivate us to create a great masterpiece.   Now and again I wish my wonderment could be ‘on’ more often.  Be alive in the experiences instead of feeling overwhelmed by the tasks around me.  Today I feel grateful that my eyes are open so I can appreciate and fully see the inspirations around me in this moment.  I will take those feelings and create something awesome with them … even if it’s to bring a smile to someone’s heart!

Will you inspire today or drink in an inspiration?  I hope I can do both … Whooo Hooo!!!!

Artfully Yours, L 

A Healthy Living Story

Once upon a time there was a girl who lived her life {clean}.  She didn’t smoke (she never quite understood the attraction) or drank hard liquor (but for the occasional glass of red wine) or ate terribly (her nutrition plan was right for her).  She would move her body everyday whether it was walking, yoga, kickboxing, rock climbing or bicycling.  She enjoyed the feeling of euphoria and the company she was with while she participated in the ‘moving’ activities.  She spent her days being responsible for her family thru career and love.  In her quiet way she was moving through life as unassuming as possible.  One day she asked herself a questions, ‘Could all this healthy living really mean something?’  She was approaching 50 years young so started to reflect on her life and health choices.  Then one day, as she was having dinner with her family at a local restaurant, she received her answer.  As her daughter and son-in-law placed their adult beverage drink order she placed an order for a glass of red wine herself.  ‘May I see your ID’s?’ said the waitress to her daughter and son-in-law.  Then the waitress turned to the girl and said, ‘May I see yours as well?”  She was frozen in bewilderment … me?  She looked up and the waitress was totally serious.  Oh wait, she didn’t have her ID to show the waitress {hey, who would have thought she would need it to order a glass of wine}.  She told the waitress that she didn’t have her ID but could probably guess she was old enough for an adult beverage by looking at her daughter’s ID.  The waitress had paid the girl a wonderful compliment on how very young she looked and the table of dear family members all concurred.  Well, the girl’s question was answered.  Yes, healthily living not only is good for the soul but dose the body good as well! 

The End

Artfully Yours, L

The Unusual Housewife

Embracing the ‘real you’, that’s what I’m all about theses days.  I have discovered the ‘real me’ totally dislikes some of the a-typical housewife stuff and finally, after many years, I have become totally at peace with that part of my life!  Like cooking for example – can I cook, of course, but I dislike the act of cooking.  Maybe it’s the science of the task … or maybe it’s being alone in the kitchen … or maybe it’s a combination of a lot of not so great memories, whatever the reason I just dislike cooking.  I always thought I ‘had’ to like it, that something was terribly wrong with me.  I’m a wife and mom who unconditionally loves her family so why don’t I enjoy cooking for them?  So after years of soul-searching I discovered that wife + mom + cooking doesn’t = love.  I don’t have to enjoy cooking or be a great cook to love and care for my family.  I care for them in so many other ‘Lisa’ ways {and they seem to like my mommyness *wink*}.  Yes, thankfully I have a husband who is an Executive Chef by career so he takes care of our bellies {it’s wonderful to have someone who can complete you}.  Are there times in my life that I have to do things that I dislike … yes absolutely, but when I have embraced my ‘real self’ and understand my dislikes I think the task at hand isn’t so terrible.   Then I become a better ‘me’ and can use my innate gifts in a more complete way to love and care for everyone around me!  So …

Be your be,

You your you,

for that is all good and true!

*wink* 

Here are some great books you might … Enjoy L!

{thank you everyone for supporting my little book shop … so very grateful!}

Be Happy

Enjoy Life

Self-Discovery

I Create Small in a Large Way

I have discovered and have grown to embrace my allure to create small.  What does that mean?  Well, when I paint I can’t seem to organize my designs on a large piece of paper or canvas.  I just can’t think that ‘wide’ if you will {I have much admiration for the artist who can}.  When I write I want things to be simple, to the point and inspirational so haven’t been able to create pages of the written word {I have much admiration for the writer who can}.  On the other hand, I believe my ‘small’ designs or words are ‘large’ in beauty and love!  I create ‘Splendor for Small Spaces’ for that little nook in your home that needs some brightening, for the person who is rushing out the door but needs a little inspiration for the day, for someone with a small home who desires a beautiful ‘small’ piece of art … small creations in a large way!  My wish is to inspire, to cheer on love and to bring joy to the ordinary.  Thank you all for your support in my endeavor!  It is appreciated beyond words!

Enjoy L {of The L Studios}!

Everyone is Important

I had the honor of participating in the celebration of the 80^th birthday of a friend over the weekend.  I entered this beautiful home filled with warm, welcoming smiles and spent the afternoon ‘listening’.  I just love getting to know people, listening to their stories and appreciating the person that is before me.  Every person has wisdom and life stories to share and each story is all good and right because it’s theirs!    You can learn so much about the beauty of a person by simply just listening.  Yes, you may not agree with their political views … that’s ok.  Yes, you may not enjoy their career path … that’s ok.  Yes, you may not see eye to eye on a topic … and yes, that’s ok.  What the person before you has to share is a gift especially for you!  Yes, and that gift is a piece of them for you to share in a positive way with others!  If you open your mind and heart to understanding their point of view … wow, you can grow so much as an artist, accountant, doctor, musician, chef {whatever your passion is} and, in turn, inspire others with your new found wisdom.    I’m ready!  Bring on the celebration of … Everyone!

Sum, Sum, Summer Time!

I know, I know it is barley Spring but when I look out my window and see the bright sun, summer time just pops into my head!  There are so many wonderful activities that I enjoy during the Spring and Summer months in New England.  Biking on the rail trails, hiking the awesome mountains, soaking up the rays by the ocean’s side, driving on a surprise adventure with my love, feeling the breeze against my cheeks on a sailboat and the list goes on!  I like to re-create, re-live and re-invent adventures of the past as well.  Exempli gratia; reflecting on my fondness for lying in the grass on a warm summers day as a young person turns into lying in the grass on a warm summers day reading to my love with our puppy Tawnie Brie bopping about with her pink bounciness.  The joys of drinking in the summer sun are intensified by the groovy memories of my childhood and it’s all so good!  Do you have a favorite summer pastime you will enjoy this year?     

Some of my summer pastimes … Enjoy L!

Summertime Reading

Biking Rail Trails

Anchorage by The Sea

My Silly Life View

Do you know the song ‘Silly Love Song’ by Paul McCartney?  I was listening to this song the other day and thought … hmmmm I do believe this is how I feel most of the time.  I look at life with such a child-like, romantic view … some would say it is a ‘silly life view’.  I am tremendously optimistic most of the time always looking at the glass half full so to speak.  So what’s wrong with living in a silly love song every day?  I wish more people could experience the pure joy of living a sanguine life.  Yes, I am totally and completely in love with my husband but I think that love is magnified by my desire to live simply in love with life.  Don’t be shy … go ahead and live a silly love song!

Here are some {not so silly} books you might … Enjoy L!

Love Is A Mix Tape

The Other Side of Desire

The Secret

Dream a Little Dream

What’s the difference between dreams and goals?  One definition of ‘goal’: The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.  One definition of ‘dream’:  A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration.  Well, from the formal definitions it seems dreams may or may not come to fruition without set directives.  I always thought the word ‘goal’ was such a cold, structured word, almost to the point of unfeeling yet ‘dream’ was a kinder, gentler way of describing a goal.  In my mind, I think of a dream to take on both meanings above.  Both descriptions go so beautifully together; like ball and glove, or music and lyrics, or canvas and paint.  It’s certainly important not to stay in the ‘dream’ place without having goals written down so you can make your dreams a reality.  I love dreaming about sailing, my next painting, the next adventure with my love and much more.  I know when I have created realistic goals to accompany my dreams I am blessed to say they have all come true!   Dream a little dream today {oh, the possibilities!}  

Some dreamy things for you to share … Enjoy L!

Love and Relationships

Self Understanding

You and Your Life