In the Stillness...PAJWLH

I've never thought of being sick as a blessing but in this experience I have learned the value of being still. Something funny happens when you are forced to stay home, in the quiet, away from the kids... just you.

I think everyone deals with things in such different ways.  I for one, when I became sick didn't really think of it as a burden rather than just a common illness that I was sure to pass soon. I had no idea that it would take hold of me for the next two months. In the beginning though, I found myself antsy, out of sorts because all of my regular faculties were not available. I couldn't walk around, take my kids to school, be outside, cook...or even eat. I never realized just how much I took for granted these small details of my life. Fortunately, I had good friends and an amazing husband around to help me out but still... this left me alone, by myself with only my thoughts... kind of a scary thought, lol.

Like I mentioned in the beginning of this experience, I was antsy... just wanting to get back to my work...school...my kids...my husband...my life. But something was happening to me, my health I believe was failing at this time so that I could allow myself the rest that my body needed that I had neglected to give it for so long.

So often in our lives we get caught up in what we think we ought to do rather than what it is that we are supposed to do. I believe that we all have an important purpose and are a valuable addition to this world but sometimes the world takes control of us and we get a little skewed from our path. I think this illness was my body's way of tell me that it was time to stop...Listen...Pray...and Remember...

During my few months of being still... I found out a lot about myself. Somethings I was not too fond of but they are me either way. I can be stubborn, unnecessarily independent, opinionated, over whelmed... and well a whole lot more. This time helped to remind me of my purpose and allow me to see myself as I was. Human. Even the human in me though can use some adjusting. So during this time, I evaluated some of these attributes that I am not to fond of, some of them I came to terms with, but some of these I really had to humble myself and let go. I had to realize that some of these characteristics where not part of my purpose, who I am or who I wanted to be and purging of these attributes became a part of my healing process.

I guess the point of this art journal prompt is to share my perspective of being still and how sometimes it is so very important for our make up. I like so many cat lovers often find myself laughing at my cats as to how much they sleep, but I am sure that they look at me and think.... wow, does she ever stop?

My Cat... Ginger.

*Copyright and Property of Liz Hicks, please do not use without written permission.

So for the last art journal prompt it was to write down a list of words through out your day that you felt. For this journal prompt, divide that list into words that are you... and words that are of the world, not necessarily of you but words that the world displaces you with. Sometimes seeing the difference allows us to recognize and remind ourselves that there is a bigger purpose to us than just our day to day. That each day adds up to a whole life and well, we want this life to count for something, right? During the time of our life we are re-routed by what we THINK we should be doing... what the WORLD tells us is right. Sometimes we go with it, but sometimes there is that gut feeling that tells us that something is just not ok... and well that little something if we listen to it can get us back on track. The important part though is to be still, listen, feel who we are, remember what we stand for and allow ourselves to dig deep into ourselves and evaluate... it can be tough but so rewarding too...

As I have mentioned before, I am not a counselor and don't dare to claim to be. The prompts and art that I share are merely for those who enjoy following my journey. It is in no way to take place for a counselor or anything of the sort. Art journaling is a way of expressing what is going on in our minds and allowing us to connect with those subconscious thoughts that are so important to us.

Thanks for stopping by today. Our family is actually on a bit of a break and visiting family in California for the week. We are taking some time to relax, enjoy loved ones and just be... it is a pretty awesome thing.

~Liz ♥

In the Valley...PAJWLH

The other day my husband gave me a book called Peaks and Valleys, I haven't started it yet but I believe the title is pretty self explanatory.

*photo copyright and property of Liz Hicks may be pinned or shared with credit given and link pack to original post*

It has been a month since my last blog post, and well some of you know that I have been dealing with some health issues for some time now. I wanted to update a little especially with the holidays approaching, I felt that it was important to share a little about myself going into this season.

My health, thank God is doing a lot better but I still have episodes of illness here and there. I have dealt with digestive issues for a while, being diagnosed with a multitude of things (which I will not ruin your lunch by going into detail). On September 17th I was cooking for my husbands birthday which was the next day. We were celebrating on this day since he worked late the next. Out of no where I became ill and it was violent. I had hot and cold flashes, I was buckled over in pain, my brain felt like it was in a blender, my eyes wouldn't focus and I could not stop shivering. On top of all of this, my muscles ached horribly which was excruciating since I suffer from chronic pain (I was diagnosed earlier this year), so this was on top of my condition. From that day I was laid out on the couch for two months, pretty much just trying to be present in my children's life.I would sit up or lay down on the couch and do homework with them, or cuddle and watch a movie... but this was pretty much as much as they got from me. I would have violent episodes where I would have to go to the emergency room and my amazing husband would organize who would watch our children and then rush to my side. I have to say that I hate the ER... but that is a different story.

I tell you all of this not so that you can sympathize or empathize with me, but that in hopes that this explains a bit of my absence on the blog and this next series of art journal prompts that I want to share with you.

During this time of illness which was about 2 months long, something changed in me. It is not this big outrageous come to Jesus kind of change, it was more of a time of rest in which I needed that allowed my perspective to be returned. I am pretty sure that this change was already inside of me, kinda like all the ingredients were there... I just hadn't taken the time to add them all up and make sense of it all.

This month on the blog I had planned on having some close friends of mine help me out with sharing some home made gift ideas and resourceful ways of staying true to this next season. With my illness and some very unfortunate events in my friends lives, I have come to the conclusion that this is my story to tell. So I will invite my friends to help me out with this at the beginning of 2013 and hopefully we can share with you a different twist on what I had planned.

This next week, I want to take some time to share a little in depth of my journey this past two months, this past year...and even some of my earlier life. This is a scary moment for me because well, what I share on the blog is how-to's, art, crafts, recipes and fun stuff, well the truth is that life doesn't always add up to a whole bunch of fun stuff and I have found that even the hard stuff needs to be shared. So starting next week, I will be doing a straight through marathon of art journal prompts that I hope will help you this next holiday season. My goal is not to change you or give you some sort of Ah-Ha hallelujah moment but for those of you who may being having a tough time right now as we enter the holiday season... I just want you to know you are not alone. If you are struggling with illness, finances,loneliness, isolation, regret, separation, hurt... you are not alone and I pray that this series will unite those who are dealing with similar circumstances in restoration and understanding.

I mentioned the book Peaks and Valleys which I am about to read, but I found some quotes from the book on amazon that are right along the lines of what I wish to share this next week. The valley of course is in reference to our low times, or even hardships.

"The pain in a valley can wake you up to a truth you have been ignoring."

"The path out of a valley appears when you choose to see things differently."

I hope you will join me this next week as we share some moments of reflection and come together for the same purpose of understanding.

For today's art journal prompt: take about 5 minutes to jot down your life right now. No art, just words. Jot down a description of your life right now and don't stop for at least five minutes. Use adjectives, places, peoples names, feelings, colors, hopes dreams... everything the good and the bad... just write it down today in your book and date it. There is nothing pretty about this page, but this will help dig a bit into yourself and you might be surprised as to some of the words you find yourself writing.

Feel free to share in a comment some of the words you find yourself writing.

Thanks again for thinking of me and my family during this time, I can only hope that my time of reflection can somehow be shared effectively to you all and bring some sort of peace in knowing.. you are not alone.

~Liz ♥