Emotion

from here.

Emotions are a funny thing. 

They tie you up.  

They kick your ass. 

They hold you down.

They make you fly.

They cause you to make irrational decisions. 

I try not to let my emotions get 

the best of me.  

I try to recognize where they are coming from,

and then let them go.

That's hard to do sometimes, 

isn't it?

Let your emotions go? 

Yogic philosophy compares emotions to the weather.

Ever changing.  In constant flux.

And we can do nothing about it.  

Our emotions are personal, yes....but they do not define us.  

They are simply an uncontrollable part of the

landscape of the human life. 

It is a beautiful thing, 

human emotion.

It sets us apart from other creatures.  

But we must always remember that we do not control our emotions.

They try to control us. 

And it is up to us to recognize this truth and 

take the reins.

Don't let your emotions decide for you. 

True to You

Some things are just meant to be.
Like me and short hair. 

Pinterest makes me believe that if I grow my hair out it will be beautiful and silky and full of styling potential.  But the truth is, it never turns out that way, no matter how many ways I learn to style it. 

So, it's back to short hair for me.  And I love it!  I look in the mirror and recognize myself once again!

Hair Raising Education

from here.

Have you heard the one about the fifteen year old girl who gets kicked out of school because her hair is too Auburn?  It's not a joke.  Read about it. 

I think this is absolutely preposterous!  She didn't dye her hair some sort of Rainbow Bright color.  Just a pretty auburn red.  No big deal.  But apparently the faculty at her school thought it was a big deal.  But why? 

I know.  I know.  This is where teachers and parents everywhere are going to lecture me about the importance of encouraging natural beauty.  About how bright colors are distracting to other students (seriously?).  About having some sort of level playing field on the health and beauty front.  But, really.......what the hell? 

If you can't dye your hair electric blue and wear a tutu over your blue jeans while you're in school, then when can you?!  You all know where I stand on the degradation of our young women.  You know my stand on the unrealistic expectations that they are dealing with in our culture.  But we're talking about hair color here!  The middle school and high school years are when most youth are exploring their own identity.  Pushing fashion boundaries and having fun with their looks.  And I think that's a very important part of growing up.  As soon as they get out of school, these young adults are going to have to get jobs and live in the so-called grown up world.  The opportunity for self exploration will be lost, to a certain extent, or at least greatly reduced.

All I'm saying is this:  They're kids.  We need to be more concerned about keeping them from dangers like sex, drugs, alcohol, violence, and unhealthy body issues.  Let them experiment with their hair, makeup and clothes.  As long as they aren't being vulgar or degrading, what's the harm?  In my own humble opinion, if you let a girl explore her identity in healthy ways with your approval and guidance, then she will be less likely to explore her identity in harmful ways behind your back. 

Click on the link above to read the article.  I want you to see what the mother had to say about the issue.  Way to go, mom!!!

Once Again.

in my shop.

It's been a rough few months for me.  Hence, my absence. But, quite frankly, I don't want to talk about the negative.  There's plenty enough of that out there. 

I want to talk about the positive.  Like the fact that I have been painting more often.  And that I have actually managed to list some of those paintings in my Etsy shop.  I have always been an artist.  I have always created and made things.  But, unlike most other artists, it doesn't come easy for me.  Inspiration doesn't just flow from some eternal spring.  I don't always have a burning desire to make things.  Honestly, I rarely have that desire.  But once I do actually finish a painting or a piece of jewelry or a new design, I feel a very satisfying sense of accomplishment. ..........

So, I have been working on a smaller scale, painting tiny canvases and doing small watercolors.  It seems to be helping my attention span and my confidence.  I am trying to be brave.  Trying to put myself out there a little bit, even when I don't feel ready.  Trying to remember that we can't wait for everything to be just perfect before taking a step, otherwise we would never go anywhere. 

I've got a lot of stuff floating around in my brain.  I want to get it out and write about it here, on this blog.  But I'm not making any promises.  My life seems to be perched on a very delicate line right now, between inward reflection/growth and public expression/goals. 

I'm glad that no one seems to have left during my long sabbatical.  Thanks for sticking around. 
Much love to all of you.
~ Jo~