I usually go to bed super early. It is what enables me to get up while the house is still quiet. But tonight I am staying up past my bed time because blogging has been good to me. I want to stay connected and I really enjoy being part of The Next Chapter.
The Joy Diet is the first book I own by Martha Beck, and although I do read O magazine, I usually skip her column. I was quiet surprised at how much I Loved the first chapter and how much it resonated with me. Nothing is something I have been practicing for months now and it really has shifted my life. What I have manifested in my life recently is truly amazing and I owe it (mostly) to the Joy of meditation~ (my "doing nothing" every morning).
I have always longed to meet up with other Creative Bloggers in a group setting. Last Saturday was a wish fulfilled as I spent the afternoon at Creative Play and then took a fun road trip with Leah, Jenn, and Mindy to the Squam Art Fair where we hugged many like spirited souls. As much as I have wanted to go on a creative retreat, I haven't felt ready to leave my children over night. My day trip (that lasted until past 1 AM) was perfect for me!
This Saturday I am having another wish fulfilled as my art will be part of a group exhibit in Hyannis, details at www.melbamcmullin.com (I will be blogging here at creating in the midst and then at melbamcmullin.com I am sharing my art happenings, works for sale, and teaching****more about this soon! another wish fulfilled!! :))
I LOVE that Jamie in her welcome to the journey post suggested we create a Joy collage card.
Really, Joy is the key to nothing and everything.
My pics at Squam didn't come out so clear, but I still wanted to share the smiling faces!
me, Leah, Jenn, Mindy
Leah, Jenn, Christine
Me and Georgia
Jenn and Susannah
Jenn, Leah, Darlene, Me
Oh, my goodness, I wish I could have been there with you!! It's so wonderful to see all of your smiling faces. I feel so blessed, Melba, that I've had a chance to meet you and Mindy in person.
And congratulations on your art exhibit. I am so very happy for you! I wish I could come and pop open a bottle of champagne with you, wear something extravagant and say to everyone around, "by the way, I know the artist." :)
Sending you much love, my friend.
PS Your cards exude joy!
Posted by: jamie | 09/25/2009 at 08:17 AM
how fabulous indeed!!
Posted by: melita | 09/25/2009 at 08:43 AM
I loved your joy cards! Meditation has been a saving grace, yet I still have much to learn.
Posted by: Tabitha | 09/25/2009 at 10:03 AM
Nothing and everything...a perfect title for this post but also a beautiful thought -- from nothing comes everything.
Love the photos from Squam...here's to hoping that one day you will be able to do the whole retreat!
Posted by: Sherry | 09/25/2009 at 10:24 AM
Looks like a joyous time was had by all. I would love to go to Squam next year.
Posted by: Karen | 09/25/2009 at 10:35 AM
LOVE! Te felicito, Melanie! (means: "I congratulate you" - but it sounds better/more heartfelt/more joyful to me in spanish)
Posted by: Ninotchka | 09/25/2009 at 11:28 AM
I love your Joy cards. They are so beautiful. I'm taking a class called in The fish bowl by Marisa Ann. There are so many creative people there. It's an online class and we have a lot of fun. The course is closed now but another course opens in about 6 weeks.
http://www.creativethursday.com/e-course.htm
Continue to enjoy the Joy Diet, see you next week.
Posted by: Valli | 09/25/2009 at 03:25 PM
Beautiful beautiful cards! It sounds like you are certainly in your element among your creative cohorts!
Posted by: Lisa | 09/25/2009 at 03:50 PM
What fun, Melba! Congrats on the exhibit -- loooove the vision cards! Miracles to you as always :) k-
Posted by: Kara aka Mother Henna | 09/25/2009 at 07:08 PM
Love you photos, love your collages, love your post.
I hope to get the same joy from Nothing that you have found ... my journey continues.
xo
Posted by: Glad | 09/25/2009 at 10:58 PM
I love your Joy collage card! So glad we are sharing this Joy journey together!
Posted by: Arlene / Spirit Essence Art | 09/25/2009 at 11:51 PM
Beautiful vision cards and wonderful post. When you have a family those early morning hours are such a great time to find a bit of space for yourself - and then you can be ready to do the hustle bustle and enjoy the snuggling and appreciate what they add to your life. Hooray that you've found that time for nothing!
Have a great week with truth!
Posted by: becky nielsen | 09/26/2009 at 06:59 AM
Nothing really does open up our lives. So much joy!
Posted by: The Other Laura | 09/26/2009 at 10:15 AM
I enjoyed your joy cards. Meditation is wonderful, I agree. So glad you enjoyed Squam.
Posted by: Snap | 09/26/2009 at 01:34 PM
I am so happy that nothing is manifesting so many beautiful things for you. Your cards are beautiful.
Posted by: Ellecubed | 09/27/2009 at 12:18 PM
I love that you have found the time of day to have your nothing time. It is not always easy to carve out that time for ourselves. Love the cards. I am getting inspired to try one next week!
Posted by: Olwyn Hughes | 09/27/2009 at 10:15 PM
OH I'm so full of ENVY!! All those women in one place. *sigh* I wish I were with you!!!
About Martha Beck-- I really like Finding Your Own North Start. And Joy Diet. And I ALWAYS love her essays in O! I can't believe you don't read those! Wha?? You need to. They always make me think, and she is so funny.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 09/27/2009 at 11:48 PM
oh my gosh, it was so amazing to meet you in person :-) pure joy ... xoxox
Posted by: darlene | 09/28/2009 at 05:00 PM
I love your collages and loved meeting you that night - what a great surprise!
Posted by: Swirly | 09/30/2009 at 07:59 PM
Hey you! Where ARE you?! Haven't seen you here for awhile!! Everything okay?
Hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!
xo
Posted by: megg | 12/21/2009 at 01:24 PM