Grounded Yet Growing
Aloha!
This photo was taken near Diamond Head.
Sometimes the beauty surrounding me knocks my socks off!
Other times, when the troubles of life are looming large, it feels elusive.
Fortunately a walk in nature restores my vision.
Do you ever feel depleted, tired, run down? It happens to all of us.
It's odd to think there can ever be a void within. Yet sometimes a void is what feels most present.
During times like that, it is tempting to think the sky is falling and all is crashing down around us.
But it's not. All is not lost. The "all" might just be digging down a bit deeper to provide more support as we continue to reach for the stars.
Roots are on my mind today.
A Banyan Tree's "air roots" near the Waikiki Aquarium are protected by tall, thin cages.
Someone is looking out for that tree, ensuring it's roots make it safely all the way to the ground. These roots will support the tree's branches as they continue to grow horizontally away from the trunk.
The knarled roots of the Ironwood Trees along Kalaukala Ave. in front of the War Memorial provide strength and support, allowing the trees to withstand the constant trade winds.
It has been said the roots of a tree go down as deep as the branches go high. I'm not sure that is true of all trees, but the concept feels comforting.
The same might hold true for us. The higher we strive to reach, the deeper our roots must go.
Putting roots into the ground is often invisible, messy work. And it doesn't always feel good.
Christine Kane points out that when a seed is planted, the first thing we see above ground is NOT the seedling.
First we see a pile of dirt pushed aside to make room for the seedling to grow.
So too with roots. The ones seen above ground are not the first ones put forth by the tree. First comes the work of pushing the dirt out of the way and digging down for support.
Putting our roots down is important, "must do" work.
The Tree Divas I have been painting have mostly existed above ground, although their roots are becoming more prevalent.
In "Grounded Yet Growing", the tree spirit is seen reaching for the sky while staying firmly planted in the ground.
We need a strong foundation in order to reach out and grow thoughout our lives.
Feel her grounded spirit move, and allow her to stay with you throughout the day...for inspiration...for stability...for movement... for your own growth.
If you would like to feel more "grounded while you grow", a print of Grounded Yet Growing could serve as a reminder. To receive your personalized 14"x11" matted print of Grounded Yet Growing for $34 (ships for free) click on this button:
Prints of my Tree Divas can be found in the stores carrying my art, including my newest locations Nohea Galleries at Ward Warehouse and in the Sheraton Waikiki.
In an effort to plant stronger roots in Hawai'i, Keanu and I
volunteered at the American Heart Association Annual Heart Ball in February. We helped the guests paint a heart to help
fund research to keep hearts healthy. We raised about $500 from people who
told us repeatedly that they were NOT artists. As you can see from their
results below, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Hearts
are iconic images, making them the perfect subject for my painting "Queen of Hearts", auctioned off at the Heart Ball.
On April 3rd, Keanu and I will be at "Tuxes & Tails", a benefit
for the Hawaiian Humane Society. We will help guests paint
"Paws for a Cause".
Mahalo
for reading my
eZine and for staying in touch. You can help spread aloha by clicking on
the
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A Hui
Hou,
PS The next Decorate with Style Workshop & Tradeshow with
Cathy Lee of RSVPStyle is right around the corner, featuring brand-new content!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 10 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
Cathy will
show you how to make your home beautiful by creating beautiful spaces onstage
right in front of you. You will immediately see how to tie together furniture,
colors, accessories and more. You will go home knowing what questions to ask, what to do (and what not to
do), and why it all works.
Dozens of
home-industry experts, including yours truly, will be there to answer your questions. I have only ten specially-pricedtickets to attend this one-day workshop (9am-3pm) available for $49 (regularly $59)
Workshop proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Honolulu.
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HeartScape Paintings Special Extended
After March they will disappear for a year!
HeartScape Intuitive Paintings for Harry & Robin Sagara
Through March, 2010, receive your personal five inch
HeartScape Intuitive Painting for yourself, or for a friend, for $35.
You will receive a scan of the painting along with the words I receive for you, immediately upon completion. Your original personal watercolor HeartScape Intuitive Painting, on watercolor paper, including your heart's message for you, will arrive in the mail within two weeks.
To
find out your heart's message for you, simply close your eyes for a
moment, relax, and take a breath. If the HeartScape is for you, you are
finished, if it is for another, envision that person. When you feel
calm and centered, click on this button:
Please REMEMBER to click on the link to provide the name of the person receiving the HeartScape Intuitive Painting.
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"Once
you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is
something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy." - Albert Einstein
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Born in Port Washington, WI and educated at the University of Wisconsin/Madison, Patrice Federspiel first visited Hawai'i in January 2000. Within five months she had found a way to quit her job, sell her home, and move to Hawai'i to paint. 
Patrice Federspiel