sOul wOrk
“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real.. it is possible.. it’s yours.”
– Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
On August 6, 2013, I began a 6-week online e-course titled Soul Restoration, offered by Brave Girls Club . The two beautiful and amazing sisters, Melody Ross and Kathy Wilkins, who founded the club, are on a mission to encourage, connect and remind all of us to live big, brave beautiful lives. It is way worth it to check them out!
As I continue to s-l-O-w-l-y recover from Valley Fever, I am gaining a new perspective on what the last year-a-half has taught me. As of today, among other things, I have learned:
- hOw to let go (well, at least to let go sooner than I normally would)
can’t get much clearer than that!
- the true meaning of the wOrds “self-care”
- slOwing dOwn and getting quiet really dOes prOvide the space necessary to hear the wisdOm Of yOur sOul
- tO knOw in my bOnes that I am enOugh
- that the universe has really been talking to me thru my art
- and, tO trust myself and knOw that I am nOt alOne.
The Other thing that this dOwn time has taught me, is that my life is preciOus. And that it is sOlely my respOnsibility tO be living the life of my dreams. nO One else knOws what is in the depths of my sOul, and if I’m nOt dedicated tO the expressiOn Of my life, then it’s all On me. I am sOlely respOnsible for the care of my life and sOul. A bit daunting, yes, but quite exciting, tOO!
I’ve alsO learned that I get tO have help, but I am the Only One that can champiOn “the herO in my sOul” and take that mOst impOrtant step tOwards my heart, and not away frOm it.
So frOm here On Out (yes, I mean the BIG Out!), I am fully committed tO the full expressiOn Of my life. This may be my Only shOt, and time is shOrt. sO whether I’m “making gOOd art”, hanging with my husband, cOnnecting with family, having cOffee with friends, napping : ), sitting in meditatiOn, or enjOying a beautiful gOlf cOurse, I will bring my whOle heart and sOul with me. dOn’t yOu think it’s abOut time?
I am grateful to the wisdom of Valley Fever, the love of my family and friends, my health care team, and all the Brave Girls out there walking this “road-less-traveled”. That is what makes this all possible and worthwhile.
turn tOwards yOur heart, find yOur truth, knOw you are wOrth it!
lOve, vickiO
P.S. One mOre thank yOu tO my friends at Starbucks!
Thank you Nolen, Caitlin, and the rest of the wonderful staff at Starbucks in Fountain Hills Arizona! And Snoopy!
VickiO Art 
You are awesome!
Thank you, Jamie : ) Thanks for fOllOwing, tOO! You’re pretty awesome yourself ❤
VickiO,
Thank you so much for the reminders!!! I am working on the “let go or be dragged” , I figure that is a better way to go since not being me is also “let go or be a drag” to myself.
Namaste my dear friend.
Very inspiring, Karla. Be YOU, dear friend. Nobody else can do that but you! Amazing, inspiring, smart, funny and wise YOU! Love you lots.
vickiO jOyful, inspired, mixed-media cOllage art http://www.vickiOart.com
You and your quotes r an inspiration to
me. What a wonderful spirit u have —
still. I know it’s been such a long battle
Hope I’ll soon see u golfing again.
Thanks so much, Lynne! I am slowly getting better, and am grateful for every day ❤ I golfed 9 holes at Torreon and found out I still know how : ) Hope all is well with you.
I’ve been golfing the year and half that that you couldn’t, and I still don’t know how. However, you have taught me more valuable lessons along the way. Love You, Love You.
I can’t wait to be golfing with yOu! And some of the most important things I’ve learned in my life are because of yOu! Love you, love you!
vickiO jOyful, inspired, mixed-media cOllage art http://www.vickiOart.com
Let go or be dragged– I love it!!
Through your disease I have learned so much as well. Any time there is change, whether its illness, or a move, there is so much to learn about oneself.
Thank you dear sister for helping me make my transition through your words and wonderful artwork. I love Muriel!!!
And I love you!!
Jan
Hi Jan! You are such a dear ❤ I couldn't have made it through this transition without your love and wisdom, either. I love that we can learn from each other, through the tears and laughter, and be better because of all of it. I love you! And I love that you love Muriel!!
Vicki, your openness to not only be willing to learn new things about yourself and life around you, but to incorporate those new learnings into your everyday living is an inspiration to all to keep the doors of learning wide open. You give new meaning to the words, ‘soul train!’ 🙂