Riding The Creative Waves

Ali, what an exciting Blog for me to read. I actually just posted in my own on Scrapwords about change and embracing that part of yourself...that REAL part of yourself. It's all about being true to you. Sounds like that is exactly what you're doing. Life gets so busy and we want to fit it all in...being a mom, a wife, a creative soul...I love the challenge and am up for it. Sounds like you are, too!
BTW, meeting you at CHA was one of my highlights. You are so sweet just like I thought you'd be. Thanks for the book, too. LOVE IT as I love everything you create. You are one talented soul, Ali Edwards.

I can relate totally to the ebbing and flowing...and after digging and digging on the internet for CHA releases...my creative juices are bursting. Too bad I am soo swamped with work right now to enjoy them.

I related with your comments about the hanging baskets. I usually have a vegetable garden, but this year it didn't get done. No big reason for it, just a lot of little things, bad weather every weekend this spring, other projects from winter that we were finishing up. So I didn't get pots planted to hang in my gazebo either. I ended up buying some artificial geraniums and 'planting' them in my hanging baskets. They are far away from the street, so no one will really notice, and I love the color! Problem solved and I may do it again next year.

Change is such a good thing - We went to Wild Waves this week and I forgot my camera. At first I was so sad that I was going to miss such a great photo opportunity but as the day progressed - I read an entire book, took a nap and went into the water and on rides myself - I came out okay !!! Such panic when the camera is not at my fingertips - but all is well and the day progressed into a fun experience for all !!

Ali,
All of this is just another facet of vitality. It is vital to let things happen, it is vital to be and do and live and breath. Without those things the definition of the word itself would have no merit. It is a wonderful thing to just accept what's in your path right now and not force the things that don't just happen. Eventually you will start taking your camera simply because you'll find you cannot leave the house without it. Eventually you will tend to the garden because that is rejuvenation. It will all be okay. I read something yesterday that made me think, so I had to write it down and put it somewhere to remind me everyday of its powerful message: "Just do what you want; if you mess up, the sun is going to rise tomorrow anyway."
So Ali, here is to vitality and simplicity.
peace.

Oh yeah. I've always felt like creative work is like riding a roller coaster with the ups and downs. Bursts of awesome! and times when your mind is like a ghost town.

Ali,
You are such an incredible person, your family is blessed to have you and we to have you via your blog and creations! I envy you guys for being able to do what you so love while I sit at my desk day in and day out waiting till 5pm comes along so I can go home and play in my studio! Thanks for all your inspiration.

*Love* this, Ali! Such a great perspective, and a great lesson to learn and remember. Thanks for sharing the wave with us all ;)

dude, i am feeling so overwhelmed right now. i really needed this post. cuz when i actually stopped to think about what was overwhelming me, it was all really...AWESOME stuff. so i'm gonna quit my whinin' and ride the hi til it's over and i get a chance to chill again. thanks, as always, for your words. :)
~jan

I find myself giving myself more permission to not regret and be happy and make sure I'm enjoying life and all the busy-ness I'm choosing as well. Purpose Driven Life's Rice Warren says that when we do what we were created to do, moving in the area of our giftedness, passion, and ever our normalcy, it can be an act of worship to the one who made us.
When something threatens to get to me, I ask myself, "Do I trust the Lord?" And I say, "I trust you with this Lord."
He gave us a promise that he will "work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his good purposes." I love him, and he says I'm called, so I guess I am. That means, he's working all for my good. Do I trust that?
So many times, I don't! And I get in a bad mood about a forgotten camera or work to do.
I love how this post says what I'm walking through in another way.

I just wanted to thank you for continuing to make your blog an inspiring place to come. I really enjoy reading everything you write and I can't wait to grab your new book! Thanks!
Monica

Thank you so much for the reminder that it's ok to not do everything every day, that it's ok to step back from something even if we love it. I've been kicking myself for weeks that none of the goals I have set for myself this summer have been fully achieved, because ultimately been running myself in circles. Your blog was the first thing I read this morning over my coffee, and it just set a really positive tone for my day.
Thanks!!

I came across some quotes and thought you might like them-
"Several big ideas have come by taking a deep breath, leaving the building & taking a nice long walk in the sunshine down to get some ice cream." ~Nolan Bushnell
"You will have wonderful surges forward. Then there must be a time of consolidating before the next forward surge. Accept this as part of the process & never become downhearted." ~ Eileen Caddy
"Give your soul some elbow room" ~D. Sharp
"Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life" ~Buddha
"Balance is Beautiful" ~Miyoki Ohno

seriously. you are so cool. Honest. Inspiring. Real. thank you!

"Ebbing and flowing and being open." That is one of my favorite things about the creative process. I have been in a busy time for the last few months...too busy to actually play with products and literally scrapbook. But I have been observing and living and taking it all in and this last week as I started to actually make scrapbook pages, I can see that my style is evolving again...all because I embraced my time to "ebb"....

Just yesterday, I realized my hubby and I have taken many fewer pics this year than last. I felt a very vague and subdued unease at this, sort of puzzled as to how that happened since we're both usually snapping away. Your comments make me feel so much better. We, too, have other things happening in our lives...his new job, my new blog, new stuff with our boys. It's all good. Thanks for the reminder that ebb and flow are natural and good.

love this reflection ali.
i'm excited for you and all that may lie ahead in the coming year.
you're an amazing person and i admire you!
love,
Jessica

So true about life's ebbs and flows. It is interesting to read about so many others finding themselves in a time of transition this summer--I'm there, too. Having been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I am finally trying to make some MAJOR changes (esp. re organization, or usual lack thereof!)-- focusing on the process, and not fighting it.
I appreciate the grace and acceptance in your words, Ali. It helps me continue to try to find those things within myself.

Oh Ali...such a good post today. I haven't visited in a few weeks and it was good to come here and read your words today. I so understand what you mean about the creative ebb and flow...what I love about your is that you don't get down on your self about the changes that come and go. Instead you let it be and make the most of it. Riding the wave instead of fighting it. Love that about you. Thanks for the reminders!

I loved reading this, Ali. Something so calming about your writing and the way you describe your process.
I like that you're changing your boards - I might have to try that myself.
Thanks so much.
A.