Valuing Yourself

"Connected to Spirit" Art by Pat House

“I feel at peace at the thought of allowing myself to have fun, being intentional, and following my bliss.”

“I respect myself. I appreciate myself. I ask for what I want and for what I need.”

       These are affirmations that I was working with several years ago in my journal. I would carry them with me and say them out loud but they weren’t my truth yet. They were just statements that I hoped to be true one day. I was living reactively and giving all of my energy to whoever showed up and needed it. I wanted to be a good wife, mother, sister, daughter, teacher, and friend. I was burning my candle at both ends. Soon there would be nothing left of me!

       One day while walking on the beach, my inner voice said “what if you treated yourself as you would a friend or family member? How can you give to others without receiving? No wonder I was exhausted. I wasn’t filling my well and it had run dry. I had to learn to value and like myself enough to treat myself as I would someone that I cared about. It felt very selfish at first. I thought I’d never master it. When I am tired I will fall off the wagon and have to get back on. This self care thing is a process.

      I am now practicing turning off the voice inside my head that says I should do and be everything to everyone. I work very hard to stay tuned into what I need and want. I am learning to appreciate the value that I bring into this world. I’m not here to say I have all the answers. I don’t. My friends call me on my bad habits quite a lot! I think our world could be a much better place if everyone became their own best friend and took better care to love, honor, and respect from within. We have so much more to give others when our own needs are met.

      Take some time this week and make a list of ways that you could you treat yourself better. Please share in the comments below.  

Let's remind each other of ways to improve our own self care!

 Artwork can be purchased at https://society6.com/pathouse

Have Big Clear Dreams

                                                                      

Goddess of the Sea by Pat House

     
       For me dreaming has always been easy. My art is created many times through dreams. I meet with a customer to talk about a special piece to be created and then I sleep on it. I usually wake up with a clear picture of the finished piece. I think my guardian angel works with me at night. To me this is the most magical part of my artistic life. I love the connection to something larger than myself and then watching it come to life.

       My son Austin just graduated from high school in June. He is trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. Many people of all ages are trying to figure that out. I am still working on my vision for my future. I have a few tips to help. Of course this is a process and may change over time.

     

  1. Make a list of all the things you do not want.

         examples-”I do not want to work in a box.” 

                         “I do not want to work for an oppressive boss.”

                         " I do not want to get paid less than I deserve."

         Take each of those statements and turn them into an I do statement.

          examples- “I want the freedom to work in an open space with lots of light and plants.”   

          “ I want to either work for myself or have a supportive boss who mentors me in positive ways.”

          "I want to be able to grow my worth!"
          (Those of you who know me probably can figure out these statements are centered around my
          old job as a public school teacher.)               

 
 2. Think of activities you love and that bring you joy. Do more of them and watch for signs. 

         You will start to see signals that lead you towards your direction. I love creating art and working
       with people. I love nature in all of its forms. I built my business around those things.

  3. Look ahead to 3 monthes, 1 year, 10 years. 

    Journal about what you would love to see happen. Try to include feelings, sights, sounds,

    smells, etc. Get as much detail as you can. 

    What does your ideal day look like? Who is there? What are you doing?

         These exercises helped me a lot when I first started to create my business as the Joyful Mermaid. I started to see owning/ co-owning a teaching Gallery and Healing Center. I saw a turquoise house with white trim on a nice size lot, huge live oak trees, patio in back for outside classes, garage/ studio in back as well. Artists come in from all over the world and teach classes/workshops. I travel a lot and teach too. Small coffee shop inside along with a nice gallery.

 4. Start taking babysteps towards your dream.

      

      I have just opened a Society6 online store so that my art can be seen and purchased easier. I am researching new places to show and sell my work. I do not feel ready for the turquoise gallery just yet but I am babystepping my way in that direction because it brings me joy and my energy builds when I move that way.

5. Be open to the idea that there may be an even bigger future out there for you! 

       Watch for signs that you are being led and keep your heart open to the possibilities!

                     

What are your dreams today? Can you share any of them? 

I'd love to hear about your dreams and then we can support each other!

Artwork can be purchased at http:/society6.com/pathouse

Awakening Your Authentic Spirit

     When you set your intention to awaken your authentic self and remember who you really are, YOU are on an amazing path!I realized one day that I was tired of being a people pleaser and that I had no idea of who the real me was anymore. I decided it was time to remember who I was before I became Austin’s mom and Hugh’s wife. I really needed some time to listen to what my heart had to say.

       I knew that I saw the real me when I journaled or created art. I also saw it when I was in nature or spent time with animals. I began slowing down in order to feel my energy lead me towards my spirit. I learned to unplug from “doing” and started practicing “being”. ( I am not an expert at this. I am still practicing.)

       Dreams started coming through me of a new future and a new connection with my authentic self. I began trusting that I was being guided and supported in ways that were perfect for me. I started cutting away at all the ties that felt like they were holding me back. There are many layers to this process and I expect to be clearing away for years to come. You have to trim a bush sometimes in order to help it grow.

      As my dreams are becoming reality and my trust has grown, I have become more and more grateful for the life that I have been given. Not all of my life has been perfect but I have been led by an amazing spirit that is much larger than me. I feel very blessed and connected.

What are you dreams telling you? What are your intentions?

Artwork can be purchased at 

                                                          https://society6.com/pathouse

                         

Believe in Your Own Radiance and Let it Shine!

  Believe in Your Own Radiance and Let it Shine!

      You are a magical being full of radiance and light!

 Are you showing it to the world? Are you hiding it from everyone?

 It is very easy to feel like you are not good enough or that you will be judged by others and found to be less than. I want to remind you that what others think of you is none of your business. 

Only what you believe matters! 

Tap into your heart and listen to your own inner voice. 

You are AMAZING! 

Share your Radiance! 

Our World Needs More LIGHT!

It's Time to Breathe!

Public Service Announcement- 

Have you taken time to really breathe today?

Inhale slowly, filling your lungs as much as you can. 

Exhale slowly, and as you exhale imagine all that stress being pushed right out of your body. Inhale and feel yourself becoming grounded and calm.  

Breathe yourself into the present moment and slow down.

Enjoy the now! Life moments are too fleeting already!

Just Breathe.

Repeat often.

Spring is Coming!

         I know the weather has not been very agreeable this winter and it feels like spring is never going to get here. I am happy to report that we are going to make it!!!! Spring is coming next Friday!!!!!

Are you seeing signs of it? Share them!!!! I can't wait!!

Choosing to Radiate!

          I am claiming my space here and now to fully claim my choice to RADIATE this year! I chose this feeling word in January along with the infusion words-easy, flowy, and fun. My work during this first quarter has been to look at my life and see what it takes for me to feel radiant. I have been redefining my systems for doing things in order to make my life much more flexible and simplified. My goal is to take better care of myself and get out of my own way! Changes are centered around treating myself as I would my very best friend. I am now listening to my inner guidance system and taking action. I even drop everything to take a walk in nature middle of the day or when ever my partner sends me a text to go! I am averaging 27 miles a week and have made a new friend! 
        
        Here is The Joyful Mermaid blog. The web site is www.Joyfulmermaid.com. It's my invitation to you to come on a journey together and baby step our way into a truly RADIANT life. I do not have all the answers. It would be awesome if I did. Right now, intention and commitment are what I have to offer. Hopefully, we can build a community that shares ideas and helps hold each other accountable.

 Let's see where this journey will take us!!!

Be a Joyful Mermaid with me!

Please come down to the sea and be a Joyful Mermaid with me!

Together we can create beauty and make a difference in the world.

It doesn't have to be hard.

Just let yourself go and join in the flow!

Awaken your authentic spirit!

Allow yourself the luxury of everyday beauty and joy!

Appreciate the journey!

Let us begin our travels together.