A time for meditation

Finding peace is more important now than ever, but I’ve found that it’s easier said than done. We’ve all heard about the benefits of meditation, but the idea of stepping away from our daily lives can be intimidating when the possibilities feel so endless. How do we begin? How do we measure the change that it makes on our lives?

I think that I’m the kind of person who can quiet my mind for a bit. But lately, I have struggled with my own meditation. When the results feel unclear, questions arise in my mind: maybe I’m trying too hard to make it a part of my daily routine, or maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself not to think. Recently, in search of answers to these thoughts, I’ve started rereading a book called “Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” by Dr. Joe Dispenza. It’s more of a path to peace than just an informative book, and within it is a link to a guided meditation. 

I find that guided meditations work very well. Through it I’m beginning to focus on breathing without being distracted by thoughts of the day or anything major on my mind. While it might seem counterintuitive, I’ve discovered that my meditation routine does not include sitting on the floor crossed-legged and in a typical pose. Instead I sit in my desk chair, facing my window with the warm sun upon my face and my headset on. The guide I follow is a water-rising induction-type mediation and is an intense yet relaxing 20 minute session. Dr. Dispenza said that meditation doesn’t have to come from thoughtless relaxation but can also focus on one deep moment of interest. In my case, it would be when I’m drawing, painting, and creating. The realization that I don’t have to follow any trend on “how” to meditate as long as I do it truly opened my mind and my approach to mediation. I’m fortunate enough to work from home and be surrounded by my creativity, where my window looks out on the bright world and my heart is full of gratitude for a beautiful view. I hope that my experience opens the possibilities within mediation for you. With all the instructional “How to” books and approachable videos out there, meditation can take any form if you live in the NOW. Your moment of focus can be anything, whether it’s gardening, reading, taking a bath, or anytime you feel grounded.

The view from my desk

Let’s celebrate this newfound peace and make sure that you enter the giveaway on my Facebook page with a chance to win something special and handmade. Just like or comment on the monthly giveaway post to enter. Tune in on March 31st at 6pm live on my page to see if you’re the lucky winner! 

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has purchased a bookmark from my shop; I’ve made a donation in your honor to One Tree Planted. Let’s stay connected about how we can continue to cherish and improve our community through partnerships like this with my Artist Insights newsletter.

This month, take time to celebrate yourself and your connection to the natural world. Peace is right around the corner! 

And the winner is…

Spring has sprung, tree-friends, and warmer breezes are headed our way at last! I hope that wherever you are, green growth is poking through the remnants of winter and brighter days have come to stay. Let’s brush away those fallen leaves and find something brilliant underneath. 

These days, I’m ready to welcome unexpected delights and a future full of endless potential. In a series of unstretched canvas pieces where I’ve explored the relationship between doors, windows, and the outside world, this potential exists as decisions we make along our life path. Through the creation of these tapestries with inks, watercolors, acrylics, and even real tree branches, these symbols of possibility can hang on your wall as a reminder of what wonders your future might hold. As windows give us a glimpse toward opportunity and new doors open to us, it’s important to take a chance once in a while and turn the knob. 

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Let’s celebrate a breath of fresh air and wish someone close to you a very Happy Birthday! New birthday cards are now available in my shop, perfect for those spring-born friends and family members. These handmade cards are sure to put a smile on both their face and yours as we welcome the coming season.

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I’d love to congratulate Theresa Amy for winning my February prize of a gorgeously framed print from one of my notecard collections. A new giveaway has started on my Facebook page, with a chance to win another special handmade artwork. Just like or comment on the monthly giveaway post to enter. A winner will be chosen on March 31st at 6pm live on my page, so tune in and find out if you’re the lucky one!

Let’s stay connected with my Artist Insights newsletter and build a community that supports beauty in the small things. Stay up to date with how The Healing Tree Studio grows while supporting incredible organizations like One Tree Planted and one of my favorite local Las Vegas companies, ZeetaBody. I’m proud to be partnered with teams like these that focus on giving back to the community and creating products that are good for our bodies. 

It’s another beautiful day out there, forest family. Open the windows and let the bright world in!