Ta Dah...Happy New Year!

"Every end is a new beginning."

- Proverb 

As this year draws to a close - and a New Year begins - I am grateful for the grounding of memory, the gifts of hope and inspiration, and for so many expressions of interwoven love!

In 2011, we welcomed the birth of a new family member, Bristol. She has given to us, with such generosity and authenticity, her signature sweetness and the radiant gladness of her tiny heart. I am deeply grateful for her, and her constant reminder to pause often and take time to observe how light dances in places like the leaves that quiver in the treetops (She always seems to wordlessly say: "don't miss a thing... no matter how small..." ). I have often said that it is children who teach us the most (not the other way around).

At about this time last year, I began Simply Inspired. I made a promise to myself (and God) that I would do my best to follow my bliss by writing and trying to grow in my photography. Even though I knew nothing about starting a blog, I was divinely inspired by an article and photography published in Artful Blogging by Christina Martin of  Soul Aperture

"Each time I do my blog it's my way of saying,

Yes, the road has been bumpy, but I am still along for life and its inviting ride."

- Christina Martin

I have continued to love Christina's quote from that article, and to enjoy the bounty of her blog sharing and our growing friendship (thank you, Christina). 

With Simply Inspired I wanted to capture the simple inspiration that surrounds my everyday. My hope was to share with others, become dedicated to my heart's desire, and to make a consistent effort (and to also attentively set aside my irksome ego when it did it's best to point out my deficiency). Of course, as these things often go, I found each of you - a new community of friends and fellow writers, photographers and designers - who are also deeply dedicated and involved with the artfulness of sincere expression. I have learned from you, and I have also grown in elegant new ways because of you. I am grateful for the many gifts of support and encouragement I have received; my thanks to each of you for your beautiful comments, kindnesses and sharing...

I look forward to sharing and growing with you in the upcoming New Year - a new beginning. 
And, I thank you for the delightful "Ta Dah" of 2011!

Kindness, Gratitude, Grace & Blessings to each of you!

Happy New Year,

Karen

-xok. 

Everlasting love...

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."

- Jeremiah 31:3

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. 

They have clung to me all my life."

- Abraham Lincoln

This season poignantly reminds us of Mary's example of a mother's deep and everlasting love. I understand completely...

May such love surround you in an everlasting manner...

Crystal Beads of Light...

"There is an endless net of threads throughout the universe...

At every crossing of the threads there is an individual.

And every individual is a crystal bead.

And every crystal bead reflects

Not only the light from every other crystal in the net

But also every other reflection

Throughout the entire universe."

(an adaptation of The Net of Jewels,

one of the oldest written creations of humanity)

-Anne Adams

The "crystal beads" of light are here and now and also endless in all directions... shimmering, glimmering and pulsating all around us... this season is extravagant in the expression and connection to that miraculous beaded necklace of Light. Enjoy...

Gathering Places...

"The dream was always running ahead of me.

To catch up,

to live for a moment in unison with it,

that was the miracle."

- Anis Nin

The expectation contained in December gathering places fascinates and inspires me. As I wait for friends, I ponder on all those who have so graciously designed and set a beautiful stage for our time together. Who are they, I wonder? I simply whisper a prayer of thanks that they have cultivated and shared their talent, and hope that they will be blessed in return.

I wish you December waiting times that allow you to admire and contemplate the hands you will most probably never touch that made your gathering place so very exquisite...

Train Excitement



If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder,
he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it,
rediscovering with him the joy,
excitement and mystery of the world we live in.

- Rachel Carson

I was waiting for an "adult" friend of mine. We were meeting to have a very "grown up" day of wandering through one of our favorite shops. I chose to wait by these trains, which were not only magnificent but also gathering attention from vibrant children and their families. (If I could have captured the laughter and shouts of joy, I would be giving that to you today also.) In that moment, I shared in the spilling-all-over-the-place excitement. I encourage you to do the same very soon... borrow a child's rendition of this utterly magical season - they are happy to share. And enjoy your own rediscovery "of the world we live in"...

Season's Cheers!

To Knit in Comfort

"....everyone has to knit when they're here...

But not every person has to use yarn."

- Kate Jacobs

This time of year seems to lend so beautifully to closer knitting of friendships. Yesterday, a dear friend of mine, who also works miracles in yarn, gifted me in a remarkable way. I will not disclose the specifics of her gift because it was divinely inspired and belongs to our friendship, and now to my own promise to pass it along in the future... Her faith in listening and responding to the "still small voice" that spoke my name has given me the deepest of comfort. Today, I wrap myself up in the blessing of friendship, peace, comfort, and God's precious expression of love. 

To each of you... I knit you in my heart... and offer to you the wish for comfort (please pass it along).

And thank you to my dear knitting friend...  

Here & there...

"Here and there, now and then, lose yourself

in nature and find peace."

- John Muir

As I turn the calendar's last page of 2011, I find December and an invitation to look for peacefulness... although we do not have gentle snowfalls here near my home, we do have indications that the season has turned. The winter beach is quieter and more reserved now. There are more dolphin visits out where the waves break and the fog settles. The beach walkers are fewer, bundled up in hooded sweatshirts, and arms are linked more closely with a loved one. The surfers are still faithful, but now they have slipped into slick wetsuits, and seem to linger and board-bob more, waiting longer for the wave they will choose to ride into shore. The close-by meditation garden blooms in paler and softer shades, and those seated on the ocean-view benches drift into serenity more easily. I welcome this quiet reprieve and the "here and there" peacefulness of this season...

I wish you peace today... here and there...