or those energies, are going to have to change in order for you from an objective point of view and realize that everything
to get better; that’s most likely never going to happen. It’s also they’ve been thinking is just as likely to be not true as it is to
a way to manipulate other people. Usually, making excuses is be true. I believe if you change the way you look at things,
just something we can get away with, rather than challenging the things you look at change.
or changing ourselves. If you want to change and you want
your life to work at a level you’ve never had before, then take Q. When we look at our own lives and think about the lives
responsibility for it. of loved ones, what is key to living a healthy, happy love-
I’m not saying that a child who was abused or beaten or based life? The key is to trust in your own divinity, to know
abandoned made that happen, but your reaction to it is always that you are a piece of God, and that you are like what you
yours. While you were four, you didn’t know anything other came from. As a spiritual being, you have Divinity within.
than being terrified and scared; you’re not four any longer. Now When Albert Einstein was asked about the impact of quan-
[as an adult] you have to make a choice and recognize that tum physics, he said, “It’s just all details, I just want to think
even the abuse that came into your life offers you an opportu- like God thinks.” And God thinks in terms of creating, kind-
nity to transcend it, to become a better person and even more ness, beauty and goodness.
significantly, to help someone else not go through what you did.
Dr. Dyer will be a keynote speaker at Hay House’s
Q. What is your seven-question paradigm to help people Tampa, FL conference, Nov. 19-22; register at ICanDoIt.net.
change long established habits of negative thinking? The For more information visit DrWayneDyer.com
paradigm helps a person identify the thought system, which Ellen Mahoney is a freelance writer who teaches writ-
is almost always false, that is behind the rationale for the ing at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Contact evm@
continuation of excuses. It helps them really look at excuses infionline.net.
The Art of Life and Silk Painting
by Virginia Wilson
allows for the joyful expression of my spirit to manifest in the
F
rom my early days of painting on silk more than 20 years painting.
ago, I have been awed and humbled by the amazing Teaching these classes, especially with children, has
transforming soul teachings of this incredibly unique medi- shown me all the incredible talent and spirit of each indi-
um. The journey has taken me from beginner to experienced vidual. This particular style of art has demonstrated time and
silk painter, operating a gallery, to teaching this amazing again to bring out the highest creative expression of each
craft to children, adults, beginner and advanced artists alike. person whether they perceive themselves to be “artistic”
Though my original pursuit of art began using traditional or not. In teaching children with special needs, it has been
mediums, it wasn’t until I touched brush and dye to silk that I even more apparent, as I have yet to see an amazing artwork
truly felt fulfilled and able to express all of my talents. fail to present itself - no matter how handicapped the child.
One of the most important things I have learned from Lacking is any sense of frustration and failure often seen in
this unique medium and teacher is that in life and craft, to similar situations with traditional methods and materials. To
toil and struggle is to miss the most beautiful parts. Learn- see the joy, freedom and self esteem this art produces in the
ing to let go and be in the flow is the best tack and brings children is truly the best gift I have received in all the years I
the most joy and amazing results. Another lesson this craft have been blessed with teaching silk painting.
teaches is to encourage painting outside the lines and Personally, creating art on silk has provided comfort in
perhaps allow for living “outside the box”. This technique challenging times. Often, the piece I’m working on reflects
brings even more joy, creating beautiful color combinations issues in my life at the time, as well as similar issues for the
and patterns that would not have appeared had I not dared person for whom the piece is being painted. In this way, my
to paint freely. Another wonderful gift is in the unexpected art connects and inspires. I hope to continue offering my
surprises that often occur as the painting evolves. This is true services to children and adults who are looking for ways to
in life, for many times we have experienced an event which begin or continue on their personal creative journey.
may or may not be perceived as positive, but surely turns out Virginia Wilson teaches silk painting classes and work-
to be an amazing blessing down the road. Finally, although shops to children and adults of all levels. She is available to
being a typically fussy Virgo who plans and analyzes way too teach individuals and small groups from her home studio
much, I find with the silk and larger groups at other loca-
painting method I use, the tions. She can be reached via email:
more spontaneous method gin@virginiasilkart.com or by phone
produces better results. The 954.972.3115. Her artwork and further
relative quickness of the background information and technique
process, without excessive can be seen at www.virginiasilkart.
sketching, planning, etc., com. See ad page 56.
September 2009 39
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