Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' - in the Spirit of Peace

TODAY I spent a good part of the day felting with a group here in Austin for their Peace Felt Project. If you don't know about Peace Felt yet...go here or here.

Group organizer Mary Tokumaru contacted me and shared that they wanted to create a felted origami lotus flower - emulating their group logo to give to their peace partners. But as it turns out...not one of them had ever felted!

Their group is Sheng Zhen Austin. They are a local group practicing a special kind of qigong (chi kung) known as Sheng Zhen Wuji Yuan Gong.

Mary makes Origami, and so a few weeks ago I received a crash course in origami. I then agreed to help them make an origami lotus flower to send to their Peace Partners, the Hera Group in the UK. They started today 8/28 by felting enough to create two flowers, one for their group and one for HERA.

We opened our gathering with a very lovely Qigong exercise(I don't know the proper term) calles AWAKENING THE SOUL. Sitting on small stools in a circle, we went through a series of movements that cleared the air of nervous energy, focusing the participants, and opening the heart... allowing peace and calm to bless our space.

THEN ...it got pretty crazy :O) It was a challenge to keep everyone's attention because they were so ready to go! At least while learning to felt in their little palm pieces.

They were very proud of their little starter felts...


The architect in the group could NOT rest until her edges were straight :O) so she discovered the scissors and made it something she was finally satisfied with.



That was entertaining...and then we got down to some serious work...getting plenty soppy felting on the floor! Having no tables was a surprise, but I thought of Mehmet and Theresa May O'brien...it seems as thought all of their workshops are on the floor. :O)




I have definitely felted larger pieces on the floor -- but tables really are easier on the body. Many of the participants had a challenge with this - but they all did their best and put their love into the project.

The outcome desired are Two Lotus Flowers, each with 12 petals and 6 leaves, something like this:



Next they will sew it into an origami shape...I'll share as soon as I get the updates!

Sharing - in - Love

And so it goes...
So much going on in my Internet Life and my own website lay dormant like a hibernating bear. I used to think blogs were for people who don't have websites -- and now I have turned a corner - so appreciating the ease of updating via this little text box vs. planning a web page!

I will start using this blog for updates and happenings as needed. :)

We are all so much more than our titles or our jobs or our 'this' and 'that' - and so this blog will not be "focused on fiber" or featuring me in any one, particular light. It is a place to share in fullness, on my many facets - so I start with this very personal entry:

To this Divine, Infinite Energy that so gracefully orchestrates our living, breathing, universe...I express my deepest gratitude for absolutely EVERYTHING that has led me up to this moment in my life. For every hurt and humiliation, for every laugh and spontaneous surprise, for every tear and moment of wonder - I give my thanks.

Each situation, person and circlumstance has been a gift of opportunity to BECOME to EMBODY to ENLIVEN the woman I aspire to be. Each situation gives ME the opportunity to BE or not to be a woman of integrity, of grace, of peace, of understanding, of generosity, of humility, of Love.

The question is not -- why are "they" treating me this way, or why are "they" doing this or that, but who am I BEING in this moment? What am I contributing in this situation?

With such a golden gift of opportunity to experience myself AS the woman I aspire to be -- not so much in the "easy" or "fun" situations, but in the really difficult, and challenging ones, how can I see any situation I am in as anything other than an opportunity for greater self ownership for honoring truth and serving God -serving LOVE? (or however YOU refer to it) Whenever I judge or blame or speak ill of others, I am not honoring myself, or God/Love, and I am out of my integrity.

Let me instead remain clear, grateful, and increasingly self-aware while being in service to The Good and focused on Self-development, becoming a much greater observer and steward of Self...than a steward of anyone else.

I am responsible for who I am Being.
Who I am Being is who I am Becoming.
Who do I want to Be in this moment?

...to BE or not to be a woman of integrity, of grace, of peace, of understanding, of generosity, of humility, of Love...this is the greatest question I could ask.

I humble myself in sharing this with you -- challenging myself to Be the Change I wish to see, and not ask the world to change for me.

- In Peace & Great Respect for you...wherever you are today on this journey. You are beautiful, just as you are.