Articles

Hello again,

I forgot to mention my articles.

It is my plan to be able to introduce one each month.

To find my article titled: Insights and Strategies for Writing from the Heart...go to www.jeanneripley.com
check out my links page and click articles.

Month by month

What was most exciting about your last month?

Mine was not in one event but in the diversity of events and the many friends & family that I shared time with. I spent time with extended family in a reunion, with several different friends traveling the province with our Wings to Fly book, my grandaughter's swimming meet. I was often tired but felt that I had accomplished a lot and I had fun.

I watched whales off Brier island and was totally fascinated ... especially, the baby whale...it actually played around our boat and swam under it. Much fun.

I still find time to watch Canadian Idol ... read my current book... Awe by Dr. Paul Pearsall, attend meetings and, of course,write.

It seems that many people who have read Wings to Fly are interested in the meaning behind the poems and also, the origin of the images. I am planning a workshop that will explore the "where did this come from?" question(s). It may take a few months but if any of you readers out there are interested, you can let me know by writing to me at jeanne.ripley@jeanneripley.com

In addition, if anyone is interested in monthly inspirational quotes and images let me know at the same address and give me your email address.

Relationships, love...

It's July 25th ... I hope that you are having your best summer ever!

I have been thinking about relationships with friends, family and partners ( or 'would be' partners). We think they should be simple but never seem to experience that.

It does seem that our expectations come from our previous relationships, our early family life and a myriad of other influences such as TV and film.

Love, love, love in all it's forms captivates us and we remain a willing captive. I have no answers, only expressions of related thoughts and feelings. Below is my experience of a loving friendship. If you 'relate' to any of it ...send me your comments.

Our Loving Friendship

It is only you who listens to my pain
who sees my souls nakedness and
does not turn away.

It is only you who stands in my rain
waits for the darkest places to show
the light of day.

It is only your love that sings my song
dances in my dreams
makes me believe that I am Queen.

Your faith holds me safe and strong
guides me as I take flight to places
I have never been.

Do you know that I stand for you?

Jeanne Ripley
copyright 2008

Country Yard Sales; Happening Spots

I had to see for myself! There was a dandelion festival in Wallace NS. The fields of dandelions were left untouched and they were beautiful. My friend and I debated the virtues and beauty of the dandelion. Any comments?

We had a great breakfast at the Tatamagouche Farmers Market. Flowers nesteled in a wreath, maple products...MMMmmm, handmade cards and lots more. The gift shop, coffee shop and accomodations in the old train was something I tucked in my memory bank for a fun weekend this summer.

Hannah's bookstore had 3 authors visit during the 45 minutes that I was there. Linda Little signed her book that I had purchased, Scotch River. They support the arts in a big way.

Back to Pugwash and the Chatterbox Cafe. The owners ,Norene and Greg are friendly and fun and the visitors have the pleasure of her paintings surrounding them along with the good company. You could spend hours at this cafe along with the Hidden Jewel gift shop that adjoins them. And it's not even tourist season, yet!

Neat Cafes ... other blogs ...favorite quotes

I have just checked out a blog that is fun and has lots of interesting entries. See for yourself at http://gimsonandfriends.blogspot.com

I am hearing from people who have read our book, Wings to Fly, and it is heart-warming to hear the comments.

Saturday, I traveled to Springhill and Amherst to place our books in the hospital gift shops and the Anne Murray Centre www.ANNEMURRAY.COM. They have neat gifts, lots of cd's and a tour of Anne's life & career. I will be doing a reading there sometime in July...will post the date when it is settled.

On Friday, I stopped in for some great soup and cheesecake at From My Nova Scotia Heart in Glen Haven. I spent about 30 minutes (maybe more) checking out their gifts...most items are made locally.They are also selling our book and I will do a reading there, as well. More info later.

Today, I am off to meet friends at Into the Mystic...1082 Cole Harbour Road ... they do readings, reiki and sell wonderful gifts and jewellry...and more. It's a great place to meet friends over an exotic cup of tea and a home made dessert. I bet you haven't guessed that they also have our book. You do make new friends there. I did.

If you have a favorite quote from Wings to Fly...let me know what it is and (if you want), what it means to you.

Finish off your w/e in style ... smile

Jeanne

Sneak Preview & Reading of Poems on Website

Hi there...

Later tonight or tomorrow, I will have an audio of me reading the poems within the 'sneak preview' of Wings to Fly. The poems will be visible and you can follow along.

I would like to hear if you found a message that relates to your life situation ... that has meaning for you. Perhaps, you have a story to tell around that. If so, send it along to me at
jeanne.ripley@djeanneripley.com

For anyone who reads the book, let me know what you think. Do you have any questions?

And, come to hear me read on Apr.29th/08 at the Economy Shoe Shop, Argyle St., Halifax...8:00pm

Dare to be you.

Jeanne

A Spiritual Connection to Creativity

We are all creative. Spirit creates us … the connection is already there. It was there from our beginning. Many of us have awareness that our connection was erased, or at least blurred, by the opinions and actions of significant people in our lives. How do we reconnect?

Have you had an experience of a teacher or parent telling you that a childhood creation of yours was wrong: red when it should be green or brown, messy when it should be neat, just not good enough? An experience like this can turn you away from your innate creativity. We may turn to jobs that we are expected to do to earn income or status.

It is common for people to return to a passion they once had, after a period of personal growth, an illness, or during retirement. Our passion seems to return from our going within ourselves to uncover who we really are. We remember things we loved to do … would sometimes get lost in this activity. Others may have recognized our talent, but not necessarily so.

In some form, however we choose: we need to invite our spiritual muse back into our life. It has been helpful for me to do that … acknowledge to myself that I need guidance and assistance.

Here are nine tips to help you connect:

Spend five minutes every morning and evening to go within. Be still, silence your phone.
Do your best to stop thinking: play music with the sounds of nature or focus on your breath.
Try an activity that feels self-nurturing …something that feeds your spirit: a walk outside, giving something to someone who needs help.
Start a journal to write about events, people or words that surprised you in how they happened just when you really needed them.
Notice how you ‘feel’ when you recognize that something great has just happened to you.
Let that feeling build some energy within you.
Spend a few moments to express gratitude (out loud or in silence) for the event and the feeling that came with it.
Celebrate that experience, however small…share it with a friend or post a big smile in your journal. Say, Yes!
Silently or out loud invite your inner guide, your spirit, to assist you.

Write your answers to these questions:

Ø What do I feel deeply about?
Ø What moves me, emotionally?
Ø What do I deny myself right now that I would like to do ‘some other time’?
Ø Who, in my life, was most significant to me? Why?
Ø Does my heart need to be heard?

I struggled with my writing for many years. When I release that struggle: write down dreams or words that wake me in the night, invite Spirit to assist me when I feel stuck, or remember that words are not just ‘my’ words; writing became more fun.

Creating with a purpose in mind or just for the sheer joy of the creative process is equally rewarding. And, to do this, it is essential to give ourselves the experiences that nourish us,
feed our curiosity, excite us and make us feel alive. Give yourself more playtimes. Smile.