Tag: Zendala

Is That Affirmative?

zentangle037Today’s card is one of my tangles. This is a very repetitive zendala called a monotangle. That’s because it uses the same pattern over and over again.

It’s a time-honored tradition in spiritual work–this repetition. Buddhists do it. Catholics do it. Wiccans do it. Taking the same phrase and repeating it helps solidify that thought pattern.

You won’t be surprised when I tell you that’s one reason for “seek joy, y’all” all the time.

On my personal Facebook page, I do a daily affirmation (well nearly daily). It is my way of setting my day up. I begin with positive statements.

For today’s 180 second challenge (that’s just three minutes, my darlings), I want you to say an affirmation. It can be short. It can be simple. It must be in the present tense and positive.

For instance, the following is not a “good” affirmation:

I am going to not be sad today.

Change that to:

Today I am happy.

Short. Sweet. Positive.

I tend to make longer ones because, hey, I’m a writer and I’m wordy. Here is my affirmation for today.

I breathe in peace. I breathe out joy. I see beauty in each person I meet. I find the good in the world easily. Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on.

I’d love it if you would share yours with me.

Zendala, Arwen Lynch, 2012

Pssst! In Austin, TX? Check out out this upcoming class from Ginny Krauskopf, CZT. This is the woman who taught me the basics of Zentangle.

Beginning Zentangle – Austin, TX

April 13, 2013, 1:00 – 3:45

Whether you’ve been playing around with Zentangle for a while, or never drawn a single pattern, this class is for you! You’ll learn basic tangle patterns and get a kit to take home.

You can sign up for the class on the Austin page of Ginny’s website.

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on!

Does It Permeate Your Being?

Shiver. I felt that statement down to my bones, y’all. Down to my marrow. It felt like one of those Moments From God (reverberating voice). As if the Universe had pulled me to that picture at that time to experience the word of my Deities.

zentangle031
Click for larger image, y’all.

Today’s card is one of my Zentangles. This is one of my zendalalas (Zentangle in a mandala form). I had so much fun doing this. Now when I come back to it, I love it still.

If this were a Tarot card, it would be the Four of Wands. I see it as a coming together of disparate things creating something of beauty.

Yesterday, Leonie Dawson said this on one of her Instagram photos, “When I really sit with it, I see how my life is an opportunity to experience beautiful places and make art. Beauty is everywhere… We gotta be the sentinels that watch for it, seek it, let it permeate our being.”

Shiver. I felt that statement down to my bones, y’all. Down to my marrow. It felt like one of those Moments From God (reverberating voice). As if the Universe had pulled me to that picture at that time to experience the word of my Deities.

This wasn’t a whisper. It was a clarion call to action. I feel that way about joy. We must watch for it, seek it, let it permeate our beings. Yes, Leonie, yes, yes, yes.

So how will you watch for beauty today? How will you seek joy? Will it come on a bright red bird’s wing? The chocolate-coated smile of a child? A wave from a driver you’ve never met telling you to come ahead? A snail leaving a shimmering silvery trail across your sidewalk? A crumpled up newspaper you pick up and throw away so someone else doesn’t have to do it?

What will you do today to make beauty and joy happen in your world even if only for three minutes? 180 seconds of joy. 180 seconds of beauty.

I know we can do this. I know the JoyPatrolAlert members will spread the word. Grab your 180 seconds. Then share the message with one other person. Tell them to seek joy for 180 seconds then pass it on.

The key here? The trick? The Secret?

Joy accumulates. It piles up. Each tiny piece builds until it crowds out negative thought. We are retraining our brains to seek joy instead of dwell on the bad. Because the bad exists. We are just rewiring our hearts to seek joy, y’all.

Are you with me?

Zendala #31, Arwen Lynch, August 2012

Seek joy,y’all. Pass it on.