I WANT MORE.

Every time I see this commercial I cry.

It doesn't matter if I'm in the middle of the happiest moment of the day.  If this little girl starts talking I sit and watch and cry.

"We want more, we want more..."

I cannot express it any better than she does.  With such earnest desire and WANTING.

I know what it's like to want more.  Every day and in every way I want so much more than I have right now.

Don't get it twisted, I appreciate all that I have.

But this blog is about wanting more.  So here are my two brief lists.

Personal Wants: I want people to be nicer to me.  I want my books to sell.  I want to be less afraid.  I want to be able to do more with less.  I want my family and friends to be protected and safe.

Business Wants: I want my clients to have successful businesses.  I want to affect people in a positive way with the messages I display to the world on social media sites.  I want people to feel empowered, heard, loved and respected.  I want them to not feel alone or marginalized in this sometimes harsh world.  Yes, I believe my work can touch people in that way.

There is nothing wrong with wanting more.  Sometimes I (and I know you) feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything you want to do. Personally, business-wise and just in general.

That's where I come in.  Creatively Yours (ARC) is more than ready to help you do more and I guarantee my prices are not only competitive, but you are getting every thing you need every day. 

Contact me today and let's talk about MORE.

Email:  cre8vlyyours@aol.com

Twitter:  @cre8vlyyours

Facebook:  facebook.com/CreativelyYoursARC

Silent Thunder

When I am silent,
I have thunder hidden inside.  ~ Rumi

Harrisburg Sunrise April 2013

Silence can say more than words ever can.

The sunrise...as beautifully majestic as it is....is completely silent.  The sun does not trumpet it's rising in the early sky...it just rises silently and slowly, spreading colors and beauty all around.

Harrisburg State St. Bridge statues 2013

Statues tall and regal, never make a sound.  Yet they impress you with their magnificence and stature.  Silent power.

ARC's Tree #13...2009

A tree grows, lives and thrives without a single sound.

There have been many times in my life when I was silent rather than vocal about things that meant a lot to me.  Pain is hard to voice sometimes and I was too hurt to formulate words. Silence was power.

Yet there is that thunder inside as well.  Thunder that rolls and breaks and shakes.  Thunder that will rip hearts and tear out souls.  I can be the meanest bitch around and I reserve her for those that go out of their way to be mean to me.

Silent thunder.  So powerful when seen and felt.  So humbling when it roars inside your own soul.

Creativity is like that silence and thunder.  The shyest among us (singer Lizz Wright for example) can sing like Jesus himself touched her vocal chords.  Yet you see her in interviews and you can tell that it is hard for her to express herself in words.  So you must listen, intently, when she sings.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf0PXUD-9pg)

Lizz Wright

Miles Davis was notorious for coming onto a stage, not liking the vibe and walking off after one song.  He was a complicated soul and the true definition of Silent Thunder.

Miles says "shhhhh"

I encourage you to allow me to pull the Thunder out of you while respecting your silence.  If there is something creative you want to do and you need help feel free to send me an email.  Let's work together to bring the Silent/Thunder forth.

~Creatively Yours (ARC)

Harrisburg, PA 2013

Email:  cre8vlyyours@aol.com

Twitter: @cre8vlyyours

Facebook: facebook.com/CreativelyYoursARC

Pinterest: CreativelyYoursARC

The God-Children

I've discussed My Nyklas, My Rays and now...

My God-Children.

Corey

A sophomore in college now, I met Corey when he was around 8 years old.  He did an Irish jig for me (that he made up) and I fell in love with him instantly.  He is funny, sensitive, smart, compassionate and has the most incredible green thumb I have ever seen.  When he asks me how I'm doing he really listens for the answer and I appreciate and love him more than he will ever know.

Corey being his "fun" self :)

Colton

Colton turned 7 a few days ago.  Tiny.  That’s how I remember him all those years ago.  Tiny with red hair.  I held him in my arms, kissed his forehead and told him “we are so happy that you are here.”

My first "assigned" God-Child.

The first baby entrusted to my loving care, “symbolically” that if anything happened to his parents I would be responsible for his spiritual upbringing.

I was overwhelmed with emotion as I sat in the hospital room that day.  He slept peacefully against my shoulder and I was comforted by his new presence.

So it's been 7 years of very interesting and dynamic events with Colton.  He is very head-strong (but not bratty), yet super shy around strangers.  He loves planes, trains and anything that needs to be put together (puzzles, legos etc.)  He is smart as a whip and plays baseball.  That guy is going to be amazing.

Happy Birthday Colton!

I am proud to say that when we had lunch 2 weeks ago he came and gave me a huge hug. That may not seem significant but he is hot/cold with me a lot of the time and I never know what to expect.  This particular day he ran towards me with open arms and hugged me tight, screaming my name in the process.  I felt so validated in that moment that this little person knows and loves me.

Colton is funny, kind, a great big-brother to his sisters and adores his older brother.  He is considerate, loving and just a great kid. A big Thank You to Colton’s parents for trusting me to be a part of his life.  I will not disappoint you or him.

Caitlyn

Caity is my little princess who takes no prisoners.  Caity lives up to the "red hair temperament" stories.  She’s very vocal with what she likes and doesn’t like and can easily tell you all about her last trip to Disney.  She stays awake on long car rides and has the face of an angel.

Caity has another side where she is silent and simply watching the scene.  Whether happy or angry she is always very observant.  Many times I am unsure how to engage her, so I just watch her as well.  We sit and stare at each other until one finally breaks and speaks.  It’s fun.

Miss Thing can also tear up “Just Dance” with her brother.  They have notorious dance battles and have no qualms about dancing for the camera.  Precious!

Caitlyn and Christina...Disney Princesses!

Christina

"I can do it by myself!!!"

Happy girl who dances, sings and just wants hugs and kisses.  Christina speaks clearly and knows what she wants.  Over lunch we discussed the goodness of chips and salsa only the way a 3 year old can.  Christina is independent and likes to do things on her own.  She is beautiful and full of light.  

God-mommy Andrea Loves All 4 of You.

What can we learn from children?  What can we NOT learn?  Children are so innocent, perfect, and open.  It's a blessing always to be a part of so many young lives.  

~Creatively Yours (ARC)

She Tries To Do It All

The name on the "virtual door" is Creatively Yours (ARC).

Yes, I try my hand at a little of everything that has creative roots.  I used to sing.  I sometimes write poetry.  I dance like crazy in the club and a long time ago I took a ballet class.

I take photos.  I draw.

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf that says you can only be good at one thing?  A long time ago a wonderful artist told me that the only way she learned to draw/paint was to practice every day.

I took a few classes from her and she taught me how to really look at a tree.  I practiced.  I'm not the best, but I love my own work.

Do you love your own work? Are you afraid to try something new for fear that it won't be perfect?  What's stopping you from throwing that clay, picking up that camera or putting that first brush stroke on the canvas?  Just do it.

The picture above is a tree that I studied for 3 years behind my house.   It was "dead" to normal eyes but to me "she" was beautiful.  I drew so many variations of that tree that someone asked me if I was obsessed with it.  I admitted that I was.  They tore the tree down when the house was renovated, but it sticks in my memory and I have it drawn in 20 different ways.

She tries to do it all. She does it all.  Will you try? If so, let me help.

~Creatively Yours

(cre8vlyyours@aol.com)

Inspired by Children...The Rays

More Child-Inspirations: The RAYS...

Rayel

Rayel is 12 today.  Time sure does fly from when she was this...

to this...

Rayel is active in cheerleading, has lots of friends and does very well in school.  She's funny, imaginative and clever.  She likes to talk (a lot) and crack jokes.  She's an awesome big sister to her sibs and I have enjoyed watching her blossom into a beautiful young lady.  Happy Birthday RayMay!

Raytel (Jr.)

Raytel has a huge heart, hates to lose and is one of the most affectionate little boys I know.  He is always willing to submit to hugs and kisses and tells funny stories when he thinks no one is listening.  He is a beast on the football field and aspires to play professionally one day.  Go Raytel...Go!

Rayauna

The Princess and self-taught ballerina who argues when she can't wear a dress to school every day.   "Auni" is a force to be reckoned with and she is no joke!  After scolding her for putting grimy hands on my shirt, she came back 5 minutes later and said "I washed my hands, can I touch you now?" with the precocious sassy-ness that only she can deliver with a straight face.  She is full of light, smiles, love and giggles. 

The Rays taught me that love knows no distance or time.  If they loved you once they will always love you no matter what the circumstances.  They are happy children that continue to amaze me with their wit and charm. I'm blessed to have them call me Auntie. Love abounds, always!

~Creatively Yours (ARC)

A Perfect Day...

A Perfect Day in the Life of Creatively Yours (ARC)

Started the day with a somewhat impromptu early workout (there at  5am since I couldn't sleep anyway.)  Got a chance to catch up with an old friend. Always good.

Wrote 3 blogs, hosted/adjusted 4 Twitter accounts, 4 FB accounts, 2 Pinterest pages.  Worked on some of my short stories for my soon to be released collection. The creative grind.     :)

At 3pm I was spazzing and geeking waiting for Ms. Toni Morrison to do her first Live Google+ Hangout and digital book signing.  It was only 30 minutes long but it WELL WORTH THE SPAZ!  She is mystical, magical, practical and soft spoken.  I was moved to tears by some of the wisdom she shared.  My favorite:

"Say more with less."   Perfection!

Dropped off precious cargo for a friend, dropped off other items for business.  Ran into two very handsome gentlemen that made my day in very different ways through very different (BRIEF) conversations. Thank you gentlemen. *blushing*

Picked up my Uncle and did the Bible Study thing...Nehemiah is no joke...

Came home and spent some time with my biz partner/roomie.  Got a GREAT email from a bookstore that will carry our authors as well as let us host 2 book-signings there in April (thank you for the lead Leigh W.).  The spazzing for joy began all over again.

As Ice Cube the rapper/poet would say "Today was a good day!"

Always,

~Creatively Yours