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Warm Messages from the Chill

All Occasion Card by Stephanie Bird

This morning I heard we had snow in 48 states. Snow on the ground - 48 states? Amazing. No need to go into it too far. It's cold. The plains states, super cold. What to do? What to do?
Collage on Paper - Stephanie Bird



Snow and cold are daunting. There's shoveling to do and many other practicalities to tend to. It could seem as though many activities are halted. Replaced with dull or exhausting tasks, like clearing paths. I'm not discounting the necessity of clear paths, just suggesting snow may open paths once dormant in several ways.

We have the opportunity to travel to so many different places, through the arts. My way has recently been through renewing my studio activities, picking up my brushes, canvases and paints. I've also picked up my novel manuscript. Day by day I'm breathing new life into it. I knew those CPR lessons would come in handy some day! I've taken flight from what is dismal situation outdoors and headed inward into the realm of imagination.

Music has been a great facilitator.  Before heading off to dreamland, I enjoy listening to nature sounds. Sounds--particularly those at the beach, reminding me of the warmer days to come, thaw my imagination. From there ideas flow. 

I have an assortment of sounds spliced with music for bedtime listening. Now, I'm using this vehicle well while writing. It stays in the background just enough not to get in the way, yet it offers gentle support. There are hundreds if not thousands of such albums. Here's one you might enjoy listening to this morning as you embark on a new day. particularly my compadres who also work from home: Paul Addams - of Peace and Compassion 


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  1. Chrys FeyFebruary 25, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    I love listening to music for inspiration, but I don't listen to anything before bed. I should try some soothing sounds like the beach. Maybe that'll help me fall asleep fast.

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  2. Stephanie BirdFebruary 26, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    Chrys, I was the same way as you. I don't like any electronics in the bedroom at all. My husband thought the music was a good idea. So we play the music and/or nature sounds on my laptop near enough to the bedroom to hear. There is an entire genre of music dedicated to healing and meditation, which includes insomnia. I learned of this through an art therapy type of art class I took called Art for the Soul. Try looking for some renditions of this music on Pandora or YouTube. It's helpful.

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