Playing with Fire

When I began writing this blog, I thought it would be about my life as an artist, about lampworking, making beads from glass. Maybe a little bit about the creative process.
After reading through my posts, it suprised me to discover that I have hardly written about beadmaking at all. This has turned into a running commentary of my life, loves, musings, shortcomings, spirituality, politics, and other things in-between.
In consideration of these topics, I can honestly say this blog is aptly named. I guess I really am playing with fire. My opinions are my own, and many might disagree with me. My musings are introspective, my shortcomings are many, my spirituality is hybrid, and my politics lean left. I don't even know if anybody really reads this, but it's OK. The writing is therapeutic, and I feel that some of what I say matters. The more I write, the more authentic I feel. I realize that it's not necessary for everybody to agree on everything, but if a dialogue can begin, maybe I have made a little bit of a difference.
I will continue to play with fire, one way or another. Thanks for reading. Peace.

She's not here yet,

but I feel her peeking around the corner. She seems to be making a tentative entrance, but is not yet willing to commit to coming home. I think that she may have enjoyed her freedom, and is not sure she wants to stick around, but I think she is willing to have a conversation.
That's all I really want, a conversation. To find out what our differences are, to find out if we can compromise, find common ground, agree to disagree about those things which we are unwilling to give up, to start over, make amends, shake hands, give a hug. Maybe we could each introduce our new friends to one another, have coffee, brainstorm, share, laugh and love.
Maybe we could call a truce. It won't be the same as before, but maybe it will be better.
Welcome back my friend, my muse. This artist has missed your input and ideas. She welcomes your creative energy, and promises to honor you as you deserve.

Many Thanks

to Mitzi Miles-Kubota for her post http://mitzimileskubota.blogspot.com/2009/08/grams-lessons-lead-to-this-video.html. It is my inspiration for my blog today. This is the next to the last weekend I will be here in Flagstaff, and I want to really "use it up". I want to hike and bike and go outdoors and enjoy this cooler weather before I head back to the valley. My time here has been wonderful, enchanting, positive, productive, friendly, lively, happy, lonely, full, quiet, loud, and full of lessons-one being frugality but not stinginess.
The difference between the two is this; frugality means to use what you have wisely- namely time, talent, money, love, and when the need to replenish arises, you are willing to add more and use that without hesitation. Being stingy comes from a place of lack, being afraid to use what you have because you think no more is coming.
Everything you do, everything you give is given back to you many times over. What you send out is what is returned, be it positive or negative. You attract what you give, and if something is unsavory, it mirrors something in your own heart which you don't like or need to work on. If you are stingy with your gifts, the lack is reflected back at you and the emptiness remains that way.
On the other hand, that which is freely given always comes back! It might return to you in a different form, but the spirit of the gift remains the same.
Please, practice frugality if you must, but give freely and without reservation. And, give some things to that most important person, yourself.