Our story's ....

 Good Morning all, sorry it's been a while since my last blog, I've been busy spending time with my nieces to pieces and munchkin of a nephew who I adore.

This morning I find myself sitting at the hustling bustling local coffee club here in Redcliffe, Brisbane, watching the throng of morning customers as they come and go in little groups.

So many families and friends catching up, chatting happily between bites and sips of their chosen beverage, I so love people watching, there's the young family beside me trying to teach their very independent little toddler how to cut his own toast (oh the frustration on his chubby cheeked little face).

The three young fashionistas giggling and discussing relationships and clothes while playing with their hair, on the cusp of trying to be women but still showing the unconscious traits of their innocence and youth. The couples that sit in companionable silence with out the slightest hint of tension or discomfort, expressing so much simply through looks nods and silent gestures that mean so much to them but are indecipherable to outsiders. The retirees sitting in small groups of couples with so much wisdom etched on their collective faces, hinting at vibrant well lived lives, such comfort and companionship amongst them it almost feels like another form of family. The post exercise collective, or possibly just trendy labeled sports fashion addicts, Lorna Jane seems to be the label de jour with an assortment of brightly coloured Nike free sneakers, gossiping and whispering in secret knowing (are they discussing the literary qualities of 50 shades of Grey). ;)

It's all here a rich tapestry of unique and wonderful individuals from all walks of life and varying life experiencs coming together over the traditional ritualistic morning gathering of food and beverage known as breakfast, or brunch for those recovering from a languorous late morning lie in, quite possibly having followed through from a Dionysian or debaucherous night on the town. Those are easy to identify as they sport large dark glasses and a hat of some sort to hold their disheveled tresses at bay.

So much energy and inspiration abounds if we but only slow ourselves to take it all in, to let our minds slow and imagination take over begging you to wonder ...where did that group go last night that they look so worn but happy this morning, were they out dancing, at a fancy dress birthday party , a concert , were they at the local pub engaging in a trivia competition and regained their lead in the local championship ? So many possibilities.

Life for each of us is the same in that we too can write and rewrite the stories of our lives, we can include romance, adventure, whimsy, daring and intrigue. It's up to us as to how our life reads and how interesting we make it, what adventures we go on what moments of stillness and reflection we take. What does your story say about you so far, if it was a book would you want to keep reading ? What changes to the script or storyline would you make ? If you had to narrow the cast down who would you keep in your story and who would you creatively retire ? Who would you cast in the lead roles beside you and do they serve to enhance your story or weigh it down ? What message would you like your story to tell, is it a story of perseverance and success, of struggle and lonleliness, is it a daring adventure, are you the hero of your own story or are you under the control of some malevolent villain, rogue or scoundrel ?

It's is never ever too late to re write your next chapter or to change the scenery or cast of characters, that's the great thing about life we can create as we go, we wake up each day with a fresh canvas, a blank pad, an empty screen upon which to craft and construct our new experiences.

I hope that whatever your story has been or currently is that the main theme running throughout from now on is one of abundant happiness. One in which you realize your own inner goddess or god, your strength and beauty, your abilities and passions and where you live happily ever after.

Much love and creative juiciness as always,

Gypsy Mel













 

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Creativity we all have it.

Creativity is like looking through an old fashioned Kaleidoscope... Through it you see the same elements as everyone else but your own unique inventive and intuitive sense of self rearranges those particles and elements into a personal manifestation of endless creative possibilities.

"If you work with your hands andyour mind you're a craftsman,
If you work with your hands your mind and your heart your an artist."
Saint Francis of Assisi

I love that quote.. There really can be no wrong in art if you pour your heart might mind and soul into it.
It may not please everyone's taste but that doesn't make it or you wrong.
The world needs more creative people thinking freely and openly, solving problems in ways yet unimagined and living fearlessly.. Explorers if you will.
Everyone is creative, everyone has talent and ability.
Whether you are an artist, a musician, a scientist, a doctor, a writer, an inventor, a parent, a poet doesn't matter .... I guarantee you at some stage you've been creative, you've problem solved and come up with some far out or unique idea to improve a situation in your life, get out of trouble or had wild dreams of what you'd do if you ran the country, state, world. :)

The trouble is we grow up and stop recognizing or acknowledging our creative thoughts.
We try to fit in to avoid possible judgement, conflict and ridicule.
What would happen if you decided today to start acknowledging your clever unique self just as you are, if you decided to start listening to and pursuing some of those wild outlandish ideas you've been harboring and reflecting on in those quiet moments.. What if you decided today you were going to try your hand at something new, something scary, something you've always wanted to try or learn or do ... Go on .. Permission granted!
Live the life of your dreams (so long as those dreams don't harm anyone of course).

THE CAVE YOU FEAR TO ENTER HOLDS THE TREASURE YOU SEEK.

Don't wait till someday, someday comes too late.
Here's a secret .. There is no perfect time, there will always be obstacles, challenges and hiccups to overcome but you can do it... I always wanted someone to truly believe in me .. A parent to give me permission, to show me unconditional love and support.. Instead I grew up as what I term a pass the parcel child .. Nobody's true responsibility just a commodity passed from home to home with no stability and lots of well let's call them " challenges " that nobody should have to experience.
Even living in a lifeline bin, ( charity drop off bin for those who don't know ) at one stage, my life was certainly colorful but Jeez did I grow up fast and learn to rely on myself and discover strengths I probably wouldn't have if I'd had a loving family.
I've come to realize nobody is going to do those things for me.
I have to give myself permission, I have to believe in myself unconditionally, I have to be my biggest supporter.
I see so many people struggling with inner turmoil and doubt and I'd love to be the one to hold up the mirror to their beautiful uniqueness, their talents and amazing qualities.

I believe we all have to power and ability to shine and live passionate and creative lives.

What makes you doubt ?
What holds you back ?
What is your fear ?

What would help you overcome those limitations and are they mostly self imposed ?

If you don't believe in you right now that's ok because I do ... I'm sure many others do to.. Grant yourself permission or accept mine :)
Do something every week that challenges you or scares you ..something that leads you to grow and bloom into that amazing unique and wonderful person you are ( but hide or can't yet see )

We are all creative artist beings ..
I draw, sketch, paint,sculpt and do lots of arty expressive things because that's what makes me come alive.
Numbers or anything mathematical .. Eeeeek nope not my calling, but I have great admiration for those that can solve problems and equations and help me convert currency while traveling ;)

What is it that makes you come alive ?
What are your special talents and qualities ?

Write them down and look at them regularly ... There is no one out there like you, there are similarities but you are unique.
Embrace those amazing abilities and qualities and start taking steps toward living the abundantly happy creative and passionate life you are here for.

Feel free to share if you'd like and if ever you need a smile or friendly support or encouragement please feel free to talk to me on Pinterest Gypsy Mel or on Facebook.

Till next time take care and live Juicy.

For those following my 3months without sugar, I'm currently 5 days in and have had a few headaches on day 3 and cravings like mad on day 4 after some stressful news but I've stuck to my guns and am powering on :)

Keep you posted

Hugs Gypsy

My 3 Months without sugar .... Day 1 on the path to a cleaner healthier life.

My love hate relationship with sugar is about to brought to its knees as I'm
Starting my 3 months without sugar today.
I had an interesting childhood to say the least and as a part of that legacy I have a sugar attachment that needs to be brought under control.
I was apparently fed cream buns and jelly beans for most of my first two years on this earth, so much so that the lady that raised me from age two onwards had huge problems weaning me off it over the next few years as apparently it was the only thing that stopped me from crying or that I would eat.
I'm an emotional eater so when stressed or depressed I reach for my comfort food chocolate, ( ditched the lolly's for chocolate in my mid 20's).
Makes sense when I look back at it as I was seeking love in a troubled relationship at the time and they say it is a love substitute because eating chocolate makes you happy,it contains phenylephylamine - the same hormone the brain triggers when you fall in love.
No wonder we girls get addicted to the stuff.

Now don't get me wrong I don't smoke,I very rarely drink, ( a few times a year at most and even then I'm a cadburys girl, eg glass and a half and I'm giggly ), I'm quite healthy in my eating.. No chips or junk food other than the not quite occasional enough stress chocolates.
Ok there have been occasional KFC munchies but that's it. I'm just not a savory junk food /fast food girl.
I'm just very aware that the sugar I do consume is not good for me, a slow toxic poison that I really don't need in my life and that I don't think I really have under control.
So having watched a program on the longterm toxic nature and addictiveness of sugar on 60 mins here in Australia featuring renowned Australian TV and Magazine journalist Sarah Wilson and listening to her experience of quitting sugar and the subsequent book she wrote about it -
I QUIT SUGAR &
I QUIT SUGAR COOKBOOK both by Sarah Wilson.
I decided to try it myself that means no chocolates, no maple syrup on my cereal in the morning and no mochas in fact no coffee either ( herbal tea, water, milk and protein shakes from here on in ).
Most of all No packaged foods !
Just healthy fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish with the odd steak for a treat.
There is so much hidden sugar in all our pre packaged foods that we don't even realize its there.
Here are just some of the names used for sugar added to processed and packaged foods:

Agave nectar
Barbados Sugar
Barley malt
Beet sugar
Blackstrap molasses
Brown sugar
Buttered syrup
Cane crystals
Cane juice crystals
Cane sugar
Caramel
Carob syrup
Castor sugar
Confectioner’s sugar
Corn syrup
Corn sweetener
Corn syrup solids
Crystalline fructose
Date sugar
Demerara Sugar
Dextrin
Dextran
Dextrose
Diastatic malt
Diatase
D-mannose
Evaporated cane juice
Ethyl maltol
Florida Chrystals
Free Flowing
Fructose
Fruit juice
Fruit juice concentrate
Galactose
Glucose Glucose solids
Golden sugar
Golden syrup
Granulated sugar
Grape sugar
Grape juice concentrate
HFCS
High-fructose corn Syrup
Honey
Icing sugar
Invert sugar
Lactose
Malt syrup
Maltodextrin
Maltose
Mannitol
Maple syrup
Molasses
Muscovado sugar
Organic raw sugar
Panocha
Powdered sugar
Raw sugar
Refiner’s syrup
Rice Syrup
Sorbitol
Sorghum syrup
Sucrose
Sugar
Syrup Syrup
Table sugar
Treacle
Turbinado sugar
Yellow sugar

Then there are the artificial substitutes:

Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal)
Saccharin (Sweet'N Low, SugarTwin)
Acesulfame K (Sunett, Sweet One)
Sucralose (Splenda)

That's just an example of how we can unconsciously consume extra sugar in our diets without really knowing.

So what's my goal you may ask ?
Well first of all I'd like to see if I can and to see what if any effects I experience from cleaning up my nutrition and removing sugar from my life... A tricky breakup if ever there was one.. No comfort chocolate or Tim Tams Eeeeekkkk.
Being a very headstrong woman I know I will take up the challenge with gusto but what will I experience ?

Will there be weight loss ? (Few pesky last kilos we never seem to lose.)
Will I suffer withdrawals ?
Will my skin improve as suggested?
Will I feel more energetic and lighter in mood as has been another suggestion?
I think there can only be improvement by removing sugar from my diet even if temporarily (3 months).

I look forward to sharing my experiences as I progress through this sugarless journey and hmmm how will it effect my art ?
Can I sit at my favourite local coffee club and ignore all the tempting sweets , cakes and cookies oh my goodness I just remembered the cookies ... Noooooo hmm not to late to back out is it .. Ok no I'm strong I can have arty cafe time with herbal tea and and and well um ... Toast ? Eeeep this may be a bit of a struggle in the first few weeks as I adjust my habits but well worth it I'm sure.

If I start posting photos of ladies with lollipops in my paintings, sketches or photographs you'll know I'm struggling lol...
If anyone would like to join me on my sugarless journey please feel free to write to me and share your experiences I'd love company on this little test of wills. ;)

Wish me luck, much love and healthiness in life love and art
Gypsy Mel xo
















Also worth a look;
SWEET POISON,
WHY SUGAR MAKES US FAT &
THE SWEET POISON QUIT PLAN
All by David Gillespie

Sometimes I wonder

Sometimes I wonder do I have anything of importance to say, to share with the world in this online land. My friends think I do and are supportive and encouraging of me finding my voice on here,one dear and very sweet special friend recently accepted my unusual request to write on my toilet wall ...(yes I sketch on my wall and write quotes and musings on life)...well he took up the challenge and left me a wonderful message,he wrote "you are the bringer of joy", how beautiful is that. If I haven't said it before yes I am a little "Quirky & Unique",I think I always have been but have found it hard to let myself shine in my own special way, allowing other opinions and judgements to alter the way I express myself in public. Living down doesn't benefit anyone,least of all you but it also has a flow on effect on those around you...when you shine and stand up tall and true being the beautiful unique you,you unconsciously give permission to others to also stand up and shine. I want to live up to that title..."Bringer of Joy, seeker of light'n love". I want to trust and help others to trust in their own unique inner Wisdom and Intuition. I want to be and help others to be, the best versions of themselves they always dreamed of as children,teens,midlife mothers~fathers and others. When we thought anything was possible and life was there within our grasp to mould how we wanted. Oh where have those passions and bold dreams gone ? How I would love to be the sort of brave strong woman who could help others find their way again, rediscovering old passions and dreams left lying upon the someday~Maybe~I'll get round to it shelves we all have in our minds and our homes. To be someone people could look up to and who made a positive impact on others lives, Ive not ever really had the confidence to be that woman, I long for her and her carefee attitude complete with disney princess wardrobe and love life :) or rather more of a Nora Ephron strong female lead ;)...oh if life were so simple. Hey it was worth a try right ? giggle How serendipitous to recieve a message on Viber from my great mate Damo,"your blog is going to be wonderful n things n stuff because you are amazingly talented and passionate about art, creativity and helping others to find their creativity and overcome the challenges of life. " Thanks Damien just what I needed to brighten my day. Well time to leave you out there in this blogosphere again but let me leave you with some thoughts to Ponder,Journal or to create on ........ *Make a beautiful Mess... *Listen to your heart... *Dare to be different.... *Escape reality... *Create the world you want to see... Until next time much Love and Juicy wild creative living XX Gypsy

My First Blog and Favourite artists to follow so far...

Well where does one start when beginning a new blog ? I'm rather new to this idea and though i consider myself to be kinda nerdy I'm still not up to date with the mulitiude of possibilities when it comes to blogs,fonts,adding photos etc esp as I'm still learning me new baby (Iliza IPad). So please bear with me in these first few months. :) I hope to be taking an online course from fabulous UK Blogger/author/online teacher and all round great gal and muse SUSANNAH CONWAY (susannnahconwway.com). Starting with her classes "Blogging from the heart"and "Photo Meditation's then I hoope to go onto her course "Unravelling- the E course". So stay tuned to see how I go and what wonderful new tips and tricks I leasrn from her. It must be a season of learning for me as I will also be signing up with the brilliant and effervescent JANE DAVENPORT from beautiful Byron Bay, here in Australia. Jane is one of my all time favourite artists and teaches her style of illustration and journallngg in such a fun and easy to follow way, helping you discover your own inner artist and muse. ( www.janedavenport.com ) Jane is an award winning international artist and photographer,(her macro insects and still life shots are uber incredible),her jaunty elegant and sometimes quirky girls all have such individual personalities and emotions coming through. First up im joining her "Draw Happy" happy revolution where as Jane says we will leave the words "I cant draw in the dust". (sounds good to me) And at only $35.00 Australian dollars how can you go wrong. Then onto her famous "supplies me" course where Jane shows us her secret art supply favourites and how best to use them...are you addicted to art supplies but not quite sure what to do with them all...what is Gesso and why do I need it ? and how do i create fabulous mixed media art ? Janes class answers all this and more in a fun online self guided study group on private network with feedback from Jane herself. Well thats all from me for now, I look forward to chatting again soon in the meantime please go have a wander around those two art diva's websites and fall in love with them as I have. Big live juicy hugs, Gyspy Mel xoox