Today's Lesson From A Long Way Away From The Craft Room: Appreciate The Art Around You

Not having the craft room while I'm on the road can be a bit challenging for me. At the same time, it gives me time to get inspired by the art that surrounds me. On my walk yesterday, these flowers literally stunned me with their beauty. The more I look at the flowers, the more colors I see in them. Of course I can't wait to get back to the craft room to make a card inspired by these colors. In the meantime, I will appreciate them and their incredible beauty. What art do you see around you? It's a question that will create a pause in your day and a peaceful moment of reflection...something we can all use :)

Today's Lesson From Quite Far From The Craft Room (somewhere in the Netherlands, 2 trains and a taxi away from Amsterdam): Let The Road Unfold In Front Of You

As I began my trip today...I mean last night (my clock is already confused :), I realized that I have a tendency to keep thinking about the day I will return home. I think ahead when I'm on the plane to what it will be like when I get off the plane (and sometimes that makes me quite nervous). I worry whether I will find my way to the train; whether I will find my colleague at the train station...trying to anticipate what might happen - what will happen. I went for a walk on the grounds of the conference center where I am staying (somewhere 2 train rides and a cab ride away from Amsterdam) and this photo (and the experience of the walk) remind me to let the road unfold in front of me. To just let it happen as it will. To live in the moment I am in. I will continue to try...this is a lesson I need to learn.

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: When Life Gives You Lemonade, Don't Make Sour Lemons

Yes, strange lesson, I know. It seems we usually hear the reverse - when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. However, I find myself needing the reverse advice. I find myself getting into very depressed moods when it comes time to travel. And today, as I prepare to embark on a 2-week work trip, I am trying my best to keep upbeat and positive about the experience and not turn it into sour lemons. The thoughts of leaving home, leaving my family, leaving the garden and craft room behind all seem to pull at my heart strings. And yet, I need to remember, that what I am about to experience is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and for this I need to be grateful and excited! Where am I headed? I leave tonight for Amsterdam and will take a train to a smaller town in the Netherlands to work for a few days. Then, I will leave Amsterdam and travel to Beijing to work for another few day (although I will have the entire weekend to do some exploring) and then I will head to Osaka and Kobe, Japan - also to work and then end the trip in Osaka with a family that my family knows there. They have invited me to stay with them for the weekend and the notebooks above are the gifts I will be bringing with me to give to them.

So, I will focus on the lemonade that life has given me and will do my best to not let my feelings of sadness cloud the amazing opportunity that this trip represents. An opportunity to discover new places, meet new people and literally travel around the world. I will do my best to keep my blog running during this time - most likely with photos of art, craft and sites from where I find myself. And I will look forward to my return to the craft room! Happy Memorial Day Weekend! May we all recognize how blessed we truly are.