Those of who have been following me, know by now, I like to explore who I am & I like to be creative in one form or another. As I'm expressing creativity I'm experimenting with all things; painting, drawing, jewelry, writing, etc. The more I have continued to learn about myself and how and why I am who I am + the combination of exploring creatively, I've really grown a life changing understanding of myself.
My mind is chaotic, wild, it' doesn't stay in lines, or even know how to have them. It's random, it thinks of something different every minute of the day. It's loud, colorful, visual, & evolving. I used to want to paint like I was an organized thinker. I'm not. Once I started understanding, "why do I have such a hard time being organized", or "working in a normal every day is the same thing job doesn't work", or "some days I want to write, some days I want to draw, some days paint, some clean; but if I don't want to do one of those things a day and I try it doesn't work." My mind doesn't work with always doing the same thing, it's pulled by what energy I have that day. My mind doesn't actually run the show here, my heart does.
Realizing this was as hard to wrap my head around as it is to write about. However, knowing that when I'm feeling like I want to paint and learning to paint how my brain works, I believe I have found my place. The more I find my place the more the creative outlets start to find there place too.
So today, after a small painting hiatus (between remodeling our room, Steve's birthday, the slight obsession with mala making, etc) I painted the 4 happiest, feel good, powerful energy, favorite paintings I've ever painted. It was like my brain & heart were showing up on the canvas, once I stopped putting myself in lines.
Wanted to share & encourage y'all to keep exploring yourself and you never know what you'll discover.
As y'all have seen me blow up social media recently, I have become slightly intoxicated (sounds better than obsessed right :)) with making mala necklaces. They have special meaning aside from the initial meaning behind a mala and I wanted to share it with y'all.
For those who aren't familiar with the story behind the mala. These beads are used in many spiritual practices to help with prayer or meditation. There are 108 beads that help you count while you are either repeating a mantra, a chant, or a prayer. I find malas very helpful to use while I meditate, to help me focus and stay in the moment, then I find wearing that mala through the day to be a reminder to breathe and remain present and positive. Often when I'm wearing a mala if I find myself stressed out, I instantly begin to count the beads which instantly grounds me and helps me shake off whatever stress was creeping in.
Now obviously depending on the religion there are different meanings behind the beads or seeds used. I have enjoyed learning about what particular value each different seed, rock, gem have to them and learning about there elements. It's been a nice way for me to go deeper with my meditation as I learn but also making the necklaces themselves make me happy. Often Steve wants me to sit with him and the malas are a great way for me to be able to be present with him but also be creating. I am a very stir crazy personality so these ground me.
My Hope Malas are all made with love and different intentions. I want them to be able to be used by anyone no matter what your religious or spiritual beliefs to help you have the best most peaceful life possible. If you wear them because you think they are pretty & they make you feel good then great! If you want them to help with a meditation or a chant or a prayer great! I always encourage people to do what is right for them and what feels right for them, and my malas are no different.
So as of now 2 stores are selling them & I have some on Etsy. I don't like the feel of Etsy so I am currently working on a website, but if you want a mala email hope.ann.cross@gmail.com or message me. :) I can either create you something that I'm feeling that day, a certain color for you, or even use certain seeds or beads depending on what you feel you need.
Thank y'all for constantly surrounding me with so much love & acceptance. <3
