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itiwjm read-along - chapter 4 tgif
It's almost too good to be true! We're having another TGIF wholeheARTed giveaway! I can't tell you how inspired I am by the artists who are contributing to our movement! It's starting to feel like a little revolution over here! (To read more about the origins of TGIF - click here).
Today, the amazing Mati Rose McDonough is inspiring us with one of her incredible elephants that was created just for the wholeheARTed campaign.
World meet the lovely Mati Rose!
Photo by Thea Coughlin
Mati (pronounced like ahoy matey) is inspired by beauty, truth, lies, urban animals perched up in trees, bits of eavesdropped conversation, young imaginations, faded signs, the ocean, patchwork quilts, ornate iron work, ice cream carts and stories of longing. She admires artists Maira Kalman, Beatriz Milhazes, Margaret Kilgallen, Louise Bourgeois, Kiki Smith, the Clayton Brothers, Japanese pop artists, Sienese Painters, and Mexican Retablo artists.
She has had numerous shows and has published several illustrations and she hopes that this is just the beginning. Along with her clever and talented husband Hugh D’Andrade she makes messes and daily discoveries in her studio behind her home in San Francisco.
You've gotta check out Mati Rose's incredible Suspect Shoppe on Etsy!
I'm so in love with her elephant paintings - I couldn't believe it when she did this for us:
To celebrate TGIF, we're giving away THREE 7X7 signed copies of this amazing print to readers who leave TGIF comments. All you have to do to win is leave a comment telling us:
1. Who/what are you trusting today?
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
I'll randomly choose 3 winners from the comment section on Monday morning! If you're doing TGIF on your blog and you leave us the link, that counts too!
Here's mine:
Today I'm trusting a friend. I'm not good at asking for help and it's something I'm really working on. On Wednesday I allowed myself to be very vulnerable and I asked a good friend for help around a tender issue. It was a transformative experience for me.
I'm grateful for the ITIWJM read-along readers. They are giving me more than I could ever give them. I'm also grateful for Katherine (who did the most recent ITIWJM podcast with me) for many reasons.
I'm inspired by the power of calm . . . how calm can be as contagious as anxiety . . . that calm can be a choice . . . that I'm learning how to find my own and borrow it from others.
Happy TGIF!
Brené Brown
a HUGE thanks to everyone for leaving your TGIF comments! I'm convinced that making time to acknowledge the importance of trust, gratitude, and inspiration is essential to living a joyFULL life.
Congrats to Sylvia from Flow & Joy, Kim M.from Queen of Arts, and Anna Maria from Anna Maria Art! You've won the prints from Mati Rose!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Reader Comments (146)
I am grateful for totally unselfish friends like that!!!
I am inspired by God who works through my friends, the mountains, the quiet, my golden retrievers...
my lovely boyfriend, stephen. i shared a very shaming experience that happened earlier this week with him and he was just perfect. he didn't think i was silly at all and the world didn't come crashing down or anything. in fact sharing what happened with someone felt so great.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
my beautiful friend linds. gosh i just love her. she's so awesome. i'm so grateful we met and make time to talk to each other regularly even though we live miles apart.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
this awesome weather. the coming weekend. the beauty in everyday living.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? A world of possibilities.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? Nature.
1. Who/what are you trusting today?
Today, I'm trusting my instincts and believing in my abilities.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
I'm grateful for having a half day at work today and getting to go watch my daughter receive an award at school. I don't usually get to go to the kids' school functions. I'm ecstatic!
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
My kids. ♥♥♥ And you Brené
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? I am ever so grateful that it is Friday and I can relax this weekend.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? A feeling of freedom, resolve, completion, and accomplishment is inspiring me today!
Today I'm grateful for feeling that trust. I don't always. A whole lot of the time, I just do the one foot in front of other thing.
I am so inspired by poets. I have huge crushes on them. Leonard Cohen. Billy Collins. Love Mary Oliver. Oh so many, but this morning I love this line by Naomi Shihab Nye in The Art of Disappearing: "nod briefly and become a cabbage" (advice to being spotted in a grocery store--haha) -- here's a link to her reading it:
http://babayagasplace.squarespace.com/poetry-for-heart-and-soul/2009/4/12/naomi-shihab-nye-nod-briefly-and-become-a-cabbage.html
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? I am grateful for the end of a busy work week, with the promise of a relaxing weekend. I am also grateful for my children, who have surprised me with their love and compassion and willingness this week.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? I am inspired by my friends in the blogosphere. I am also inspired by colors and textures, and I am getting the urge to create as a result! I am inspired by this read-along, and a few other books and projects I keep picking up as the mood strikes!
I'm trusting myself to finish a long-neglected project.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
Grateful for a husband that gladly plays with his girls so I can work.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
The finish line.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? Today I am grateful for today.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? Today I am inspired by that little elephant - to live whole-heartedly amid a world of colors and senses and textures.
2. I am grateful: For amazing friends and family whose belief in me fuels me to move toward my dreams.
3. I am inspired by: The sun shining and the smell of fresh cut grass.
I am grateful for so many things: my wonderful job and the beautiful people I work with, nature, my family, my home, the Universe conspiring to meet my needs
I am inspired today by life-long learning - I get so much from this read-along and from so many of the wonderful blogs I follow!
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? My husband - our 8th anniversary is tomorrow :)
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? Nicole Johns' book, Purge.
I am grateful for my kids being so loving and understating
When mommy is a having a very stressful day. The "all of a sudden" hugs and kisses really help.
I am inspired by all the creative scrapbookers at creating keepsakes who are so very talented and keeps my scrapbooking sessions so rewarding, relaxing and fun!
I am grateful for the "place" that I'm in...because even though it can be a struggle, it is beautiful...it is my life :)
I am inspired by the people that tell me that they keep checking my blog for updates!! That means that they enjoy reading what I write and it inspires me to write more :) Thank you!
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? I am so grateful to my life coach, Beverly Keaton Smith. (www.embraceyourgifts.com) Man, is she good at her job or what?! She is such an incredible woman. She can objectively see what I’m going through, is helping me make sense of this struggle and put my thoughts/intentions in the right place. And secondly, my fiance. He's one helluva loyal, loving-me-for-me-no-matter-what guy. I couldn't do without either of them!
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? This very wholeHearted movement is inspiring me – all the brave women who are involved. Damn, it’s a beautiful sight.
I am grateful that we are healthy.
My writing partner, D, is inspiring me today. His boundless energy and honesty make me want to strive to create more, and write more.
I am grateful for the relationship I have with my 13-year-old son. Knowing that I am fostering an open line of communication with a teenager is something to be extremely grateful for!
My co-workers are inspiring me. Another week has gone by, and knowing we work as a team to end child abuse is awesome.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? - I am grateful for the chance to reach out and reconnect with good friends on a deeper level, thanks to what I am learning here!
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? - This wholehearted movement! Picture Hope!, and all my awesome co-workers who gave of their time and spirit last weekend to help a neighbor in need as part of Rebuilding Together's National Rebuilding Day!
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? my husband and the support he provides for our household / our family. he works so hard ... I know this, because not only do I see it daily, but I process his BILLINGS each month :-) ... it's a LOT of hours he puts in to take care of "us".
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? to SHAME.LESSly borrow from Anna (above): "This very wholeHearted movement is inspiring me – all the brave women who are involved. Damn, it’s a beautiful sight." doesn't she just say it ALL?! Brene & Katherine, and all who are following this Read-Along -- YOU inspire me. whether you add a comment or not, we all can feel the mass of energy around this work we're doing together.
and Brene - thank you for all the lovely give-aways -- how encouraging & inspiring it is!
1. Who/what are you trusting today?
~~ Today, I'm trusting the universe to take care of me. I'm allowing it to give me an abundance of joy and abundance. I'm accepting all it's gifts.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
~~ Today I'm grateful for moments of solitude, which allow me to think, reflect and simply be. It's liberating.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
~~ Today I am inspired by the instructor of my Just Weights class at the YMCA - she's joyful, strong, encouraging -- and what a body!!! I am reacquainting myself to a me from many years ago who was a gym devotee. i miss her and all the confidence she brought to my life. The instructor today reminded me what I'm sweating for!!!
Smooches to all.
I'm trusting in God and that he will watch over my family while I am away.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
I am grateful for a supportive husband who lets me spend lots of time in my studio
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
My artist friends who are so amazing and encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.
grateful: today i am most grateful for my son who really taught me a great lesson about letting go this morning, and the story of two monks crossing the river. also grateful for finding your site it is both beautiful and inspirational
inspiration: my daughter who is outside drawing pictures of flowers in the cold
I am trusting that my sweet husband will have a safe trip to Europe and Africa. I have faith that God will give us all traveling mercies while we are away from each other.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
I am gratful for the beauty that surrounds me. I am gratful that my sweet angel and I get to spend a whole weekend together doing nothing but finding joy (in bugs, dirt, books, coloring, and whatever he is interested in).
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
I am inspired by my son's laughter.
my instincts
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
my family & my health
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
some antique postcards I found out shopping with friends yesterday
I am grateful for my family; that I have two amazing teenagers and we are all healthy.
I am inspired by Lain Ehmann's LOAD challenge to create something everyday this month. I haven't spent much time creating lately and I miss it.
I am grateful for the love and support of my family and friends
I am inspired by the bright golden sun that is shining today after several days of clouds and gloom.
Grateful that I will be spending time with my granddaughter, Emily, this weekend - working together to create a bird mobile (found on The Crafty Crow blog) for Emily to give to her mother on Mother's Day. Emily fills my heart right up!
Inspired by a little pigeon that keeps on landing on my office window sill (4th floor of our building in the middle of the city of Hartford). He keeps on looking in at me, bobbing and walking along the sill - flies away and returns every 15 minutes or so. This adventure began yesterday. He sure wants in!
today is all about self trust. seeing the brilliant and complex girl inside of me and give her a big ole embrace!
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
I am gratful for the amazingly love art pieces that hang around my room.
the are the most wonderful array of colors and delight! they bring me joy.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
I am inspired by all the people who share their heart and wisdom everyday so selflessly with others. brene you are right in there. thank you for it :)
myself
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
People who are passionate about helping all students, passionate about seeing students succeed and who are passionate about students seeing the world through a new perspective
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
I am inspired by this: Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” There may be lots of ways to San Jose, but there’s only one way to heaven. But the adversary has convinced the majority of the human race that isn’t true.
I am trusting the process. I made an appointment to meet with a therapist on campus. I met with someone in the counseling center at my last school and the experience was terrible :( I'm trusting that either I'll get something great out of this new experience, or I'll get better at asking for what I need.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
I'm grateful that the lessons I've learned can help others. I taught my 19-year-old friend how to grocery shop in a thrifty, healthy way and we had a blast!
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
All of this art is *incredibly* inspiring. The amount of creative energy is invigorating!
1. Who/what are you trusting today? my little group of friends. this week was a really hard one emotionally. i felt like all of a sudden all the ordinary things were too much and that is was time to quit everything and sail away to another country. or something. i struggle to tell my friends these things b/c i don't want to be the person who is The Complainer, the one who is constantly unsatisfied with her life. anyway. on wednesday, i shared my struggle with my small group and they prayed for me. one of the phrases prayed was 'she's afraid that she's becoming someone she doesn't want to be' and i wanted to jump up and say, "YES! That's it!" anyway, that moment of sharing unearthed something for me. it didn't erase the struggle but it was like it was propped up somehow and made bearable.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? i am so grateful for a picture my sister sent me of my 3 year old niece dancing in a tutu in her backyard. her eyes are closed, arms outstretched to the sky, and my sister said her daughter was singing at the top of her lungs. this makes me so incredibly happy.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? stumbling upon this site through the link on andrea schurr's blog...this whole concept of a new, more refreshing take on TGIF (rather than the normal grumbling one, haha) makes me want to go make something that says TGIF on it. :)
I am thankful for my loving husband of 12 years, he has kept our family together through tough times and can always put a smile on my face!
I am inspired by so many of the talented artists that are part of the blogging community, they have inspired me to get back to my artistic roots and have brought back the certain special joy that creativity gives me.
thank you so much for the opportunity to maybe win such a beautiful print. I have the perfect spot in the new house that we will be moving into soon!
2. I am grateful to have good friends and family who are behind me 100%, no matter what.
3. I am inspired by the beautiful day we are having, after many days of rain.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? I am grateful that I do have a job and I am healthy and that I have a fantastic family and wonderful friends.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? So many sources around me, my children, my friends, my family. Just need to let go of my fear.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? THAT MY CHILDREN ARE BLESSED TO GO TO A SCHOOL THAT HIGHLY VALUES THE ARTS
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? THE MAY DAY MAYPOLE DANCE / CELEBRATION THAT THE GIRLS PERFORMED THIS MORNING, THE MAY DAY TRADITION OF LEAVING FLOWERS ON DOORSTEPS (WE DIDN'T DO THAT, BUT WE DID PASS THEM OUT TO THE TEACHERS AT THE GIRL'S SCHOOL) & THE ONE-STROKE PAINTING CLASS THAT I STARTED THIS AFTERNOON. tODAY HAS BEEN AWESOMELY INSPIRING!
2. Today I am grateful for Tazo Passion Shaken Iced Tea at Starbucks....sleepover night with my stepdaughter....and a playdate for CREATING with my friend Aimee tonight!
3. Today I am inspired by good music on my iPod, the pink petals that are falling from the trees like Barbie confetti and the eye-candy that awaits me at the Creative Inkling shop tonight!
(Oh and I so want one of these ELEPHANT PAINTINGS! LOVE these!)
i'm grateful... for friends who are real & who hear me when i share how i TRULY feel...
i'm inspired... by patti griffin -- her music warms my heart & gives me no choice but to sing along at the top of my lungs. :)
http://www.thewholejenny.com/2009/05/tgi-fridays.html
I am trusting in myself to make good decisions
I am grateful for the freedom I have.
I am inspired by my favorite srtists, and by my Mother
Good luck to all that enter!! Hugs,
Sue K
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."--Corrie Ten Boom
I'm grateful for naptime (my own and the children's).
I'm inspired by my friend and fellow mom's blog posts about life with toddlers. She's got me writing again.
2. I'm grateful for my precious granddaughter.
3. Not much is inspiring me today! Ha!
2. Who/what are you grateful for today? I'm so grateful to have my parents and brother in town for the weekend.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today? Bakerella blog. The AMAZING things she does with cupcakes is oh, so inspiring!
Grateful for the weekend. This has seriously been the longest week of my life!
Inspired by a wonderful group of women I met at my first Alanon meeting today.
Have a beautiful weekend!
I am trusting myself today. My pa is very ill and has limited time left on this earth. I am trusting that I will be ok in the end.
2. Who/what are you grateful for today?
I am grateful for my parents whose endless support and constant love has enveloped me in this crazy world.
3. Who/ what is inspiring you today?
Inspiration is everywhere! But mostly it comes from inside of me. I don't know how to explain it. Just a constant need to create. I am grateful for that as well!!
I'm grateful for May Day and all the people who have committed themselves throughout history, and today, so that workers will be treated fairly.
What's inspiring me today is spring in the air!
I am grateful that I have a job that also give me time for other pursuits. Grateful that time is opening up for my personal writing and this work.
I am inspired by my New Moon Circle ceremony earlier this week. Our fire ceremony helped me identify what I need to let go of to make space for new things. And the space is opening up!
Brene I was also very inspired by the Dove videos and the Redbook photos. Starting to feel empowered to do something about it, feel the power of a movement here that could manifest some major culture shifts!
2. I'm grateful to have company today.
3. I'm inspired by the fog today.
I am grateful for my loved ones and how well they love me.
I am inspired by LOVE.
Happy Friday and Happy May !
I'm grateful for my family- dh, and 4 awesome kiddos...a blessed life.
I'm inspired by Stacy Julian and the staff at Simple Scrapbooks.
Julie