feeling sad that I had not yet accomplished all of my dreams, or even taken the steps. Then I thought of an old friend from college who inspired creativity. She was a free spirit. Had an eye for bright colors and bright faces. Seeing sparks in backgrounds of city streets. Washington Square Park. She introduced me to music and flamenco dancing. She was free for love with a spontaneous sexuality. Mixing images, words, art, and the sun.

I am not so wild. I am not so free. I have lost focus, caught in self-doubt and insecurities. Chocolate nights of lonely waiting and looking through the past, thinking too much towards the future. Disappointment. I have set myself up for underachieving. That part was simple.

But now, I am awake to the feelings I am feeling. I want wonder within this reality. I want to create a collage of inspirations. that encourage me to dream, to accept each feeling that arises, to appreciate the person I am in this moment. To grow into someone I will love. Independence of spirit. To be beautifully myself.

Art washes from the soul the dust of every day life.

-Pablo Picasso

puppies sleep happy sleeps, like bugs in rugs and other little snugs