Acknowledgement of People in my Life

I have three aspects of my life that mean the world to me; my relationship with my husband, my art, and my spirituality. Being human I have many days where I feel like I have failed each of them. But deep inside, I hear little reminders that tells me it is okay, no one is perfect- just continue to move forward and don't worry about yesterday.

I have stated in several of my lens that I have been doing art just about all of my life, which is true. But it was not until I met my husband and through his words of encouragement; was I able to take my art where it is today. I have given a few friends some pictures that I have painted, I was paid once to do a sketch of someone children, but besides just a few things, I have always kept my writing and art very private and very secret. I never shared it because I did not want people to make fun of it, judge it or talk ugly about it.

With the encouragement and support that my husband gives to me on my writing and my art, I have been able to do many things with the both. It was through his words of encouragement; that I entered my artwork in a huge Art Exhibit that jury's artwork before it will be accepted. It is through my husband's words of encouragement that my artwork has been taken to a completely new level. He too is an artist and like myself works with many different Medias. He has been doing Graphic Arts for a long time and introduced me to this about four years ago. I always tell him, he is the best teacher in the world because he is so patient with everyone he teaches.

Since one of my life lessons is learning patience, I am so thankful my husband has enough for the both of us. He is always telling me how everything will be okay, especially when it comes to my online business and when I get discouraged if business is slow or I get discouraged when I cannot figure what artwork to send to shows. It seems like he always knows what to say to me to give me that extra push filled with encouragement, patience and support.

When I am trying to find something that I need regardless if it is for my artwork or my business, he will spend hours searching for it. If he likes a new piece of art I just created; he will not just say the words "oh, that is good" but he says other words that are filled with encouragement and excitement. It is so hard to explain! Often it is through his words of encouragement that leads me to investigate different areas to promote and/or to sell my art. Sometimes, I often wonder if I tell him thank you enough.

So with a heartfelt of thanks, thank sweetheart for all of your words of encouragement, support and patience you give to me when it comes to my writing and my art. It is through your words of encouragement and support that leads me to my next project!!

Artwork by: My Husband

I remember sitting in many drumming circles and hearing everyone talk about GreyHawk. They made him out to be a super hero, wise elder who knew exactly what to say and how to say it when it came to traditions of the Native American People. He was known by everyone.
One of my closest friends at the time was also a writer and a close friend with GreyHawk. With her being a writer and the way she talked, I could sit and listen to her speak hours upon hours especially when she shared stories about GreyHawk. During lunch one day, she suggested that I take a day trip with her to visit GreyHawk. Without even thinking about it, I automatically jumped at the chance to go with her and better yet spend the afternoon with GreyHawk!

I believe she became friends with GreyHawk after writing an article about him. I do know that she needed to get permission to bring me with her to visit him and he said okay. A legend says that when you go to visit an Elder, you always need to bring a small offering or gift. Since I had my own business even then, I took some tobacco and white sage.

When we walked into GreyHawks home, there he was, an Apache Elder who sat in a chair with long white hair, smiling just as pretty as you please. I cannot even begin to explain what this day meant to me. My friend introduced me to him and the first thing I did was hand him the tobacco and whitesage.

We talked about so many things that day, all it being spiritual with stories from his childhood and how his father taught him many lessons. One day, when he was a little boy, his father took him out to a field and left him alone. GreyHawk explained to me that his father was teaching him to listen beyond words and see beyond sight. Somehow through his story tellings and as intensely as I was listening, I learned so much about spirituality on a different level.

GreyHawk introduced me to the "Sacred Path Cards". They are Native American tarot cards which you can read about on my lens: Native American Tarot After sitting there for a long time we all decided to go and get some lunch at a local restaurant. GreyHawk sat in front of me and with his ice blue eyes said to me, "WhiteOak, do you know of the Sioux?" I know my mouth must have hit the table, or I looked really dumb founded. I answered him by saying, what do you mean? But somehow our conversation stopped and he never answered me. After lunch while we were leaving the restaurant he suggested that I joined in the next sweat lodge, but I never did.

For me; spending that day with GreyHawk meant the world to me. If you have ever sat down with an Elder, they are very known to teach you things by answering a question with a question. I was so honored that GreyHawk shared some of his stories with me, it was through those stories that taught me a direction on my path that would forever be with me. It wasn't too long after this visit; GreyHawk began to prepare for his crossing. Shortly later he crossed over (died).

Photo came from Photobucket

I believe that Lynn Andrews is the closest I have ever come to having a hero. She is without a doubt or hesitation my favorite of all favorite authors. Lynn Andrews is a Shaman who was trained by the Sisterhood of the Shields.

Lynn Andrews is the author of the New York Times and internationally best-selling medicine Woman series. A 25th anniversary edition of Medicine Woman which has been translated into over 12 languages and is in its 46th printing was released by: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin Books in 2006.

Leader in the field of spirituality and personal development, ranked as one of the top self-improvement experts in the world, and considered pre-eminent in the field of global shamanic cosmologies. Lynn is the author of 19 books and workbooks, including Woman oat the Edge of Two Worlds, A spiritual Journey Through Menopause and The Power Deck, Cards of Wisdom.

I honestly could not choose one of her books as my favorite because I have enjoyed them all, but most importantly I have learned a great deal. One of her books I have read over and over is called: "Tree of Dreams-A spirit Woman's Vision of Transition and Change". As I am writing this, I believe I will write a whole lens on this book, until I do; this is one of my favorite "teachings" in it.

Someone may ask you one day what you feel and what you believe about certain aspects of truth. You may make a comment that is completely and totally contradicted the next day when they ask you something else. Why? Because what we often see in life is an illusion and you cannot move beyond it until you reach your personal power.

It was because of reading and studying Lynn Andrews's books that lead me to researching my own Shamanic studies. No, under no circumstances am I calling myself a Shaman, because I am not. What I have done is added many Shamanic experiences and teachings into my own spiritual path.