Renew Part Three of our "Rest, Relax, and Renew" Blog Hop and Giveaway!

 "Renew"

 cont'd...

(Read the first part over on Jodi's blog) 

 

      More on how I incorporate  'Renew' into my daily life and how the Outer Banks captured my heart.

            6.  Do something creative.  Chances are, if you are reading my blog,  I'm sure you already do have a creative desire within you.   Honor that desire and get lost in it. I try to do not only my normal work which is absolutely creative, but I also try to make time for something that’s not necessarily tied to a deadline  (such as journaling, sketching,  learning a new skill, or trying out new tools).  Use colors you don’t normally use or if you paint on canvas, try painting on paper.  Change things up and you may discover something amazing.

 

        7.   Treat yourself every once in a while. I used to think things like a pedicure or a manicure were a senseless waste of money. They are a luxury granted but your well-being is not to be taken for granted and if you feel good doing something or enjoy it, make doing that ‘thing’ something you save up for once a month or every two months.  You need to have things to look forward to in life.

     8. Take a break from work.  I know, I know…it can be hard especially if you work for yourself, or you are “THE ONE” at work that is counted on.  Here’s the thing that I’ve found to be true both when I was a bank manager, and now: The longer one has to do something, the longer it will take to do that thing. If you tell yourself, I have to have this done by 5 o’clock so I can enjoy my son’s soccer game….you make yourself do it.  Or on the flip side, you can stay late at work burning the midnight oil miss the game, miss family or friend time….where does that get you?  A few very focused hours are almost better than 10 unfocussed and very interrupted hours.  Life is too short not to live it. Stay focused so you can leave or break away from work so you can enjoy the personal side of your very important life with your cherished loved ones! That's an order..lol (for me, too...guilty as charged...but having lost someone way too soon that I cared deeply about recently drives home this point even more so).

(My handsome son and beautiful niece)  

9.   Connect.  Connect with family, friends, new friends, old friends, children, your spouse, or significant other.  In this electronic age, we are quickly missing that in person connection. The voice, the touch, the smell, the presence of those we hold dear can't be experienced with a screen or a digital device in our hands.   The wired world we live in makes it easy to be immediate, the truth is without the connection of our in person world and those we love we never feel rested, relaxed, renewed or whole for that matter.

10.   Lastly, one of the tips I’ve been trying to practice is just setting aside quiet time every day. Preferably early in the morning.   Some may call it mediation, but take 5-10 minutes and be alone in your thoughts before you start anything for the day.  Clear your mind, and become centered so that you can take on the world the rest of the day.

 This brings us to Ocracoke Island where we will be hosting two retreats this year (May is sold out but we have just a couple of spots open for registration for our October retreat, see the description at the bottom of this post. If you'd like to reserve your spot, the down payment button is located on the left hand sidebar).  

My first trip to the Outer Banks was about 2 years ago this Spring when I visited with Jean and another artsy friend. Having never seen sand dunes as big as a building before,  or experienced the quiet expanse of a marsh up close and personal, nor seen let a lone touch a light house in my entire life...along with riding in a truck ON the beach that was as quiet as could be in the best possible way, well, I'm not sure how one couldn't feel refreshed and renewed. The journey to get to Ocracoke island is a pleasure in itself, but once you step foot on the island, to me, it brought me back to my childhood as the life is slower there, more relaxed, and peaceful.  It's beautiful and its homey. It's an  island but it is also a  neighborhood and a family with a rich history all rolled up into one.

Prior to visiting the island on both occasions, my life was somewhat spiraling. That's a story for another time.

I left, relaxed, well rested, and renewed. 

I brought my bike last year to ride around and it was the best feeling ever to just be alone and feel the wind dance on my face along with the sun hitting my arms.  I noticed every stop had a bike rack. Grocery store, coffee shop, restaurant, ferry, beach of course...How often do you see that anymore?  I also became enthralled with the history of the Outer Banks wanting to take in more, learn more about the lifestyle of these hardy family orientated  and resourceful people.  The whole experience gave me fodder to feed on for a lifetime in my art and I have seen it materialize more and more. 

My city scapes have turned into Beach scapes:

 My Girls have turned into Mermaids:

My Abstracts Often turn to a Water or Sea Themed

*Evolve happens to be similar to a project we will be doing during my class during our May and October Event.

Over the last few weeks Jean, Penny and I have shared with you what our ReMe motto means to us,  so that you know that we have created our new venture, ReMe Retreats, with those of you in mind who crave that sense of peacefulness in an experience.  We want to provide you with the means to renew your spirit, in a place where you can truly connect with other like minded people on a small, intimate basis.

We have taken care of the details, all we need now is for you to join us.:)

For my giveaway, I created an abstract just for YOU....to enter to win this piece:

 Textured as the land and sea...

 Places of calm between the earth, water and sun....

My gift to you...is a chance to ReNew.  
10x10 mixed media acrylic

Simply tell me one place you go to or thing you do for yourself to wash away the stresses of your day to day life.  
We all benefit when we share ideas!!

Leave a comment here now through Sunday at 12:00am (Or would that be technically Monday?? :)

SHARE THIS POST for a second chance to win, just come back and tell us that you've shared it and where.  

Random winner will be drawn and announced on Monday,  February 24th. 

Now excuse me while I grab a book and take a nice long hot soak in the tub.  Pamper yourself today and everyday.  You will be Renewed!:)

**View from one of the many porches of our historic Inn on Ocracoke where the retreat will be hosted.

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Currently Available Event(s):

ReMe – Ocracoke Fall 2014
October 20^th – 25^th

The Outer Banks in the fall is a truly wonderful time of year to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings.  It’s sure to be even more so when shared with new friends you have yet to meet!  Our FAQ page provides a look at everything that is a part of the ReMe Experience.  We only have a few spots left for this event.  You can secure yours by clicking on the PayPal button in the upper left of this page to make your deposit.  ReMe-Ocracoke is an all inclusive event, outside of your transportation to and from the event location.  We’ll have you covered:  meals, lodging, classes, materials, tools, afternoon cocktails, local flavor, and memories galore!  Let us show you why ReMe isn’t just a Retreat, it’s an Experience.