An enterprising artist has been using images taken by the Google cameras to create stunning paintings.

He is currently in dialogue with Google about copyright issues and I hope there is a good outcome as this opens up the possibility for artists with disabilities that make them housebound.

Posted via web from Donetta’s posterous

Making good use of affiliate commissions received from http://philoscribe.com and associated sites.

This merry band only need another $100 and they are fully funded. Can anyone help?

Posted via web from Donetta’s posterous

Posted via email from Donetta’s posterous

What is becoming noticeable to the extent that even I (with head firmly facing in the opposite direction) can no longer ignore it, is that I am not writing.

At least not for myself.

Attending to work for clients doesn’t count.

(working class roots leave me with a deeply held work ethic, which I don’t want but which I have been unable thus far to shake off)

Reading is not a problem. Indeed, for the time being at least, reading seems to assuage my longing for words but I know it’s a cop out.

I know this busy-ness with other activities is an attempt by a part of me to conceal the facts of what is going on. Self protection or preservation perhaps.

What I don’t understand is why I will not give myself permission to do what I most love doing? Is this a form of self inflicted punishment for some real or perceived wrong doing? Is it driven by fear? Is it normal?

The thoughts have set me on the trail of other writers, lurking around their blogs and books, hoping for a glimpse into their deep, dark secret lives.

Some make no mention of writing being a struggle but others, and oh how joyful is the validation they offer, do.

How can a mind be full of words one moment but entirely empty when presented with a blank screen or sheet of paper?

How can someone who is not known for using one word when she can use ten, be short of something to write?

I’ve followed the advice. I have sat here and ’shown up’ every day. I have tried first thing in the morning and last thing at night – and most times in between.

In the past I have held brutal assessments of those who blog about their crises but now I can appreciate the need to come clean. It’s the proverbial discussion regarding that dead possum which lies under the table.

Perhaps it is my own previously held, less than flattering, judgements about others which are now coming back to haunt me. Oh how superior I felt when the words were flowing. I would have been horrified to face such an accusation at the time, but looking back I can see that was my story.

They say we despise in others that which we most despise in ourselves. (I’m sure I have paraphrased someone’s deeply significant words of wisdom in an inappropriate manner there – my apologies) Has the day finally arrived when the despicability (if I may use the term) of my own nature can no longer be denied?

Taking a long hard look at the way I have been showing up is not nice. It makes me squirm. Holding up that mirror I have to face the fact that I am very good at espousing values which I then don’t live. Paying lip service only leaves one with the morning breath equivalent of being out of integrity. It’s unpleasant and embarrassing and certainly not something I want to inflict on anyone else.

Don’t misunderstand. There has been no intention to deceive. I have believed that over the years I have changed; developed myself, grown in tolerance, appreciated new ways of thinking and being. I have read the books, attended the courses, taken notes and tried to apply what I have learned.

The reality is that whilst I am now left with a cerebral understanding of the things I want to embrace in life – they have not become new ways of being.

Writing is such a revealing past-time. Whether we want to or not writers reveal something of themselves in everything they create through the medium of the written word. Who would want to reveal that they are struggling because they are out of integrity? It’s not a nice admission to make. I can feel another squirm coming on as I type that.

So, if there has been any clarification of thought here, it seems that I can no longer maintain the facade I have been presenting and this is what is causing the block. Either I start walking the talk or I stop talking the talk and walk the old path worn through living  old habitual patterns.

I am fearful of the first and sick of the second – but, something has to give.

Yesterday, my dear friend Ron Rink over at Buddhist Belief made one of his excellent thought provoking posts on….doing one thing at a time.

Then I came across a recent post from another favourite writer Leo Babauta at Zen Habits which is….you guessed it….all about doing one thing at a time.

Having prided myself on my multi-tasking abilities (the use of the word ‘pride’ is a bit of a give away) I have rather poo-poohed the growing movement which has advocated focus but the time has come to acknowledge that it works!

I have spent nearly a whole day bringing this site up to date. Doing all of the little hum-drum tasks that need doing, tidying posts, updating links, writing new articles and every cell of my body has rebelled wanting to check email, participate on Twitter, make phone calls, attend to chores and do anything else that caught my eye whilst at the same time trying to do what needed to be done. That was my usual modus operandi, to be sure, and as a result I tended to finish each day with a task list of half done jobs which all had to roll forward to another time.

Today, as a result of letting my pride go and recognising that multi-tasking is not a sign of strength or efficiency, or whatever other label I had applied to it at some subconscious level, I have done one thing at a time and as a result have completed that job. I also feel less frazzled and have energy left to enjoy the evening.

OK, you may roll your eyes, unimpressed. You may have a voice saying ’so what’. You may be thinking all sorts of things but until you try this for yourself you will not appreciate how liberating such a simple thing can be.

Will you try it and let me know how you get on?