Mother’s Day- Letting Go
Mother’s day might not be a happy day for all women. In fact, there may be some women who are, for whatever reason, estranged from their children or their may be children estranged from their mothers. For these people, watching happy families on Mother’s day can be quite painful. There is no doubt that the pain that is felt through and by these broken relationships or the injustices caused one to another is real. But this Mother’s day, begin to give yourself the gift of letting go. Let go of the pain, the anger, and the resentment, and begin to pray for forgiveness.
This is not an easy task. Withholding anger concerning your expectations of someone turns into resentment. Holding on to resentment makes you feel justified. However, there is documentation stating that resentment and unforgiveness can make you physically sick. It could even shorten your life. Resentment can cause depression, change blood pressure, and heart rate. Resentment releases stress hormones and maintaining that resentment can cause permanent physiological damage. In short, holding on to resentment causes more damage to you than the person you are angry at.
It is difficult to forgive someone who does not admit they are wrong or who has not asked to be forgiven. Pray that God softens your heart, and if you can pray for nothing else pray that God gives you what I call the “want tos.” “Lord help me to ‘want to’ forgive,” and try to remember when you too needed forgiveness.
Often the chance of reconciliation grows dimmer as the distance grows greater. At times it might feel like it is just easier not to try. If you are the person that needs forgiveness approach the one that you have hurt in a humble manor. Pray often to God to forgive you and to heal the relationship as you continue to try to reconcile. Also, forgive yourself. Barbara Ingersoll, known as Gram in our Inspirations/Generations podcast, said it took years for her to forgive herself for what she had done to her children. You must learn to forgive yourself as well.
Forgiveness can still happen after the death of a loved one. Once again pray that God heal the relationship. Nothing is too big for God. He can heal even through death. This will allow you to let go, and in turn it will give space in your heart for other blessings.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph 4:31-32
Copyright 2009
Mongeon is a writer, sculptor, and speaker https://creativesculpture.com
2 Days and Counting
The day has been long as I help my daughter with the wedding. A very creative one, but it is a tremendous amount of work. I’m been making wedding cake all day long, while the mother of the groom ran around the city for supplies and helped with other creative endeavors. We are a work horse team. Wedding command central is written on the paper at the entrance to this apartment and a marker board has the list of things we are trying to remember, with other lists everywhere. Thursday is crunch day with rehearsal and rehearsal dinner folowed by a party/shower for my daughter. Fun. I’m exhausted but so happy for her. More later, must do a few more things before closing down for the night.
There Are Some Things In Life …
There are some things in life….that require you to stop and take a breath and do something else besides work, marketing and monitoring employees and apprentices. A daughter’s wedding is one of those. My daughter will be getting married on Friday. Or should I say what I have beens saying for the last month, “My baby is getting married.” I arrived almost a week early, I thought I would bring work along, just incase there was idle time. I hate idle time. NOT! We have been DOINGG since I arrived. I live to cross things off of the list of things needing to get done.
One of the reasons I arrived early was that my daughter invited me to her bachelorette party. I was flattered to be cool enough to come and dubbed myself (DD) designated driver. The party was titled “wigged out” and I had to find a wig, at the last minute before leaving I was able to find a cool, blonde hippy wig with head band. Funny I remember dressing like this for real-head bands. I have never been a blonde, and no matter how long I wait in between hair cuts, I have had approximately 7-10 in my adult life, my hair does not grow long.
We definitely received some looks. Here are some pictures. Our itinerary eat sushi, and then dance at different places. It was interesting to see the “young” places and dances. Of course I could dance anywhere, but I still prefer ball room or jitterbug. That will be for Friday. Four days and counting. Oh yes, the cake lady bugged out on us, so I guess I’ll be creating a wedding cake. Can’t guarantee it will turn out perfect, but I’ll do my best. FYI about photos, daughter has pink hair. Photo of me with the peace signs. I look stoned, but I am not. That is what the (MOTB) mother of the bride looks like when she has stays up WAY past her bedtime.
The Art of Business and The Business of Art- Video Number 1- The Beginning
They are ready! Or at least number one in the video series is ready.
Video Number 1- The Beginning
In video number one Bridgette Mongeon talks about the process of
* Having a plan and knowing where you want to go.
* Setting goals
* The importance of the brain, imagination and day dreaming in achieving your goals.
* Stopping negative self-talk
The Art of Business and the Business of Art is a step-by-step, month-by month workshop series consisting of short videos and expanded workbooks. Sometimes when you are embarking on new adventures it helps to have someone to guide you and hold your hand. That is how these workshops are designed.
They are created by sculptor, writer, speaker and entrepreneur Bridgette Mongeon, and are compiled from her many workshops on business and creativity. It was her desire to make her workshops easily accessible and doable.
The series is presented as a month to month workshop. To participate begin with video one and proceed with the steps. The artist sets out a step-by-step, month-to-month procedure for success.
* Individuals wanting to start a business
* Individuals working in the arts that want to make a living with their art
* Individuals who are in businesses, but need to stretch their creative muscle
* Individuals working in a Christian business or ministry
THE VIDEOS
Each video is a portion of the artist’s weekend workshop presented to art organizations and small businesses. The videos are free and will be posted on the internet. For a list of videos see the Ms. Mongeon’s fine art website You are welcome to copy the videos and post them on your web site or blog.
THE WORKBOOKS
The workbooks expand greatly on the topics discussed in each video, and offer further reading and resources for the participants. They can be purchased from the artist by following the links below. NOT AVAILABLE
THE FORUM
Need help with the workbook or workshop? Want to meet others who are going through the series? Join the free workshops and receive a link to an online group.
What Books Should Every Sculptor Have On Their Book Shelf?
Want to know what books every sculptor should have on their shelf? Here is a recent article that I wrote for Best of Artists and Artisans titled “From the Book Shelf of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon”
I have been trying to learn about twitter and twirl.
Yes, everyone I know is twittering. Can I really use twitter to inform and gain work? We will see. I have vowed to try and be more serious about twitter and perhaps now that I have Twirl a program for my computer that allows me to post instead of going to twitter, I might be more apt to at least twitter once a day. But, I have to make more work in my life and opened up a second twitter account for the God’s Word Collectible gifts.
The First Marketing Video Is Almost Complete
We have begun a new project here at the studio. I’m taking my weekend workshop that I have presented to numerous small businesses and art organization and will be presenting it free in online videos. The series of videos is called “The Art of Business and The Business of Art.” Of course I can’t cover everything that I would like in just these 8 minute videos so we are also preparing workbooks that accompany each video. The videos are free, the workbooks will be sold from my website for $30.00.
Video number one “The Beginning” will be out at the end of the month. I think you will like it. These videos are meant to be a month-by-month, step-by-step process into going into a small business. Of course I also talk a lot about those going into businesses that relate to the arts, but the videos can be used by any small business person. We are thrilled to introduce a wonderful new illustration company called Goat Eye productions. They have committed to working with us on this entire series. This project is a major undertaking that I would never consider without the help of my wonderful new intern Hannah. Can’t wait to hear about what others think about the videos and workbooks.
Today I Was Interviewed On “Day Job” About Making A Living As An Artist.
Thanks to the Wendy ” Punk Princess” for inviting me to talk on the blog Day Jobs about having a creative job and for allowing me to come and talk about the new videos and workbooks that will be coming this month. Here is a link to the podcast episode. Let see if I can embed the player. I hope it continues to have this episode.
Sometimes Interviews Can Be Very Personal
That is the case with this article, probably the most personal interview I have ever given. But I must say the writer did a great job. Check out Beauty for Ashes: The Inspired Art of Bridgette Mongeon.
An Interview With Sculptor Camille Allen
I interviewed Camille Allen for my February Column on Best of Artists and Artisans. Her work is amazing and something to really check out.