Inspiration can strike in mysterious ways…and can arrive unexpectedly. When you need it most, it is hiding in Outer Mongolia and then at other times, it is exploding with a stampede of ideas inside your head.

I like to believe that the universe is working in tandem with me, providing the nudge at just the right time. My case in point…

I’ve been working on a series of collages that I’m calling Photographic Observations, pairing my original photographs with found objects to tell a unique story. The piece I was working on started with a large photo of my vintage clock collection, paired with a photo vignette of an old ink pen with a handwritten letter. I wanted to tease out a story beyond a traditional romance which frankly sounded mundane. It sat on my work table for days, pushed to the side while I worked on another piece. As I was cleaning up my scrap paper mess from cutting out select words for a poem, this scrap was on the top of the pile…

The Universe was listening and stepped in to lend a hand…I had my story…and all the other elements immediately fell into place…

When my sister and I are junking together, we start the day by asking each other what we are looking to find at whatever yard sale, junk shop or thrift store we visit…we state loud and clear whatever it might be…how can the universe help if it doesn’t know what you want!

Articulating and verbalizing your intentions give them life. Once you say it out loud, you have taken the first step to making it happen. Once it is out in the open, you own it. One of the reasons often cited in successfully meeting goals is to verbalize what you want - and to tell others - making you accountable and more likely to follow through with your intentions. You need to name it to own it.

Years ago I was hesitant to say I was an artist out loud…I mean, really, who was I to think that my work was good enough to be called art?! But as I honed my skills and developed my portfolio, I finally realized that I was an artist…and I wanted to claim that distinction as my own. I don’t blink an eye now when people ask me what I do and it is probably on the top of the list of how I would describe myself, alongside partner, sister and friend.

In March, I’m always reminded of the strength of a woman’s voice since it is Women’s History Month. So many women who contributed so much to our community, our country, our world because they were not silent…but voiced their intentions, loud and strong. The Universe is listening…what will you tell it?