A Heart A Day #42

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Tessie O'Steel

Today, September 21st, is International Day of Peace. My heart of today is dedicated to this wondrous day.

Peace, peace, peace…writing it down is so easy. Saying or reading it multiple times and it becomes a weird word, like all words that are said or written a lot of times in a row. But somehow, to me, with the word ‘peace’ this seems the case: the weirder it feels, the better it suits.

So many fires are burning at the moment, so much hatred and frustration and miscommunication scattered around in the world. What is peace these days? Well…peace is a general concept, but sadly not available to all. What does peace look like? I guess my country is living “in peace” at the moment, but that doesn’t mean this country is Heaven on Earth. On the contrary. The tension is high, hatred simmers underneath the surface. Lambs and lions don’t play together.

In other countries, of which we all can say that there is no peace at the moment, the concept of peace is just that: a concept. There is no time for exchanging thoughts on peace, just for surviving.

So you see, I think overall ‘peace’ is complex. But it is non the less important. Important to think about, talk about, spend time trying to create small-scale peace. Maybe in your neighbourhood. Not just for one day though. Every day. Peace definitely needs effort, from all of us.

For me peace means ‘a judgement-free world in which we live side by side, all of us equal to one another’. What does it mean to you?

A Heart A Day – Major Catch Up – Part Two

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Tessie O'Steel

Hello there!

Another catch-up. I’m getting there! One heart I made, as a reminder to act if you want to achieve your goals. I made it beautiful and dreamy, so that it’s a kind note to self ;-)
Last week I was in a creative mood and took inspiration from the materials used.
This week, pages were the triggers of my fantasy, and origami crane birds.

Here are 9 new catch-up hearts! How are your hearts getting along?

With love,

Tess
PS: Have you created or spotted a heart this week? Share it with me! Use #aheartaday and social media may overflow with hearts…

[I love love and I love hearts! But oh, this world needs more visible love. So let’s change that, step by step. Away with pessimism. Away with hate. Let’s fill this world with love. And hearts! To show compassion towards each other, towards the planet, towards ourselves. It proves to be difficult for so many of us. But instead of judging it’s more meaningful to show love, to respond with love, to act out of love. Say it with hearts.
So I’m sharing A Heart A Day. Every day I will draw, stitch, paint or otherwise create a heart and post it on this blog. Will you help me make love and hearts spread like a contagious but healthy disease?]

A Heart A Day #21

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Tessie O'Steel

Day 21, three weeks and counting!

Compassion, compassion, it’s a difficult one. Today the weather was Summery. I wore a short skirt and went to the park. And I got whistled at and checked out by a guy. Not my type. And I felt like I could explode! Couldn’t he mind his own fucking business?! Other women may recognise this ;-)

And then I inhaled deeply. Exhaled and thought “compassion, that’s my goal, compassion”. I didn’t even have to analyse the why’s of this guy! I left it there and continued my walk, then found a nice spot in the sun and had a very relaxed afternoon enjoying the warm sunshine. No frustration, no anger. Just enjoying and relaxation.

It takes some practise and I won’t be faultless after today, but boy oh boy, to just let it be and not let negativity take over. JOY!

And whilst enjoying the sun I created today’s heart from little gem stones I found earlier today when I was clearing out my study. They’re old, as in childhood-memory-old! And so useful today.

With love,

Tess
PS: Have you created or spotted a heart this week? Share it with me! Use #aheartaday and social media may overflow with hearts…

A Heart A Day #19 AND #20

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Tessie O'Steel

Oh yes, you caught me there! I missed day #19… The heart was ready, but I just didn’t find a moment to post. But that’s okay. I’m compassionate towards myself ;-) And today you’ll get two hearts from me instead. How lucky do you feel now?

Yesterday’s heart I created on a party last Saturday with the help of a friend. Shadow and light and the famous hand-made heart on a rough old factory wall. The lights create two shadows, two hearts. They look so bold!
The heart for day #20 I made from a game for children. Totally different than yesterday’s heart, but I think it’s pretty colourful and cool, too.

How is your heart doing today? Are your actions and thoughts slowly growing more compassionate? Towards yourself and others?

With love,

Tess

PS: Have you created or spotted a heart this week? Share it with me! Use #aheartaday and social media may overflow with hearts…

#19

#20

A Heart A Day #11

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Tessie O'Steel

Day #11. Today’s heart from me to you. Another rainbow coloured heart. Using pencils, fineliner and ruler.

What are your thoughts on self-compassion? Are you as kind to yourself as you are to others? The way your mind speaks to you, would you accept that from anyone else? Share your thoughts and – if you wish – create a heart or take a picture of a heart you found. Use #aheartaday.

With love,
Tess

[I love love and I love hearts! But oh, there’s too little of it, this world needs more love. So let’s change that, step by step. Away with pessimism. Away with hate. Let’s fill this world with love. And hearts. To show compassion towards each other, towards the planet, towards ourselves. It proves to be difficult for so many of us. But instead of judging it’s more meaningful to show love, to respond with love, to act out of love. Say it with hearts.