Waaay back in November of 1981, after almost 20 years of having been a fine art potter, I decided to take the next step–move from making pots upon which I carved very shallow relief images, to carving 3-d figures in stone. (see below for names of displayed art)

I had just been introduced to carving-stone by an old friend, and I was hot to trot. I couldn’t stop thinking or dreaming about it, and I even now had stone in my studio just sitting there begging to be carved.

From everywhere and everyone I heard, “Oh, Angela! You shouldn’t stop making your beautiful pots!”

I was supporting myself and my 2 kids on my pots, and it was really scary to think of selling off my clay, glazes, kilns and all the stuff having to do with creating my pots. So on December 25th, I told my kids that I had decided I’d stick with making pots for one more year so I could have a smooth transition into carving stone.

And at 11:43 am on December 31st, I was slammed not once, but twice in a car wreck that totalled my car and left my neck and back so damaged that I was told I’d probably never walk again.

As I laid in bed drowsy from pain pills, I heard voices. One was saying that it was such a shame I’d never walk again, and if I’d never decided to quit making pots I’d still be OK, shame on me, why couldn’t I ever take anyone’s advice.

Another very firmly told the first one to stuff itself in its own dark place, and that it was because I had something to Do that I had to continue carving–even if I had to do it sitting down.

And yet another that told both of them just to be still, please, because the universe is a mutable essence, and if we could all work together, we could heal my body and not only get me walking again but carving and carrying big rocks around as if I was a 20-year old again.

I loved that voice! It made me feel so supported and so–how do I say it without seeming trite–well, powerful. From the inside out. And although I was flat on my back and in too much pain to move, I felt as if I had a rocket inside of me that simply had to take off, that wouldn’t allow me to sit and stew or feel sorry for myself or stop seeking assistance in getting back on my feet.

I went to 3 doctors, all ‘experts.’ All of them wore long, grave faces, closed their office doors sooo carefully and quietly, sat down and gazed at me solemnly across their desks. They each spoke in hushed tones, as if I was already one foot under.

By the third one, I was livid. Boiling. I refused to put up with their cemented belief that I’d be crippled for the rest of my life. I fired all three, went home feeling curiously light, happy, and utterly trusting that someone would show up for me.

The very next day, I was introduced quite by chance (right!)…to a chiropractor who lived a half a block away! Within 6 weeks he had me walking again, and most of the aches and pains and stiffnesses and knots in my neck and back gone.

Needless to say, I decided to uphold my original choice to move on from pots! The Universe had spoken, and I listened! I’ve been carving stone ever since, with only the last 5 years focused on painting and illustrating.

This summer after my bout with illness, I once again decided to put more energy into my carving–but first, I wanted to create a couple of EFT websites to serve people with some of the books I’ve written and audios from my teleclasses,

And this last week, I’ve had more server trouble than in the entire last 12 years put together!

Hmmmmm–do we see a pattern here? I’m reading all this as confirmation that it’s really time to concentrate on the carving, and create the EFT stuff as a minor note. No backing out of decisions, Angela!

So, as much as I love working with people one-on-one, as of January 2009, I won’t be doing that for anyone except the odd now-and-thens. If you want a session, better get on the list now.

I have other plans, but will only reveal them when I feel solid about them. To me, this is a case of walking my talk–you hear me all the time exhorting you to live your Dream–guess I’d better live mine as 100% as I can, right?

And I’m going to continue to talk my walk–updating you on the techniques, systems and tactics I take and that I hear about and think are great that will help you walk your dreams.

Why is it so important that we do so now, of all times?

Because if we get caught in oh-the-economy-is-bad-woe-is-me-what-am-I-gonna-do BS, we’ll stay there.

Are you dressed? Do you have a bed? Food, a car, a compuer? Do you even see the opportunities around you? Then use them, enjoy them, be grateful. Ask yourself what you could do with the energy you’re utterly wasting with worry and complaint, and then take action.

You know as well as I do that we get that upon which we focus. Focus with me and all the other aligned people who are knowingly, trustingly, joyously creating life the way we want to live: conscious, conscious, conscious!

It’s Time–NOW. We have enough information about how to create what we want, we have enough resources and connections to build the world we want, and we have the guts, the minds and the heart. I refuse to even imagine our not doing it.

Look at interruptions and pain and illness and obstacles as messages, not blocks.

Look at them and ask, where is the energy in this that I could use to create something better–for myself, my loved ones and my world?

Ask what is the first thing I can do, what is the first step I can take towards something I’d rather have or be or do?

Keep yourself from the perpetual downward spiral of why-me and oh-I’m-stuck by asking yourself what would I rather see/feel/do/have?

Continue to hold the space for the Dream, because it’s right here, right now, and all we need to do is let it expand within our hearts and minds and lives.

As I told you last week, I have a great my-birthday deal for you that will help you with your finances–and I’m going to release it as soon as the chaos is cleared out from my web servers! Everything is perfect, everything in its own timing….

Thanks so very much to everyone for all your wonderful, warm, heart-filled happy birthday (It’s today! the 7th!) notes–I’ve felt so connected and so supported and loved by you–thanks.

Happy My-Birthday to you –
aloha nui loa – my best love -
Angela

p.s. Here are two of the most radical, most heart-swelling videos I’ve ever seen. The 1st one starts out a little slow, but make sure you sit and watch them both all the way through. Your ideas about what YOU can do in this world will never be the same again!

1. The music of the heart circles the globe:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10242008/watch3.html
and
http://www.playingforchange.com

2. And here is how one jaded young man woke up and changed his heart and has now helped thousands of people all over the world get clean water.

Not only that, but he has developed an amazing charity structure that allows ALL–yes, 100%–of the monies donated be used for the intended people and purposes.
http://ebenpagan.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/charity-water-replay/
Please do pass this one around!

Top Image: Leaf Bowl, porcelain, © Lyon 1981
2nd image: Guitar Man, Steatite, © Lyon 1986
3rd image: Twilight, bronze © Lyon 1990
See more at Lyon-Art.com