Ellen Hofrath-Stovall Every season, every time in the year has its mood or purpose for me. Summer is a passive time, meant to stay in the moment and enjoy. I don’t like to hassle or be overactive in the summertime. Instead, I prefer being in a more passive mood.The vibrant colors, the intense warmth of the air, the condenced scents…all of it leaves me in aw. All I want to do is lean back and let it happen. Spring is always a very busy time for me. I want to go outside, move, clean and set up my balcony, and plant my veggies. But in Summertime I want to enjoy it. Sitting in my rocking chair or lying in my hammock, grabbing a bowl of ice cream or a glass of iced tea, and listening to the birds in my backyard. Even working feels less pressure and hectic to me. Almost as if parts of my brain or consciousness take a time off. Somehow life is so much easier. I barely get into my typical overthinking mode. I’m not always ahead with my mind, thinking about what to do or where I have to go. Sitting and not thinking comes so easy like never again. I don’t put pressure on myself and am much easier than usual. Awareness comes effortless to me, sensations are much more vibrant and present. When I’m having my lunch break outside on my balcony I don’t watch movies as I use to do during the year. Instead I have a baby pool outside all the time ready and full of water. So I sit in there, enjoying the cool water running over my body and the scent of my Jasmin bushes next to it. I love the opposite sensations from the chilly water around my body and the glazing sunshine on my face. That is when I feel alive, happy, and float weightlessly. No stress, no pain, just pure physical sensation. No thoughts, feeling only It was such a blessing to bring my grandson to the lake. He was there last year too, but as he’s just 3 years old, he forgot about it. He loves it from the very first second. Typically he is more the shy, cautious kid. First watching from a distance and slowly getting closer. But not here. He didn’t even let me time to change his clothes. He spends hours playing in or next to the water, not even the ducks or swans, that come close can scare him. It is his happy place too. Since it became warm we had to go there every weekend, sometimes even 2 times. And this overall mood also has an impact on my art of course. My photos are more dreamy, my paintings reflect how I see and feel the vibe. If it’s the refreshing water from the lake… …or the experience of a warm summer rain…. ….or the memory of the shady wood and the scent of moss and soil. It all reflects and returns in my paintings. Looking at them later in the year, even during winter instantly brings back the ease, I can feel the warm breeze in my hair and the water embracing my body. I am aware of and enjoy the lightness and even the slowness of the summer. It is wonderful and relaying to let things simply pass by. That’s my invitation or suggestion for you: Find or create your own summer happy place. Create a space where you can just be. If you have a balcony put some water out there. If there is only room for a bucket or a spray bottle fine. Add a summer scent like rose water or mint and spray above you in the air. Maybe you have a park nearby? Take a blanket and watch the clouds float by. Or at least buy a delicious portion of your favorite ice cream and enjoy it. It`s Summertime!!! You may reach Ellen at : bunteinspirationen@gmail.com on Instagram: ellenberlin1 Bio: Ellen Hofrath-Stovall was born in 1965 She is living in Berlin/Germany 2 Daughters, 3 grandchildren single Painting since 2012, self-educated several exhibitions in cafes and restaurants Reproduction of all or any part of material of Ellen Hofrath©, including previous posts, without the express written permission from Planet Starz, Inc. is strictly forbidden. **Note from Natalie: Ellen is someone I discovered on Instagram and immediately we became friends. I thought what a nice addition to the ezine this would be to have a column for her. Enjoy her work every month here at Mystic Living Today** See you next month !!!
Love, Ellen |
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Mystic Living Today All rights, including copyright, in the content of these Mystic Living Today web pages are owned or controlled for these purposes by Planet Starz, Inc. Terms of Service Disclaimer and Legal Information For questions or comment, contact Starzcast@mysticlivingtoday.com. Reproduction of this page in any form is not allowed without permission of the author and the owner of this site. All material on this web site, including text, photographs, graphics, code and/or software, are protected by international copyright and trademark laws. Unauthorized use is not permitted. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit or distribute, in any manner, the material on this web site. Unless permissions is granted. If you have any questions or problems regarding this site, please e-mail Webmaster. Web site design by: Creative Net FX |