Note: If you can't read this page properly, click here. Dear %$firstname$%, A few local artists and I gathered at our art association studio. One of them brought a pot of hydrangea and blueberry sprigs and a bag of lemons, plopped them onto the table with a single light source, and we were good to go. What a peaceful, nourishing time, just silent with the scratching sound of pencil and conte crayon in the company of others who, too, wonder why we think this matters. As the sun set and the light on our pads dimmed, we all got much bolder with our strokes! An interesting decision-making process goes on in an experienced artist's mind when the time frame is limited. "Which part of this still life can I capture that will convey the greatest drama and the loveliest composition in the time I have?" That kind of strategic thinking is the reason an artist's work can be engaging to behold no matter what stage it is in, finished or unfinished. Today's I Listen to Spirit Blog looks into the subject, Why do we fail?. Dear Guides, When my business failed, was it because I didn't follow my inner guidance; I had a soul lesson to learn, for example about compassion; or I was simply "stupid," lacking common sense or expertise? Excerpt from Minda Bernstein's channeling on 6.28.2010: "Dear Ones, "You are launching a question that will bring you to the essence of judgment as you can see it from the various sides of the fence. "On your side, you see your lives from your present vantage point. You see things as obvious black and white tones, winning or losing, success or failure. From our side, these things are all nuanced; sometimes they are barely distinguishable from each other. "It is almost as if the gradients of color or definition are so "forced" in your world that they create a whole other set of criteria that adds a layer of intensity, drama, significance to the game of life in which you participate. It does create excitement, color, lots of emotional investment and thrills. It ups the ante and puts you immediately into the thick of the action. That is its main benefit. "From our view, these are the minor details, as if you have many choices and any one will do. Whatever is appealing to you, you will learn the lessons through that medium. If you are committed to experiencing situations which will bring to the fore certain types of challenges in order to round out your soul experience, to strengthen some core learnings or structural weaknesses that you have chosen to deal with in this lifetime, then you can create the situations in many various choices or arenas which will deal with these same issues." This answer continues in Minda's "Dear Guides" Journal. Join "Dear Guides" by clicking the button at right. To order today's full "Dear Guides" Journal channeling (4-5 pages) on this subject for $3, go to the Beauty & Spirit Welcome page and enter "41. Why do we fail?" in the Paypal box. The channeling goes on to tell the three parts of moving a project forward successfully: 1. clarity of intention 2. calling forth supporting help, and 3. discernment ("You consider whether or not each step feels like you are moving in the right direction.") Do you have a personal issue you would like to ask the guides about? I'm not sure I've mentioned before that Minda does individual channeling for people. See her site at www.iListentoSpirit.com and click on Channeling & Coaching. There you can read some samples and see how helpful private channeling can be! Photo: Minda with grand-niece Macy at family reunion in Wisconsin last week Well, one last observation. Here I thought my children were amazing (and indeed they are) because they get along so peacefully and joyfully. Well, yesterday we were without Internet service (the great occupier), and there they were, pushing at each others' buttons with as much expertise as any of my raucous siblings when we were kids. Well, not quite as much expertise, truth be told. They haven't had as much practice. With love, Julie Julie Bernstein Engelmann Email: julie@julieengelmann.com P.S. We hope you will post your comments on the blog. Or just email me! P.P.S. You are welcome to share this Beauty & Spirit Note with friends! P.P.P.S. Friends, you can sign up yourself at any of the sites below. Welcome to the Beauty & Spirit Note! Sign up & click to past issues. Julie's artist site: www.JulieEngelmann.com Minda Bernstein's channeling site: I Listen to Spirit Frank Butterfield co-produced with Julie: A Communion of Light: Creating Money The Beauty & Spirit email list is housed securely on the email server of my husband Chip Engelmann's site, www.ChipEFT.com, using his autoresponder program. © 2010 Julie Bernstein Engelmann and Minda Bernstein