nature – Play. Create. Discover…

Blog, creative living, empowerment, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, Self-Love

The Earth Walker: Connecting to Your Authentic Self

June 27, 2023 Kristy Fae

Hello Fellow Nonsense Lovers!

Those of you who have been following the Monster Musings Blog for some time already know that Art of Nonsense is all about creativity and play! On the surface it looks like monsters, artwork and toys, which it is— and each of these things is inherently valuable and wonderful on its own. And yet underneath, in the cavernous intentions of Kristy and the Monsters, there resides so much more…

Art of Nonsense is about discovering the deeper authentic parts of ourselves, and then expressing and celebrating them to the fullest. It’s about not being afraid to be our wild, silly, quirky selves. It’s about following our dreams, living our joy, and finding greater fulfillment in our lives— regardless of our age! I really believe that when we listen in and free our inner child, we tap into the simple pleasures— the “Nonsense”— that our souls so crave. This is where we find deeper connection, greater authenticity, and heartfelt joy! So let’s make living and learning the most fun we possibly can with the time we are given.

One of my greatest joys and biggest sources of play is Nature. With Summer blessing us here in British Columbia, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying laying in the sun, swimming in the ocean, admiring the wildlife and photographing the colourful blooms. I’ve been hugging trees, talking to squirrels and letting my hands run along the textures of shrubs and trees as I pass them. I’ve also been walking barefoot in the grass, through the rocky hills and across the pebbled beaches.

Kristy Fae Hugging her Friend, the Giant

One evening, I started running through a dewy lawn and was instantly transported back to childhood. What freedom and joy lay there— in a lawn— so easy to access, yet so often dismissed. We too often rush by the things we love as we race from one thing to the next, striving to “succeed” and acquire what we think will finally deliver us our happiness. Our modern society has been taking us away from our connection with Earth, and thus harming our connection to ourselves and to others. Reconnecting with Earth, whether through appreciating and nurturing Nature or by connecting bare feet or hands to Her to ground ourselves, reminds us who we are. We are Nature. And Nature is beautiful because She is unique, imperfect and wildly Herself! There is no playing small, holding back parts of Herself, or pretending to be something She is not. She is unapologetically Herself.

And that’s what I wish for all of us, dear ones.

This week, I invite you to try the gift of Earthing. This practice involves connecting your body, especially bare feet or hands, to the Earth, to ground yourself. Sit with your feet in the grass, or walk across the beach or lawn. If you’re committed, try doing it daily. You can google or YouTube “Earthing” to find out about the science and beliefs that back this practice— but I’m curious to see what you notice for yourself. Really be present with the sensations you feel physically, emotionally and maybe even spiritually. Do you feel a tug to look more closely at the insects playing all around you? Is there a yearning to skip, or sing or jump in the water? Can you suddenly spot faces in the clouds or wrinkled tree bark? Whatever the pull is for you, see what magic comes when you let your inner child out to play!

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters!

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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2023 Kristina Durst aka Kristy Anne Fae All Rights Reserved.

Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Awareness, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Love, Writing

The Timely Owls: The Gift of Patience…

April 24, 2023 Kristy Fae

I’ve been spending a lot of time with Nature recently, and while I always find the great outdoors to be extremely soothing and refreshing, she has been sending me a distinct message lately. From the budding flowers that had been waiting underneath the cool grounds of winter; to the young Great Horned Owls slowly learning to fly as they grow stronger and the herons building their nests one twig at a time; to the sneaky fungi developing imperceptibly… patience is being whispered amidst all of Nature’s children.

In a fast-paced world, especially, it can be hard to slow down, sow our seeds, and wait for the fruits of our labour to ripen. But the flowers cannot bloom before the temperatures are right or they will freeze; the owls cannot fly before their wings are strong enough just as the herons cannot carry more than they’re able or they’ll fall; and the fungi cannot expedite their growth or they’ll exhaust their resources. Just as we cannot rush Nature, we cannot always rush our creative process, our healing, our growth, our learning, or our journey of whatever kind. So in these growing stages, why not savour the process? Enjoy feeling the strength that builds with each passing day. Celebrate each little step forward— and even each step back— for they too are valuable. Indulge in the periods of rest and the periods of action, or the “seasons”, that inevitably come and go. For these, too, are part of the journey.

The more tuned in we are, the more we may be surprised by what we find along the way— and by how much more we end up with in the end as a result of our patience and mindfulness. Then, when we get to the end and look back, we’ll be able to appreciate all we did and how much we’ve grown, and we’ll be able to say proudly, “That journey was mine, and I truly lived every part of it.”

What “season” are you currently in that you feel impatient about completing? How can you make the journey more enjoyable, more self-loving, more mindful? Feel free to comment below, for saying it aloud (or onscreen) can provide a great sense of empowerment and accountability. I also encourage you to spend at least five minutes with Nature this week (it could even be looking out your window, watching a Nature show, or imagining the wilderness, if you don’t have access to a calming, outdoor space). Commit to doing nothing but watching in stillness for those five or so minutes, and see if there’s a message being whispered to you…

With curiosity and patience.

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Poetry

Dandylions: The Magic of Nature

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 Kristy Fae

When you sit still with Nature, She starts to talk to you,

She comes alive in ways you never knew,

She asks you to see things like you never have before,

It’s magical what happens when you step outside your door…

For those of us lucky enough to have wild access to Mother Nature, remember to visit and cherish Her. Sit with Her. For anyone who doesn’t, don’t fret. You can find Her in your mind, in the sky outside your window, in the plant in the corner, in that beautifully shot documentary, in a pet or song bird, in the depths of your soul… She’s all around, holding us with grace and inspiration. We are Her.

Thanks for stopping by! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Self-Love

The Peaceful Breezer: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos

March 16, 2020 Kristy Fae

If you’ve found even a bit more stress or disruption in your life than usual lately, you likely already know that you aren’t alone. Yes, the world is being impacted by COVID-19 in countless ways and I’m not here to talk about it. What I do want to discuss are the little things we can do to find peace, inspiration, grounding, and even joy when we find ourselves amidst chaotic, uncertain or confusing times— for whatever reason.

Yesterday I chose the simple act of taking a long, leisurely walk at the oceanside with a good friend. The sun was shining so brightly it sparkled on the water like a disco ball, while a seal popped his head up next to us and an eagle soared overhead. The wind was blowing the waves into a synchronized dance and scuba divers reminded us of the mysterious world that lay beneath them. The land felt at peace and, for a few hours, everything felt normal again. We couldn’t help but feel our interconnectedness with nature, the sense of how infinitesimal we humans are, and how much peace can be found by just stepping away. Away from the house. Away from the hustle and bustle. Away from routine. Away from social media and news. Away in whatever form of awayness is needed for you at any given time. By the time we left, I for one was feeling free of life’s problems, safe, in control, and enlivened— things I hadn’t felt much of all week.

When I later sat down to work on today’s artwork and blog, I could still see those beachy views in my mind’s eye: the grassy mounds in the foreground framed by stunning mountaintops and blue skies far beyond. While I had many illustrations that I “should/could” have been working on for my various projects, something from this vivid landscape was still speaking to me: whispering to the needs of my soul for further peace, freedom and trust. I knew there was a creature hiding behind the whisper but I couldn’t see her yet. But still, there she was encouraging me to gently put aside any additional pressure amidst an already stressful time; to “go with the flow” and create something just for the joy of it. I pulled out my oil pastels, a medium I rarely work in nowadays but one that I relate to a time in my younger days when I would draw for the sheer love of it, without (as much) concern for the end goal.

I knew this medium would help set me up for this “therapeutic art” session. And it worked. Instead of first sketching and perfecting the outlines of an image, I drew with the pastels directly onto the paper, trusting the permanence of the lines as I laid them down. I let it happen. I didn’t fight anything yet I felt in control. I limited expectations. I mixed colours. I smeared the oily pigments with my bare fingertips. And this is what came out— a creature seemingly born from those grassy cliffs of Ogden Point in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. I still plan on adding in that mountain crested background another day, but for now, this Peaceful Breezer sleeps in the caress of the sun without a worry in mind. She reminds me, and anyone else who wishes to take her lead, that stepping away to enjoy life’s simplicities, trusting the flow, and letting the breeze tousle your hair can sometimes be the best thing we can do for ourselves to come back to our centre. That and turning our fingertips green with creative delight…

So let your freedom flow like the wind and allow yourself to connect to those small things that make you feel as I did, hugged between ocean and eagle, in the shimmering sunlight.

Be well everyone.

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on future posts! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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