Hafiz did it.

Posted by Anita Bondi on March 6, 2012 under Anita Bondi | 3 Comments to Read

Hafiz did it. He got me to dance. He got me out of my head and into my body. The leader for our Journeys of the Heart retreat this past weekend was funny, smart, gifted, and very intellectual. Her brain excited my brain for sure. I loved the power point presentation, all the amazing quotes from authors, scholars, and well respected people in the field of psychology and self-help, and the way she zipped along with all the information. I was grinning from ear to ear. I was engaged in all of the small and large group dialogues. I was journal writing like mad.

Enter Hafiz and his poem, I have learned so much, and that is where my mind began to unravel. Thank goodness for my body and its infinite wisdom and longing.

Our instructions were to journal, reflect and then share in a small group dialogue. I read the poem at least 10 times and then got up and promptly walked out the front door into the bright sun and crisp winter air. I could no longer deny my body and its need to move. It was the only way I could make sense of the line that was inspiring me and confusing me:

Love has befriended me so completely  It has turned to ash and freed Me of every concept my mind has ever known.

There are some things that the body just knows so completely and fully; the mind pales in comparison every time.

Note for Tuesday: Trust the body! (and dance for heaven’s sake.)

Across the pond

Posted by Anita Bondi on February 28, 2012 under Anita Bondi | Be the First to Comment

Caroline wrote to say that Mairi would really like to have InterPlay jewelry and The InterPlay Inspiration Decks in Scotland as they are bringing InterPlay to various regions in the next few months. WOW! Yeah for them, and for me. Caroline leaves on Friday and called me to say that she would be happy to carry them “across the pond” for me. That is the coolest expression, isn’t it? Especially given the expanse of the Atlantic ocean and this cool fact that I found…Approximate distance as the crow flies in miles from New York United States to Glasgow, Scotland Great Britain (UK) is 3213 miles or 5169.72 Kilometers.

That is quite some pond!

So, thank you Caroline Kisiel and Mairi Campbell for believing in me and for spreading the good news of InterPlay.

Here are some of the pieces that are on the way:

Thank you.

Posted by Anita Bondi on February 14, 2012 under Anita Bondi | Be the First to Comment

Last week I attended a workshop at ESU entitled, Designs for Survival. It was taught by Tom Mann, jeweler, sculpture, and creative genius. The workshop was dotted with “makers” from the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, artists working in our area for the last 20 years or more, and many students who probably wondered what all “these old people” were doing there.

There is one thing that the self employed person must always remember: you, the clients, customers, consumers, are the most important part of our creative life. Without you, what we make is just product. With you, what we make is a life line of sorts.

Tom Mann said,”Never forget to say , Thank You.” When I work with my clients I always end the session by thanking them. When I teach I always end my class by thanking each student individually. When I sell a piece online, I make sure to send a Thank you note. With the world moving so fast because of technology and our ability to “reach out and touch someone” almost every second of the day, I almost can’t keep up with all the Thank you’s that I want to say.

My survival depends on YOU. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Without you, the puzzle is incomplete.” Happy Valentine’s Day.

Permission Slip

Posted by Anita Bondi on February 7, 2012 under Anita Bondi | Be the First to Comment

I know, I know, I hear it all the time from my clients, “I don’t have time to take care of myself. There is so much to do for the kids, the house, not to mention my full time job.” Today I am offering a Tuesday permission slip to use for yourself. Don’t give it away to someone that really needs it…you really need it! Print out this picture and give it to your kids, your partner, your boss, and then, do something nice to yourself. Even if it is just to close your eyes and watch yourself breathe for five minutes. Maybe you can give yourself a bit more time to sit and stare at something beautiful, watching what happens in your body when you do that. Perhaps you are feeling bold and will claim a full hour, or two, and do something that feels completely indulgent (for me, that would be a bath and a magazine!). Feel free to let me know what you do today to TAKE CARE OF YOU. Believe me, you are worth it!

I miss it.

Posted by Anita Bondi on January 31, 2012 under Anita Bondi | Be the First to Comment

lately i have been thinking about how much i miss creating performance art. most of my creative time has been spent making jewelry. while satisfying and money making (both very important to me as a self-employed artist), there is just something about being hunched over a dusty dirty bench that can never compare to a huge open studio space and bodies moving together.

this pic may have to be my inspirational jumping off place…