"Stay By The Tree"

by Judy Cooley

This is one of my newest prints that Altus Art will be distributing.

I had a great experience creating this painting.

I was asked by Karen Broadhead if I could do a painting for "Mothers Who Know' A program of Life Changing Services. This is an online class for those who desire to stand strong in facing the opposition of our day, specializing in supporting mothers who have a child or spouse battling addiction or other unhealthy behaviors. She teaches these women that no matter the storms and trails they are facing- to stay at the tree- where we partake of the Saviors Love and Grace. Remain holding on tight to the Iron Rod which is the word of God. This is where healing and peace can be found. 

I have a testimony from my own life experiences, that I've found this peace and strength to sustain me. I am forever grateful for my Savior and the peace he promises. Thank you Madi Holt for sharing your beauty by being my model, and thank you Karen for giving me this honor and opportunity to create. It felt great to paint again!

Where are you along The Path that leads to the Tree of Life? 

 Are you holding on? Finding Joy?

 “… I partook of the fruit… it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.”  1 Nephi 8:12

"TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN TO YA!"

The 2016 Climb

"TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN TO YA!"

Erik, Megan, Charles and me on top of The Middle Teton 

“You can't reach a mountain top without friends to help you get there.” 

“A seeker ventures out to find beauty.

 When he is on the top of a mountain, 

he discovers that beauty is inside of his heart.” 

― Debasish Mridha

It's that time of year again! 

The Cooley Tradition to hike to the top of the Middle Teton. This year marked my 19th year to climb and Erik's 27th. 

It's amazing that we still find it challenging and thrilling! And keep going back year after after for more. 

It's a reminder to us that we can do hard things, and a great way to work those stick-to-ity muscles.

 It also renews my love for Erik because it's part of the glue that binds us together. 

It's also a very humbling and a spiritual journey for me because I always see and feel the evidence of God's love on the mountain. 

Also, there's nothing like sliding for miles and miles down a snow hill! 

DAY 40!!! Happy New Heart!!!

40 DAYS TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE OF HEART

DAY 40!!!

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2016

Janus: The Roman god of beginnings and transitions. 
He is usually depicted as having tow faces, 
since he looks to the future and to the past. 
The Romans named the month January in his honor. 

The past cannot be changed. 

The future is shaped by our current thinking.

If we want a joyous life,

we must think joyous  thoughts.

If we want a prosperous life,

we must think prosperous thoughts.

If we want a loving life,

we must think loving thoughts.

 

What do you want to let go of from 2015?

What are you looking forward to in 2016?

I hope that these past 40 days have been a journey of transformation and change of heart for you.

 I hope I at least gave you somethings to think about. After all we are all on this adventure of life together- I lift you and you lift me and together we ascend.

I've done some soul searching to know what to blog about.

It's been a big challenge to blog everyday, but a great experience to really think about what "transformation and change" look and feels like. There are a few virtuous I didn't get to that I wanted to like Integrity, Time management, laughter, leadership and fasting. Maybe another day.

Happy Change...

I honor the divine light within you... Namaste!

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

when there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope; 

where there is darkness, light; 

where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much 

seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand, 

to love as to love; 

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying (to ourselves) that we are born to

Eternal Life. 

Day 39: Unity

40 Days Transformation and Change of Heart

Day 39: Unity

"I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine."
Doctrine & Covenants 38:27

Chinese myth of the Red Ribbon
According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red cord around the ankles of those that are destined to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way.

I love this idea that we are bond together with some invisible red thread. 

I remember writing in my journal when my daddy pasted away about a thread I felt that connected us. 

This thread began in our premortal existence and weaved into life and then after death

 and continues on into the eternities. 

I like to think of them as heart strings-  uniting us.

As humans we aren't meant to be alone; we need one another.

"What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" -George Eliot

We need each other along this journey, there are times I fall and need to lean on you, and there are times I have to strength for you to lean on me. Together we climb, alone we struggle.

Who needs you to reach out? 

Is your heart open to receive others reaching out to you?

We Need One Another... Reach Out and Grab On! There are three million species of animals living in the tropical rain forests, and one of them, the red fire ant, lives underground, under constant threat of annihilation from flash floods. Nature doesn't care. If a species wants to survive, it has to prove it deserves to. When the floods come, the fire ants hold on to each other, creating a living raft that can float until the water recedes. Months, if necessary. So how does a species figure something like that out? Instinct? Trial and error? Was there one fire ant who was being swept away by the rushing water... and grabbed on to another ant, only to find that together they could float? As humans we need each other in the floods of life... to help each other out- to reach out and grab on to one another. We recognize ourselves in each other, and are programmed for compassion, for heroism, for love.

Day 38: Choice & Accountability- Taming of the Bronco

40 Days Transformation and Change of Heart

Day 38: Choice and Accountability

-Taming of the Bronco-

I heard a man who was a WWII Vet fighter pilot, age 93 speak to a group of youth. He was vibrant and strong physically and spiritually. He captured our attention and imaginations with his stories from the war. He spoke of how we each come into this life to obtain a body- which he called the "Bronco" and the test is in taming our Bronco. In other words- learning Choice & Accountability. Letting our appetites and fears rule us it can be like a wild bucking bronco, and all you can do is hold on for dear life. When we learn that we are in charge with our choices and learn how to tame and own up to our choices- we then take the reins and calm the beast and can actually enjoy the ride!

So many in society claim we are victims of our human nature and surrounding circumstances. "Go with what makes you feel good. you're choices only effect you. satisfy your appetites and you will be happy. it's not your fault you are the victim" just some of the lies of the advisory whispered to us. 

So, Whose in charge of your Bronco?

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." Helen Keller

Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

I will choose good over evil and will accept responsibility for my decisions.

Day 37: Optimistic!!!!

40 Days Transformation and Change of Heart

Day 37: Optimistic!!!

"I feel Peaceful & Optimistic about the Future!"

I admit it- I'm a talk radio junkie. Lately though I haven't had the time. And I've been trying a internet, radio, and Netflix diet- only small portions. I have to do this because it can feel like our world is spiraling out of control. What's good is called evil and what's evil is called good- topsy turvy. And it's hard for me to keep my hopes up and not give into fear. So, my antidote is reading and listening to things that are virtuous, lovely and of good report, mediate, pray & ponder as well as just simply think "Happy Thoughts" 

"Turn those frowns upside down" something so simple you learned it in primary.

We have to practice the talent of garbage sifting- called discernment. And also practice the art of positive thinking. One of the most optimistic people I know was President Gordon B. Hinckley. Who said, "Our future is as bright as our faith." Another fine example of taking really hard life situations and turning them around with such optimism is Helen Keller who said,

"Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities." 

Think about it- each day is a New Beginning!  And you are it's Creator!

What's it going to be today?

"The Sun does not shine for a few tress and flowers, 

but for the wide world's joy, including yours."  

-Henry Ward Beecher

'Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastnessin Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a loveof God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.' 2 Nephi 31:20

What can you look at in your life today in a new light?

Dedicated to another Optimistic soul- Lauren Webb- Whose Smile is missed!
When life is always missing something (or someone)

Day 36: What is Your Legacy?

40 Days of Transformation and Change of Hearts

Day 36: What is Your Legacy?

Today I helped my fragile mother into the shower and stood outside the shower just in case she fell. I thought about all the times as a little girl she bathed me and my sister and sang "oh I wish I was a fishy in the sea.." which I sang to my children and have sung to my grandchildren as I bathe them. I've thought about the things I learned from my mother that I have passed on to the next generation and the next. And what will they remember about me? What day in and day out things have I done that they have picked up on? Have I taught kindness, joy and faith? As a parent your children are everything- your world rotates around them. Then one day you wake up and they've grown. And I can't remember the last time they needed me to bathe them or sing them goodnight. And what if I would've know that night or that bath that it was going to be the last, would I have done things different? Have I taught them what they will need?  And after today I realize I will probably need them in the far future to do for me what I can't do any longer- and I hope I've taught them well.

"For the Arrow is flown and the Moments are gone." (Hymn #217 Come, let us Anew)

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces,

     I would still plant my apple tree."   -Martin Luther

We all leave behind us a legacy- good or bad- we are planting seeds for our future generations. 

What will be yours? What will your children and family say and remember of you? 

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." -Winston Churchill

"Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good."   -Helaman 5:6