Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes

I now declare that I only have a bad chest cold,  Today I took a real long look at myself in the mirror. I have been sick for several weeks. Once I recognized who I was and the shock began to wear off, I took two hours to slightly recaim my "girly girl".  Is it too soon to say "celebrate the day"?  Waking up to a messy house that I can still live in, hey! who turned on the birdsong again?  I have not been able to ride my blessed power chair down to Publix in several weeks.  It's not about the groceries.  I am well taken care of,  it's the baking manager that offers me not a free cookie but wants to give me a $14.00 torte just to make me happy.  I blush, stammer, give thanks and roll to the produce section.  There the produce manager takes me aside and says "our God is not on our schedule but he wants me to tell you that you are not alone. They know nothing about me... many of you are also in the dark as it should be.  They know nothing.  But they have seen me become weaker.  People who are strangers to me come up and say "you don't know me but you are such an inspiration to me...  you rock!"  I don't deserve any of this but if God wants to give it to me then I will try to pass on my Grace Notes for one more day.

Okay now can I say it?

Celebrate the day?

Celebrate!

www.asbellarts.com

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sleeping 7 1/2 hours straight!  Good golly Miss Molly!  Church is not for perfect people and that is why I miss it so much...   I fit right in,  able to eat an almost full bowl of cereal,  lighting a candle just for me and taking the time to slowly smell the lingering scent before I blow it out, old dogs that carry 1/2 of the "Nature Preserve" back inside with them to share, burning my delicious dinner but there is always tomorrow, "Joel Osteen" ( Mr Smiley) and Nancy Asbell both  smiling too much...  Okay! If they shared the outlook "Choose not to be a victim but a victor" they'd be smiling too.  Come one!  It's good endorphins. I still have legs... and they hurt... and how can I not be praising God...  I still have legs... and they hurt... and, and, I get it.  Bring it on!  Praise God!  I found my marbles.  They were in my chest.  Now I just have a nice calming pur of a cat before he plans his next attack.  Yeah....  I crack myself up.  I have to do something between snacks.  Seriously though, at least I have a beautiful bed to take naps in.  Tomorrow I am going to get my voice back to sing.  Even Panda misses it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes

I wake up and I still hurt and God says "I know.  And you are never alone".

A lot of people don't like me. I mean, how can she "be suffering" and still be able to post these "Grace Notes?"  Oh just gag me with  spoon! (I wouldn't suggest that.  It sounds very painful from here),  I mean she just about gives her art away. She cheapens the work for of all of us.  Okay. Let's play a game.  You are told by a doctor that you have 30 days to live.  What will you do?  Something good I hope.  Okay how about 3 months to live?  The Mayo Clinic says that I almost died 11 times in the last two years.  They say that they cannot take credit.  It was my faith, incredible will to live and attitude.  Now they say that I live "on a tight wire"... every day is a miracle for me. Today?  Tomorrow?  I and my family know where I'm going. So I unclench my hands and I give free advice to international art lovers, very cheap coaching to artists/performers (if they are really serious about their business) my talents? Eh, landscape artists are a dime a dozen.  My overwhelming amount of experience/wisdom in social media/marketing? Extremely good.

At the end of the day I am telling Jesus "I hurt" he says "I know and you are not alone".

Every day I will selfishly be posting my Grace Notes. They help to keep me alive.

You can always "change the channel."

You see, I am the lucky one.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes

I slept through the night. Didn't wake for pain medicines, only had some new wounds to treat for messes. I only struggled to breathe once I got up... and I was giddy. I gave myself shots, took blood pressure nmeds, I took my daily photos of my legs for my health care team..  today they are fire engine red (I am an artist you know so I can change from black to red if I want to),  it took me one hour to shower, re do some wounds and get dressed on my own and I was giddy,  my Mayo staff said That I still run a huge risk of losing my legs but due to new treatments using "balloon's" I should be able to live through the surgery.  Maybe NOW you can understand why I am so giddy!  Giddy up and go and

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Thursdays Grace Notes

Thursdays Grace Notes

I have personally experienced so much pain and worse yet witnessed again and again the suffering of others. 2011 has been a sense of Hell itself .  Or has it been?  It has been the most beautiful experiences of my life.  I praise God for them.   I will never be the same. I never want to be the same.  Now I have so much of the good parts of myself to give,  I have pneumonia.  Can you imagine having bronchitis asthama or Copd Every day?  Now I once again have been given another eye and heart lesson of the struggles of others.   I roll into the kitchen in the morning filled with stress.  "Should I have 1/2 of a bagel with my beloved coffee and Greek yogurt or a bowl of cereal.  Some beautiful woman on the other side of the world just lost her fifth child to water so dirty it cannot be printed on this page.  How can I go without praising Jesus for MY lupus and MY available medicine.  Suddenly my blessings are raining down me and I will never be the same.

Celebrate... CELEBRATE the day!

www.asbellarts.com

I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found

I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found

Rotating My One Woman And look What I Found!

The Way To Cedar Key 20x20

Days End 22x28

Guanna Blue Three 20x20

Steve's Guana

Lilly Pond Marsh 10x30

Blessed 10x10

Merritt Island 20x30

Golf View 24x24

Sunlit Palm 12x24 

Emerald Waters 20x30

Morning Golf View 26x48

Large Palm 4' x 5'



Artist Marketing Tip Of The Day

Artist Marketing Tip Of The Day

Brand yourself.

Create your own identity.

What do you want to be known for?

Mine is Artist/Musician/Teacher/Marketer/ Motivational Speaker and Lupus Awareness.

Use it in all of your "tags" and social media when appropriate.

You are a business.

Take yourself seriously.

If not you, who will?

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes

When you are trying to help someone and they don't want it a wise woman just simply walks away...  Being brave and bold and posting about my "not wanting to play along" black legs.  I received responses from my Twitter, Facebook, email accounts, whole living, fineartamerica, linkedin and daily blogs.  "Thank you. I don't feel so alone".... "now I really do count my blessings every day."  TMI?  Maybe but I promised God to advocate for Lupus Then my art.  God keeps His promises.  So should I. People cutting me some slack after learning that I had a brain stem stroke in 1996 and running a business is sometimes hard to do.  Emails for me for communication help.  If this "compromised brain can do it then we all can... as long as we continue to help each other...  Thank you.  Thank you so much for being there.  Thanks to you I can always

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Visual / Performing Marketing Tip #2

Visual / Performing Marketing Tip #2

Regularly Google your name and business but not from your own computer.  Your personal computer contains  history which may show up as higher actual rankings. View  the web and  images.

Celebrate the day!

Moses Had An Aaron I had a Michele

Moses Had An Aaron I had a Michele

Michele and I were born 15 months apart. I was HER baby sister.  End of story. I had a disabling speech impediment. Often only she would know what I was trying to say.

God called Moses to lead His people. But God, I stutter!  So God gave Moses his brother Aaron. Moses soon found out that he could lead God's people all along.

As for me, I have learned that even I can become a motivational speaker for Epilepsy, strokes, Lupus, art/music marketing and positive living.  Moses, me, you...  God knows that we had it in us all along.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes

My cup runneth over... quick I need to empty my hands before I "waste" my blessings,  Don't tell me that people on facebook are superficial...  you people are way too good and supportive to carelessly discard with such words while YOU grace ME with another blessed day,  I woke up with a chest cold and realized that as long as I don't laugh or giggle I wont break into a caughing spell. I'm, "okay" and then it hit me, I live by myself and laugh that much?  Where is Nancy and, you've  heard it again "where did she go?"  Today I need to slow down.... but I can still play the guitar and piano just no singing.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com



Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Chonda.org.  Great way to begin the day w/ a great laugh,  looking forward to recess, a snack then an afternoon nap...  I love Kindergarten! LOL I keep receiving new music and art students that are so talented that maybe I should pay them!,,   I may  not be the most talented person but I am very good at marketing myself... can I help you as well?  "open my eyes so that I may see"  Oh my gosh!  It's a beautiful day out there and I haven't even opened the front door yet!,  clothing myself w/ humility...  I may be a bit overdressed today,  my new self imposed BIG seven day weekly planner so that I can "get it all done".

Okay.  Once again I talked too much....

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Marketing Monday Tips

Marketing Monday Tips

It's Monday but do not send out your latest email.  Monday mornings we are all behind from Friday.  We would just disappear.  Same for Friday.  We're overwhelmed and we just want to close up our computer for the week.  Once again any interest in our email disappears.  Answer, email on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  As for weekends, especially Facebook communication, pour it on.  We have a full audience.  We will talk more about emails and the relevancy of them.  Personally for me they are great to connect with people and yes I sell a lot of art that way AND received more students an music gigs.   Now see?  All of this really can be fun. 

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes

The unbelievable kindness of people... yesterday "The Ladies" came just to clean my floors.  When they left I discovered that they cleaned everything!  They really took care of me.  Thanks to them I only took one nap yesterday, "I can't be jealous and happy at the same time",  my worst day with God is still better than any day without Him",  getting to know my neighbors, last Sunday I didn't make it to church... neither did a new acquaintance that I met while doing one of my "roll abouts".  Once connecting with tears we both said "THIS is church!, new art and music students, and not sleeping well because I couldn't wait to begin this glorious day.  Really.  So far I am off to a great start!

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Today is a great day.  I am in increased pain (large wounds on legs) and am having tremers.  So why is today so special?  I have to dig deaper from my soul to really give thanks.  So here we go!  I am thankful that I can tie my own tennis shoes with out asking for help,  my doctors are "allowing me" to live alone and take care of myself,.... and I am very good at that,  Playing and singing "Someone Like You" by Adele on the piano late into the night, reading about a man that due to an injury 25 yrs ago lives in a power chair, just like me and has trouble getting enough sleep each night because he is so excited to live another day... we are the lucky ones, my "No Excuses Bag" that I made.  Today I pulled out "How can I help?  I'm in a chair?" Answer, They may be moving but I can put together a basket w/ baked goods, instant expresso, disposable coffee cups and a cream cheese spread while the movers are there.  Spoken like a 29 yrs Army wife...  and one more thing???  In pain I watched Joyce Meyer but it left me only hungrier to be spiritually filled.  I guess I just have to read my Bible.  No the lesson is not lost on me.  I geft it.  NOW it will be a wonderful day!

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes

When I allow somebody to offend/hurt me it's time mail them a card telling them how much I love them....   It's the only great commission that we have "love one another", "What about me!  What about me!" oh Nancy get over your sweet self,  a blank piece of paper full of possibilities, sometimes the weirder somebody is the more I am attracted to them.... maybe I am just looking into a mirror,  since I am afraid of heights reaching for the stars can be rather scary. God may leave me hanging there for awhile until I figure out what He wants me to do,  returning to my music and asking myself "can I truly be this happy?

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Monday"s Grace Notes "Happiness"

Monday"s Grace Notes

"Happiness"

Happiness can be found sipping a fine white wine on a balcony overlooking a vineyard in Italy.  Happiness can be found drinking a cup of Folgers Coffee on the back cement stoop of a mobile home.  Happiness can be found in a prison, a woman's shelter, and ICU units when they tell you that they will have to amputate your legs in the morning and you probably not live.  Happiness can be found when a woman can slide out of her own bed, into her wheelchair to live an independent day in her own home and begin to celebrate yet one more day.

I have found happiness...

and it has found me.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Sunday"s Grace Notes

Sunday"s Grace Notes

Unexpected pleasures... this morning I was able to lift my purple swollen stump of a leg 15 TIMES in bed! Yesterday it was only 4,  I am not as fragile as I think I am,  setting up my coffee the night before and rolling out to get my Sunday paper first thing in the morning, not making God drum his fingers and and just tell Him what I need.  He already knows.. He just needs me to say it "ask and ye shall receive" that's called faith,  my successful art and music career and being a mentor to other artists and musicians, the return of my "Artists Marketing Blogs" (by request) and my "Angels Unaware" blogs. I've had a lot of bad breaks... you too?  Well God has healed them all.. man He must multitask well,  If God has truly given me ALL that I need just for this day then "wowie zowie" now I can give the excess away.

I can start over tomorrow.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes

All of my "stuff" belongs to God,  picking up the soup can phone and saying "hello progresso, I have been eating soup and my jeans now fit!" (it's a commercial, but they do fit!),  I hope that in my old age one will find an unfinished symphony on my piano, a half written song on my music stand, a notepad of unfinished grace notes on my desk and a large unfinished painting on my easel with a creative chaos of tubes of paint showing that up to the very end I was dancing with life,  God gives me opportunities every day,,, it is up to me to take advantage of them,  loving Saturday's... the very word makes me happy and brings out the kid in me.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

nancy-asbell.artistwebsites.com

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes

Unclenching my hands and letting go,  an emptier full life,  the color green, the color blue, the color yellos....  Kaliediscopes!,,God doesn't speak to me in the thunder but in the whisper of the wind... I'm listening,  soup cans with pop off openers, piping hot fresh corn on the cobb with garlic and finely shredded parmesian cheese,  and my new Florida Horizon work in progress.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com