Forever Looking Forward - Original Art by Raphaella Vaisseau

Having an affinity for transcendentalism as expressed by Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, I was impacted in my coming of age years by three things: (1) learning in my college psychology classes the difference between goal-oriented and process-oriented people, and choosing to be the latter; (2) Ram Dass's landmark book, Be Here Now, published in 1971; and, (3) my own Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness and my ministerial ordination blessing of January, 1978, in which it was stated that "as I give in to the moment I'm in, my ministry will unfold of itself."

These things have assisted me greatly over the years. I suspect that living in either the past or the future held pitfalls for me (perhaps regret or worry). Countless times during my life I have thanked Spirit for this insight, the gifts of focus, surrender, and reminders to live in the present moment.

Acceptance is keynote of course. Whatever happens, and wherever I am, is an opportunity for acceptance. Then, with new knowledge and experience gained, I go forward from there with new choices.

All of this focus on living in the present does not mean, however, that there is no place for goals, intentions, and desires. Thus, my newest creation in art, a 10"x10" acrylic painting on canvas entitled, "Forever Looking Forward." Enjoy. - Raphaella Vaisseau

Lily Pond at the Jacaranda Library in Venice, Florida

I've been driving by this beautiful lily pond for months and finally had my camera in the car and took a few moments to contemplate the splendor of the place.

Lilies, beautiful lilies. I was in Giverny and walked around the pond where Claude Monet painted his beautiful art: Water Lilies in 1906, and Bridge Over a Pond of Lilies in 1899. A much quieter place than this. Yet, I can touch calmness here.

It's something I love about living in Florida: that anywhere, at any moment, even in my back yard, I am touched by awesome beauty. The storm clouds last night looked like the sky in my painting, Lavender Clouds garden.

Today, I was updating my website with all my magnets in FRENCH!!! While files were uploading, I gazed out my studio window and feasted on the lush, green scene in front of my eyes. Even the weathered privacy fence behind the shrubbery looked like a piece of art to me. The banana tree has recovered from the freezing cold of last winter, and the landscape crew keeps the grass and bushes nicely trimmed. Ahhh! I am blessed.