I also love the idea that ground is Grounding. Getting up in the morning to go outside invigorates my soul; the sooner I see that January blue sky and breathe in the crisp air, I am awakened. So what if this morning the first thing to throw me outside was a whole heap of chores—it’s for the little farm. As I breathed in the air with two arms filled with basement rubble, I felt like I had a purpose…at the end of January. I experienced satisfaction of the work completed and a sensation of the work to come. “People can build a lot for themselves if they just put some work into it,” spoken simply from a Grandpa. This consistent tending is something of a cultivation and I am happy to be wading in creation here this January. Owl Love You All Year, I believe, has the capacity to awaken our creativity and connect us a little more in life.

Do something today that makes you feel more whole!

And remember, entries are due for the next swap by February 9th (if you want yours received by the 14th).

OWL LOVE YOU ALL YEAR

1951 N. Francisco, GARDEN LEVEL, Chicago, IL 60647

<3

Other times we feel blindsided by the events that blast through us, or the subtle changes often spinning. How haphazardly do we float about and how surely do we step? How many dreams do we make of our days and how can we make them stay? We hear the cyclic cerebral songs guiding us about with its woulds, shoulds, needs, and have-tas… but sometimes staying upright is more difficult than just knowing we Could. Many of us suffer a true song that ribbons its way through our waking minds begging us to always reach a bit further, to be much _________-er, and we are encouraged to be dissatisfied with our current selves. As a result we get smoothed down like windy desert trees. We stand alone, hunkered over, shoulders rolling. Separate from the rest, we crawl into our own husks feelin’ like the only livin’ lonely lowly corn, but when we peek and reach out our awareness grows that we are actually Sharing an experience of turbulence and magnificence. The shaky ride is not a singular one (surprise!). And, if we maintain eye contact and open hearts, we will be able to laugh together when it’s all over.

Adventure Love!

A very intelligent canine of the doctorate level once said, “We’re all in it together now, as we all fall apart. We’re swapping little pieces of our broken little hearts.” To mend, we need one another. And when it’s time to celebrate, we shouldn’t do it alone.

Owl Love You All Year is a project of handmade, tangible love that is dispersed 365 days a year—not just on Valentine’s Day or the many other commercial days that tout the celebration of love. We all know these holidays are really only geared toward advancing consumerism. This project is to honor the love all around and in us each and every day. When we express love creatively we are able to cultivate life and nourish connections with one another that regenerate more ideas and better creations. When we gather to support one another we gain courage and momentum. It starts as a handmade valentine to a stranger, but what will manifest in your life as a result of giving?

Participants in this project send in a handmade valentine of any medium or size (it can be sweet, funny, crass, full of wonder, inspirational, lewd) along with a stamped envelope to send it in. Your valentine will be swapped with someone else’s submission and you’ll receive one in the mail. Chances are the message you receive in return will be just the warm hand you needed on your shoulder that day; or, it will make you spit out your pop when you least expect it. Get your creative juices flowing and send out a message, a feeling, and it will be received. So on those days when you’re feeling like the smallest walrus you’ll catch something in the wave (or postal service) telling you the truth is otherwise.

Go forth with Love in your Heart!

Submissions may be sent to:

Owl Love You All Year

1951 N. Francisco, Garden Level, Chicago, IL 60647

*** In order to receive a Valentine by February 14th your submission must be received by February 9th, 2012. Please make sure to include an extra envelope with sufficient postage to send your valentine (this is more of a reminder for those who opt to send any larger items or works of art).

*** Don’t know what to make? Relieve yourself of the pressure to be creatively GREAT! Focus on the fun of this project and celebrate creating freely knowing that your message will be received by someone who needs it. Make ‘em laugh, or make ‘em cry…some days we need a little of both. Just remember that there is no way to go wrong! And that you’re awesome! And we will all LOVE what came from you!