Michelle Andres Writes ~ Hopelessly deep thinker, frighteningly keen observer, discerning feeler and Jesus-loving, imperfect human storyteller … at your service.

I’m not here to preach to you. So far from it. First off, I’m not a theologian. Secondly, I’m a hot mess, stumbling toward Jesus and asking Him to forgive me… nearly every day…and some days He’s on speed dial.

But, He has my whole heart.  And, I want to be so very good, not for His acceptance, but to demonstrate His character to others throughout my day and to make Him smile in Heaven. See, God has already accepted me, hot mess and all. I KNOW! I can’t believe it either!!! It’s probably why I puddle during every worship song in church. I can’t believe the grace and mercy He would bestow upon me…He knows my thoughts. He knows my heart. They ain’t all pure, you know. 

In our lives we have mountains and valleys. I knew the valley was coming because I’d been sailing along for quite a while in complete comfort and mostly happiness. In 2018 things began heating up as we bought a new house and had a really hard time selling the old one. I was digging in the front yard of the listed house, planting a totally idolatrous St. Joseph statue, because realtors say St. Joseph will miraculously sell your house…and we were approaching desperation.  My childhood friend had been working on getting my soul to Jesus for decades. She was really heavy handed, and way too hellfire and brimstone for me, and being someone who’s a little bit stubborn, maybe more, I dug in my heels and clutched my new-age pearls. I would NOT be bullied into Christianity. Then, while burying the statue I recalled what she said when we’d had dinner last, “It’s not as hard as you try to make it. You don’t have to be perfect, that’s the point. He’s perfect for you.” I’d been slowly coming along. My car radio was set on K-Love and I was eye-balling those Chrisitians, so joyful and kind. So, on my knees, in the front yard, under the big sky and redwood trees, idol grasped tightly in hand, I looked up and said, ”Lord, if you want me, you can have me. Here I am.” Then, like a lightning bolt the Holy Spirit accepted the invitation and shot into my previously hardened-heart and changed it, IMMEDIATELY. Mostly. From that moment I was His and I’ve been deeply, committedly in love ever since. Truly, you don’t have to ask the Lord twice. My abiding love for God hasn’t wavered and the only thing in the way of me being a saintly follower is, well, me. 

These essays will be about the journey, which is unique to each single follower, but leads to the the same place. Abiding love in Christ the Savior and the struggle to walk the “Follower’s Path, ” demonstrating His ways in all we do. I’ll stumble, might fall, but I will get back up and keep trying.  Remember, I’m not perfect. We don’t have to be.

Michelle Andres is an bonifide, Jesus-Loving writer and visual artist. Follow her writing at @thepuddlingchristian on Instagram or on Facebook. See her artwork on her website or follow on Instagram.

Ha – not a typo. I am going to fast.

I want to give a heads-up to everyone. I’m taking 40 days to step away from social media. In the interest of keeping my business alive I’ll be only taking a few steps…not walking all the way away…and only for 40 days. My commitment to this will start Wednesday, February 17^th.

Although I was raised Catholic, I don’t consider myself Catholic anymore, I still find value in fasting during Lent. And, truth be told, I feel like social media has a tighter grip on me than is reasonable. I know this, because when I think about the 40 days, I think it’ll be hard…really hard, to stay away. Did I mention I think this will be excruciatingly hard? Don’t get me wrong, Instagram and Facebook have been instrumental in building my art business…but I reach for my phone at the most inopportune times…and there’s tension around it. This seems like a good time to address my unproductive behaviour.

I heard author Wendy Speake on the radio. She talked about how screens come between us – between us and our families, our children, our friends. Screens come between potential exchanges with strangers. Ever notice how everyone is looking at their phones when they’re waiting? In a line? Ear-buds clearly indicating “I don’t want to be bothered by anyone.” Do you ever wondering if they’re listening to anything at all? Confession – I’ve put them in on airplanes to avoid 5-hour conversations. Yet, some of the best conversations I’ve had are on airplanes…go figure.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like there is enough in between us right now, we should be

Human hands open palm up.

having conversations, sharing thoughts, helping one another, building bridges. Phones and ear-buds seem to be a way of saying “Don’t bother me!” But, at what cost? The quality of our interactions about the experience of living life together on this planet?

Wendy Speake is a Christian author and she advocates using the new found freedom to develop a deeper relationship with Christ. I’m down with that. As a baby Christian, it sounds like a plan for me. It may be a plan for you, too. But, even if you’re not seeking a spiritual connection, think of how you could use the time, and capitalize off the slack in the electronic leash. Would you practice desperately needed self-care, work on and complete a special project, call Mom more or take the time to cook healthier meals? What do you not have time for that’s really important to you?

So, I’ll be planning posts “off the line” and limiting my social media time to a total of 30 minutes a day. Just enough to answer any comments, questions and check to see if someone DMed me for a painting. Please don’t give up on me. I’ll be there a little bit. As an artist, I do need people’s support on social media, but I’d like to give this a try. Sign up for art updates and we’ll be in touch before it’s over!

If you’d like to join me, you can find out more at 40daysocialmediafast.com

Stay Well!

Michelle Andres is a writer and artist who cultivates her own Well–Lived
Life by drinking in the beauty around her, following her passions, respecting others and doing her best to own her own dookie.

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Push Me

At first, when the Covid-19 pandemic took foothold, I was eager for new, accurate information. I saw my state’s numbers and decided it would be good to keep an eye on them, so I opted for push notifications. When I asked them to push me, I hardly realized how much they would. Several times per day notifications stream into my device, sounding a quiet gong to let me know there’s something new. It’s been 55 days – sheltering in place – and my craving for information has led to a steady stream of vomitus garbage. Thank you, media. (click to Tweet)

Initially, when the virus was new, the information was useful. There was an evident mark of the country working together to get the most brilliant minds around this crisis and avert a worse case scenario. Gradually, it changed to finger pointing, then to hysteria by some. Now, it’s click-bait garbage that has no business in a sound mind, and certainly no place in my everyday life. Still, I hear a gong and take a peek like a poorly bred Pavlovian dog.

If there’s one thing the media is brilliant at, it’s creating a train-wreck in such a twisted fashion we can’t bear to look away. Providing unbiased information that prompts thoughtful discussion and solution making seems to be way beyond their scope. I’m not talking about the polar edges – Fox and CNN – I’m talking about all of it. NPR, I’ve seen your bias. OAN you, too. Talking heads – pure editorial drivel. Are you still giving them rent in your mind?

Truth is, none of us really know what we face. There’s no real oversight for the misinformation they cloak as “news.”  (Click to Tweet) Truth is, I’m so sick of people  who use this crisis as a soapbox for their political ideologies I could just puke all over them…gosh, that would be awesome! (I KNOW, not nice).

Initially, I was hopeful we’d collectively find some depth and common ground in this crisis, and many, many of us have. I want to tease these evolved souls apart from the shafted chaff and surround myself with the evolved forever! There was a great hope we’d learn to be civil, perhaps even kind. I still yearn for that, but it seems some of our fellow beings lack the aptitude to move beyond the shallow waters of the ugly business we had begun to accept as ‘usual.’ Don’t we all want a loving, peaceful world? And, I find myself wondering, if this global pandemic doesn’t do it, what will it take?

Michelle Andres is a writer and artist who cultivates her own Well–Lived
Life by drinking in the beauty around her, following her passions, respecting others and doing her best to own her own dookie.

FOLLOW HER ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

JOIN THE TRIBE AND SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG (OVER THERE – IN THE LEFT SIDEBAR)

CHECK OUT MICHELLE’S ART

I had a thought over coffee. Humankind is on a big, fat time-out.

I think we deserved it.

Did you notice how we were treating one another? It’s been happening for years. The bickering, rudeness, downright meanness we showed our fellow women and men. I quit writing because, as a behavior-based writer, I couldn’t bear  to look at the train-wreck anymore. The well of encouraging words ran dry.

Then, this global crisis arose. People are frightened. We are unsure and like two-year olds, when we were unsure and unsteady, we cling to one another…only now we do it from 6-feet away.

Ha! We can’t hide our true natures…but can we hang on to them? (Click to Tweet) Kindness has spiraled into control. We’re focusing on love and embracing the good. We’re encouraging each other, celebrating acts of kindness, rallying our brave and indispensable healthcare workers and first responders; we’re holding one another up and helping each other laugh. We’re telling our neighbors where to find essential goods and sharing. The lines have blurred of any label the could possible divide us. We are human again. I’m so deeply encouraged. I’ve finally let go of the resentment I was feeling for our collective nastiness. Beyond that forgiveness, I’ve found a place where I’m genuinely proud of us and our concern outside ourselves…outside in the global community, even.

The question is, how do we capture this? How do we keep it whole for the future? It definitely begins with a sense of personal willingness. I’d encourage people to pay attention, and I don’t mean to the news and the virus – though that can be an important informational component. Let’s examine our behaviour, our collective and individual behaviour. When it’s loving and tender, anchor that to a feeling. Capture it deep in your core so you can replicate it at will…and will in your heart that we are human tomorrow and all the days after; for each is a gift to be joyfully celebrated with gratitude and love.

Michelle Andres is a writer and artist who cultivates her own Well–Lived
Life by drinking in the beauty around her, following her passions, respecting others and doing her best to own her own dookie.

FOLLOW HER ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

JOIN THE TRIBE AND SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG (OVER THERE – IN THE LEFT SIDEBAR)

CHECK OUT MICHELLE’S ART

I am learning to listen.

Listening to the silent cues that help me navigate perspective. Listening for what’s missing.

I got caught up in the noise. At first, it seemed important, critical that I should pay rapt attention. It kept getting louder and louder, creating fear and trepidation. Why was it scary? Because, I couldn’t pay attention to ALL the noise. I didn’t have the capacity to process all. that. noise. It came from so many directions, and if it was important, I was missing a ton of it! Eventually, I began to doubt my ability to manage this massive amount of  data. In the back of my mind was the realization perhaps some of it was not crucial, needed or true. How could I manage it ALL? How could I live my best life without it? How could I possibly separate the wheat from the chaff of truthfulness?

Yesterday it dawned on me, if I just settled into in the silence, God would take care of the noise. That’s what faith is, isn’t it? And I invited the silence. And I looked for the Good. And it’s abundantly sprinkled…everywhere. (click to Tweet). Continue reading »

For a year, or two, I haven’t written much. I felt like I was beating the same, noisy drum…no one was listening to my rhythm. Was I out of sync? Did I need to reign in my focus? It’s so simple, I’ve said it a million times (slight exaggeration)…

What you focus on becomes your world.

For the first 3-years of writing “The Art of The Well-Lived Life” I focused on joy, building a life you would love and tips for creatives growing their businesses.  I shared those ideas with you. It worked.

Then something changed.

I noticed the world was becoming collectively ugly. You know what I mean, so I’m not going to dive into details. I got fixated on demanding a big, fat, collective time out from everyone.

No one sat down.

I felt powerless. My voice was too soft. In retrospect, perhaps it was too angry? I think, in an effort to “fix it,” I was becoming part of the problem. Maybe, hey!!! I was beating a toxic drum!

What you focus on becomes your world.

So, I sat my sorry butt down. I gave myself a big, fat time out. I wrestled with my demons and tried to sort it out. During my deep breath (it’s a metaphor) I looked for beauty. I looked for what was right. I looked for joy. Then, God delivered a gem – right in my lap. Thank YOU!

It was a blessing and a joy to stumble upon “The Creativity Habit” Daphne Cohn’s podcast. See, each day, on my walk, I look for beautiful things. They’re all over my neighborhood, and probably in yours, too. You can see some of them at @notes.fromthenest on Instagram. While walking, I listen to podcasts. This is when, quite by accident, but more likely by Divine Design,  I found #66 – “How to live a joy-filled life doing what you most love” with Jesh de Rox.

Never has anything made me feel so understood. De Rox knows how to get to the core of our humanity and urge us, simply, to be ourselves and choose joy. He simplifies the language, collates the thoughts, validates the fear and reminds us of our choices. Have a look.

It’s not easy…but, it’s perfect for me. It might be perfect for you, too. Have a listen to the podcast here.

So, I reached out to Jesh to thank him. He told me about his podcast mini-series, Practical Forms of Self Love. It’s on my playlist.

I encourage you to fill your ears, and hearts. If you do, let me know what you think.  I’d love to hear from you – just leave a note below in the comments. By the way, Google doesn’t like the search-ability of my post. After listening to the podcast, I’m not fixing it – because I’m marching to the beat of my OWN drum! So, please feel free to share the post. Let’s make it a conversation. Let’s keep it bright and beautiful. Because, you know….

What you focus on becomes your world.

Michelle Andres is a writer and artist who cultivates her own Well–Lived
Life by drinking in the beauty around her, following her passions, respecting others and doing her best to own herown dookie.

Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Join the Tribe and subscribe to this blog (over there – in the left sidebar)

Check Out Michelle’s Art

Photos: 123 RF
Headshot: Jeremy Meehan Photography

Moves come in different forms and contexts.

Moves include not only our physical bodies, our locations and objects around us  – but also our mental strategies and attitudes.

Whenever a move is made, it creates a change.  When I was in grad school, studying organizations, we learned every change made to any part of a system impacted the entire system, and the same holds true for moves in other areas of our lives. Moves are the catalyst to change. 

For me, moves in art make a painting not only possible, but the creation of it more interesting. The time spent, and act of creating, offers a space to solve problems, explore possibilities and overcome fears.  I like to expect good things yet, sometimes, we’re afraid to make a move. We don’t want to lose what we have – and this is true not only for painting, but for life. Could the painting be BETTER? Could our lives be BETTER? If you make that move, you take a risk.  [Tweet “We each have to decide for ourselves, “How brave and informed do I want to be?””]

Recently, we moved homes. It was a long process. We bought our new house before we sold our old house – a move I don’t recommend unless you have a compelling reason to do so, or thrive on crazy, unbridled stress!!!  Most of our belongings were left in the old house for “staging” purposes. We camped at the new place for over 5 months with a fold up table and chairs and a bed, slowly dragging back small items of comfort… kind of like Steve Martin in The Jerk. It was home-seller’s purgatory. During this time, my studio space changed, shrinking to a 5^thof its previous size. I couldn’t find materials – everything had changed. Everything had MOVED!!!

So, when I ran across this quote, I was more than a little intrigued:

It’s from Dr. Nancy Hillis. She’s an artist, author and existential psychologist. Her new , best-selling book, The Artist’s Journey, Bold Strokes to Spark Creativity offers support for creatives, helping  them work through the fear and doubt that many artists wear like a career accessory. I’d like the bracelet of doubt and the necklace of shame, please. Uh, no thank you. I work best unadorned.

Continue reading »