“Akeru’  (Japanese) ~ meaning to end, begin, to expire, to start, to unwrap, to pierce… to turn over.

Akeru. How beautiful ‘akeru’s’ gust and so true to my life this year. And ‘yes’. Oh that word ‘yes’ that sounds steadfastly simple and stands so valiant with those three little letters. It certainly isn’t  as  easy as it sounds however as someone once observed~ ‘Madelyn with her big ‘yes’ and hundreds of quiet little ‘no’s’ whispering away in the background.’ There are times when I have been so afraid to say ‘yes’ and that is where my writing, my photography have been my greatest lover. It is through my writing and my images that I have shouted ‘yes’ allowing my intentions, my yearnings, my dreams to guide me ever forward. Here lies the magic of self expression, whether it be in writing, in art, in music…in daydreaming. It is so present, so potent…so seeded. When I think back to when I began writing on my blog three years ago I had no idea of the l i f e of self expression. I could not even begin to imagine that it would take me on a trip to India with my son, to having my writing published, my photo’s represented by Getty images. I did not know it would encourage me one word at a time (before I was even ready to take the actual steps in my real life) to map out my dreams for how I wanted my life to look. And I certainly did not know that life could be difficult, messy, painful at times even when allowing my small dreams a stage to say ‘yes’ on. And yet. Art in all it’s forms of self expression is constant…it is movement…and is, in itself, a living thing ~ and therein lies the possibility.

So ~ here in this beautiful new home for Madelyn’s Persisting Stars ~ I pierce…unwrap…begin….and say ‘yes!’ Yes to beautiful new adventures…to wide open windows…to kissing. Because every story should begin with kissing:)

I have so much to say…so much to share as I have two beautiful projects I want to tell you about. But for today I thought I would take a moment to say a huge thank you!!!! to Kerstin who designed this entire website in just a few days ….working countless hours bringing it to life all the while dealing with my thousands of daily e~mails ‘just wondering…if ‘this’ could be done or ‘that’ added…’ She was always enthusiastic, patient and generous with me and I am more grateful than she will ever know. That she worked long midnight hours on persisting stars even in the face of a move in her own life is such an indication of the heart in that dear girl:)

It is my very first post in my brand new space and I wished to celebrate with a giveaway. Now, I have turned off my comments on this website for many reasons. I want visitors to come here and enjoy my little world that I share without feeling they have to comment. I am simply honored that people show up and that in itself makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. As well….I want to be true to myself in every way without wondering how people are reacting to my thoughts ~ freeing myself up to be even more honest in my self explorations. That said, I love e~mails and would love to hear from you anytime you care to write me ~ And on that note! If you would like to win 2 photo’s of your choice from my etsy shop please send me a little e~mail in the next week (at persistingstars2@yahoo.ca) ~ the ‘draw’ will be on Sunday. ( which is my favorite day of the week in case you didn’t know.)

Yes!