Tag meditation

Gratitude in Tough Times

SarahB Leave a comment

Well, it’s been a year, hasn’t it?
Wait, what? It’s only in February? Well, snap!

The world is crazy and can feel dystopian lately. I want to keep the blog light and positive, but it is important to keep it real. And that means acknowledging that real life isn’t unicorns and rainbows. Stress and tough times are real, and we all have every right to feel whatever we do.

So how do passion, gratitude and appreciation fit into all this?
For me, it is finding an oasis of calm amidst the stress. It is a way of shifting perspective and getting out of my head-space.

Here is an example: A few weeks ago, I had my cat, Mooshka, put to sleep. She was in the late stages of kidney disease and was clearly very ill. After letting her go, I was heartbroken. There is nothing positive about saying goodbye to a beloved pet. When tangling, I thought about the time I had with her. I was thankful for the privilege of being her mom for the past seven years, I appreciated the compassion and honesty of my veterinarian and her staff. And, I was grateful that Mooshka was no longer suffering. None of this made me less sad. But it helped me find a touch of solace. I also created a new tangle in her memory, which I dedicated to everyone who has lost their pets.

Mooshka, my rescue cat

The point is that negative emotions are real and valid. I know I say this often, but it is important. Meditation and wellness practices like Zentangle do not erase the bad things that happen in life. It makes them more bearable by giving you a few moments of calm.

My new tangle, Mooshka.

Gratitude and Appreciation

SarahB Leave a comment

These are where your Zentangle Practice begins and where it ends. 

To begin,  take a few deep breaths..  Next, feel the quality of the paper tile. It is the highest available. take a moment to appreciate the luxury of this item for yourself. I will also express gratitude for one good thing in my life. 

Even as a CZT, I sometimes skip this step.  When I do, I stop tangling and ground myself with gratitude.  It makes a difference.  I am consistently happier with my tiles when I have the time to feel gratitude.

At the end of your tangling session, hold your tile at arm’s length and rotate it.  As you do, appreciate the unique piece of art you created.  No other piece is or will be identical.  You created something beautiful. 

And that is worth appreciating. 

My Zentangle Journey

SarahB Leave a comment

I discovered Zentange randomly. I had started paper-crafting, and often visited a website with weekly themed challenges. One such challenge was “doodling, ” and the moderator made a passing comment about how the challenge was perfect for “Zentanglers”. (The proper term is tanglers, BTW.) I could tell by the name it would be something I’d enjoy. 

So, I Googled “Zentangle” and found the site. I immediately ordered the starter kit. I was hooked.  I wanted to be CZT, but the cost was prohibitive for me first as a student, then working minimum wage jobs for several years.

When COVID happened, and in-person seminars were suspended, the team at Zentangle HQ had to find a way to adapt.  They started offering online CZT seminars, and that made saving much easier. I had also found a proper job, which helped.  So finally, after over fifteen years of tangling, I was able to afford the training to be a Certified Zentangle Teacher!

What makes it even more exciting is that here in Northern Ontario I am the first. CZT  The need for affordable and accessible mental health solutions is real, and we can all use more positivity.

I can’t wait to get started sharing this amazing art form that teaches us self-love and that “everything is possible, one stroke at a time.”