Rev Martina Schmidt's Blog

I just completed this piece called, "Dream Big".  My artwork has always been a reflection of what I most need to hear from my Soul in this moment to grow spiritually. This week I began listening to my Soul by painting a HUGE canvas I purchased from goodwill.  It was covered with what looked like an Alien woman walking down the street in Paris by the Eiffel tower with a scary poodle and a hat that filled up half the painting- all done in blue, white and black. Probably one of the ugliest paintings I've seen.  But a canvas that's 3ft x 3ft for $7.99- I couldn't pass that up! I was even a little embarrassed taking it up to the counter to pay for it.  I kept getting raised eyebrows and a few snickers.  I just kept smiling and said,  "I'm rescuing it" to anyone who'd listen. Then over a process of many days and at least 7 layers of paint I stood back and thought- "My goodness there's so much going on here, I don't really know wh...

SO many changes have been flooding my life.  It's monsoon season here in Arizona, so no surprise the weather matches my world.   As I open myself to pursuing a whole new path of putting my artwork "out there" in the market- researching sales reps, trade shows, marketing strategies, reading books on selling your artwork as a business, I am overwhelmed by so many choices, and "shoulds" crowding my mind.  I've never been for the small time world- I like to "go for it", to do my best and give it everything I've got.   I am reminded of the funny quote by Hunter S. Thompson- “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” But so many choices...... so many directions to go and so much money needed to get there.  I find myself s...

I saw this quote on pinterest the other day and felt myself laughing and nodding my head in deep agreement at the same time. How many times do you go to make a decision and allow your partner, friends, parents, etc weigh in on your choice?  While I agree that choices that involve someone directly need to be agreed upon, I think there are far too many cooks in the mental kitchen preparing a meal that only you will have to eat. When your Soul speaks to you- it speaks to YOU directly.  It doesn't say, "Hmm, I'm not sure if that would be best for you, go ask your husband."   It says, "Hey wouldn't it be great to (fill in the blank)? Now let's go make this happen!" What trips us up is that fear filled voice that's focused only on the outside world and it's shitload of opinions.  We can go full stop before we even take one step, just by worrying about the criticism we might encounter. So, let me offer you a truth and a gift today.  YOU ...

I recently recorded and watched one of those yearly PBS specials with Wayne Dyer.  (A"must record" so you can fast forward through the every 10 min. sales pitches)  There was a moment for me, as there is every time I watch him, where I was struck by the message I needed to hear. This program, Wishes Fulfilled, featured Wayne talking again about the fundamentals of creating what you want in life (nothing new for me there so........... fast forward) and he spoke about a woman named Anita who had a powerful near death experience and had come to share the wisdom she had gained from it. Hold on a minute- PUT DOWN THE REMOTE!  Bells ringing, alert mind and spine tingling, I began to concentrate on the words she spoke.  Here is what she said that literally sent me into tears. Anita, had multi-system organ failure and was dying in a coma (why I don't know, as my ears weren't paying full attention just yet, oops).  While she was in this coma, she was able to hea...

Everyone needs someone to tell them the truth- and only love is the truth.  And, everyone needs someone to speak that truth back to them.  But what do you do when no one shows up to play that role for you?  You become it for yourself! I came across a new show (on CBS news- link is at bottom of post) entitled Note to Self by Maya Angelou, one of my spiritual mentors in this life.  And I was immediately touched and inspired by the idea of writing a letter to my teenage self from the view point of my life now. What would I tell myself? How could I validate and still step back and let that part of me go through her dark night of the soul? All questions I pondered deeply in my meditation this am. As weird as it seemed to me when I first discovered the idea of "no time & all time" in quantum physics- meaning to me (bear with my non-scientific explanation) that the past, present and future all exist right NOW and what we are experiencing really has to do ...

January was a beautiful month for me.  I had decided to take a "social hiatus" from outside activities and social events for the whole month.  This meant no outings with friends, attending of classes, or hosting of events on my part- simply just doing my work and being with myself and my family in my down time.  What can I say?  It was absolutely wonderful..... and I want more of it, more of me. Because it was Feb. 2, and my month break was over, I invited a soul sister over to do collaging. We sat together cutting and pasting our soul collage cards, enjoying the connection and powerful images we were both drawn to.  It was so satisfying for me and....... peaceful. We talked, as women do, of all those we knew of and the classes and courses out there in the world of spirituality.  We talked about new books and new travels she was venturing into.  All of it perfect for her and fun to listen to for me.  But inside a feeling, a knowing was bre...

I came across this incredibly artistic & creative planner for 2012!! I had to share it with you cause it's so beautiful and truly a gift for yourself.  When I came across it I thought cool idea and ten bucks- it's worth a shot..... Little did I realize,  the creator filled every page with color and watercolor art, along with thoughtful meditations, intention setting for 2012, and a monthly planner.  It ROCKS! This morning I made myself a nice cup of warm coffee and started working through it.  I loved it so much I have decided to make it a weekly ritual to help get clear on my intentions and to live a year of NO REGRETS (my theme for 2012). Hope you check it out and if you buy it for yourself- let me know how you like it :) Goddess Guidebook for 2012

My Poem: As I looked into the mirror, I was gently surprised by the kindness looking back. "How lovely you look today", said the eyes smiling at me. As I peered deeper, the kindness drew me into deep caressing waves, comfortable and understanding- a lifetime of pushing self away and pulling self back. The cruel game is over, this much is clear. The eyes say it all. I am loved. I am only 41 years old and I really really like myself.  I do believe this is like finishing the race early. I meet so many faces each day and I see the doubt, and self hatred splintered inside calling out to be loved.  "I've been there", I am reminded.  And I say a silent prayer. I am blessed by own courageousness- I never gave up on loving me, no matter how scared I became at the pits of loneliness I found in my own heart and the mountains of neediness I discovered deep in my belly.  I never gave up on me. There were times I wanted to run- as I came face to face with ...

I have a card that sits in my art room, that I purchased at Three Sister's Spirit which reads: I'm fairly certain that given a Cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world Now, aside from the literal translation- I love this card and it's truth because of what it reminds me about myself and my life. My "Cape" is my faith of a divine plan for my life.  I carry it on my shoulders as a sense of responsibility to myself and to my fellow souls on this Earth.  I know in my heart I am here with a very clear purpose and that my life will flow and carry me in each moment towards expressing that purpose.  If I enjoy it or not, it's my choice. I discovered my purpose in 2001 at my ministerial training retreat.  Our teacher had suggested that we go sit with God, alone, and listen to why we had been called to the ministry.  I admit I was afraid, not of hearing nothing, but of actually hearing something that felt too big, or heavy to take on. It wasn't...

Life is a ferris wheel. It goes around and around, up to the top, down to the bottom- where one day we choose to get the hell off. Sometimes the circle flows slowly and lingers at the top, feeling spectacular and fulfilling. And other times, it's f***ing nauseating and feels like the guy running the machine has lost his marbles. Some days I sit back and wonder- is my life just stuck in high gear? I am a perfectly sane, deeply aware and grounded individual, but the chaos around me is almost too much to bear at times. Yet, I'm sticking it out, cause I like that view from the top. Might even admit I'm addicted to it. I love the moments after hell has broken loose, faith was held, truth was spoken and feet were planted firmly in who I am, that I find peace and a deep quiet sense of "see everything does work out for the better". AKA- the View is Great from UP HERE.  Today I'm in that place. The wheel's been spinning fast these last few months. I...

Oh my dear sweet heart, how I cherish you. Your tender heart is soft with tears and open open open. How I long to hold you close to me and bring you a cup of tea, to wrap you in love blankets and sing you a song of you. The world is busy and full, but you can take your time my dear sweet heart.  You will not be left behind. Oh, how the Universe sings when you sit quiet and listen. The freckles on your face remind me of all the angels who have kissed your cheeks whilst you were sleeping. Rest my sweet heart.  Rest your angel heart & wings. All is well and life holds itself awake for your return.

The best way I honor my body is to "listen" to it aches and pains as cries for love and attention. Recently I had my blood pressure taken and it was 128/86 !!!  I was shocked and also, paradoxically, not so surprised. I went home and sat with the information in meditation. It came to my attention that my "hypertension" was really inner anger.  I couldn't immediately identify what I was angry about, but, when I found myself yelling at my son and my husband the next morning about having to micromanage their lives I witnessed myself.  Yikes...... there's my anger and it's ugly today. So, over the next few days the anger began to seep up from my blood vessels to my awareness.  Lordy lordy, I'm seeing anger all over the place in small doses, adding up to a hell of a lot.  So, it's boundary setting time again in my world.  Time to pull the word NO back out of my pocket and use it. I've also booked a trip to Mexico for JUST my hu...