Melissa Gray Designs Mindful Living Blog

Pure Intentions

Like many young girls, my first pair of earrings were pearls. I've always been drawn to pearls but never really gave any thought as to why. One day I began to really think about their origin and I had one of those light bulb moments - in a burst of understanding I realized that on some deep unconscious level I was resonating with these small miracles of nature. Beginning as a tiny grain of sand and over time slowly growing into an object of pure beauty, pearls remind us of our own unique power to overcome obstacles and transform our lives!

I recently came across, ‘The Hymn of the Pearl', a classic Gnostic myth, which beautifully illustrates the symbolism of pearls in reclaiming our true self and returning to our spiritual center. It is the story of a boy, ‘the son of the king of kings', who is sent to Egypt to retrieve a pearl from a serpent. During the quest, he is seduced by Egyptians and forgets his origin and his family. However, a letter is sent from the king of kings to remind him of his past. When the boy receives the letter, he remembers his mission and his true identity, allowing him to retrieve the pearl and return ‘home'.

No matter our religious or spiritual beliefs, on some level we all yearn to be our true selves. As you'll see while browsing my site, I use pearls in many of my designs. I hope that wearing a piece of my pearl jewelry will help you reconnect with your spiritual center and follow your bliss, while walking with dignity, allowing your inner light to shine and remembering the pure beauty that is within you!

Blessings,
Melissa

Hello and welcome to my website!

It’s my deepest desire that this will become a gathering place, a vehicle for sharing ideas, inspiration and thoughts on living a mindful life.  As happens to many of us, I woke up one day and realized that although I longed to have more meaning in my life, I was really just crossing tasks off a never ending list of things to do.  Living a mindful life was always set aside for ‘some day’ in the future when I wasn’t so busy!

As a way of relaxing I began designing jewelry.  At first I was drawn to the colors, shapes and textures of natural gemstones.  I would go to a gem show and just wander the aisles wanting to squeal in delight as I took in all the pretty beads. As I began researching the healing and mystical properties of gemstones, it occurred to me that jewelry could be more than just beautiful – it could actually assist in living a more mindful life!  If living a mindful life means living in the moment and focusing our attention, then wearing a piece of jewelry with particular gemstones can be a touchstone, a reminder of our ‘intention’.

As I write this, I’m wearing aquamarine for illuminating intentions.  Because it’s often difficult for me to capture my thoughts on paper (or computer screen as the case may be), wearing aquamarine is assisting me by illuminating my inner ocean of knowledge, wisdom and creativity!  I hope you enjoy browsing my current jewelry collections and learning more about gemstone meanings and intentions.  Please touch base and let me know your thoughts and inspirations for mindful living.  Also, check back often – and make sure to add your name to my mailing list - as I have lots of new ideas in the works including jewelry for our beloved fur friends!   

Blessings,
Melissa

Living a Balanced Life

I’ve been struggling a lot this year with ‘balance’ – how do I balance everything in my life?  I have to believe that almost every woman (and some men!) reading this can relate to this constant battle.  It seems as if being an artist, a wife, a fur kid mom, a friend and dedicated animal advocate is sometimes in direct conflict with living a mindful life.  For living a mindful life requires that we take time to go ‘within’, to get centered and balanced – and yes, to be self-full.  For many of us, me included, taking this time for ourselves feels downright selfish.  I find that these days my own needs are falling at the bottom of the priority list and, as a result, I’m constantly out of balance.

Yesterday I finally made it back to ‘the mat’.  I suddenly realized it had been TWO WEEKS since I’d practiced yoga!  My muscles were so sore and tight, I could barely get through my first couple of sun salutations – and, as a reflection of the turmoil in my mind (and living space!), I teetered back and forth as I attempted to get into my balancing poses.  How did I forget all of the valuable lessons that I had learned in yoga?  A year ago, I was practicing five or more times a week – and, as I look back, I realized that I was much calmer – and yes, more balanced.  I seemed to have much more time to do everything that needed to be done and I was much more mindful in my everyday life!

Of course, this was before I got so involved with Lab Rescue – so the question becomes … how do we give OF ourselves and TO ourselves at the same time?  It’s a delicate balance, one that I am still working on mastering.  As I continue on this journey, I will set my intention and wear moonstone to help remind me to balance my yin and yang energies!  If you have any tips for staying balanced – please share your thoughts!

Blessings,
Melissa