{ by etsy seller LJink }
So this might very well be an unpopular post.
For those of you who celebrate Christmas–What if, instead of giving (and asking for) gifts this year, you made donations to the charity cause of your choice?
Acumen Fund and Kiva are a couple of my favorite for international work relieving poverty and supporting entrepreneurs.
Your local foodbank is a great place to start. Or your local women’s shelter or rape crisis center.
What if we changed the culture of Christmas in the U.S.? Why not? It all starts with the action of one person.
{What’s with the theme? It’s Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009. Check it out — and participate!}
My moment of bliss/peace/zen in 2009? There were lots (and I am so grateful for that). Here are my top five:
- At the end of every yoga class at Tranquil Space, the moment when the lavender aromatherapy spray mists on my face.
- The moment I left the 9-5 gig. Stepped outside the office and took a deep breath. Began the next chapter of my life.
- On my birthday in Austin — outside, eating a breakfast burrito at Jo’s with lots of salsa and writing in my journal.
- Stepping outside to sip tea on the porch, look out into the wilderness, and read a novel at a beautiful writer’s retreat.
- Laughing so hard that my stomach hurts (humor only family can understand) at the local ice cream shop surrounded by my four sisters.
In every case, I got to that moment (mostly) by accident. And by letting go of controlling my emotions, worrying what people would think, and being invested in what is “supposed” to happen.
What were some of your zen moments of 2009?
Welcome to the 12th edition of the Creatuitive Living podcast: A guide for women on living an authentic and creative life.
direct download (mp3) :: Your Sacred Self
You may subscribe to the podcast RSS feed via ITunes or another podcatcher - You’ll automatically get the latest podcast as soon as it becomes available. The Creatuitive Living podcast is published bi-weekly on Mondays.
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This week’s podcast is an interview with Denise Andrade of Boho Photography. Denise is a free spirited bohemian that captures artists of all types with her lens. She is also currently creating an ecourse to be launched in Spring 2010, as well as writing a book about her journey through (in)fertility and adoption. She resides in Southern California with her dear Canadian husband and 11 month old son.
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Creatuitive challenge: How can you honor your sacred self this week? Try out listening to your feelings, your body, and observe what centers you.
Ok, so I definitely checked email and was thinking about work during my time last week with family. It was still good. Lots of shared moments with my four younger sisters (no, that’s not a typo). Lots of good food. Lots of sitting in the sun (it was in the mid-70s the whole time).
Here’s what I took away from the time away:
1. I really need to practice the art of “doing nothing.” It is incredibly challenging to exist in a go-go-go culture, then abruptly take a vacation in the middle of it and be able to unplug. Do you feel that way too? During my time in Arizona, I felt like I was hovering over and around relaxing and letting go, but never quite got there. Instead, I’m going to work on infusing relaxation and “do nothing” days into my routine and schedule. (That way when I go on vacation, the transition to unplug is gentler and the relaxation will be deeper.)
2. Your childhood activities really do infuse a deep sense of joy in you. On one of my last days there, I visited my childhood dance studio (Hi Miss Wendy!). Just stepping into the studio – the sights, the smells – brought a flood of happy memories back to me. I joined my sister in one of her classes and did ballet barre with eight high school girls. It was fun. It was addictive. I lost myself in the music and movements. I’m now seeking out more and more ways to experience those happy childhood activities. Next up? – Horseback riding.
3. Rituals anchor us and can be a source of meaning for families. Although my sisters’ newest ritual is playing Rock Band, it’s still creating shared memories and experiences on a different level than say, family dinners. I used to take my youngest sister to McDonalds to get milkshakes – now we go to Starbucks, but the meaning is the same: Let’s get a treat, just me and you, and chat.
4. There is a reason Virtual Assistants (VAs) exist. I’ll need to take longer breaks from my business like this again. And this time I really want to unplug. For realz. It’s healthy and necessary. Having a VA will help take some of that stress about returning emails and inquiries off of me. (Recommendations are welcome.)
That’s what I’ve been thinking about since I got home late late late Wednesday night. Be sure to check out the guest blog post from Tara Joyce, Innerprenuer Extraordinaire (more from her later this month) and the new pages on this site (I’m moving my website content to this blog for the next few months).
This is a guest post from the fabulous Tara Joyce, a self-described fanatic about how Business shapes our Self and our World. Enjoy!
You like the word, no? I can only assume you’re reading right now because you’re intrigued.
Perhaps you’ve been looking for a better word than ‘entrepreneur’ to describe what you do… or what you’re dreaming of doing. Well, I have a feeling this word, and much more importantly, the meaning and ideas behind it, are exactly what you need.
The seemingly simple meaning behind Innerpreneuring is: YOU have “what it takes” to build your dream business.
Look within to find the work that’s right for you
I’m not saying business ownership is for everyone, hardly, but I am saying that within You lies the key to what heights You are capable of in this life. That might mean making a difference through your business or it might mean making a difference through the work you perform daily.
Either way, there is work out there that You can love and that can feel purposeful to You.
It won’t be easy and it won’t be quick
You can discover what Your passionate about, what You would love to do, if you commit, and I mean really commit, to exploring. You need to commit to discovering your Self, and your world.
If you choose to tell the truth and if you choose to (wo)man up to your fears and actively pursue them, then you can have Your dreams. You can have the business that makes your life a dream (a realistic dream though, no unicorns okay?). Because Your ‘secret’ to success in life and in business and everywhere in between is knowing your Self.
You have to do the work and find Your answers. Other people’s ideas about your perfect business are not Yours.
“Let me listen to me and not to them.” – Gertrude Stein
This should not be a secret but it is… the stuff about you that people laugh with you about or criticize you about, that’s your gold.
It’s the stuff that makes you a bit different, the stuff that you’re passionate about, that stuff you geek out about, it’s THAT stuff that expresses your Self and your unique brand of creativity.
And it’s you’re ticket to Innerpreneurial success.
Dare to start your journey?
I’m Tara Joyce and I’m building my dream business over on, Rise of the Innerpreneur. When I’m not writing, traveling, or singing out of tune, I help people to create their dream business and market them authentically.
Yeah, I know it’s Thursday, not Wednesday – but I still wanted to do Why Not Wednesday this week.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how to show up bigger and more authentically in life. And I want to encourage you to do the same.
So why not ask for an upgrade?
Upgrades are not the exclusive domain of the frequent travelers and the rich. You can ask for an upgrade during a range of situations – a hotel stay, a flight, a train ride, a meal at a restaurant…the list goes on and on.
Tips: Be confident without acting entitled. Friendly posture, eye contact, and tone work wonders. Ask directly for the upgrade, then shut your mouth and let them respond.
What situation is coming up that you can ask for an upgrade for? How have you been successful in the past in being upgraded?
{ heart over head by 3LambsGraphics }
Isn’t this a wonderful reminder of how to navigate our decision-making?
How can you follow your heart over your head this week?
{ constant gratitude by CreativeAdrienne }
I love this depiction of Gratitude because it aligns with how I feel about the subject – which is that it is a lifestyle, a constant, and an attitude. We can all find something to be grateful for every single day.
Today, I’m thinking about ways to cultivate the Gratitude Lifestyle that feels authentic to me. (The whole once a year thing doesn’t resonate for me at all.) I’m pondering writing down what I’m grateful for in my planner every day.
How do you practice your attitude of Gratitude?
{ by letterhappy }
I’m visiting family in Arizona for an *astounding* (to me) 10 days right now. Ok, so I took my laptop and will still be checking email, and doing some blogging and podcasting (Why Not Wednesday is on hiatus this week) – but it will be less, much less of the email and more Living. More listening to the music.
I hope you find time to listen to the music during the holiday this week…
Welcome to the 11th edition of the Creatuitive Living podcast: A guide for women on living an authentic and creative life.
direct download (mp3) :: Hosting a Soiree 101
You may subscribe to the podcast RSS feed via ITunes or another podcatcher - You’ll automatically get the latest podcast as soon as it becomes available. The Creatuitive Living podcast will be published bi-weekly on Mondays.
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{ flickr user kevindooley via a Creative Commons license }
This week’s podcast is a discussion of some of my favorite tips on hosting a soiree. I cover five main areas: Purpose, Guests, Mood, Decor, and Food + Drink.
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Creatuitive challenge: Think of an event you’d like to host, or find a reason to celebrate. Create a guest list, a theme/mood, concoct the food and drink – and enjoy the event (don’t forget to let go of the outcome)!
{ by LuckyBluebirdArt }
Did you know that every Olympics needs loads of volunteers to pull off the games?
The Beijing Olympic Committee hired 100,000 volunteers for the 2008 Olympics.
Recruiting starts early. The next one is Vancouver 2010, which expects to hire 25,000 volunteers. Learn more and apply for Vancouver here.
After the Vancouver games are over, you can sign up for London 2012 here.
You’ll get to do everything from transporting athletes to picking up trash to translating. And you can tell your friends you were selected for the Olympics. What a fun experience! – Why not??
Why Not Wednesdays is a series that I feature (you guessed it) every Wednesday. I’ll be asking “Why not” do something that is scary, unconventional, creative, or a mix of all three. My hope is that you allow yourself to dream big, and routinely ask yourself, “Why not?”
{ flickr user mihai bojin }
One of the main excuses I hear people use for not engaging with their creative selves is TIME.
Time is that one thing we often complain we have a shortage of. As in, “I’d love to start painting, but I don’t have the time.”
Actually, you do. You are just making the choice to do something else.
So, the challenge then becomes choosing to make time to indulge your creative side.
Here are some of my favorite 5-minutes-or-less creative activities to get you moving and thinking and playing.
- Grab the nearest writing utensil and the nearest object you can draw on and sketch something in your vicinity.
- Walk outside. Touch the earth. Maybe lay down.
- Put on a lipstick shade you would never wear. Or an eyeshadow. Or a shirt. You get the picture. Don’t think, just grab the most out-there thing you can think of.
- Start singing. Or humming.
- Go onto WordPress or Blogger – read one post from the first blog that attracts you.
- Skip.
- Put on your favorite song or artist. Close your eyes.
- Rest in child’s pose.
- Do 10 jumping jacks. Or push-ups.
- Take a big gulp of water and say, “ahhhhh.”
- Pick up a little treasure from your background, the local park, or something in your house. Put it in your pocket or bag and cherish it.
- Pick up the nearest book. Read one paragraph.
I’m off to try the first activity. What are some of your favorite mini-creative activities?
I leave those stickers from my fruit by the kitchen sink too often.
I’m a vegetarian, and sometimes I get cravings for a burger.
I like to work with the lights off, often completely in the dark.
I love thunderstorms, although hate it when my feet are wet.
I sometimes want to move to a farm and grow my own tomatoes.
I have been neglecting my “creative Fridays.”
I majored in Chinese (the language) in college and now can’t remember a lick of it to save my life.
I only make the Macaroni & Cheese with character shapes (never the macaroni noodles).
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What would you like to confess today?
I know many of you out feel stuck in jobs that are less than inspiring. You think to yourself, “There has to be something more than this.”
Maybe you have a couple ideas for ways to make a living that have been on your mind – although you’re scared to jump in (that is a post for another day).
Does the idea of test-driving a career appeal to you? If so, check out Vocation Vacations.
Among the vocations offered that you can try (usually for a weekend): Be a Baker, Be a Winemaker, and Be an Interior Designer.
Why not try something new out? The worst thing that could happen is you gain a new skill in an interesting occupation. The best? – You find your calling. (and isn’t that what it’s really all about?)
{ my latest collage }
my favorite part?
It isn’t necessary to know exactly how your ideal life will look, you only have to know what feels better and what feels worse.
Welcome to the 10th edition of the Creatuitive Living podcast: A guide for women on living an authentic and creative life.
direct download (mp3):: Finding Your Authentic Self Through Drumming
You may subscribe to the podcast RSS feed via ITunes or another podcatcher - You’ll automatically get the latest podcast as soon as it becomes available. The Creatuitive Living podcast will be published bi-weekly on Mondays.
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This week’s podcast is an interview with Kristen Arant. Kristen is a performing artist and drum instructor living and working in Washington, DC. She began her drumming career by co-founding the activist rhythm ensemble Rhythm Workers Union in 2001, through which she became enthralled by the Djembe (W. African) drum due to its power to heal and transform. Kristen began to take lessons and classes in Mandingue (Guinea-style) drumming. In 2005 she founded the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project – a DC-based non-profit that strives to give rise to young women’s self esteem, creative self expression and positive development through drumming, poetry, movement and song. YWDEP runs an enrichment program every summer and performs as an all-female drum troupe through the year. In 2007, Kristen began teaching, organizing and performing full-time. She has taught drumming empowerment workshops at 40 local schools and youth centers, and has her own class for adult students on Sundays in Takoma Park, MD. Learn more about Kristen and her adult drumming classes on her website.
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Creatuitive challenge: Let go of your fear. Do something bold and powerful this week.
Fall is a beautiful reminder to turn inward and work on one of the most important relationships you will ever have: between you and your intuition.
Here are some things I am doing this month to focus on my goals and needs…
Simplify: each day, choose one project or goal to focus on – and do it first. this does not mean you only get one thing done a day! i’ve found it to be the opposite. when i choose one project per day that i focus my entire energy on (and get done first), i produce a better quality product. plus, the other things on my to-do list always seem to magically get done. for women, it is so important to be conscientious about how we spent our energy each day in order to accomplish those “big picture” personal and professional goals, one focused task at a time.
Spend time with my journal: your journal is a place where you can write anything you want and no one will judge you. it is truly “you time” – your emotions, thoughts, and feelings are invited to flow onto the page. your journal is also a place where clarity and breakthroughs can often occur. i am an evening journaler – i write to recap my day and quiet my thoughts before I fall asleep. everyone finds the time that works best for them – you may like the mornings or you may just want to fit in journaling wherever you can, such as during the commute, before yoga class, or before a meeting. the key is to carve out this time for yourself and think of it as a self-care ritual that can nourish you.
Seek solitude: sometimes the more my schedule fills up the more i crave solitude. only when we are alone can we hear our inner voice again (listen, she probably has something to say to us!). when we are alone, we tune into our own needs and wants. some surprising revelations may result from this, such as the need for a vacation or retreat, a change of heart about a relationship, or the yearning to pursue a new career. even one hour alone can bring us tremendous benefits, and give us more energy when we return to our friends and family.
Give one (or more) of these tips a try this week – and observe the results!
This post appeared in an earlier edition of my newsletter. If you’re interested in reading more juicy tips like the one in the post, sign up here! (You’ll also get a complimentary article on Re-Igniting Your Creativity.)
NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writing Month. Which also happens to be this month, November. The project brings together professional and first-time writers with the goal to write a 175-page, 50,000 word novel by November 30. If this sounds impossible to you, it might be a sign that it’s time to prove yourself wrong.
If creating art or blogging is more your thing, you’re not off the hook either. November is also Art Every Day Month led by the talented artist Leah Piken Kolidas *AND* NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month).
All of these challenges are designed to create habits. Writing and blogging and creative habits. All good stuff. Why not join in?
Last weekend, I led a workshop on Visioning Your Ideal Life at the local Lululemon store.
{ the setting }
One by one, the women made their way to the back of the store, took off their shoes, turned off cell phones, and reconnected to themselves. I led everyone through a centering meditation, a dreamy visualization, and a Custom Order Form for Your Life worksheet.
The ladies split into pairs and shared discoveries with their partners. There were lots of insights about living environment and location, career, and health and wellness.
{ discussing their insights }
Here was what one participant had to share about the workshop:
I feel like I have gained a fresh perspective on my life, created an authentic career path, and now have goals that resonate more clearly with the woman I have become. Thank you!
To Kelly, Sandra, Joy, Marnie, Preetum, Dienna, Jen, Mary, Mara, and Kerrie – thank you for bringing your energy and willingness to *dream big* with me to the workshop.
Are you hosting a women’s group meeting, soiree, or professional development event? I love leading women through self-discovery exercises and discussions. I frequently work with groups of friends and professional groups to create a custom workshop. Learn more here.
