She took her work very seriously. Which is to say…she played.
Tag: creativity
[Ritual] Tree of Purpose
There is an ancient story about Honi, known as the Circle Maker. One day, he saw a man planting a carob tree and asked him how long it would take to bear fruit. The man replied that it would take seventy years. Honi asked, “Are you certain you will live seventy years to eat from … Continue reading [Ritual] Tree of Purpose
[True Story] Irrational Right-of-Ways
*** If you would prefer to listen to this post click here for a 7 min podcast. Once upon a time I returned from a month long vacation in S.E Asia with an absolute obsession to become an ESL tutor. I had zero experience in this line of work so I found a local school, … Continue reading [True Story] Irrational Right-of-Ways
More Than Enough
A green porta-potty glimmers in the sunshine assuring me that the relief I need has been made available by an abundant and kind Universe. Here I am at a park that I rarely go to. I got here by taking routes I would not normally take. I’m practicing neurographics, a therapeutic drawing method normally done on paper. … Continue reading More Than Enough
Try the opposite
There’s an ancient Yoga sutra that goes: “When disturbed by negative thoughts, cultivate the opposite mental attitude.” This works for opposite energy (and actions) too. This practice is called Pratipaksha bhavanam—Cultivate the opposite. Good advice for so many situations in life in which we are seeking balance. When you’re feeling stagnant, stuck, blocked. Do the … Continue reading Try the opposite
[True Story] Start where you are with what you have.
Eric was driving around aimlessly trying to shake off his anxiety. It was April 2020 the quarantine hunker-down mandate was in effect. Eric was restless and lonely. He drove through (what seemed like the ghost town) of Orient Ohio. His discomfort was rising, he was going through an internal hell and could find no place … Continue reading [True Story] Start where you are with what you have.
The Seasons Within You
BIG NEWS!This year I published my first book, The Seasons Within You!!! For 5 years I have been developing this guidebook / journal and I am so pleased to have finally made my dream a reality!About The Seasons Within You: A woman's womb cycle consists of four phases. Each of these phases takes on its own energy … Continue reading The Seasons Within You
A (Name)storming Guide—for naming your new service, business, product, tool, or experience!
You’ve got a great idea, you made a cool thing—a new service, business, product, tool, or experience! Cool! Now you need a name for it. Here are my 7 best practices to help you narrow down your perfect name. With lots of real-life examples to inspire your process. Here we go… 1 - What exactly … Continue reading A (Name)storming Guide—for naming your new service, business, product, tool, or experience!
Back-to-Basics pillars for your mental health
In 1949 Mental Health Awareness month was born in the United States. The Mental Health America organization chose May to be a month dedicated to focusing on this hugely important aspect of health and wellness. After all our mental wellness determines our ability to be healthy in our bodies, present and connected in our relationships, … Continue reading Back-to-Basics pillars for your mental health
Journaling is like a serenity vitamin
Something really special has happened the last few evenings. My kids and I have discovered a new evening ritual. We call it Journal Time. Normally the time after dinner and before bed is designated for quiet time. We’ll play cards, listen to soothing music, read books, sip hot tea, or as of late, just sit … Continue reading Journaling is like a serenity vitamin
On Rebellious Gratitude
Today I’m grateful for: Practices like this one that give me a place to sit safely in discomfort. Being reminded of the power of my thoughts—meditations that provide peaceful affirmations when my mind is whirlwindy and obsessed. Fear and anger that open me up, push me towards evaluation, and ultimately evolution. Quick turnarounds on medical … Continue reading On Rebellious Gratitude
[Ritual] Out with the old. Calling in the new.
Tashlich means to “cast off.” When you do Tashlich you toss little bits of bread or stones into a body of water, like a river or ocean. Tashlich is a ritual that is traditionally performed during the time of the Jewish New Year celebration, Rosh Hashanah. It’s a symbolic gesture—you toss away things that haunt … Continue reading [Ritual] Out with the old. Calling in the new.
[Journaling] Seasonal Evaluation
Have you been feeling the need for revised clarity? Evaluated evolution? Productivity that provides peace and stability? If so, you aren’t alone. It’s a natural thing that happens when seasons turn over or transitions abound. We respond to the light and energy of the Summer Solstice— it's pulse of creative agency beating in our own … Continue reading [Journaling] Seasonal Evaluation
[True Story] Collecting all the pieces
When I was 15 I lived in Florida. And I was miserably obsessed with Alaska. I’d lived in Alaska from age 11-14 and in that short period of time I’d seen places so beautiful they made my eyes not want to blink. I had adventures that made my heart feel like a happy wild horse. … Continue reading [True Story] Collecting all the pieces
[True Story] Trust that it’s enough.
Last night I curled up in my bed and cried into my pillows until I was too tired to think. Life felt hard, overwhelming, my day was a carnival ride of first-timer mistakes and unknowns. I spent hours riding highs and lows. Wheel-spinning, head-banging, minutes fumbling my way through new assignments. Researching, writing, pacing, long-staring … Continue reading [True Story] Trust that it’s enough.
[True Story] Publish it anyway
I wrote this debut article (below) for the Northern Light Newspaper 8 years ago. My job was to write a little opinion column series entitled Take Five. I was excited to finally have an opportunity to write a column! And I was terrified. I was ready! And I was not ready… The 5 B’s of … Continue reading [True Story] Publish it anyway
[True Story] Have you tried an exploratory jaunt?
Ahh… The smell of mud, the sound of boots treading the earth, the magical shinny world that lives in the mirror of a puddle. But first…. You should know that usually when I start out on a walk, my back is a bit tense, my mind is muddled with brain noise and questions. "How will … Continue reading [True Story] Have you tried an exploratory jaunt?
[Journaling] Flow Rituals
I know I desire a slow form of living this year. So that I can notice more and pay tribute to more and let myself flow. I’m learning what slows me and delights me. Quietude. Sometimes writing my way through noisy storms in my mind. Some times just sitting, watching, breathing. I want to pause … Continue reading [Journaling] Flow Rituals
[Journaling] Manifestation Maps
What’s the next way you want to feel? What pieces, people, and possibilities are involved? What if you had a Manifestation Map that helped you know, remember, do, and have this feeling you desire, this thing you crave? Make a Manifestation Map - a list that clarifies and leads you towards your deepest desires. Most … Continue reading [Journaling] Manifestation Maps
