Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude

 "Breathe.  Let go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you have for sure."
                                                                                                                                    Oprah Winfrey

I think the quote above is such a great reminder to enjoy yourself each and every day.  The fourth is almost over.  It has been raining off and on all day but it's been a warm rain and people have still been determined to celebrate.  I can hear the mixture of thunder and fireworks as I type this.  It has been a quiet fourth at our house but it has still been a day to remember.

This week I am very grateful that I was given the  opportunity to write about my gratitude practice for the blog Bliss Habits.  Any time I can share how this practice has enriched my life, I am glad to do so.  As I mentioned before, today was rainy and not very holiday like.  Although I would have loved to be at the lake watching the fireworks, I am grateful for the peaceful quiet day it turned out to be.  We had our picnic inside and still enjoyed our hamburgers without the added delight of ants!  There is always something to be grateful for when you look for it.  In fact, I have learned that as I enjoy the simple moments more and more, there is always something new to be added to the list of things to appreciate each day.

It seems that I am going back to painting my landscapes.  When I sat down to paint I wasn't sure what I was going to paint except I knew that I wanted to use pink and gray for this week's Summer of Color Challenge. I started out with pink and gray but before I knew it a landscape was developing with of course water and so many colors besides pink and gray were quickly added. I think this can still count as my contribution to the challenge. 

If you have a long weekend and would like to visit some wonderful artists, I definitely recommend stopping by Paint Party Friday and Summer of Color.  You will be so glad you did.     

 Remember:  When you share your dreams and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!

Wednesday's Walk - Does Practice Make Perfect?

                           All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better. 
                                                                                                                        Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday's Walk began as a way to share a coaching tip each week.  When I am walking it is time I also spend thinking and daydreaming.  This week I thought a lot about the old saying "Practice makes perfect."  Does it?  Do I want to be perfect?  Could I be perfect even if that was my goal?  Perfectionism can stand in the way of being creative.  Being afraid of doing something new or taking a chance can stand in your way of growing.  So being perfect is not a goal of mine. Doing my best and enjoying what I am doing is my goal.

I do think practice can help me become better at whatever it is I am doing.  I joined the Index Card A Day challenge rather late but I thought it would be fun to create something on a card each day and see what happens.  The great part of working with an index card is that they are small and inexpensive.  I can play and have fun, use different materials and methods and if it works great.  If  it doesn't, that is ok too.  So my tip this week is -  Be aware of any perfectionistic tendencies you may have and don't let them stand in your way of creating and experimenting with new methods and ideas. Find simple ways to break a big project down and take small steps towards your goal.  And remember to celebrate each and every step you take.  Celebrations help you to remember what you have already accomplished as you move forward with your dreams. 

My desk was really messy before I took my picture for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?  I cleaned it  up a little but I left my Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils.  I really love the bright intense colors I get when I use them.  They work well on an index card but they really are beautiful on the right watercolor paper.

   Does practice make perfect?  Not always, but it can always be fun and that is really important! 
 Remember:  When you share your dreams and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the       magic begin!

Sunday's Quote and Reflection

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
                                                                                                                            Anais Nin

I like to begin the week with a quote that will inspire me to move forward, or to be still, or to look for the magic in each day.  I've read the quote above many times but this morning it was the perfect quote for this week.  I'm working on recreating a workshop I gave several years ago called  Circle of Dreams.  I loved facilitating it at the time but then other projects began to take its place. But, now it is time for Circle of Dreams to blossom. 

The concept is not new but it is powerful.  Circle of Dreams is all about women coming together, sharing their dreams and their goals, and supporting eaching other on their journey.  I will share a creative principal each week that will help us take the next small step in reaching our goal.  As we create there are times when we need to move forward, times when we need to step back and take a break, times when we need to be silly and have fun, and times when we need to shout out to the world, "Here I am - I'm an author, or I'm a painter ,or I'm a Mom who loves to take pictures."  Circle of Dreams will help you to claim who you are or who you are dreaming of becoming.  Being part of a circle is fun, it's creative, and it is 90 minutes a week dedicated just to you. 

This is not what I had to planned to write this morning but part of my creative process is knowing when it is the right time to take a step forward.  When I read the above quote, I knew it was time to share what I was dreaming.  I always end my post with,  When you share your talent and dreams with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin.  Today, was my day to share a little of my dreams with you. 

The details will follow soon.  I do know that the circle will be offered both in person and through a teleconference and that it will be very affordable.  I want people who thought it would never be possible to work with a coach to have the opportunity of seeing how powerful the support of other creative women can be. 

On another note I have decided to join the Index Card A Day challenge along with Summer of Color.  One of my goals for this summer is to try new things.  I joined the challenge late but as they say, "better late than never".  My card for the day is below.  My flower is not perfect, because life never is, but it is letting the world know that it is here and ready to blossom.

Do you have a dream that needs to blossom?  Are you ready to take the next step?  Circle of Dreams might be just what you are looking for.

Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude - Believe in Yourself

               Magic is believing in yourself.  If you can do that, you can make anything happen.
                                                                                            Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Friday has always been special.  It's the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend. When I was working it meant time to rest, to be quiet, and rejuvenate.  Today it means beginning the day with a perfect yoga class, visiting friends at Paint Party Friday, and having lunch with friends I met several years ago in a writing class.  When we met three years ago, we had no idea that one of us would publish a book, another would start a blog and become a coach, while the third would become a grandmother to a beautiful baby boy while continuing to write her book.  Life is filled with wonderful possibilities, if we continue to be open to them. 

I love the quote above.  When you are learning something new it is sometimes hard to believe that you ever accomplish all that you want to do.  But when you believe in yourself, and give yourself the gift of time, you can make anything happen.  I have been learning about social media this week and how it can help to grow a business.  It was interesting, overwhelming, fun, and fascinating all at the same time.  The real "magic" will be when it is all up and running just the way it is supposed to.  I really believe it will be fun to make the magic happen.

As the world continues to change right before my eyes, I am grateful for every minute that I am able to be a part of the changes that are happening.  It is fun to learn new things, to meet new people, and to take on new challenges.  It makes life interesting and exciting.  As you look back over your week, what have you experienced that you are grateful for?

    When you share your dreams and talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
                                                                                                                                       Ginny

Wednesday's Walk - When You Need A break - Take It

It's Wednesday which means its time to take a walk and share a coaching tip, time to check on all of my new friends at What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, and time to link up with  Color of Summer 3. 

As you can see my desk is really neat and clean which leads me in a round about way to my coaching tip which is, When you need to take a break - take it.  There are many principles of creativity which are important but I consider self-care one of the most important.  We all live in a very busy world.  It's natural for us to take care of others but so often we forget to take care of ourselves.  I had a wonderful weekend. We were busy doing lots of fun things with our grandsons but yesterday I was tired.  I had planned to get out my pastels and begin a new painting but decided to take a day off and just enjoy my clean desk and the painting I created last week.

When I create something new I really like to enjoy the process.  If I'm tired, I can't do that so I am learning to take a break and step back for a minute or two when my body signals it needs a rest.  My original plan for Monday was to create something new for Summer of Color.  This week's colors are lime green and purple. When I took my picture for WOYWW, I realized that there was a lot of lime green in my painting, that the perfume bottle that I always keep on my desk is purple, and that the parrot on my special cup is a beautiful lime green.  Just the colors that are part of this week's challenge.  So without having to do a thing everything I needed was on my desk just waiting to be noticed.  It always amazes me how the universe provides just what I need if I take the time to be still and notice what is right in front of me. 

I still plan on painting something special using lime green and purple but because I have taken the advice I so often give to others, I will enjoy what I am doing.  So once again (I think it is worth repeating)  be kind to yourself.  Nurture yourself as you would others.  When you need a break, take it.  You will be so glad you did!

     When you share your dreams and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin.
                                                                                                                                      Ginny

Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude

 

 

 

It's Friday.  Where does the time go?  It seems like you blink twice and the week is over. This has been a busy week.  I've decided its time to move forward on my creativity coaching.  Since creating my own business is new to me it can be lots of fun, exciting, and scary all at the same time. Today I created my Facebook Coaching page and that went well.  For some reason Twitter was another story but the result was the painting above.  When I decided it was time to turn off the left side of my brain and turn on the right, I quickly got into the flow of painting and it felt really good.

This week I am grateful for something that happened many years ago but which still effects me today.  Part of my job as an assistant principal was to develop and plan workshops for the teachers.  Something that always frustrated everyone was that we were always jumping on to the latest and greatest teaching methods.  Please do not misunderstand - that is good if you have had time to really understand and implement the method.  But that wasn't always the case.  One year we decided to read the book Who Moved the Cheese as a staff book study. It was a short book, simple to read, and had a great message. It was a reminder that the world changes and if you don't change with it you can at be left behind feeling very frustrated. You don't have to jump on every bandwagon but it is good to be flexible and be able to change when it is necessary.  We all got a lot out of that book.  I still think of it when things change and I am trying to decide how to react to the change.  When my husband was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension the cheese was really moved but we were determined to move with it and make the most of what we could do each and every day.  So this week I am so glad that I read Who Moved the Cheese so many years ago.  It left a strong impact on me.   Is there something that you have read that has changed the way you look at things each day? 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week filled with only special moments.  Remember to share your dreams and talents with the world. That's when the magic begins!
                                                              Ginny

Each Friday I link my post to Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day.  I hope that you will stop by and say hello to all of the wonderful artist who will inspire you to be creative each and every day.

Wednesday's Walk - Small Changes Big Differences

 

 

 

 

It has been raining here alot and so the leaves on the trees are a gorgeous green and the flowers and plants are lush and beautiful.  I have been wanting to paint outside for awhile and so I decided today was the day.  I have a patio with an overhang so I knew that even if it rained in the middle of what I was doing I would be ok.  It was really nice being outside.  I could hear the raindrops on the roof and listen to the soft breeze as the storm went through.  It wasn't like last night with all of its thunder and lightening.  Today it was just a gentle summer rain and it was actually lovely.  So my workdesk this week is my backyard.  Because I am a creature of habit I tend to paint in my studio.  It only took me a few minutes to set my things up outside but the enjoyment I had will last me for much longer than that. 

I wanted to paint something using the colors that are featured in this week's Summer of Color 3 challenge.  The color combination that we are to use this week is orange and pink.  These are two colors I like together but do not use often when painting.  It was fun painting loosely, using colors that I love, but do not often use.  I like how the colors make me feel and I know I will use them again soon. 

Each Wednesday I share a coaching tip.  I try to pick something that everyone can do and that does not cost any money.  I've written about giving yourself credit for your accomplishments, about the importance of taking a breath when you are stressed, and about keeping a reminder journal to help you remember the things that are working for you right now.  My tip for today is to change things up once in awhile and see what happens.  It was fun working outside.  It didn't take long to set up and the rewards were great. I loved using orange and pink and I know I will use them again soon in a painting.

 I am a creature of habit.  I am very aware of what works for me so I tend to do those things.  But I have learned that just as it is important for me to have routines, it is also very important to try something new.  It doesn't have to be a big change to make a big difference.  Sometimes just walking down the aisle in a store in a different direction helps you to see things you have never seen before.  So as you go about your busy life this week is there a small change you would like to make?  Is there something you have always wanted to do but haven't tried yet?  This may be the week.  Remember small changes can lead to big differences.

I am linking today's post to WOYWW (What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday) and Summer of Color 3.  Both are wonderful places to meet exciting and talented artists.

I was recently asked,"What does a Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach do?"  Kaizen means to take small steps.  As a certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach, I hope to inspire you to take small steps that will help you to move forward with your dreams.  At some point or other in our creative journey, we all  face blocks such as fear, perfectionism, or procrastination.  I love to share simple strategies with my clients to help them knock down those blocks and have fun while they are doing it. If you would like to know more about my coaching philosophy, please don't hesitate to contact me at ginny.lennox@comcast.net

 

 When you share your dreams and talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin today!                  

Ginny