-
How Can Winter Inspire Your Creative Genius?
The winter season is a wonderful time to immerse yourself in the creative process! It brings a rich opportunity to awaken the “creative genius within” by exploring the gifts that are found in nature’s darkness. It allows us to reflect on our personal and creative journeys, taking a closer look at who we are – underneath the layers of life. By looking for the “light” – and knowing that it’s there, somewhere, waiting to be discovered – we can reach a place where our personal reflection begins to shed its own light. It’s a time to ponder where we’ve been on our creative journey, how we got to where we are now – and where to go from here. It’s an opportunity to explore new ways of…
-
The Ripple Effect of Gratitude
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States – and move into another full moon phase, I can’t help but think of the impact that gratitude has when we embrace it wholeheartedly. Can you imagine a world where everyone showed gratitude? If someone did something kind for you, you’d probably give them a warm smile and say thank you. And if you were having a bad day, someone else might take time out of his or her life to comfort you, making you feel better. It’s these acts of kindness that prompt people to show their gratitude by doing something similar for someone else. Like a skipping stone in a pond, acts of gratitude have the potential to create a ripple…
-
Turning Brokenness into Beauty
Many of us are familiar with the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Think about the dandelion. While one might see a weed, another might see a beautiful and vibrant yellow flower – or perhaps something that they can add to a salad that’s high in nutrients. It’s all a matter of perspective. And in several cultures across the globe, beauty is celebrated in unique ways, depending on how it’s viewed. In Japan, for example, broken objects are often repaired with gold. The flaw is seen as a unique piece of the object’s history – which adds to its beauty. Thinking about yourself and your own life, what do you consider “broken?” And how might another see this “flaw” as beauty? These…
-
What’s the Universal Gift in Your Life Story?
One of the most powerful films I’ve ever seen is Freedom Writers. It continues to be one of my favorites. It shows the power of journal writing – and telling one’s story through a voice that is unique to the storyteller. And through the pages of sharing this story, a larger sense of purpose begins to unveil. For a taste of what the film is about, visit this link and watch the movie trailer: Freedom Writers So much could change in our lives, and in our world, if we just stepped into the power of our life story – learning its lessons, receiving its gifts, and bettering ourselves in the process – then finding our own diamond in the rough, giving it a good polish,…
-
How Well Do You Receive Compliments?
American author Mark Twain once said, “I can live two months on a good compliment.” How about you? What does a good compliment do for you? For many women, accepting compliments is a difficult thing. It feels uncomfortable, so we brush them off. But what if we started accepting them – and feeling gratitude for them? Can you imagine what it would do for our self-esteem and our sense of appreciation? Beginning now, make a pledge to yourself. Pay attention to what other people are noticing about you – and how they’re bringing it to your attention. Instead of playing down a compliment, look the person in the eye, smile, and say, “Thank you.” Then document it in your journal. Every time someone gives you a…
