Word for the Year

The New Year is about to start and I see that people all over the net are choosing a word for the year again. Then I got Christine Kane's email article to push me a little further.

So I have chosen Release. My focus this year will be to release all old patterns and blocks that prevent me from truly living an authentic life. I like this word because it resonated with me and I can see it applying to so much in my life. The desire to lose weight and become healthier, organize my life, truly find my place in Art, having more monetary abundance, finding work I love, finishing a novel and so forth all relate to release. So this year I embrace the word Release

I am including Kristine's article so you may know more and choose your own word too. Lets make 2009 as fantastic a year as we have ever known.




Resolution Revolution: A Better Way to Start Your Year
by Christine Kane

The regulars at the gym were joking about it early in December.

"Have a good workout now," they said. "Cuz you know what it's gonna be like in about three weeks!"

Word of the Year That's because all the folks who have - yet again - made their New Year's Resolutions will show up. They'll stick around for a while. Then, around Valentine's Day, the regulars get to have their old gym back.

Last week, I overheard a radio talk show. The hosts were discussing the most common New Year's Resolutions and the average success rate. Among the most common were Get Organized, Be More Spiritual, Lose Weight, Quit Smoking, and Spend More time with Family.

I don't know about you, but this kind of To-Do List approach to life transformation does little to inspire me. And it doesn't surprise me that the success rates were low.

Why Resolutions Don't Work

The reason most resolutions don't work is that they address only one level of your life.

The DO level.

It's the DO-HAVE-BE model.

It goes like this:

"I will DO this thing." (i.e., Lose weight) "So I can HAVE this other thing" (Self-Esteem) and I can BE this thing. (Confident.)

The average New Year's Resolution doesn't address the core of the issue:

The "BE" level.

The best order for creating positive change in your life is the BE-DO-HAVE model. This means you start from the BE level. When you begin changing on the BE level of your life, then the DO level and the HAVE level follow more easily.

When you start only on the DO level, then the blocks on the BE level will often become the obstacles you can't overcome.

A Better New Year's Ritual

Several years ago, my friend Kathy and I decided that, instead of making resolutions, we would pick a word that would guide us throughout the year. It would be our touchstone. It would remind us of living our lives at the BE level.

This didn't mean that we didn't take action. It meant that our actions were inspired from the BE level. In fact, I took more action than ever with this new approach!

For two years, I've blogged about this inspiring way to begin the year. The response has been huge. So have the success rates! I regularly hear from people who have created big changes in their lives because they focused on one word.

How to Choose A Word

Look through the list below. Get quiet and listen to your Wise Self. Pick a word.

Then, hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action.

Here's an example:

Let's say you're one of the many people who would normally choose "Get Organized." You're tired of chaos and clutter. So, you think, "I need to get organized. That'll be my Resolution."

But then you read this article. You decide to try this new approach.

You sit with your clutter. You spend a few days pondering words. You realize in an "Ah-Ha!" moment that you hold on to lots of things. You're scared to let go.

So you choose the word "Release" because it inspires you in a bigger way than "Get organized."

So, every time you approach your clutter you remind yourself of that word. "Release," you say softly. You start to let the clutter go.

Eventually, you realize that you're still holding on to lots more than just physical clutter. You realize that you hold onto resentment at old relationships. "Release," you remind yourself.

You realize that holding on is affecting your diet and health. "Release" applies to some of the extra weight you've gained as well. Throughout the year, you can see clearly how much you hold on. "Release" is your touchstone. It grows you throughout the year. It becomes your guiding force, not your harsh standard.

Your clutter became your teacher simply because you shifted your intent towards it. This wouldn't have happened if you'd opted only to "Get Organized."

What word to choose?

Many people know immediately which word resonates with them. For others, a little contemplation is required.

As you read through the list of words, see if one stands out. It's tempting to choose four or five, believing that you can do it all! (Or that you're so messed up, you can't possibly narrow the mess down to one!) I recommend that if you can't choose just one, choose no more than two.

One is ideal. It gives you focus. If you master that one word, you can choose another one in June.

Compassion

Delight

Generosity

Effortlessness

Wealth

Gratitude

Abundance

Creativity

Willingness

Change

Growth

Freedom

Mastery

Kindness

Health

Presence

Acceptance

Courage

Confidence

Self-Love

Action

Forgiveness

Forgive

Release

Trust

Knowing

Patience

Friendship

Fun

Grace

Laughter

Love

Expansion

Exploration

Adventure

Openness

Discipline

Awe

Awareness

Risk

Gentleness

Choice

Spirit

Prayerfulness

Power

Allow

Artfulness

Attention

Beauty

Joy

Focus

Ritual

Heal

Order

Clarity

Pioneer

Peace

Laziness

No

Yes

Deliberateness

Commitment

Savor

Integrity

Listen

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Works in progress

I spent the day working on this warp. It is really taking me a long time. I finished threading it, getting all the tangles out and had it almost wound onto the back beam when I discovered a problem. Had to pull it back through the heddles and adjust the stick on the back beam. I need to rewind it on now. A job for tomorrow. Its a mixture of reds rusts and grey that will become a shawl soon.

















I took a break to play and finally finished this journal page for the Goddess art class I am taking with SuziBlu. I have had the picture glued down for a long time. It was fun to finally find some elements to add to the page. I am not used to working this big so it was a challenge. Now that I have done one of these I think I will go and work on the other two that I have started. I have been having a hard time getting in the art groove again. I'm hoping this page will help.

A wonderful Day

We had a wonderful Christmas and I received some wonderful gifts. I have been wanting this for 2 years. I put it on a vision board back then and its exciting to really own it now. Its a Canon Rebel XSI and its going to take some time to learn how to use it. Since its so expensive I had agreed it could be my birthday present too. Then Dave decided we just couldn't afford it this year. Then the price was lowered by 250.00 just before Christmas so I got it after all.














I was pretty sure I was getting this since I had asked for it long ago. I have been using and old version of paint shop pro so I am excited to venture into the world of photoshop.

Sarah gave me the following to redo the bathroom in the basement.














The shower curtain.














and the rings to match.













Accessories, there is also a wastebasket. Now I need to figure out what color to paint the room and so forth

















And then there was a little something to read.


















My sister sent the Stewart Gill paints that I have been wanting to try.














Here is the felted hat made by my sister Peggy.
We had a wonderful dinner on the 25th. Each of us prepared something so it was a joint effort. My cornbread stuffing turned out fantastic and we now are letting Sarah always do the mashed potatoes because hers were excellent. As I sit here and look out the window the snow is gently falling. We have snow drifts as high as our mailbox, but the roads have been cleared so we can travel if we want to. We plan a trip to see a movie this afternoon.

A lovely gift

I received this in the mail from the lovely Lisa Oceandreamer. I won this when she had a birthday giveaway. Its beautiful, makes me think of my mom today. She had some of these china cups and saucers but I never received any of them. I collect tea pots and have wanted to start getting some beautiful cups and saucers. I previously had only 2 and now with this third one I will soon have enough to have a tea party. Its extra special that its come from Lisa. I know that she was close to her mom and that when I use this cup I will think of her and her mom and mine too. What a pleasant memory that will be. Thanks Lisa.

We haven't been snowed in but I did get stuck in the driveway after the snowplow dumped tons of snow there. Today I chose to stay home. Domestic goddess, thats me. I baked 2 pumpkin and 2 apple pies, cleaned the house, did laundry, finished up the last Christmas gift and got it wrapped. Maybe now I should get dressed. Right now I am listening to my favorite Christmas song by Trans Siberian Orchestra. Christmas Eve Sarajevo, its all instrumental and is a mixture of tunes including Carol of the Bells. I have it on repeat, I won't say how many times I have heard it today. Sarah loves it too so neither of us complain about it.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve....

Snow abounds

Like in many locations around the country we have lots of snow. These are the drifts in my front yard.














Outside my window the birds are really congregating.














Then I saw these on the lawn. I believe that they are Hungarian Partridge.














And here is one close up. A minute later they all walked over the snow bank and disappeared. I was taking these through the window so they aren't real clear.


















I did this drawing on Sunday. I have wanted to try two faces together and this was my first try. I see this as two sisters looking out on the world. This was fun to do and I think I want to try it again.
















I finished weaving the blanket last night. I am now busy making repairs and twisting all the fringe. This a picture showing some of the fringe already twisted. This has to be done before the blanket can be washed and fulled.

Just in case I don't get back here I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday. enjoy the time with family and friends and be safe.

Outlander Fans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_zuxlLra38

Check out the video if you are a fan of the Jamie and Claire saga by Diana Gabaldron. There is enough eye candy here to satisfy anyone.

This week has been incredibly busy and the end is not in sight. One of the women in my knitting group had her cancer return for the third time and this appeared to be the final round for her. I busily knitted a 12 x 12 swatch to go in the blanket for her final days. It could be today or tomorrow or later, hard to tell. So she is in my thoughts and of course my mom died on Dec 17, 1999 so I have been missing her too.

I have the loom working again which gives me 5 days to weave a blanket. I'll post pics of the blanket as soon as its finished. I think I have the time,just have to work everything else in too.

There is a possibility that my sis Marianne will come for Christmas, it all depends on how she feels. She has a nasty cold right now. So I am planning on her being here and if she can't come then I will still be ok. I'll just have extra stocking stuffer's. I have done no holiday baking but that will change soon. Sarah made some peppermint bark and its yummy. I have plans for mini cheesecakes, lemon bars and Russian teacakes. I'll skip the sugar cookies this year. We are having turkey since we didn't have it for Thanksgiving. Dave usually makes it but this year I decided I wanted to. I want a cornbread stuffing. I have to find a good recipe for one. I'll drag out the cookbooks or look on line. Plus there are pies to bake and on and on. I know you know how it all is.

Introducing yourself

We got plenty of snow over the weekend and its supposed to be cold and snow a little bit everyday this week. I guess winter is finally here. It really looks like Christmas now. It is good to have my girl home.

I went to my drumming circle last night. There were five of us drumming by a warm fire sharing our journeys and life experiences. It really was wonderful. I am so thankful for Marilyn for holding these monthly gatherings. I meet new women every time and the connections are wonderful. I do struggle with the question what do you do? When I say I am an Artist, people ask oh what gallery are you in? If I say I am a writer they want to know what books you have published. Now last night I ended up saying I was a Jane of all trades, master of none. Now I wasn't happy saying that either. Identity is an uneasy thing for me. I have never fit in with the usual mold and find it hard to let someone know who I am in just a few words. How do you introduce yourself? Is it based on what you do or have done or what you are?


















I drew this girl in church, I think I prefer paint or collaged papers for the dresses. Colored pencils and I are not friends yet, its all I had with me so I made do. I did add a little paint to the face when I got home. I like how she looks, maybe my next focus should be on clothing and the rest of the body.

I have had little time for Art lately, all these projects to finish before the 25th seem to take over my life. I am sure it is the same with many of you. I have hundreds of blogs to look at but alas that will have to wait. I am headed back to the loom. I hope you are having a great day.

Raging snow storm outside

We are in the midst of a pretty nasty storm. Dave has gone to pick Sarah up from college and they are driving home in it. Keep them in your thoughts if you read this today.

I braved the elements when the wind died down a little to feed the birds. They were really suffering in the weather. My sheep take bad weather in stride, it doesn't faze them much at all. I started a fire just in case the power goes out which can happen frequently here. So far so good.

We bought our tree a couple days ago and I am finally getting in the Christmas mood, I have most of the house decorated and have been listening to some wonderful holiday music. It seems to set the mood. I finished making the presents that have to be mailed but now I need to knit a swatch for a lap robe for a friend whose cancer has come back for the third time. Sometimes its hard to fit it all in especially when unexpected things come up. I get to see my girl today so I am really excited about that.














I went to see this last night. It has taken forever to come here and I was happy to see it. I really loved the book and I have met Sue Monk Kidd several times. When I was in Charleston we actually talked about the movies being filmed. It felt good to finally see the final project. That Dakota Fanning is just one incredible actress. If you haven't seen it I recommend it highly. As with all movies you want them be totally like the book and they can't really be that. I always want more character development. Queen Latifa is August to me. All the actors did great jobs. Yes, there will be tears but worth it.

Ps...Sarah and Dave arrived home safe. It took them an extra hour and a half to get here. They traveled on glare ice, lots of snow, white out conditions but also had periods of clear where they could actually see where they were going. I am glad I was not driving. Anyways I am glad to have them home safe.

Fiesta ware contest

Check out the giveaway here Who wouldn't want to win some of this wonderful dish ware. I really love mine.

What I won

Look what I got today! This is the painting that I won from Zorana. It was a give away for her birthday. Lucky me. Thanks for being so generous Zorana.















The start of my garland I saw these on Laini Taylors blog and then found directions here


I too told myself I don't have time to make these but they were so cute and they are so much fun to make. I haven't enjoyed sewing so much in a long time. They are just felt and embroidery floss and you make them into a garland. Once again its simple things that can really bring joy.

Nanowrimo Celebration Party

Here I am looking at my gift a copy of this



















If you haven't seen Wreck this journal it has all these fun things you do to the book. Its going to be fun to take it through the trials and back again.













Look at all the wonderful writers who showed up to celebrate












Then there are more, we had some of the supporters too. Several spouses attended too. I gave away a slew of writing books. I think most everyone ended going home with something. I also had some moleskin cahiers to pass out. Dave was supposed to be taking pictures but he only took a few. Anyways fun was had by all. We are glad its over and many will join the writing group we have that meets once a month. There were 21 people who managed to write a novel in November. We have an awesome group of writers here. Congratulations to everyone who participated in Nanowrimo this year.


Weaving Time

I have been spending time weaving. I got the towels that have been on my loom forever. I decided to un-weave what I had done on Dave's blanket. It was just not working our like I had planned. I am going to add more warp threads to make it more dense and then weave with varying shades of grey. I think that will work out much better. I figured what I had done was so gauzy that by the time the fabric was washed it would draw in too much and the blanket would be too short. I also pulled out a mixed warp I had done for a demo a couple years ago. I am going to put that on the Baby wolf loom. It will be a shawl, it has varying shades of reds, maroons and some pink. So lots of projects in the work. I want to work on them all but I have Christmas things to make so I have to get back to them.

Tomorrow I am going to learn how to make soap. My friend Kate makes it and I asked to watch next time. I helped her set up her new loom yesterday and I also need to teach her how to set up a project. She has materials to make a rug and she is excited to be working at it. Its always fun to work with someone who is new at it, their excitement and enthusiasm just seems to fuel mine. Then I can't wait to get back to my own stuff.

Treating Yourself Well

After yesterdays little mini-depression I am seeing that if I am conscious of my choices I can turn them around so much quicker. I love how that happens and the duration is so much shorter than it used to be. Instead 12-24 hours maybe the next time I can turn that to an hour and then a minute. We do choose our lives minute by minute. Its a good thing to remember.















Yesterday I was out shopping for a Christmas gift and I ended up getting myself something instead. Tuesday Morning sells these decorative boxes and they are covered in beautiful papers. I was looking for one to put some items in for a gift for a friend. Then I saw one I have been admiring. Its shaped like a old fashioned doctors case and has birds on the front and a handle on its curved top. It just evokes calm for me. So I bought it for me and it brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. I think besides being pretty it is a symbol for me. I think part of self care is to treat yourself to a gift once in awhile. So I see this little box as feeding my soul a little. Now when I look at it I am reminded that on the day I bought it I took care of me. I think taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself and the other people in your life.

Tomorrow is the Nanowrimo Celebration Party. I have some fun things planned for our luncheon. Earlier I sat and wrapped some gifts in brightly colored tissue paper and really enjoyed this simple act. Tissue paper is an interesting form of paper, its can be all crinkly or smooth as silk. It fun when you can take the pleasure in simple things.

Thankful for many things

This is a response to SuziBlu's thankful video. She challenged us to do a page on what we are thankful for. This was fun. I layed down a layer of water soluble oil pastels, painted over it with titanium white paint mixed with glazing liquid. Then I used stamps and Colorbox chalk ink and added words and a picture.













This one was in emulation of Kim at Queen of Arts. It was all about being grateful for yourself. It was fun to do. Sometimes its important to celebrate yourself. Not sure why I decided to just do it hand written but it does have a different look that way.

I am so excited I won a painting from Zorana. You can check out her entry to see what I have one. She gave it away to celebrate her birthday. How fun is that.... If you are unfamiliar with her she has a wonderful blog and paints beautiful faces.

Winners of my blogiversary gift are PJ, Sharee, Gemma and Ninnie. PJ and Sharee would you email me your address.

My petite dolls

I have been doing the Les Petite Dolls class with Suzi blu. By the way it really is an incredible class. It takes awhile to get good at something new. I don't have any of the fancy paints that she uses so my background don't have the same quality. I am still learning new techniques and that is what its all about.


















This first one I plan on working on some more. I stamped butterfly's and used distress inks. I should have sprayed a working fixative on them before I added more paint. So yes they smeared. I will rework the background at a later date. My first time woodburning too. I need more practice at it.













This second piece was doing a painting on drawing paper. I like her a lot. I have a certain young friend I think would love this as a surprise gift. I am going to try this on watercolor paper next. As with new technique I think we get better and better at it the more we do it.

Crossing the Finish Line

I crossed the finish line around 8 pm last night. The story is not finished but I made the words which is what counts. I am not sure if I will work on editing it or not. I need time to absorb the experience and really see if it has enough good stuff to warrant further work on it. I have spent the morning cleaning the house. Its always needs a major overall from neglect in November.

I have the computer moved out of the Art room so now I can do art there and writing at my desk upstairs. My plans for December are to do some weaving. I'll need to clean out that room next. It so easy for me to let things slip by when I have so many interests. Priorities are something I have trouble following through on. Hopefully this December will be better. I spent October doing the Big Draw and then November doing Nanowrimo, I sort of wish Christmas was in January so I could have a month to do nothing. Life doesn't seem to work that way though.

Sometimes after intense experiences I find that I have difficulty getting back to normal again. Shouldn't I be stressing about my word count right now. Oj its back to cleaning. I am trying to look at housework as a spiritual activity. Maybe cleaning your house on Sunday can be considered Sacred. I'm off to vacuum...

Goddess Quiz

I am taking the Goddess Art class so of course a quiz is in order.

Your result for The Mythological Goddess Test...

Isis

Indeed, you are 83% erudite, 71% sensual, 50% martial, and 50% saturnine.

This Egyptian supreme Goddess is certainly the most influential deity on subsequent cultures. She was the ideal figure of womanhood, usually compared with the Greek Goddess Demeter or her Roman version, Ceres.

Isis was one element of a Holy Trinity, the remaining two figures being her brother and husband Osiris and their heroic son Horus. She was the Goddess of Magic for her brilliance, as well as the Goddess of Love because of her tenacious devotion.

She is often shown with wings, curving to caress coffins and sarcophagi of many a king. In certain papyri she is shown with her falcon wing headdress, covering her ears. One of her sacred symbols is the sistrum, a musical instrument that was believed to ward off evil spirits. Isis' sistrum was carved bearing the image of a cat and was representative of the Moon.

Isis was the High Priestess and an omnipotent magician as well as the only being ever to discover the secret name of Ra. She invariably carries the ankh, the symbol for eternal life. Her name is, by the rules of numerology, adding up to the number “2” and she just so happens to be depicted on the tarot card “Key 2 – The High Priestess”.

The Fifteen Goddesses

These are the 15 categories of this test. If you score above average in …

…all or none of the four variables: Neit. …
Erudite: Minerva. …
Sensual: Aphrodite. …
Martial: Artemis. …
Saturnine: Persephone. …

Erudite & Sensual: Isis. …
Erudite & Martial: Sekhmet. …
Erudite & Saturnine: Nemesis. …
Sensual & Martial: Hera. …
Sensual & Saturnine: Bast. …
Martial & Saturnine: Ilamatecuhtli. …

Erudite, Sensual & Martial: Maeve. …
Erudite, Sensual & Saturnine: Freya. …
Erudite, Martial & Saturnine: Sedna. …
Sensual, Martial & Saturnine: Macha.

Take The Mythological Goddess Test at HelloQuizzy

Treating Yourself

In all the hubub of black friday I came home with a gift for me. Its called the Bind it All by Zutter and it makes spiral bound books of many sizes. I can't wait for some time when I can play with it. I always like to buy myself something for Christmas. Sometimes the presents are big and sometimes small but a gift for yourself is important I think. This one I got with a 40% off coupon so it was a price not to be beat and I want to make my own books so this was a perfect match.

Nanowrimo word count is 49427 so I have a little over 500 words and I will be done. I should be able to do that tonight. Its been a hard month and I am ready to get my life back again. I have one more commitment and that is the Victory party next week. We'll meet at a restaurant for lunch and celebrate all those words. The group I facilitate wrote over a million words in November. So far we have 3 winners I know of and there will be many more in the next 28 hours that are left. Its been a great group to work with but I am ready to take off the ML hat and just read or do Art or go to the movies.

Coming up for air

I tried to post all about my trip to Craters of the Moon but blogger is not being helpful today so I let it slide. Thought I should check in though. Only 10,000 more words to write. I will be happy when Nano is over on Sunday. Its been hard this year.

I have a few online classes I am taking. Right now it Les Petite Dolls with SuziBlu. and its been fun. I am working at my first try but its not ready to post yet. I signed up for her be Divine Class in December its on Goddess Art and I think it will be fantastic. Her classes are really reasonably priced and so much fun. Check them out here

I can't really afford any of the big art retreats so online classes seem to be the way to go for me. I have an altered journal class coming up with Sarah Whitmire of Soul Journaling fame. I think that will be fun too. I'll be posting pics as soon as I have something to show.

Mail Art Contest Winner

Mahala was the lucky winner of my mail art contest. Above you'll see the package I sent her. It's a combination of painting and collage and stamping. I really had fun making it. I did not take pics of the insides. She got an issue of Art & Life, A beaded necklace kit and miscellaneous papers and napkins for collage.

Something to share

Here is another gem from Christine Kane

Who Do You Think You Are?

You've heard it.
I've heard it.
We can even laugh about it because it's so common.

I'm talking about the snarky voice in your head that mouths off whenever you think about being a little bolder, or a little decadent, or more self-nurturing.
It's the voice that says, "Who do you think you are?"
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but mine shows up as a group of high school girls.

Their eyes are lined with thick black pencil. They wear concert t-shirts. Their hair is burnt from too many home perms. One of them steps forward and says, with her hands on her hips, "Who do you think you are?" And then she turns to the others and says, "Who does she think she is?" Then they all take an aggressive step forward. (Welcome to an average day at my old high school!)

My friend Joy told me that "Who do you think you are?" jumps in whenever she imagines hanging out on the sofa reading magazines.

A few years ago, I saw Oprah speak. She said that every time she wanted to achieve more, the first voice she heard was "Who do you think you are?"

Every woman I know has her own version of this voice waiting in the wings.

In other words: Stay down, play small, shut up, and don't embarrass yourself. Don't even bother because you won't make it, you don't deserve it, and everyone knows it, and they'll all laugh at you when you fail.

So, next time that voice jumps up in your head, here's what you do:

Answer it.

Really. Who do you think you are?

-------------

One time, I was telling a mentor about some fears coming up around a choice I was making.
I said, "...and all the voices in my head are saying, 'Who do you think you are?'"
And he looked at me and said, "Well? Who do you think you are?"

I smiled and continued with my story.
He cut in.
"No. Stop. I really want to know. Who do you think you are? Tell me right now."
In a very tiny voice, I told him.
Then he made me say it again in a bigger, stronger voice. And again after that.
He said, "There. Now you have an answer for your voices."
Now I do this exercise every time those voices arise.

Here's a tip:

When you answer that question, use language that speaks the truth of your strengths and values
In other words, make it authentic.
It's tempting to recite something that sounds "lofty" or "holy." I know you know what I mean. "I am a divine being, living in divine perfection with power and grace..and blah blah blah...abundance and light."

Okay, fine.

True as that may be, if that language doesn't resonate with you, you'll never feel any bolder, and those high school girls with the black eye pencil will put their cigarettes out on your shoe.

The Co-op of Lack
My theory is that "Who do you think you are?" is actually a Co-op.
It's a collective body of voices saying, "Agree with us in the lack that we see! Agree with us that there are no other options! Agree with us that no one has any power over life conditions!"
It's actually pretty convenient.
It's convenient to have this world-view because it gives you permission to stay stuck. It never requires that you do anything about it because after all, you're dealing with a whole world-view!

Think about it.

When you say, "I no longer want to work with this abusive client," you're also saying, "AND, I believe there are multitudes of others out there for me."
When you say, "I'm gonna nap right now, and I will be more productive and happier because of it," you're also saying, "AND, I believe that there's more than enough time for me to get my to-do's done."
Get it?
Essentially, you're telling the Co-op that you've decided to create a whole new world-view!

Extra Credit Bonus Tip

Let's be honest.

Most likely there are occasions when you've been the one saying, "Who does she think she is?" (Even if it's only in your head.)
Don't be ashamed. It simply means that you have more opportunities to shift those old lack mindsets. Usually those mindsets are saying: "I'm feeling small and poor, so she should be small and poor too." We've all caught ourselves doing this.
Even if it's uncomfortable, you can choose to bless or praise anyone who seems to be taking bigger strides in her life. Then remind yourself again who you think you are, and join her!


Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Its my Blogiversary

Well I think it is. I really started on blogger in 2002 but rarely posted so I don't count that. I had the 17th stuck in my head as where I started to seriously blog over at Tripod but they tell me it was the 16th. Anyways I am going to say its the 17th since I like the number better and I am in charge so I can do what I want. So I am starting into my fifth year of blogging so I am going to give away this kit.


















It is a beaded medicine bag that you can make, it includes beads, thread, needles and instruction booklet. I used to sell these kits when I had a booth at fairs. Its very easy to make and I know the winners will have fun. Yes multiple winners. How about 4 of you, one for each year I have blogged. Hmm how to pick the winners, I guess I will just randomly pick 4 numbers. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post, tell me what you like about my blog.

Sacred Life Sunday - Finding time for Art

I never really know what to do for Sacred Life Sunday posts so I don't do that many. This week I have been missing doing art, so I finally took the time. I guess that I made it sacred for me. I worked so long on this page I thought maybe I should go back to using canvasses for faces. At least at that point I could have something that I could hang on the wall and look at. When its in a journal its all closed up. It not that the effort is not valuable in its own right but it just takes me so long. Perhaps when I get better at mixing colors and painting in general I will be able to do a journal page quickly. The words in the piece are "Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly"

Now its back to writing, I am past the half way point. Today is day 16 and I have made the 25,000 word goal yesterday. Now its on to the second half. Although doing Nanowrimo is fun and rewarding and all that jazz it is pretty intense. I am looking forward to a relaxing December.

A giveaway you might like

I just discovered Debra at A little Imagination and a pile of Junk. She has a lovely blog and has a beautiful journal she is giving away. So head on over if journals are your thing.

She also has some great tutorials on her sidebar. I love it when I can find a fun blog by accident. There are so many talented people out there. I know I can't see them all and it is sure fun finding someone new who does the things you like to do.

Checking In

Yesterday I caught some bug and was down and out for the day. Today Dave and I went to Craters of the Moon National Monument. It about 90 miles from here. I am using a similar lava field for a location in my novel so this was a research trip. I have lots of pictures and stories to tell but that will have to come later as I need to write. Just felt the need to check in. I hope you are all having a great week.

Had to share

My friend Judi sent me this video this morning. Talk about inspiring, I had to share.

New art journal pages

I finally caught up to my word count. Its taken me a week to do so, but it feels good. I have writer 16,680 words so far.















Here are some journal pages recently finished.

















Here is another page on change, that is some of my paste paper on the right.












I have been trying to finish up a moleskine and here I even did the inside covers.

The found poetry says
My soul
what treasure
do you hear
with imagination

I enjoyed working on these pages, I used an old set of oil pastels, not the water soluble ones. I can blend them easily, they were fun to work with. I thought of putting something in the window but then thought its like you look into the window to see whats inside. The whole book becomes the inside.












I had to do an election page since I was so much a part of things. I collected images from the net and added some journaling on my experiences. So much hope now it needed to be recorded somehow. Do you believe I forgot to buy a paper on Wednesday.

I have a lot of golden paint and the one thing I run into is having a color in the heavy bodies line. Decided I wanted some Cerulean Blue Deep in the heavy body version. Michaels wanted 16.99 for a 2 oz tube. Yikes.. even with my 50% off coupon it was 8.50. I hope I now paint some masterpiece with it. I wonder what is so special about this color that it costs more than the others. I guess I will never know.

Purple phone

Here is the phone Janet, its a Motorola that I got at Verizon.

A funny little little manifesting story about this. I was at a write in on Thursady and one of the writers had this phone and I thought how cool I'd like a purple phone next time. Now on Friday night I am writing on the couch, we have 12 couches a 2 seater and a 3 seater that are right next to each other. I am in the 2 seater and I have a glass of Pepsi just on the cusion of the 3 seater. My phone is sitting on the arm of the couch and I somehow knock it over and yes, it lands in the glass of Pepsi. I cleaned it out and store it in rice to draw the moisture out. I turn it on Sat morning and low and behold it comes on but a little glitch it keeps searching for service indefinetly.

So I head out to Verizon and of course the phone is not fixable. So here I get the phone I was thinking about less than 2 full days ago. I had been told we'd be able to manifest quicker but this was amazing to me.

Dave still thinks he can fix the old phone but that may take several days and not work. We have no land line so I really needed a phone now. He has soaked the phone in water to get the stickieness of the Pepsi out of it and then is doing the rice thing. We'll see, if he fixes it he will have a phone when his dies. Meanwhile I have a purple phone and for those of us who like purple thats a good thing.

There's a Hippie Bus in town

I was driving down the road and saw this.













Its the Psychedelic bagel bus. click on pictures to get a closer look.













I love the painting they did on the bus. Its a little place to get bagels.













You can't help but smile and laugh at all the memories it evokes. Good Bagels too! Our only real bagel shop went out of business a few years ago so the is great to see.

Oh What a night

Our next president, oh what a night last night was. I have never been more proud to be an American as I was last night. I went to a Election night party with 8 friends. We ate pizza, drank wine and cheered as the results came rolling in. What a historic night for our country, we the people can actually take it back and make it what it is supposed to be.

A I watched the panning of the crowd in Chicago and saw both Oprah and Jesse Jackson crying I thought as excited and thrilled by the outcome as I was, there is no way for me to understand how this must feel to African Americans. What a day it has been for them.

I was very impressed with John Mc Cains concession speech, he conceded graciously and with great honor. Of course I was inspired once more listening to Barack acceptance speech. It was a delight to see our new first family on the stage and fun to know that one of the first things the girls will get is a new puppy. That just seemed so much like a normal family.

Last night it seemed so much like a pivotal moment in our nations history. I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when we elected Barack Obama. Today the world just feels a little bit different, more alive somehow, I feel more hope than I every have in my life.

Creativity by Kristine Kane

There is so much to blog about today. I will have several posts to break things up. I got this in my mail today and it was so awesome that I wanted to share. Christine says many of the things that I believe about creativity.

My #1 Favorite "No-Big-Deal" Creativity Tip

Notes Creativity isn't a big deal.

It's like our breath. It's just a part of who we are.

Everyone knows this truth, but most people pretend that Creativity (with a capital C) is something special.

People who say, "Oh, I'm not Creative," or "I don't have a Creative bone in my body," sound like they're trying to convince themselves of something, rather than telling themselves the truth.

They make Creativity a BIG DEAL because, by doing so, they keep it safely out of reach. It then requires nothing of them, except to occasionally utter the phrase, "Oh, I'm not Creative!"

These people are often a little disappointed when I teach them what they pretend they don't already know:

· Creativity isn't a big deal.

· Creativity is not an event.

· Creativity doesn't so much happen, as it is allowed.

This is boring. It's unimpressive. And it's also why so few people Live Creative. It requires presence and practice and allowing. And really, these aren't very exciting things. (Unless you've experienced them! Then you know they are!)

Canine Creativity Class

When I found my dog, she'd been badly abused. I was walking on a gravel road, and she was watching me from a mound of dirt in an old churchyard where she'd been dumped.

She started to follow me.

Each time I turned around, she'd stop dead in her tracks.

When I tried to walk towards her, she'd tuck her tail under her butt and slink away from me.

But when I just continued along my way, she followed me. She eventually got closer and closer. Ultimately she followed me home.

This is how I experience Creativity.

If I try to turn around and catch it, it turns away. Living Creative is not about willing it or grabbing it. In fact, Creativity rarely takes to announcements like, "Today I'm gonna be Creative! I'm gonna write a novel!"

It's a process. It's a way of being. And though it can't be forced, it can be cultivated and allowed. It thrives when you're already open, and your mind is receptive and quiet. There's almost a joyful laziness to it.

So, in the spirit of making Creativity a No-Big-Deal part of our lives, here is my #1 favorite no-big-deal Creativity Tip...

Christine's Favorite Creativity Tip: Carry a Tiny Spiral Notebook

Get some tiny spiral notebooks.

Carry one in your car. Carry one in your purse. Bring one along in your back pocket. Keep one next to your bed.

Songwriters call them Hook Books. It's a place to write down lyric ideas, especially the "hooky" song titles.

But you don't have to be a songwriter - or even a writer - to use this tool. Here's why:

We all have great ideas. We all hear funny comments worth remembering. We all notice breath-taking moments.

When we actually take the time to jot them down in our tiny notebooks, then we're honoring these ideas and these moments. We are essentially telling our subconscious mind that our creativity matters enough to take action on it. And we're letting it know that it's no big deal. Our subconscious mind gets the message, and begins its work of noticing new things and generating new ideas.

When we keep a tiny notebook, we are training our minds to Attract Ideas. Each time we put an idea or a moment on paper, it's like shouting "Yes!" to our Creativity.

It doesn't matter if we DO anything with the note or the hook or the idea. It's easy for your logical brain to step in and say "Yea but will it pay the bills? Will it lead to a novel?" (In other words, will it be a BIG DEAL?)

Maybe.

But there are some definite things that this practice will do:

· It will teach you how to be an "Idea Magnet."

· It will show you that there are many solutions inside of you.

· It will train you to recognize what delights you and brings you deep joy.

· It will build your relationship to your Creative Self.

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of this tip. Over time, you'll begin to feel the profound effects it has on your life.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Its Time To Go

Sharon over at All Norah's Art had a challenge over the weekend and I decided to take it on.


















I think you are supposed to start and finish during the weekend but it always takes me longer to do things. I learned a lot with this page. I tried out the new Golden Open Acrylics and oh are they nice. They are much creamier and stay wet on your palette a lot longer. In this page I ended up using the Open and Fluid acrylics, colored pencil,and stamps. I really hated the background at first but now I think its ok.

Painting Rocks

I saw these on the Dancing Mermaid site and then on Kim's too. Plus Olivia is doing a video series on how she gives hers away. I thought I would try my hand at them. Not all of these have their coat of modge podge on top yet. One thing is its amazing how long it takes to cover some rocks. I have several coats of red over one rock and its still not done. I had to switch to real paint cause the craft paint really is transparent in the red shades. FolkArt has some metallic paints that I have never seen before and I just love the colors.

I think McCabe's look better since her handwriting is awesome but I think all you need is the sentiment and they work. I plan on giving mine away at Christmas time and then may even leave some around town. I think it would be fun to have someone find just the word or phrase they needed to hear that day.

Please Vote for someone in my Mail Art contest. I think I have a tie right now so I need some more input. Please see the previous post and comment there. Thanks.