We’ve all experienced it. Something comes up to throw us off track, fill us with anxiety, disappointment, frustration, or trigger us to completely “lose our shit.” When things eventually smooth out and we realize that we are fine and still breathing, we sometimes wonder why we freaked out in the first place. Over time I’ve learned …
Only a few hours ago, I made it back to Guam from Asheville, NC, where I attended my 2nd Uplevel Gold retreat hosted by Christine Kane and her Uplevel team. The insights are endless, but there are some that really stand out, lessons relearned on a deeper level. I have been participating in the Uplevel …
Do you ever feel completely drained or unmotivated to create anything? I’m pretty sure we all experience this on some level at some point. If this is you, it’s all good. There is nothing wrong with you. There are toxic creativity-killers that I have learned to identify and either avoid or zap with my magic wand of …
Ok, I will be honest, it was hard just to write that title. As difficult and bittersweet as it’s been to come to this decision, I know it is the right one. Here’s why. In order to convey what led to this decision, let me go back in time to when I had the inspiration …
Ready or not, here we come! Every day is a new day, and here we are at the start of a new year cycle. It’s important to remember other cycles in our lives though. Rhythms and routines are everywhere, in nature, our bodies, our behaviors. The way I have built my life in the last …
What a year of surprises! Between painting on a wedding dress, travel to Asheville, live art at the Electric Island Festival, receiving the award for Home-Based Business Champion of the year by the SBA, and so much more, it has been eventful to say the least! Looking back, these are some of my most memorable …
Previous posts detailed my trip to Asheville, North Carolina for a business retreat as a part of the Uplevel Academy Gold program that I am in. I shared about the retreat, and then did a whole post on my explorations of downtown Asheville as well as a post just for my explorations of the River Arts District in Asheville. …
As you saw in my previous posts, I recently went on a trip to Asheville, North Carolina for a business retreat as a part of the Uplevel Academy Gold program that I am in. I shared about the retreat, and then did a whole post on my explorations of downtown Asheville. This is a separate …
Amazing art, food, beer, and pretty trees! These are a few of my favorite things! My previous post included my reflections and pictures from the Uplevel Academy Gold business retreat that I attended last week. I got to town a few days early, so took advantage of that and explored all over downtown Asheville, and …
What an amazing adventure I just got back from! Some of you may know that for 5 years I’ve been participating in the Uplevel programs for life and business created by Christine Kane. This year I joined the Gold program for soul-driven entrepreneurs, and intended to make it to at least one of the three …
A photo journal of the last month’s adventures, life milestones, inspirations, random shenanigans, errands, creative projects, and scenic moments. A story in imagery from one full moon to the next!
Photo by David Zimms. Starting your own business is an intense undertaking. This post has been building in my mind for quite some time. There are many amazing points to sustaining your own solo-entrepreneur style business on Guam. However, there are also many challenges to getting yourself set up smoothly. It can be tricky if you are, for …
You know what I’m talking about. Creative artists of all kinds get asked to donate their work or talent for a fundraiser, charity event, or whatever other production, in exchange for “exposure.” Some feel offended when asked to “give our talent for free.” I don’t. Here’s why. I’m specifically referring to the unpaid opportunities that come up …
“IlluminLatte” is an abstract latte stone painting I did recently. I recorded the process from start to finish, sharing and explaining my painting style. This piece is an acrylic painting done on stretched canvas, and all the paint is Chroma brand metallic acrylics. This is a full length video, just over 20 minutes. Below is …
Hafa adai! This weekend I had the special honor of leading a Creative Session focusing on the healing power of art. Art has a natural way of being healing, simply through the act of creating. The creative process is something that happens in everyday life… You have an idea, or see something inspiring. You have …
One of the most common questions I get asked about painting is: What supplies do you use and where do you buy them? I am writing this to save myself from repeating my answer over and over. I mean, I don’t mind, but this will be much more helpful, for me and you. So, painting …
You can create art in just about any space if you get a little creative. When I got back into painting in 2007, it was not an ideal situation for creating art, or so I thought. My boys were 2-years old and 8-months old, and I was overwhelmed with life. We lived in a small studio space …
Yesterday I had the honor of leading a Creative Journaling workshop at the “Guam is Good: Cancer Symposium” held by the Edward M. Calvo Foundation. Keynote speaker Lori Earl flew to Guam to speak about her family’s experience with cancer. She is the author of the book “This Star Won’t Go Out,” based on her …
I took this photo this morning, while I was reflecting on what went well last week, and where my focus will be this week. I’m reminding myself of the basic essentials of my own wellbeing and why I do what I do. People ask me all the time, “How do you sustain creativity? How do you …
This Holiday Season I am featuring a 4-part Holiday Craft Demo series in the Pacific Daily News, written by Lacee Martinez and photographed by Mark Scott. The first craft was featured this past weekend. I will add to this post as each feature is published. HOLIDAY CRAFT DEMO 1- Creating an ornament using an old …
Just Keep Creating. No matter what. Life is full of ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes things will seem totally torn apart and destroyed. And we can sit and feel the experience, and no matter how difficult, can continue to ask ourselves? What do I need now? What do I want now? …
There are so many books that I’ve read that really made a difference in my life, and I sometimes think to myself, “If only’ I’d read this when I was a teenager!” It is never too early, or too late, to learn more about yourself and what kind of life you want to create for …
In my recent quest for clarity, I have reconnected with the awesome circle of women in the Amazing Biz and Life Academy by Leonie Dawson. It is more awesome than ever with the new website look. And sooooo many valuable tools to use in your life and business to stay aligned with your dream and …
I was recently featured on Blue Sun Studio, Inc. for a website critique by Deb Dorchak and Wendi Kelly, two amazing web designers (and authors to boot). This was exactly the kick in the butt I needed to make some big changes to my website. I ended up updating my existing theme instead of purchasing …
1. ) Recognize your awesomeness. You are awesome, complete with all your trials, tribulations, successes, failures, learning experiences, weaknesses, strengths, opportunities missed and taken. Acknowledge the awesomeness of you, others, and your world and all the gifts you have to give, and are grateful to receive. 2.) Be curious. ASK QUESTIONS. Especially the question “Why?” …
So even if life is generally great, we all have a tough day (or many) from time to time. Whatever the trigger or compounding factors that lead up to the overwhelm, frustration, or defeat, it usually leaves us feeling exhausted and confused. Someone said something insulting to you, traffic was really bad and set your …
They are all the same thing to me, a collage of images that light up your soul. Vision Board. Dream Board. Treasure Map. A visual sanctuary to rest on what delights you, what dreams and goals you strive for, what feelings you want to create for yourself. Here are the boards we made this session: …
My favorite definition of encouragement is: to inspire with courage, spirit or hope. Recently I went through what I can only describe as a “dark night of the soul,” where you experience something so painful, often rooted in your own deepest fears and self-doubt, triggered by something or someone outside of yourself. It was a …
I’ve been called to share my process finally, on setting up a creative business model + website, heading the wisdom & experience of mentors. This post is going to be filled with affiliate links, tips, and straight up step-by-step what I followed to get to where I am now. I’ve got a long way to …
In no particular order: Fantastic Floatables- hovering “no strings” balloons that follow you around with a “weight control” remote kit. Cheap & COOL. Check out the Dolphin Swimmers. Babysitting vouchers or gift certificates from you to a loved one with little ones. Upload a cool photo of you and/or family & friends, or of a …
You are FREE! Well, you are! Right now, in this moment (and every moment), YOU ARE FREE. Free to be YOU. Free to love. Free to rise. Free to fall. Free to feel. Free to succeed. Free to be confused. Free to create. Free to destroy. You. Are. Free. Do you fear your freedom? Do …
I believe in almost-instant manifestation, as I’ve experienced it. I’ve also experienced that some manifestations take quite awhile to become tangible. Looking back about 4-5 years ago, I was in a really dark place in my life. I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, but I could IMAGINE it sometimes. There …
Classical Creative Ingredients: Mini cleanse (rinse face, change clothes, shower etc. anything to feel fresh) Big glass of water Your favorite sketchbook, journal, etc. Muzio Clementi radio or similar lively classical piano Guidelines: Nothing bad can come of this recipe, in any order, combination, or amount. I feel good with at least 10 minutes, 20 …
Magical Day Ingredients: *Loreeena McKinnet music or other peaceful sounds. *Candles, essential oils, whatever “goodies” you’ve got on hand *Sage or other dried herb bundle (you can even make one from dry sage leaves you can find at the grocery store) *Create a (literal or imaginary) sacred circle of space around yourself, envisioning a wash …
Ingredients: *Funky house clothes, comfortable *Broom & dustpan *Blank paper, canvas, favorite untensil/medium *Depending on your music tastes: Goddess Alchemy Project, Djembe Tribal Drumming, or Drum ‘n’Rhythm on Pandora *Optional: A lit candle, or essential oils (try orange or lemon), your favorite scarf or necklace or other Directions: Get comfy, put on your favorite feel-good funky …
Earth Connection Ingredients: Bare feet, light comfortable clothing (indoors or outdoors) a sage bundle, burning (optional) any plant life/earth/soil/stones silence, or if you want some music to help set the vibe, try Drum ‘n’ Rhythm or Peace music Directions: as much physical contact or space sharing you can create the better, or simply continually envision and …
Peace of Mind Ingredients: a shower, or at least a splash of water on your face deep, slow breaths smile, feel easy about this moment the mantras “all is well” or “I am safe” or “I am peace” move your hands around, massage them gently, massage your face muscles breathe in peace, and then exhale …
As I write this, I am clearing space for the Aries New moon, which is when I will be creating my Treasure Map for this year. When I first heard about Treasure Maps, I thought they were just like any other vision board, but I have come to find a special magic in creating them …
Sooo… I usually do NOT like the word transition. Feeling in limbo can be so uncomfortable, as if we are neither here nor there. I’ve felt this MANY times in my life. Wanting to feel solid, HOME, clear and yet feeling that uncertain floatiness (technical term here) and oh the waiting! Well, I want to …
Life has been both simple and wonderful lately. So much magic to be found, manifestations abound, things are simply flowing. Sure, there are challenges and hiccups that throw me off track at times, but I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve for handling those. The number one secret that has kept me “on track” …
My Word of the Year is Solutions. When I chose this word, I knew I’d be opening myself up to new opportunities. When I see or think the word Solutions, my brain automatically begins attracting one! Think about it, when you simply complain about some issue, you are focusing on the problem. By giving it …
Each of us has darker aspects of our personalities. I know I do. There is value to EVERY part of one’s personality, and problems really only occur when we are out of balance, when we are out of touch with our Source–our Truth–and those “dark” parts take hold. Art and creating, of any form, has …
I completed the Uplevel Your Life mastery program in 2011, and the one thing that profoundly changed my life more than anything else was committing to going complaint-free. It didn’t mean that I never complained again, but that I am more aware and open to SOLUTIONS. I’d like to share an article written by Christine …
Do you love music? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t. Are you a sensitive person, physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, however-a-lly? If you are reading this, I am guessing that you are. Bonus points if you happen to also be a mom like me, who is often overwhelmed by any combination of wild …
Laying a foundation for my creative business, moving to a new house and reintegrating as a family, the death of my grandmother, and reinstating creative rhythm in my life; Let’s just say 2011 has been intense for me. It is a good thing I had Grace, my word of the year, to back me up. …
A simple and easy way to feel relief and clarity is to pause and check in with yourself and your life. What’s going on right now? What needs to be done, what needs to be simplified? What are your next steps? Most importantly, how are you feeling? The other day a woman asked me why …
So I know if you clicked on this to read, you don’t need “more stuff” on your plate. Let’s keep this simple and easy. ANY time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, you reserve the right to AT THE VERY LEAST… 1.) Take a moment to JUST …B…R…E…A…T…H…E… Gather yourself another moment and borrow one …
Do you need space? Are you often overwhelmed or scattered? Ever want to just crawl into bed, pull the covers over and hide for awhile? Have you ever felt the paradox of feeling so busy and yet unable to define what you’ve actually DONE all day? That vague sense of incompletion and just-out-of-reach-ness can feel …
Have you nourished yourself today? As a creative person who wants to make a positive difference in the world, it is absolutely crucial that you take extra special care of yourself first. Gone are the days when martyrdom and suffering were the noble way of life. It’s time to nourish ourselves so well that we …
“I see you.” You may or may not have seen the movie Avatar. When the people (Na’vi) of Pandora greet each other, they say (in their language), “I see you.” This is such a beautiful way to interact! Think about it. When you are passing someone, you are not judging them, not requesting any personal …
Update: You can find me on http://myeverydaymagic.com on Wednesdays! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What are some things that you can feel good about right now? What have you felt good about before? What do you look forward to? What pleases you, makes you smile, or warms your heart? What are the best highlights of the day? The month? …
Do you ever notice that you are holding your breath, even just a little? Many of us are breathing shallowly to begin with, and at times we don’t even realize that we are holding our breath all-together! I encourage you to take a deep breath in right now… Breathe in one more time, slowly…..breathe life …
Often I am asked “Where to start?” when it comes to creating and living a positive and exhilarating creative journey. One of the best things I did to ground myself in my journey, was to start a Creativity Binder. Call it what you want, it can be a Binder of Inspiration, Book of Creativity, Creative …