Un-stick your writing

Do you like to write but feel stuck sometimes?  Why people write:  To share ideas, questions, feelings. To connect, collaborate, and explore. To unwind. To energize.  A couple ideas to encourage your creative spirits:

Choose from these word choices and write yourself a mini love poem- go ahead and piece it together however you'd like! I suggest 1 word from each line to start with.

I am....

INQUISITIVE   FUNNY   KIND

NOTICING   TRYING  BEING

TRUTHFUL   HEARTFELT   BRILLIANT

LEAPING  SLOWLY   MELTING   FIRE

SAVVY   INCREDIBLE   OVER-COMING

STRONG      CREATIVE    THE BEST

PERSON     FRIEND    SISTER    PARTNER....

Un-stick your writing potential! Here's a little encouragement to write something each day, if you simply love writing or want to explore how you might express your questions and feelings through the written word.

Needing a little spark to your day?

Ways to un-stick your writing flow:

-Get a notebook whose colour and texture you like

-Use a pen that feels good in your hand. Do you prefer fine point or something that evokes more freedom?

-Spend 5 minutes each morning and each evening with your notebook. Pick a cozy place in your home to write.

-Collect things that inspire you!  Find them on your daily travels- Postcards, flowers, stones, interesting found objects

Courage and clarity

Courage. Clarity of heart. Cultivation.  Qualities that help when life feels difficult or your heart is weighted down. 1.  Courage to stay open, when closing down feels safer. Courage to ask questions that don't have immediate answers.

2. Clarity on something that you care about. It might seem like a small thing today-such as having warm meals that make you feel cozy, or music that reminds you of a place you love.

3. Cultivating kindness for yourself by remembering  a person or animal that makes you smile.

There are discouraging days, complex situations to walk through, and spinning thoughts that fuel negativity or anxiety. Even through these times, can you see what you are gifted in doing as a person? Or being?

Wishing you courage to look within for the gifts that you bring to the world. To cultivate appreciation for yourself, no matter what the world might be saying. The word cultivate holds powerful meaning in its imagery of cultivating the earth, harvesting food that nourishes body and spirit.

“We must have perserverence and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something. ”  -Marie Curie

Risking honesty and finding courage

It was a great day when I first heard about Brene Brown's work. Oh my! She dares to delve into the topic of vulnerability... A courageous woman indeed! I especially appreciate one of her TED talks on vulnerability, which you can find at:  http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en.  Something about Brene's down-to-earth demeanour, transparency about the process of her research, and the well- humoured pokes at her own follies captured my attention.  Her book Daring Greatly is a very thought-provoking read, as she unpacks some of the core emotions and reasoning behind our human fears. The notion of risking to connect with and to treat with gentleness, one's places of vulnerability is offered in an accessible yet rather indepth way. How terrific that authors and talented researchers are guiding us on the path in finding new ways to think about our lives. Risking honesty: Where are you risking honesty in your life, and how is that shifting the way you see things?

In my counseling and expressive arts work I am honoured to journey with others through their experiences, places of vulnerability, and unique expressions of courage. Finding courage can come about in the smallest of ways: reaching out to have a thoughtful conversation with someone, answering a question with honesty when it feels risky, taking note of what you excel at and boldly LIVING that out. I encourage clients to access a glimmer or a brightly burning flame of hope, clarity and resilience as we work together; embodying what Brene calls 'Calling deep on courage'. Simply engaging with a supportive therapeutic relationship can open up new avenues of previously unexamined capacity, courage, and wonder.

So here's to more awareness of the tender places alive in each of our stories, and to mindful, wholehearted connection with ourselves as we learn and grow.

Looking inside

Quest. Inquire. Embrace. When watching a movie recently I was inspired by the main character's wisdom about journeying inside onself:

"Look not outside for the things you want. Look inside for what you have not yet unpacked" - from An Englishman in New York.  This notion of seeking to  more fully unpack the aspects of one's inner life strikes a chord for me. I am interested in the different angles from which one might explore their own opinions, values, dreams, questions. Entire days, weeks, years could be spent looking into the rich inner world of one person.  I am learning to become more mindful of what stirs my curiosity, what lights up my sense of joy, what avenues of questioning about life I might want to delve further into.  Of course it is very human that we seek new experiences and compelling, beautiful moments- they bring even more vibrancy to life and awaken us in marvelous ways! Yet can  we also carve out a space to simply embrace and appreciate what we do have in our everyday life, and to foster a kind of contentment around the ordinary-yet-spectacular things? To notice the Beauty of the Mundane. This is a concept that captures my attention!

How are you nurturing your inner journey? Do you write in a journal, send expressive letters to a good friend, play music, go for walks and ponder, paint a canvas, sit with a cup of tea and reflect, cook to revive your spirit......

A little inspiration to keep looking inside, however you may start the process.

What is an Expressive Art session?

You might be asking "What happens during an  Expressive Art session?"  Counseling with a unique twist. A holistic view of how the mind-body connection plays out in people's lives. The way I work is a blending of: Conversation about what is important to you. That might include something that has you feeling 'stuck' or lacking energy; conflict with your partner; or a health condition you're  doing your best to cope with. Encourgaement and tools to make discoveries that lead to positive life changes. For example, we might explore how carrying a lot of responsibility around can be approached in a different way.  Support for seeing a new perspective, or viewing life through fresh eyes.

How can this make a difference?  Presence * Conversation * Encouragement * Emotional Tools * Inspiration *  The gentle, attentive presence of someone who believes you can grow as a person is often uplifting to the spirits. 

With a supportive presence, Karyn encourages people to encounter fuller self-awareness, and to connect with themselves in meaningful ways.

 Notice your strengths. Honour your questions. You are worth it!  I look forward to interacting with you.

One of the best things you can do when the world is storming around you is to pause   -Mitch Thrower