How can the arts have an impact in the world?

How can the arts have an impact in the world? It might be the quest for inspiration outside of our usual ways of thinking and acting as live each day. It could be the transforming force that gets kick-started when we access another part of our brains and create. I was enlivened, inspired, delighted in a conversation today, as the person beside me exclaimed 'I think the arts will change the world!'  To this my heart responded with a resounding YES! As more individuals, communities, professional groups and families become receptive to how living with imagination can open up remarkable possibilities, small shifts are happening. The harnessing of creativity as its own life force is a powerful thing.

How have you been impacted, influenced, encouraged by some form of art and creativity?

7 Ways to CONNECT and boost your energy for the fall

Join us for CONNECT, a free and fabulous talk on how connecting with your creative side can greatly boost your energy levels, and inspire you to engage with new possibilities in your life.

Saturday Oct 25th, 10.30-11.30 am. #203-4381 Fraser Street at 28th Ave in Vancouver.

How can you connect? 7 ways to boost your energy this fall:   Place in any order you'd like.....

Pause and try some relaxation breathing for 3 minutes.

Spend 10 minutes each morning doing free-flow writing, where you don't edit anything (!)

Stretch your arms, neck and shoulders when you first wake up, to get the circulation moving.

Post quotes on your mirror that inspire you with an encouraging message. (love notes to yourself)

Try wearing bright colours to see how they affect your energy level

Thank yourself for something terrific you've done today

Say no to something that feels like too much        

Wishing you moments of inspiration in your day!   KD                          

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.