Creating Joy - a 30 Day Challenge

Joy is a powerful byproduct of the process of expressing our creativity and also, in creating what we want in our lives. I experience the joy of creating with words, paint, photos, food, and my imagination. I am also aware of the continuous process of creating my life... with life being the greatest canvas I have been given to work with. Each of us have that same invitation... to be an active participant in the creation of our lives.

Lately, it’s become way too easy to get caught up in the heaviness of the outside world. But in times like these, creating joy is something of a necessity for our health and wellbeing. What if, rather than feeling moved by external forces, we made a conscious effort to spend more time doing the things we love and creating opportunities to experience greater joy?

““Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.””

— Henri J.M. Nouwen

30 Days of Joy Challenge

The world can certainly use more joy. And it starts with each of us, creating it in our own lives.

I invite you to infuse your days with joy… for 30 days, one joyful act each day. It can be anything—big or small—something you enjoy, that lights you up, makes you smile, fills you with delight. Maybe even the same thing over multiple days. 

Just a few ideas: You might choose to draw, paint, play an instrument, take a walk, or hike, watch a sunset (or sunrise), dance around the house, run, sing, play a game, play with a dog, create something or anything, spend time with a friend, watch children play, read, or sit down quietly with a cup of tea.

And to get you started I have created two printable sheets… one to jot down some ideas of activities you enjoy, and the other to log your daily joyful experiences.

So… what brings you joy?

 Download the Joy Challenge Sheets
Or... just grab a notebook and start from there.
I’d love to hear if you decide to join in!
And feel free to share your experiences
of daily joy, by commenting on this post. 

Beyond Labels: Embracing Your Identity as a Creator

Have you ever stopped to consider how you define yourself, or how you would describe your identity? I have identified as an artist for more than five decades. However, I’ve been questioning the restrictions we place on ourselves with these self-definitions. Do our adopted labels hinder our progress while keeping us feeling comfortable, safe, and secure? Do they confine us to a past version of who we’ve been, while preventing exploration, growth, and the expansion we might experience?  

In the past year, I have stretched beyond my comfort zone to pursue what is now lighting me up. As a result, I have redefined myself as a creator—a broader term that encompasses a greater aspect of who I am. I have transitioned from solely identifying as an artist to embracing the essence of being a creator (or maybe more specifically, to just BEING). Creating is what I do. I express myself through paint, words, and the formation of images and ideas. And meanwhile, I am creating the life that I want. I see myself as a creative force, and you are too.

We are creative beings. It is our super power and we carry it with us through life. We can journey wherever we allow our imaginations to take us.

By adopting the mindset of a creator, we break free from the confines of labels and embrace our limitless potential. We step out of our comfort zones and explore new territories. We open ourselves up to growth and transformation. The title of creator empowers us to see beyond our perceived limitations and envision a future filled with endless possibilities.

I invite you to let go of the labels that confine you and allow yourself to be the creator that you are. Let your life be fueled by passion, inspiration, and the joy of bringing ideas to life.

Gratitude in Advance

When I work in the studio, gratitude is an integral part of the process. I am grateful for the time and opportunity to create, for the joy and energy that come with the creative process, and for the constant flow of inspiration. You can say that gratitude is deeply rooted in the creative process, beyond the studio to the process of creating my life. 

As my life unfolds, I find myself filled with gratitude. I witness the presence of moments that spark ideas and clarify next steps. I am grateful for the beauty of synchronicities that ignite my sense of wonder and provide me with greater trust and assurance that I’m moving in the right direction on my path.

And there is the power of expressing gratitude in advance for something that does not yet exist. I have discovered that giving thanks beforehand, with energy, enthusiasm, and excitement, becomes an incredible mindset tool. Creating a daily routine of gratitude, infused with the energy of positive emotions, is a highly supportive step towards bringing you closer to what you wish to create in your life. Here are some benefits of taking this step:

• Increases confidence in the ability to create what you want.

• Enables a greater sense of positivity throughout the creative process

• Fosters greater optimism 

• Helps to override negative self talk

• Increases a sense of trust that everything will unfold for the best

• Makes it easier to face and overcome roadblocks

• Strengthens belief in yourself and in the process

• Reinforces commitment to your chosen focus

• Heightens awareness of the many supportive gifts that seem to magically appear along the way.

By expressing gratitude in advance, we tap into the power to shape our mindset. It plays a supportive role in the creation of what our soul desires and can be quite transformational in paving the way for greater fulfillment in life.

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Following Life’s Bread Crumbs

Art-Full Gratitude

Following Life’s Bread Crumbs

Our lives are filled with a series of choices. Sometimes the next step appears so very fuzzy and unsure… whether to go this way or that. Then there are those fabulous moments of clarity, when we feel a clear and definitive YES. I like to think of those moments as bread crumbs, specifically placed along our life’s journey. When we follow the nudges of our heart we are opening ourselves up to the gifts that have been placed here for us. They move us forward with experiences, lessons, and often opportunities for personal growth, joy, and delight. When we act upon a “hell yes” feeling, it is like activating a stepping stone that helps carry us more directly down our individualized path.

We take those steps with trust, not knowing where they will lead, as we follow what feels right. A path lined with clear YES’ becomes an adventure having the power to light us up and fill us with exquisite energy. Oh, what a journey it can be when we connect to the longings of our soul and travel the path set before us. It’s like an amazing and scrumptious banquet laid out before us, even if we can only see one delight at a time. And once we have partaken of the dish before us, another one appears, as if we have been gifted with the next course to delight our tastebuds with joy.

There is something magical in living life by following the guidance of our soul. That guidance shows up as longings of the heart and can feel like taps on the shoulder, spirit nudges, and tugs. And little miracles begin to show up in our lives, but the breadcrumbs themselves can be seen as miracles in themselves.

Enjoy the journey of discovery in following the bread crumbs of your own life, one step at a time, one YES at a time.

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Pondering Change: in Life and Art