My daughter and I had a talk this weekend about how much isolation sucks. After some tears, we brainstormed ways to cope; set goals, establish some routines, and envision yourself after the isolation. It all comes back to wellness.  Fitness, meditation and creativity are the center of  hope. Luckily, it appears to be scientifically backed that most of us are built for resilience.  In this episode, I explore theories of grief, loss, resilience and transformation to attempt to start a conversation about meaning making with you. Meaning makes my world go round.  What about you?

Listen, let me know what you think.

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References from this episode.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross – Cycle of Grief

George Bonnano – Resilience and the Four Trajectories

Jack Mezirow – Transformational Learning

Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra Free Meditation Experience on Hope

 

A good book can inspire tidal waves of creativity.

When asked which books have inspired me to be creative, this is my first seven. These books make me smile. They have inspired my art making and creativity as well as moved me to seek out these writer’s workshops and speeches. This episode includes my thoughts and experiences with the heavy hitters and classics; books by Julia Cameron, Steven Pressfeild and Elizabeth Gilbert as well as some lesser known creativity thinkers. I will always keep them on my shelf.

Enjoy!  What would you add to this list?

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Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

War of Art by Steven Pressfeild

How Painting Grounds me to this Earth by Leigh Hyams

Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils and Rewards of Art-making by David Bayles and Ted Orland

 

There is a spaciousness in these long days, a relationship of fear to hope, and radical shifts happening to us during this pandemic.  And I think this:  In this crazy and out of control situation, we have our own radical work to do. There are challenges ahead to the way we live and express love, self-love, gratitude, hope and ultimately art.  It’s complicated, packed and isn’t always feel good AND it’s a challenge to the artist to tell this story and let it change our work. When you do, your creativity will help reform and re-form the world, and that is seriously good business.

Take a listen.

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Reference: 

Get Green Soothe, Auditory Canvas

I recorded this episode about a month ago, before everything seemed to crumble.  But upon reflection, I think it is worth posting. I do feel like having a temper tantrum right now.  And it’s totally okay and even healthy to do it. When things are going to sh*t, a good scream can feel so good.   I even mention some fantastic resources in this episode that you may find even more relevant than ever.  And the things I mention about music?  Oh yes – that truly applies here too   Food for thought.

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Sometimes I get so fed up with all this creating, I just need to have a temper tantrum.  Do you?  In the past, I felt a little guilty for my sucky attitude.  I tend to complain.  But with the help of some new perspectives and some great reading, I’ve learned to appreciate these moments as turning points in my creative process and my world.  I might actually be on the brink of a breakthrough if ONLY I just stick with the process.  What do you think?

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The following references were mentioned in this episode:  Wishcraft: Barbara Sher /  Loving What Is: Byron Katie / Invisible Warfare: Mona Miller

The past three days in Seattle have been an indescribable emotional journey. How can I help myself and my family face the facts of the new life that is rapidly unfolding in front of us?  I seek to enter it with love, trust, an open space to feel everything: loss and grief, love and happiness, closeness, laughter, joy, edginess, and tears.  Yesterday, we made the tough decision to isolate ourselves as much as we can, because it is the only decision that will lead us back to a normal life as quickly as possible. It will hurt everybody, but the quicker we do it, the less we ALL suffer.  Even my kids understand that.

This is how I got to this point, how we looked at the facts of the coronavirus outbreak in the Seattle area and my family made a heart-centered plan.

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Resources

How Big will Coronavirus Outbreak Get? The Seattle Times

I am living in Seattle during an unprecedented time. It’s a new world; mandated work-from-home, 6 week school shut downs and online learning, social distancing and collective hand washing and disinfecting.  My main question: When will the increasing restrictions stop and we simply be left alone to deal with creating a new normal? I feel disconnected to the “enjoy the day” or “this too shall pass” messages right now and I feel disconnected from the paranoia and panic.  I was asked the other day, “What’s it like being in Seattle right now?” and I found myself overwhelmed, I could barely answer.  So I’m answering the question here.

This is what it’s like living in Seattle right now.  This is what I’m thinking.  And this is how I’m handling my mental health.

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Mentioned in this podcast: 

Resources: Byron Katie, Loving What Is

Fantastic gym: The FUELHOUSE in Fremont

Awesome bakery: Byen Bakeri  

What does it mean to be an artist? Do you consider yourself one?  What you think matters a lot to this conversation.  And I’ll tell you why.  It’s a big missing piece of the creative habit puzzle.

Equally as important, your emotions drive you.  If they didn’t drive you, change and creating new habits wouldn’t be so hard.  So how do you really want to feel?  Yes, you can decide.

And those lovely people in your life, your community, they support and love you.  Let them in.

This is your trifecta! Leverage them!

Enjoy this episode!

See Danielle LaPorte: https://www.thedesiremap.com/ for more on choosing how to feel.

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It is hard work to create new habits and requires structure, techniques and a lot of meaning making. In this episode I share some nitty-gritty tips, techniques, and structures designed to make it enticing to get into the studio.  I’ve used these techniques anytime I want to change or create a new habit from getting into the gym to making sure I leave time for my creative practice.  These include creating goals, breaking them down, scheduling them, tracking them, rewarding yourself, making it easy and making other things hard…  plus more.

And above all else continually practicing self-compassion.  Always love yourself on this journey.    Please Enjoy!

 

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Do you struggle keeping a creative practice on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?  Establishing an Art Ritual may be just what you need to tip your practice into a regular groove.  In this episode I talk about why an Art Ritual is important and the three things you need for an Art Ritual; your Why and meaning, a sacred space, and an exercise that loves and nourishes you while warming you up for that feeling – which is the whole reason you love to create.  Take a listen and tell me what you think!

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There is nothing like travel to push you out of your comfort zone, introduce you to new ideas and new art forms, and expand your creative living and art-making potential.  This podcast is dedicated to the inspirations and stories I explored in Marrakech and the Sahara with my family in December 2019.  The sumptuous, exotic,  intricate, elaborate, secrets, mysteries, expansive, paradoxical, artful world is a lovely labyrinth of inspiration.  I hope you find this podcast inspirational too.

Photos: First Day  /  Marrakesh Streets  /  Whirling Dervish  / Gardens  / Beauty /  Sahara  /  The Atlas Mountains  

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