The Perfect Protest with Brene Brown

We can all use a perfection intervention so I am joining the  Perfect Protest troops over at  Ordinary Courage with Brene Brown  in honor of her new book "The Gifts of Imperfection".

As you can see my video is far from perfect but it reflects the me that I am in this time and place, even if I couldn't quite figure out where to look on the screen!

I was over at Jen Lemen's blog today reading her perfect protest and she asked her readers to note in the comments (for a generous giveaway of Brene Browns book) one reason why you want to let go of trying to be perfect.  The first answer that came to mind was I want to let go of trying to be perfect because it hurts too much.  We can really undermine ourselves and others in the name of perfection, so for today I am letting perfection go.

Have a perfectly imperfect day! 

PS:  If there are problems viewing the video can you let me know.

Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to step into?

Mixed Skies over Squam Lake



Good Morning my fellow wishers and dreamers.   I am still trying to process all I experienced at Squam Art Workshops  and  am finding  myself  overwhelmed with thoughts and ideas.  Since being back I have been agitated and somewhat sad which I believe is a good thing as it is reminding me not to slip back into the old way of doing things.  Comfort zones were tested, some fears were worked through and my creative side had a 4 day free pass to come out to play.

As I try to get back to projects, blogging and creative work I focus today on Jamie Ridler's Wishcast Prompt for the day which is What do you wish to step into?

The first thought that popped into my head while reading the prompt was this chant I was taught at a art retreat:

I Step into the flow and then I let it go
I open my mind, my heart, and my soul
I surrender, I surrender
I surrender, I open my mind, my heart, and my soul
-- by Suzanne Sterling

This chant always made me feel like it was ok to just go with the flow, no thoughts or judgements, just create, sing, dance whatever it is that you were doing with your heart leading the way.

I experienced a different flow when I was away at Squam and I would like to step into it here back  in my everyday life.  Here are some ways I can make that happen:

*  Walk once or twice a day, preferably after meals.
*  Add more structure to my day, having a schedule to follow worked well for me and being back home creative time might slip by if I don't make time for it.
*  I sit inside most of the day at a desk and I would like to balance that with  time spend outside.
* Reach out to others in this creative community and get involved with online groups, the community at  Squam was one of the highlights.  It was such a joy to be around like minded souls and just be there to support each other.
* Eat 3 hearty meals a day and maybe one snack.  They had so much great food and every meal was a buffet and somehow I still came home 3 pounds lighter.  I am sure it was the lack of down time for grazing and the walking.
*  Be as authentic as I can be and open my heart,  people will see and hear me if I let them. 

I look forward to see what you wish to step into today.

Namaste,
KAren

Blog Tour: Four Word Self Help by Patti Digh

"Four Word Self Help" hanging out in the garden

Since reading Patti Digh's book  "Life Is a Verb" I have  been following her blog  37 Days.  She has a way with balancing inspiration and humour in her writing and of course there is the shared love we have for a certain Actor whose initials are J.D.  When the call went out on the blog, facebook and twitter about Patti's new book "Four Word Self Help" I emailed right away to get a copy for the blog tour.

Patti starts the book off with the quote "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated" - Confucius which really sums up what  the book is about, each page contains 4 words plus an image which equals the self help message, it is this simplicity that really works for me.  The book is broken into different categories such as, Community, Love, Stress, Travel, etc.  This format allows for jumping to the section that fits your self help needs for the day.  At the start of each chapter/section Patti has the name, quote and a short write up explaining the section, such as the one for Wellness which starts with this quote from Mark Twain, "Be careful reading health books, you may die of a misprint", this quote is a perfect example of Patti's sense of humor.  There is plenty of inspiration to be found within and the humour adds that reminder that sometimes it is ok not to take ourselves too seriously.

Here is a picture of one of my favorite word/picture combinations, it is under the Activism section and it speaks to me as I am currently trying to find my own voice amongst the din of others.

"Four Word Self Help" inspiration for today.

All the images were created by 37days.com blog followers many of whom are artists from around the world.  I admire the way in doing this Patti has showcased the works of others as well as her own.
The other aspect of the book that I appreciate is the size which is about 5 1/2 by 7 perfect for carrying along with you throughout the day.

I highly recommend "Four Word Self Help" as one of the best books in this genre which you can easily pull out  whenever you are in need of inspiration, laughter or just a beautiful image to look at.

Reflections on Squam

Eldorado Cabin at Squam

It's has been 5 days since I have returned from Squam Art Workshops, the creative dream of Elizabeth MacCrellish.  This is like sleep away art camp for adults.

I met some wonderful women online while taking Susannah Conway's Unravelling class and we spoke of attending this workshop and meeting each other in person.  I also knew some other people from different ecourses were attending so I was looking forward to meeting everyone in person.  I drove up with  Liz ,whom I had met in Unravelling, we had 6 hours to chat on the way and I can honestly say we did not put the radio on once as we got to know each other.

Pulling up I got this oh shit feeling, what have I done and can I turn around and go home now, this was pushing me up and through my comfort zone.



Elizabeth MacCrellish really tuning in to what an attendee is telling her



First  we go to register and I meet  Peg, Elizabeth and Linda E  who were so helpful in answering all my pre-squam questions.   Here we were greeted with open hearts and open arms that left you feeling welcome right away then off to the cabin we go and as you can see by the top picture what a cabin it was.  The cabin was shared by 13 of us and I was already starting to feel that high school feeling of not being good enough and who do I think I am these woman are real artists I am a fraud, a newbie.  In the end I found out we are all more alike than different and sharing these emotions  with others and hearing them say they felt the same was a huge relief.

Suffice it to say all the women over the course of this 4 day workshop became near and dear to me, they held me up and we shared, tears, laughter, our stories and wonderful meals together.  At the end of each day we would gather around the fire and share about our day and the classes we took, I can honestly say I have never felt so SEEN or HEARD before.  I was having a bit of trouble with my anxiety but I kept pushing myself out there, I was determined not to isolate myself, and this is the biggest tip I can give anyone thinking of attending, just go with an open heart and put yourself out there even if it's just a little bit and if you feel like you are stumbling there will be someone to catch you of that I am sure.



Jen Lee who IS true

 The first day classes were "Storycatchers" and "Care and Keeping of the Creative Soul" with the wonderfully intuitive and gifted Jen Lee.  The thing I have to say about Jen is she has this way of seeing right through all your layers and getting to the core of you, I really felt like she was talking to my heart, I have no other way of describing it.  In these classes we learned to tell our stories and bear witness to others stories.  This class is where I had my first of many cries ( one good cry a day is good for the soul, another lesson learned at Squam).  I could not write my story, it was too hard and Jen really spent some time with me and helped guide me back.  In the afternoon class we learned how to care for our creative souls, how you can feed your soul and  keep yourself strong and nourished so we don't get depleted.     At the end of the class Jen gave out blessings that we randomly picked and she then proceeded to connect with you by looking straight into your eyes and reading your blessing to you.   Mine could not have been any more perfect for what I was feeling at that moment, here is what mine said:

"You don't have to get it right, just keep showing up with your whole heart!"  PERFECT

I can honestly say Jen broke me open in the best way possible.




The Queen of Polaroid:  the lovely Susannah Conway

 Day two was  the lovely and talented Susannah Conway's "Open your Eyes" photography class.  I have taken Susannah's online classes and was excited to meet her in person, she is just as lovely and down to earth as I was expecting.  I had some polaroid questions and she took the time to really help me out with my camera and believe me I was quite embarrassed to find out my new Polaroid film would not load because I had yet to eject the previously used film.  OOPS!

I had some fellow cabin mates and unravellers in this class which made it that much more fun. 

I felt so bad for Susannah who was sick with a terrible cold  yet she gave it her all and then some.  It really felt like  meeting up with an old friend I have not seen in awhile.  The first half of the class was about composition and how to train your eye and frame the photo right there through the composition.  I learned so much during this section and loved putting it into play during our half day photo taking excursion which made up the second half of the class.  Shoot the RED will be something I never forget.





Jonatha Brooke Song Writing

 So now we arrive at Saturday and it's time for  Jonatha Brooke's song writing class.  I have no song writing experience but I have tried my hand at poetry.  I knew none of my cabin mates would be in this class and most likely the rest of the group had already met in the previous days song writing class so to say I was nervous would be an understatement!  As I headed to class the first bright face I see is  Jen Gray whom I had been chatting with through email leading up to Squam.  I said hey and introduced myself as Karen and she said DELDINO I have been looking for you (my email address is deldino) so Deldino I would be in this class.  Jen was a newbie songwriter also so we sat together in class which I appreciated Jen just has a way about her that puts you at ease and makes you feel loved. 

The first thing Jonatha had us do is go outside and sing "The Goat Herding" song from "The Sound of Music" while doing interpretive dance, this she said will put us all on the same goofy footing.  Though I did not break into song and dance as enthusiastically as the rest I did give a decent yodel ;-)

Jonatha shared her tips and exercises for stretching and working your writing muscle and I learned how to look for inspiration in poems and free flow writing.  I am so happy Elizabeth M. talked me into staying in this class.  My fears were getting the best of me and she reached out to me and grabbed my hand the day before and said just come up to that fear and push through it and I did.   This was the perfect class to end on and I loved Jonatha and felt like she really made time for all of us.  The bonus was that  we got to hear about her new album "The Works" that she made while going through Woody Guthrie's words and work.  It is AMAZING, I listened to it when I got home.  If you want to here in her own words about the making of this album check it out here:  Jonatha Brooke - Making the Works.
I loved how Jonatha made me feel like my words mattered and that is a gift I will cherish. The cherry on the top of it all was getting to hear some of her songs up close and personal.

Here are my lyrics that I wrote for the class during a writing exercise using a line in a poem as inspiration:

When I've gone through what I must
And I've cleared through all the dust
What's left behind to see
Is all that left of me
Broken down and reborn
I've a new skin to be worn

Later that night we had a trip into town to see one of our cabin mates artwork on display at the Squam Art Show. Next we grabbed quick sandwiches to enjoy with wine by the fire before attending Vendor night where we proceeded to empty our wallets on all the goodies our fellow squammies made.  ( I especially loved Liz's Pop Up Pocket Pals!)

The thing I noticed the most was the strength of this supportive community of creative souls who are there for each other.  I noticed many returning squammies reaching out and embracing the newbies like myself, this is a testament to Elizabeth and the intention she holds for this space.

I thank Elizabeth and all her magical helpers, RDC, my wonderful teachers and most of all my ElDorado cabin mates (Liz, Lily, Nicola, Suzy, Susan, Sharyn, Heidi, Stacee, Kerry, Lisa, Stephanie and Donna)  who SAW the me behind the anxiety and the insecurities, it is something I will not soon forget and will hold on to as I try to bring a little bit of Squam into my everyday life.  I hope we will all remain in touch and continue to support each other in this creative community.

In closing I say go to squam with an open heart and soak it in, you will leave changed of that there is no doubt, at the very least you will KNOW you are not alone!

Big Love to all...



Group Picture Credit:  Thea Coughlin

 Until next year


Sunrise over Squam Lake



Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish for an abundance of?

Group Photo Credit: Thea Coughlin

The Sun photos are ones I took right outside my cabin - such a peaceful view.
Clik Pics for larger view

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is : "What do you wish for an abundance of?"

Well after attending Squam Art Workshops last Wed to Sun (that's why I missed Wishcast) I do have a better idea of where I would like more abundance in my life.

I will write more about Squam in a separate post when I let it fully sink in, but I have to say I went from anxious, holy crap what I am doing here, I have to go home to feeling like I was home! I was pushed up against my comfort zone and through it and that alone was worth the price of admission.

What I wish for an abundance of :

Creative Community
Creative Space
Singing/writing/creating
Open hearts
Courage
compassion
sweet tears of release
walks after meals
laughter
witnessing and acknowledging for myself and others
Polaroid film (;-)
Trust
time away from the distractions that keep me from coming back to myself

I can't wait to share more with you but for now I am really trying to let it all sink in.

May all your wishes come to be and may you be well..

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wed: What do you wish for less of?

Hi My fellow wishers and dreamers. Today over at Jamie Ridler's Studios the wish prompt is "What do you wish for less of?"

I just wanted to say thanks for wishing with me even the weeks I could not comment back. I read and wish with all of you but this summer has been an emotional rollercoaster for me and I have not had much energy to comment on everyone's wish, but I wanted to say I am always there wishing with and for you.

Here are some things I wish for less of:

1. Extra pounds: I don't need the protection they once supplied, things are going to be ok.

2. less white sugar and white flour in my life.. I need to kick this sugar habit. I am adding more whole foods/fruits and veggies. (see pic above, this is my new habit: juicing) juice above is kale, celery, parsley and apple. It was surprisingly good.

3. unnecessary fears and anxiety, I know some fear and anxiety is healthy but when you live with the "when is the other shoe gonna drop" mentality life can get way too stressful, time to get into the here and now.

4. Less clutter: in my physical space and my mental space!

5. less excuses why I can't spend time creating, writing,loving, wishing and dreaming.. seiously if not now, WHEN??

6. less inertia.. I need to move this body before it can't move anymore ;-)

7. less self-doubt, I am worthy of love and happiness, we all are.


So what are you wishing for less of in your life?

Have a great day.

Namaste,
Karen

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to begin?

This picture is from a recent trip to the beach.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Laotzu

Hi my fellow wishers and dreamers. Today is wish day over at Jamie Ridler's Studios.

The wish prompt for today is: What do you wish to begin?

We have been coming and going so much this August that I feel like I have not been able to begin anything. I need to re-group and organize my thoughts. I have always loved September, it feels like a month for new beginnings so this wish prompt comes at the perfect time!

I wish to get past this inertia I have been in this summer so I CAN actually BEGIN something, just one project at a time and actually finish it. I should also wish to finish as beginning is not always the only problem. ;-)

So I wish to organize my projects and begin and finish them one at a time. There I said it now let's see if I can do it!

I especially wish to begin writing and creating in my ART Journal, I have been avoiding this all summer, afraid of what may come out or be released, but I have a feeling it will be a deeply healing experience.

There is also book I would like to begin, it is Geneen Roth's book "Women, Food and" I really think it is going to be a big help for me as I am an emotional eater and have been trying to lose weight on and off for many years.

I am also enrolled in some e-courses that will be starting in the fall I wish to BEGIN to organize them and set aside the time to actually do them, more on them later.


So my fellow wishers and dreamers what are you beginning today.

Namaste,
Karen