Meetup with Creativity - week 2

I've been designing workshops for a few years now...and I make a point to go through the process myself to get a sense of what it's like from the other side of the table. I really enjoy the goal-setting workshops, but I am particularly fond of the reflective, process oriented activities. I've decided to carve out a little time each week and take part in the HAPPY HOUR: Meetup with Creativity activities in the DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT. Meetup group...and my experience with this week's activity was VERY ILLUMINATING! I started out creating a word collage:
Then I listened to the meditation, a little nervous that I wouldn't move into my creative zone, or find a souvenir once I got there. Well, I did. With the "Hit the Trail!" phrase in my mind, I saw a trail in front of me, which eventually evolved into the journal drawing below that I drew with my non-dominant hand....and later, my dominant hand. My souvenir was the key.

So I interviewed the key - as if it were a character in my story and had something to say. This key told me (with my non-dominant hand): I'm meant to help you open the door between your two worlds - of the head and the heart / the inside world and outside world. Like the two trees stand apart, they are braided at the crown and root. They LOOK separate but they are connected. Braid your two worlds at the crown and root. Let your head be your head and your heart be your heart but let them nourish each other. Know that in every action - whether it be with your family, at the store, in your car, with your job that there is an opportunity - an invitation to allow your two worlds to come into union and create a balance in every situation.

Now the question is: HOW DO I DO THAT? Maybe I'll interview the key some more :)

Happy Hour

Finding the time fit creativity into my day can be a real challenge but, for me, it's as important as finding the time to eat. If I don't take the time to nourish my body, I get unfocused and C-R-A-N-K-Y. As I write this, I'm scarfing down my first meal of the day, at 4pm...and I'm paying the price. When I take a little time for myself to doodle or collage, it makes a HUGE difference...like an emotional Red Bull, but without the crash later.

I'm so convinced of the benefits of creativity, I've decided to provide weekly online creative/reflective activity posts...it can be your HAPPY HOUR. Last week's activity was to Give Form to Your Creative Self on the cover of the sketchbook that will be used for future HAPPY HOURs. This week's creative activity invites participants to explore - through collage, doodling and journalling - the landscape of creativity and bring back a souvenir. What does that mean? you may be wondering...find out by joining the DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT. Meetup group! Click here to see what it's about. (it's free)

Diving into the Online World

I LOVE facilitating workshops. I love seeing participants' AHA moments, adapting to the dynamics of each workshop situation and the group discussions. But I am limited in the amount of people I can guide through the process of cultivating their creativity...so I've decided to step deeper into the on-line world with the goal of spreading the CREATIVITY word far and wide. I just created a DREAM IT. DESIGN IT. DO IT. Meetup group! This is a place that is meant to help you foster a rich relationship with your innate creativity and offer ways that you can practice creativity in your day to day life. Other benefits of joining this free group are:

I will post a weekly 'Meetup with Creativity' designed to provide insight and inspiration.

For those members who attend one of my public Visioning® workshops, enjoy weekly exercises that will help you get the most out of your Visioning® collage.

You will have notification of any free online mini workshops that I develop.

You will get a 10% (up to $10.00 off) discount on any paid workshop I offer until 4/1/12.

If this sounds fun or intriguing or insightful or awesome, visit:

www.meetup.com/sublimesignscreativecoach/

Giving form to my Creative Self

I LOVE it when I see people's inner Creative Selves itching to get out. I love it even more when it takes people by surprise and they just go with it. I love - most of all - providing a space where creativity can happen. A couple of weeks ago, I got to do just that at Norman's Second Friday Gallery Walk. I invited people to participate in the creative process, rather than just observe it as they walked from gallery to gallery. For the month leading up to it, I'd cut up every used cardboard cereal/granola bar/coffee filter box I could get my hands on (I've developed a new habit)...and I started a folder of every cool or inspiring magazine image or phrase I could find.

My friend Aimee opened up her gallery to me and I set up my creative zone with glue sticks, markers, cardboard, magazine clippings and created art with anyone who sat down at the table. Here is how my Creative Self wanted to express itself.

I journalled "The Five Questions" with it and 'Remember your Center' was what it wanted me to know...so I have this image with that quote on my phone so when I am feeling overwhelmed I can soak in this peacefulness.

Another way I like to be creative is making videos...so here is what the mini workshop LOOKED like:

It was such an AMAZING experience that I decided to develop a FREE online workshop: Giving Form To Your Creative Self. You can take this workshop at any time from the comfort of your own home!

If you would like to learn how you can utilize creativity to enrich your professional and personal life, then this will be an insightful process. Or if your Creative Self is just itching to get out, this could be a fun way to do it. Chances are, you already have all the materials you need to take this workshop...click here to learn more!

Feel free to pass this workshop on to anyone you feel might benefit!

Stress Busting

My husband has been involved in a rather intense course of study lately. A couple of times a week, right after work, he meets with someone to help him study. When he'd come home he would tell me how it went, which would usually involve him telling me that it took a while to shrug off the work day and focus on the material. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier, but after a few weeks of this, I suggested a simple stress-buster activity (from Dr. Capacchione's "Power of your Other Hand") that I've been teaching to students and teachers as well as participants who come to my workshops. It helps to get both sides of the brain working together, which helps to see things in a more balanced way and develop innovative solutions. Now, my husband does this activity before every study session and his tutor has noticed a significant improvement in how well he retains the information he's learning. I think this activity is so helpful that I made a video, so anyone can learn this simple tool.

If you try it and have a positive result with it, feel free to let me know!