Fun! Fun! Fun!

How about some fun?!!? I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some fun. I am nearing the end of teaching a couple of summer school classes (I teach communication at a local college.) and I am ready to let go of responsibility and just focus on fun for a couple of weeks before the fall semester begins.

It seems that as adults we are so involved in our responsibilities that we forget that play and having fun are options — and maybe a value to be striving for in life. I find that I feel better physically and emotionally when I focus on playing and having fun on a regular basis. What about you?

At the library (a place I go for fun) recently, I ran across a book by Sue Baldwin the Playful Adult: 500 ways to lighten your spirit and tickle your soul. The book has been a joy-filled reminder to open myself to play and to really have fun. Even as an artist, it is too easy to focus on the end product and not simply the joy in creating.

I love the idea of ‘lightening my spirit and tickling my soul’ whether from blowing bubbles to pass the time when waiting; to taking a bubble bath to relieve stress; to simply allowing myself to keeping a laughter journal of funny things that happen in my life.

Have a great weekend and by all means play and have some fun!

C.

Art Journaling—an upcoming workshop

If you live in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area and are interested in art journaling, I am offering an art journaling workshop through Parkview Hospital’s Women’s Health Resource Center. This workshop is an experiential adventure were you get to play, to learn and to have fun.

The program begins with a review of the components of journaling, then adds art and creativity. Attendees will be given examples of art journaling for various purposes. The program will include a short guided-imagery, hands on experience in artistic expression and the opportunity to share your work with others. Handouts and resources will be provided for later exploration.

The workshop is Tuesday evening, July 31 from 6:30 to 8 at Parkview North, just off of Dupont.

I would love to see you there. C.

Art Journaling—an adventure

Many people journal with words on a daily basis. Adding the component of art through crayons, paints, pastels and/or collage in combination with words provides a special element, a kind of key, that opens the door into a deeper understanding of the self — who you are, what you want to be and where you really want to go in life. This form of journaling can also be just for fun, as a creative outlet for expressing yourself.

I have used art journaling personally for over ten years and professionally for nearly as long. It can be used to deepen understandings, to clarify thoughts and feelings, to get rid of, or lesson, negative emotions, and to open into creativity.

Art journaling is an empowering and healing tool. Personally, art journaling has helped me get through a tough divorce; own my own authenticity and self-worth; and work through emotional turmoil of all kinds.

Professionally, my clients have used it to help them make changes in their lives, clarify life’s lessons and make decisions. One fun thing about art journaling is that you don’t have to be a ‘traditional’ artist to express yourself through your creativity.

All you need is a blank sketch book and felt tip pens, colored pencils or oil pastels and a little bit of time. It can be easy, fun and eye-opening. More later on specific exercises and an upcoming workshop.

Blessings! C.

Welcome to my blog . . .

Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage. Anais Nin

I invite you into a space where you can explore and play with your own potential and authenticity. My intention is to create a safe place to think, to feel and to ask questions. Because I write from my heart as well as my mind, I invite you to do the same and to be part of an ongoing dialogue.

A good friend asked me some time ago how I would describe myself. Without even thinking, I responded, “I am a woman who loves.” For many years, I have been exploring my own potential, who I am, and who I want to be. In working with that ‘woman who loves’, I have found a person who has the courage to live her heart’s desire, to take steps to breathe life into her dreams and to find success in places she never even realized existed. It has been an exciting and sometimes challenging journey.

I intend to post three days a week; hopefully, my other responsibilities will allow that. I welcome you to my blog — come in, explore, and be prepared to play.

Blessings!

Cheryl

A message for you

Throughout our days, we receive hundreds of messages from family, friends, coworkers, the media, corporate America, even messages from our Selves. Some messages are words of love; some are less than loving; some are requests, some give us feedback (good and bad,) and of course some want to sell us something (ugh).

This blog is dedicated to bringing you a different kind of message – one to lift you up, to make you smile or chuckle, or to have some fun. This blog is dedicated to creativity, mine and yours. And maybe most importantly, this blog is dedicated to each of us being our most magnificent self possible.
I recently returned from an excellent retreat. A delightful woman there shared the following quote with us. I want to share it with you.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us. It is in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
[Marianne Williamson]

Blessings and have a wonderful day!
Cheryl