Creatively Fit

Creatively Fit

Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash

 

Creatively Fit

Just as there was a physical fitness revolution in the 60’s, we’re having a creative fitness revolution right now. Before the 60’s, no one intentionally engaged in aerobic exercise unless they were an athlete. Everyone else just did physical work or leisure… or nothing at all.

In a similar way, we are at a phase of our evolution which absolutely requires that we innovate! Yet, our creative muscles are out of shape! As Pam Grout puts it:

Just as our bodies atrophy when we don’t use them, so does our imagination.

Awareness of current events and circumstances is overwhelming, so do you open up to possibilities, or is it better to narrow your focus? The strategy is entirely up to you. Whichever approach you take, remember to exercise your imagination! Again, as Pam says:

Imagination can take you anywhere. It can write a story that can change someone’s life.  It can design a building, compose a song, inspire a nation.

What can your imagination do today? What is one small action you can take to improve your creative fitness?

From a lovely blog with 10 Unusual Creativity Prompts, try this one:

Play with verbs: On one side of a sheet of paper, write a list of 10 nouns. Fold the paper, and on the other side, write a list of 15 verbs associated with a profession, like a chef, a nurse, or a bus driver. Open the page and see if you can match up the nouns with the verbs in interesting sentences, changing the verb tense if you need to. The goal is to, “be aware of your verbs and the power they have and use them in fresh way.” (From Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg)

Join Spark Salon in the Village (that’s a link!) to have access to all (there will be 52 by year’s end!) articles in the Pam Grout Art & Soul Reloaded Series and receive notifications when new articles are released.

Spark Salon  hosts a monthly zoom on 3rd Thursdays to share inspiration from creative mentors such as Pam Grout, Julia Cameron, Robert Moss and more.  We’ll recharge our artist souls, ignite our imaginations, and remember our creative magic! Check out Events for details!

Stephanie Foley agcongay

Creating Something Gives You a Voice

Creating Something Gives You a Voice

This week Pam’s wisdom takes on extra special meaning as I can envision her saying the words since our zoom conversation with her.  I can hear her voice saying,

You are not your stuff.  You are not your history.  You have the power to heal, the power to make radical changes.

When you write a poem or sketch the new puppy… you come to realize that you’re more than the depression or the rheumatoid arthritis.

There is so much more inside you than you ever imagine.

And, if you keep in all inside, the world misses out on your gifts!  When you create you are expressing your truest self.  Your voice can be heard through your creations.

I’m sure you’ve all heard of vision boards to focus on your desires.  This week Pam suggests something a little different — make a vision board representing something you’d like to give.  Something you’d like to create.

Creativity Quest:
Draw, collage, collect photos, or write about something you can create that give you a voice!  Share a picture and/or comments below.

Join Spark Salon (that’s a link!) to have access to all (there will be 52 by year’s end!) articles in the Pam Grout Art & Soul Reloaded Series and receive notifications when new articles are released.

Spark Salon  hosts a monthly zoom on 3rd Thursdays to share inspiration from creative mentors such as Pam Grout, Julia Cameron, Robert Moss and more.  We’ll recharge our artist souls, ignite our imaginations, and remember our creative magic!

Article by Stephanie Foley of Soul Sparks, Athena Village Council member and Village Muse. Soul Sparks is a muse connecting co-creative think tank. Our mission is to help you ignite your soul sparks, re-wild your inner child, unleash your creative magic, and re-enchant your life.

Stephanie Foley

VILLAGE COUNCIL MEMBER and VILLAGE MUSE

Stephanie is the guide within Soul Sparks,  Soul Sparks is a muse-connecting co-creative think tank. Our mission is to help you ignite your soul sparks, re-wild your inner child, unleash your creative magic, and re-enchant your life.

moonfeatherhollow.com

inspiration and calm: live cams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

inspiration and calm: live cams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

from joy agcongay

this is one of my “nature is amazing” posts!

full disclosure: i love the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

when i need a change of perspective or mood, one thing that inspires and calms me is watching the jelly cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

If you visit, you’ll hear this calming music as you move through the exhibit. i’m always tempted to roll out a mat and take a nap.

here is the moon jelly cam:

the Aquarium hosts several live cams. if you go to the individual page for each live cam, it lists feeding times. some of the feeding times are narrated, just like you would experience if you were visiting in person.


the open sea cam showcases a one million gallon tank, featuring a diverse set of open ocean animals rarely seen in an Aquarium. the room is dimly lit and plays relaxing music.

i want to take a nap there too.

local tip: on a hot day, the open sea exhibit is a great place to cool off!

the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a research and educational institution. one initiative was their launch of SeafoodWatch.org with downloadable Seafood Watch guides by region to raise awareness of the seafood we can order in restaurants or purchase to help support healthy oceans for future generations.

here is the Central US guide (PDF).

joy agcongay

co-creator Athena Village + founder Gentle Marketing
Spring Equinox: Reassess, Revitalize and Renew

Spring Equinox: Reassess, Revitalize and Renew

There always seems to be so much hope in the coming of the spring. Today, March 20th, 2021 is the spring equinox for those of us in the northern hemisphere. I’ve almost always lived in places with cold and snowy winters, so when spring arrives and signs of new life start to emerge after winter, a new sense of hope and possibility comes forth. I love the feeling of the cool but not so crisp, fresh air, the sounds of the birds singing, and seeing the crocuses push up through the ground often through the remaining snow. There is so much space for renewal and revitalization.

The spring equinox is a great time to set or reset your intentions. You can review your recent actions and ways of being perhaps with a new lens of awakening, awareness, and hope, and you can decide how you want to be moving forward. Keeping what is serving you and clearing out what is not.

I set a lot of goals and intentions at the beginning of the year, yet I have recently noticed that I have become so preoccupied with perceiving what wasn’t going to happen in the future that I became paralyzed from taking action in the present. Looking through a new lens, a reminder and/or mantra I am using to remind myself to stay present is, “Today is the day that matters.” “Just do this workout/meditation/action today.” I’m letting go of trying to commit to things long-term where I have allowed myself to be overcome with worrying about not being able to commit, and instead I’m working on committing to what I can control and commit to today.

Perhaps take the day or weekend to notice your behaviors and your inner states of being, and as you notice them determine what you want to carry forward and what needs some spring cleaning. Allow the change of the seasons to inspire you and help you reconnect with yourself, your heart, and your desires.

Perhaps consider and journal or meditate with loving-kindness for yourself around:

  • How do I want to be daily?
  • Where can I notice I am in alignment?
  • Where can I adjust to being more in alignment?
  • What can I notice about this?

And if it’s helpful for you perhaps every day you can ask: “What actions can I take today to support how I want to be?”

There are new hopes and possibilities available every day; however, spring can provide new perspectives and inspiration to come forth. How might you be inspired by this change of seasons?

Rachelle Niemann

VILLAGE COUNCIL MEMBER

Creative, thoughtful, technically savvy, guide, holder of space, all about instilling inner peace and helping us all know self-love.

Author of Breaking Free from the Hustle for Worthiness and guide and XChange facilitator focused on cultivating environments to support well-being. My facilitation, writing, and workshops are created to help us lean into and proactively choose well-being as a way of being. Through discovering my own path to well-being and inner peace from a place of extreme anxiety, lack of identity, and unmanaged thoughts and emotions, I am dedicated to creating intentional action from a place of true experience and compassion.

rachelleniemann.com

Jeannette Grace 💃 Communication Expert, CEO, Consultant, Author

Jeannette Grace 💃 Communication Expert, CEO, Consultant, Author

Meet Jeannette Grace

Communication Expert, CEO, Consultant, Author
Jeannette Grace is an engaging speaker and communication expert.
She helps clients remove roadblocks that get in the way of amazing workplaces.

How I Got My Groove Back

A conversation with myself.

Dear Self,

What’s going on? You used to be fun and light-hearted. You loved life. You loved what you “did”. You were positive … optimistic … strong … independent … quirky.  YES, quirky. That’s what I liked most about you.  You were just you. It’s like someone snuffed the light out on your enthusiasm.  I want to know what’s wrong.

Concerned,
Me

Hello Me,

Thanks for noticing. You’re right. I’m not myself these days. I’ve lost my oomph, my zest, my mojo, my groove, my joy.  It’s scary. Remember that book I wrote? G Factor? I feel like I don’t have any G Factor – like all my gravitational pull is gone. I just don’t feel like myself, and frankly, I miss myself. A lot. I don’t know what is wrong with me.

Confused,

Self

Dear Self,

Wow friend! I knew something was off, but I obviously wasn’t paying attention. I was so busy in my day-to-day stuff that I didn’t make time to ask or listen to you. I should have done something to help. What do you need?

Sorry,
Me

Hello Me,

What do I need? The answer is, I don’t know. It’s weird.  I feel sad all the time. I find myself thinking, “I have everything I’ve always wanted in life. I have a beautiful life. A wonderful husband. Wonderful kids. A lovely home. A successful business. Great friends. I travel. Yet, I don’t feel joy.” And on the occasions I’m not sad, I’m angry. I don’t know why I’m angry; I’m just angry. I mean, really, who would want to be around me right now!?! I don’t even want to be around me.

Lost,

Self

Dear Self,

First, you’re stuck with me. I’m not going anywhere. Second, I have to say, it’s strange that you recognize you have everything you have always wanted, yet, you don’t feel joy.  There must be something missing. What’s missing? What if you start there?

Curious,
Me

Hello Me,

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve done some thinking. Do you remember when our faith carried us through difficulty? When we asked God for the answers? I think I’ve been depending on myself and it’s obviously not working. Maybe I need to refocus.

Refocusing,

Self

 

Dear Self,

Yes! I do remember that. I remember when we lived by the phrase “Let go. Let God.” We worried so much less. Aaaah. Those were beautiful times. I’m so glad you are refocusing – thanks for the reminder.

Refocusing too,
Me

Hello Me,

I’m feeling better these days and am working on my faith. But, I’m still struggling. I can’t sleep. I’m hyperemotional. Laughing one minute, crying the next. I can’t seem to remember things. My body is cool one minute and a raging fire the next. Oh, and no amount of eating better and working out seems to make a difference when I step on the scale.

Ugh,

Self

Dear Self,

I know what you mean. I’m moody and wake up in a flop sweat many nights. Gross! And the brain fog! I go through much of my day in a haze. I’ve done some research. Are we at that “time of our life?”

Wondering,
Me

Dear Me,

Maybe.

Wondering too,

Self

Dear Self,

Aren’t there doctors who specialize in this?
Making an appointment,

Me

Dear Me,

Great news! I made an appointment too. There is a new G Factor in town and it’s called GROOVE!  Turns out all I needed was little more estrogen and a little less testosterone thanks to menopause. Hallelujah! I’m back!

Celebrating,

Self

Dear Self,

It’s so good to have you back! Now, let’s do this!

Love,
Me

 

Jeannette’s Song is “I’m Me” by US the Duo

More about Jeannette

Jeannette is an engaging speaker and communication expert with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in helping clients remove communication roadblocks that get in the way of happy customers, engaged employees, cohesive teams, and trusted leadership.  She is also the author of G Factor: 8 Secrets to Increasing Your Gravitational Pull at Work. G Factor is your gravitational pull. It is the stuff that makes people trust you and want to work with you.

Find out if you have it with this quick assessment.

Follow Jeannette Grace:

Chantay Jennings 💃 Founder Virtual Partners Plus, Athlete, Mother

Chantay Jennings 💃 Founder Virtual Partners Plus, Athlete, Mother

Chantay Jennings 💃 Founder Virtual Partners Plus, Athlete, Mother

Meet Chantay Jennings,
Founder Virtual Partners Plus, Athlete, Mother

Wife, mom, Veteran, Volunteer, Entrepreneur-CEO of Virtual Partners Plus.

My Song:

Nina Simone’s Feeling Good

Chantay Jennings

Chantay Jennings

Virtual Partners Plus

Chantay Jennings is a Systems Strategist and Side Gig Mentor who helps aspiring entrepreneurs and coaches start and build their businesses using systems and automation.

Before starting her virtual business support and consulting company, Virtual Partners Plus, LLC, Chantay spent 20+ years working in business administration, logistics, and training for the federal government.

After a successful career working in Corporate America, Chantay now helps aspiring and current entrepreneurs create profitable systems for lead generation, sales, and client support.

Chantay spends her free time traveling with her husband Frederick, reading mysteries, horror and nonfiction, and traveling across the country. She is also the co-owner of a real estate investment company.

https://virtualpartnersplus.com https://www.instagram.com/virtualpartnersplus/ https://linkedin.com/in/chantayjennings https://facebook.com/VirtualpartnersplusUS