Creating something better begins within …

The way you relate to your thoughts, that’s what you bring to every relationship you have, including the one with yourself. ~Byron Katie

October of 2011 was a monumental time of declaration for me … A time of retooling {starting over and creating something better}. A time to decide. Thus, freeing up the energy being spent on what-abouts, what-ifs and when-oh-whens!

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice. ~William James

My choice was to move deeper into my own practice — as well as my research and collaborations — pertaining to the benefits of swirling artistic expression with the everyday realities of adapting to personal challenges. And how said artistic expression {all-things-creative} has the ability to empower us to overcome challenges and personal limitations.

overcome/

Verb:

Succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty)
Sparkle in the midst of dung and darkness
Dance like nobody is watching … ✩

And creatively nurturing one’s spirit — priority one.

nurturing / nur·ture

Verb:

Care for and encourage the growth or development of
Invest time and talent to further the development of
Liberal flinging of glitter to inspire possibility-thinking {!}
Cherish {focus upon} the sparkly stuff (a want-to, a hope, a belief, a ambition) ✩

Spirit-nurturing via a daily practice {#babystepscount} which consists of our own personal blend of:

prayer
abiding
solitude
quiet reflection
journaling
arting {creating}
creative expression
time outdoors
observing nature
relationship {with self/others}

The priority we place on spirit-nurturing is reflected in our dailies — the work, play and pause of each day.

Each click of the second hand is an opportunity to pause and to observe {examine} the evidence of how we relate and care for ourselves — mind, body and spirit. Each click contains secret messages about:

What is troubling us {emotions, thoughts, physical symptoms} in the midst of our one wild and precious life.
What our wishes are — the deepest desires of the heart — for our one wild and precious life.
What we yearn to create and accomplish during our one wild and precious life.

✩ What does this have to do with planning?

In the quietness of nurturing our spirits, there are revelations regarding that which makes us come alive — what our passions are and how that will need to be intertwined with our actions. Empowering us to determine our course.

It reveals and reminds us of our habits {the good, the bad and the ugly} — enabling us to respond by setting our intentions to move in the direction of the necessary changes and adaptations.

Allowing us to map out our baby steps, in order to live a life we love — and to love the life we live.