Monday, December 30, 2013

The One Trait Every Artist Has...



If you are willing to do something that might not work
You are closer to being an artist.
-
Seth Godin

Joy Prayers: The Rhythms of Life are Singing to You


The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8

Lord, I want to have a song in my heart at all times. 

 I want your presence near me through music.  I want to reminded that whatever trouble I am facing, whatever circumstance that seems insurmountable, the joy of the Lord is my strength.   

When I am in nature I want to remember that you provided this for me to remind me that you are alive and that you have not forgotten me. 

  You God are awesome and I wish that your Holy Spirit will call forth more songs of joy in me.

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Sometimes Even MAKING the Decision is Overwhleming


Making the Decision
to let go
of what could have been
of 
what you have wanted so much
of trying to 
make that thing happen
just 
deciding that
maybe there is another way...

Joy Prayers: The Place Where I Find Refuge and Strength





But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11



I am so glad that I am able to take refuge in you God.

  You are my safety, my shield, my strong tower.  

 Thank you for your protection that is wrapped around me wherever I go, whatever I do. 

Help me to sense your presence more in my life Lord. 

 Let the mere sound of your name Jesus restore a deeper sense of joy and peace.

  Release more joy in my heart and remind me again of how faithful you have been to me.  Wash me with gratefulness and comfort me with solace.

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Creativity is the Essence of All of Life


Living creatively is really important to maintain throughout your life. And living creatively doesn’t mean only artistic creativity, although that’s part of it. It means being yourself, not just complying with the wishes of other people. 
 Matt Groening

Jodi LeBrun: One Ritual/Activity you do that helps you to savor your life MORE



Tucking in my last babe.

Giving kisses and hugs and wishing sweet dreams.

This is the earlier part of my evening. The Mommy part.

Heading back downstairs. To my kettle. To my magical jars of healing herbs.

This is my time. My time to unwind. My time to dream.

My time to savor.

My time to sit with a warm cup of tea and go over my day with my husband.

The happy parts. The frustrating parts. All of it.

Or maybe I lose myself in a book. Or sneak in a treat that the kids missed.

These late night moments are what allow me to sleep with ease. To dream with clarity.

To process my life. 

To appreciate my life. 

To be present in my life.

Always.

Here are a few of my favorite tea blends - they both encourage mindfulness and relaxation.

Enjoy!


Luscious Rose Blend

2 parts of Holy Basil (Tulsi)
1 part rosehips
1 part hibiscus flowers
A few pinches of dried orange peel

OR

Lovely Lemon Blend

2 parts lemon balm
1 part lemongrass
1 part peppermint

Bring your water just to boiling and then let this steep for 5-7 minutes (in a tea ball) and enjoy. 
I like to sweeten mine with a bit of raw honey or organic brown sugar chunks!
Jodi LeBrun
Bio:

As a certified holistic life and raw food coach, yoga instructor and herbalist-in-training,  Jodi specializes in helping women to achieve balance, rhythm and joy in their lives by providing them with the tools, support and community to strengthen their digestive fires and ignite their passions and creativity! She offers seasonal detoxes and cleanses, 1:1 coaching and local UnCooking 101 classes.

She is also the proud creator of KaRAWte Kids - a signature lineup of hands-on workshops designed specifically for kids who are active in karate. 

You can learn more about her programs and cleanses at Balance, Rhythm and Joy at www.jodilebrun.com or her KaRAWte Kids workshops at www.personalbestwadokai.com. Register now for her Winter 2014 Nourishing Cleanse that's taking place Jan. 19th-29th!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Joy Prayers: What Are the Plans for My Life




Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Psalm 27:6



I believe that you have good things planned for me Lord.   

You have created me uniquely and You have designed me perfectly.

  Harm has been done to me by people who claimed they loved me and by people who have longed for my demise. 

I relinquish all those words that have been aimed at me to cause me to doubt who I am in your presence Lord.   

Restore my song, strengthen my voice, and help me to trust what the Bible says about me above any Words that have come against me by people who had no idea the harm they were causing.   

Help me to forgive my enemies and walk in the new vision you will restore to me this day.

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My Heart is Starting to Really Ground Down Deep Into the "What if" of Things




May I know You and serve You 
with my whole heart and with a willing mind;
 for You search all hearts
 and
 understand every motive behind the thoughts.
-
1 Chronicles 28:9

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Thing That Holds So Many of Us Back...



You Uphold all who fall, O Lord,
And lifted up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of who look to You,
And You give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
-
Psalm 145: 14-16

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

SAVOR: Have you Put Boundaries on Your Dreams?





Everyone has Oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it.  Is it reckless? Maybe.  But what do dreams know of boundaries?
-
Amelia Earhart 

What is your ocean to fly?

What causes you to hesitate?

Have you ever really allowed yourself to flesh out your dream all the way to its edge - to the color filled, intensified, breathtaking fullness?


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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Rachel Awes: What Do You Savor About Your Life?


 

 1. One ritual you do that helps you savor your life more: 
space of quiet. whether a nap, walk outside, or driving without the radio on, this expansion allows my mind to travel to just where i need to go + dwell + savor. 

2. What do you Savor?
i savor encounters, whether spiritually (i was in a sauna this week + experienced it as a burning bush), whether girlfriendly (a recent singing + clapping with a friend of a childhood song "say say oh playmate"), whether with love (embrace), or feeling my heart burst with the delightful things my teenage sons come up with. 

3. What does "Savor your life" mean to you?
it means to me to have my heart open + vulnerable enough to feel all there is to feel + know all this is fleeting + precious + be grateful. 

 4. Name someone who you admire for how much she savors her life.
 lori portka, who is all about gratitude + created 100 paintings to express it. she savors animals + people + beauty + lets us all know about it. http://loriportka.com



Rachel Awes
Website: All I Did Was Listen



bio: 
i work as a psychologist, author, + art playgroundist, who loves listening to the beauty in people. current project: 2nd book...will either self-publish to be released spring 2014, or released later if a publisher picks it up (still in progress). will be available in stores + in my etsy shop. for now, please find my book in my shop called "all i did was listen"!

Breaking Out of the Mold Whenever You Get the Chance


 Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way. 
– 
Edward de Bono

Monday, December 9, 2013

SAVOR: You know... Maybe You are Not supposed to be doing Some Things


Accept yourself.  Love yourself just as you are. Your finest work, your best moments, your joy, peace and healing come when you love yourself.  You give a great gift to the world when you do that.  You give others permission to do the same: to love themselves.

Revel in self-love.  Roll in it. Bask in it, as you would the sunshine.

-
Melody Beattie

So much time can be wasted in trying to fix things about ourselves which we may not necessarily like but are a part of the mosaic of the unique and (sometimes) complicated people we are.

Self love is many times about making peace.  Maybe there is something you want to do so badly but it is just not meant for you.  

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Maybe it is a relationship that you just cannot make headway.

Maybe it is the reality of the life before you, for better, for worse.

How can you invite more self love into your life through THIS TYPE of acceptance?

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Sunday, December 8, 2013

SAVOR: No one would even NOTICE if you Stopped Dreaming


Doing the work you love is the dizzying path of saying yes to yourself and yes to a brilliant, hidden self you do not yet know.
-
Tama J. Kieves

It is difficult to keep saying YES to the deep down dream in you.  There are tons and tons of little choices.  Little decisions that you are making that are seemingly unnoticed.

You could stop right now and nobody would notice.

But...

Your heart would notice.
Your mood would change.
Your life would suffer.


Because.

There really IS SOMETHING going on...

Even if you don't fully understand it yet.

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Saturday, December 7, 2013

SAVOR: Under what Circumstances are you able to Dream?


For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
-
Vincent Van Gogh

Some things I know for sure.

I will do my best.
I will be creative every day.
I will be grateful to God for my life.
I will love my family deeply.
I will not dwell on the past.

These things help me to dream.

What are those things YOU know for sure?

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Friday, December 6, 2013

SAVOR: You Just Gotta TRY


Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try tomorrow.'
-
Mary Ann Radmacher

Try.
Even if you might fail.

Even if you are uncertain of the outcome.

Even if you are still looking for reasons to begin.

Even if you do not have all the answers.

What do you need to try this week?

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

SAVOR: Let's Start an Integrity Revolution


Have the courage to say NO.  Have the courage to face the truth.  Do the right thing because it is right.  These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.
-
W. Clement Stone

One idea I would like to see make a comeback: Your word is your bond.

There was a time where contracts were unnecessary.  People were not looking for loopholes to get out of their commitments.

Where people went the extra mile because it was the right thing to do.

Ready to start an integrity revolution?

In what area can you start this revolution this week?

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That Deep Deep Connection


I think creativity is spiritual. I absolutely believe that. 
 F. Murray Abraham

SAVOR: Are you Courageous Enough to Live Life FULLY?


Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose the sight of the shore
-
Andre Gide

Let go of the rope.
Jump.
Close your eyes and leap.

I think that is where the fun of life is.
The reason life is worth living.

The life lived more fully.  It is a choice and it is not for the faint of heart.

What courageous thing do you need to move into MORE FULLY today?

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