Bring Your Own Bliss (BYOB), Part 3

Last spring, I wrote 2 posts about bliss (BYOB), 3/28/13 and 4/4/13.  More recently, an enthusiastic reader suggested that I expand on the topic, so that's my mission for this post.  

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Igor Demchenkov

Reading through the first 2 posts on bliss, I see that I need to expand on the "doing" step of the "be, do, have" cycle.

"We are the gateway from the numinous world to the practical world."

~Rick Jarow

The tricky part about the "doing" step is learning to discern between an action that seems to be the most logical and obvious and the inspired action.  
  

If we dive into the first action we can think of just to get things moving, this will backfire!

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and all science."  ~Albert Einstein

In the quote above, Einstein praised "the mysterious."  In our "doing," we need to let go and wait for "the mysterious" synchronicity or intuition to tap our shoulders.  There's nothing to strive for, but we do need to be watchful for the "green light," and trust it when it arrives.  That's inspired action!   

"...somehow, perhaps beyond perception, there was a great click, after which suddenly a new friend appeared, an idea was imparted, or a connection established, causing the tides to turn and the floodgates to open."  ~Mike Dooley

  Photo (c) iStockphoto/Brian Jackson

When we come upon the moment for "inspired action," we must move on it right away.  The timing is very important!  We can't let "practical" thoughts deter us; we must go on faith.  When we do, we see the manifestation (the "have" part of the cycle).

"Dreams pass into the reality of action, from this action stems the dream again."  ~Anais Nin

BYOB!

Coach Susan

email

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The "Fall 15" Challenge!

Choose one of these 15-Day Challenges, follow through, and let us all know how it went!


Unplug the TV for 15 days.


Find 15 items in your home to donate to charity within the next 15 days.


Make an apology or accept one within the next 15 days.


P.S.  I'm choosing the second one, finding 15 items to donate.  My countdown starts today, November 3, 2013!

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For Locals

The 2013 Senior Health Expo, Thursday, November 14
9:00 am till 1:30 pm, at the historic Sunnybrook Ballroom
50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown, PA

No admission fee for attendees!

Please stop by my exhibit! I'd like to get to know you better, and I have some great information and worksheets for you.  

Many thanks to our generous sponsors, Mark Painter (State Representative of District #146), the Pottstown Mercury, and the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org. 

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Save the Date for My "Holiday Reiki Rescue" (from the mall madness!)

7:00 to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, December 3, 2013, in Douglassville, PA

Details, consisting of mostly pampering, will be announced in my next post! 

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All posts on creative4life are (c) Susan Cleaver.

Opportunity: Suit up and Show up...at Your Best

"Dig the well before you are thirsty."

~~Chinese proverb~~

My post called "When Opportunity Knocks..." (April 2008), has been one of my most popular posts.  I'd like to expand that idea in this post with tips on what to do while you're waiting for an opportunity to turn up. 

In the next post, I'll talk about what to do after the opportunity has arrived. 

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Marek Uliasz

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

~~Martin Luther King, Jr.~~ 

So, let's take a look at what we can do to prepare for an opportunity, even when we don't know what it looks like or when it'll show up!  First, we have to accept the facts that we don't know what or when or how..  We need to go with the flow; if we're too precise, we'll interfere with the process. 

On the other hand, we don't want to run after every shiny object.  We each need to ask ourselves this question:

Am I looking for an opportunity in areas that support 

my over-arching goals?

If you're still fuzzy about this, try author Mike Dooley's idea:

"If you don't know what it is you want to do,

keep doing what you're doing, but do it better."

Some of you may pull away from Dooley's idea. you may think, "Why would I do that?  This is the situation I want to get out of!"

Yes, I understand.  But the Universe is looking for someone worthy of the opportunity and appreciative of what he or she already has. 

Also it keeps you out and about where opportunities abound!  I've never heard of anyone jumping up and shouting, "There it is!  Now I know what my opportunity is!"  while watching a television commercial about a new brand of disposable baby diapers. 

Take this waiting time to keep your skills up to date, so you can easily leverage them at a moment's notice.  Continue with your life-long learning in areas that interest you...a new craft, a new sport, or a new language, or another favorite.

Here's a great real-life example of how this works: Many years ago, before Apple, Steve Jobs took a calligraphy class just because he found it to be fascinating.  Years later, he used that experience to make Apple the first company to offer a selection of various fonts on a home computer!  

Remember to keep your soft skills active, also...people skills, intuition, and a great sense of humor, just to mention a few.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Janne Ahvo

Gather up all the patience you can muster.  Waiting for your opportunity may take longer than you expect.  We don't have the ability to see the opportunity as it's developing, so we must trust the flow of life. 

How you interact with others is another important area to shape up in while you're waiting for the opportunity that has your name on it.  Let others around you know that you're going to be upgrading many aspects of your life in preparation for an opportunity to make an even larger change.  

You may want to consider doing some volunteer work in one or two areas of interest to you.  While you're helping others, you're also meeting new people, and maintaining great people skills.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Brian Jackson

Networking has similar advantages.  Let your fellow networkers know what your interests are, so they can spread the word for you, and you can be on the look-out for ways you can help them.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Jacob Wackerhausen

Readers, please weigh in on this one!  If you have suggestions, questions, or experiences, we'd all love to hear them.  If you don't like to write on-line, you can email me privately here.  I'll use your address only to respond to your comments.  I do not share my readers' email addresses.

Remember, next time I'll be writing about what happens after your opportunity shows up.  Your comments to this post will help me direct the next one more specifically to what you want to know!

Thanks,

Susan

The Great-Life Advocate (TM)

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~~Odds and Ends~~

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Denise Kappa

Would you like to set up a complimentary exploratory interview with me?

Being coached is a "real time," customized experience!

Please email me to set up a tele-session where we can decide if we'd work well together in a coaching partnership!

No strings attached...no pressure.  That's just not my style!

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Which of these three words is most provocative to you?

Courage         Creativity        Gratitude

You're welcome to share why in the comments section; just click below!

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*** All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver. ***

*** Member of the TriCounty Community Network, at www.tcnetwork.org *** 

Shedding Some Light on Enlightenment

The other week, I asked myself a thought-provoking question: "What are the characteristics of an enlightened person?"  Then I wrote 12 pages of answers to it in my journal.  I'll share a few of them here today, and I hope you'll add your own ideas in the comments section.  Questions and anecdotes about enlightened people you know are welcome, also!

I don't claim to be an expert on this topic by any means.  I do have some colleagues, friends, and mentors that qualify, at least to my amateur eye.  I also enjoy studying the topic of enlightenment.  So, the ideas about it that flowed out of my pen have been collecting in my head after getting in there by osmosis.

Here we go....

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Marek Uliasz

Enlightened folks are not afraid to show their vulnerability.  They don't have all the answers, and they will admit that right up front.

In my experience, though, these mentors have often asked me just the right question that would help me find an answer that neither of us could have even guessed about before.  It's a very special type of team effort that brings about an interdevelopmental experience for both parties.

These enlightened people ask themselves a lot of questions about the nature of life and their role in it.  Observing the enlightened ones I have studied or known, their answers seem to come from a combination of four factors: 

• listening
• intuition
• accumulated knowledge
• personal experience

If the answers are not forthcoming, they chalk it up to Divine Timing.  Those who are enlightened accept that if and when they are to know the answers, they will be provided.

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Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Steven Robertson

Can you see the radiant glow on the woman's face in the photo above?  I notice this glow on the faces of the people whom I consider to be enlightened.  Does it remind you of anything?  It reminds me of the glow in the faces of babies and young children, who, of course, have a special kind of wisdom all their own!  It has even  become a cliche to say, "...out of the mouths of babes...."  I would add to that their eyes, expressions, and actions!

Unfortunately, many well-meaning adults don't remember this stage of their own development, leaving them confused when their own children or students display it.  As a result we think it's part of our job to root them in what we see as the "real world."  We give them the "roots," but we often forget to protect their "wings."

I think it is a lucky few of us that don't get their wings battered during the turbulent teen and young adult years.  But as we settle into a calmer, more rhythmic life as we age, many of us begin to feel a nudge toward a more spiritual life.  At that point we start paying attention to the fact that we've been "trying to push the river" instead of going with the flow, and that we're exhausted!

The closer we get to an enlightened state, the better we feel.  Flowing back toward the enlightenment zone is a journey worth exploring!

Please click on the comments section and let us know about your experiences and opinions around this topic of enlightenment!


Thanks,
Susan


Mind Spa Coaching and Reiki
with Susan Cleaver

scleaver@dejazzd.com 

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org.***

From my top ten most popular posts,

check out "Hidden in Plain Sight"!

See the archives for September 26, 2011.

Thanks!

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Sow the seeds of success....

Hire a life coach!

The Magic of a Personal Retreat

"We hear voices in solitude we never hear in the hurry and turmoil of life; we receive counsels and comforts we get under no other condition." --Amelia Barr

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/pixhook

My goal for today is to inspire you to take a personal retreat!  Your first objection might be that you can't take the time for a retreat.  When I go for 4 nights, I come back with ideas that actually save me time in the long run. Really!

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There's no one right way to do this, but I'll show you how I conduct my own personal retreats.  As you read, notice the things that would work best for you...and the parts of my retreats that don't appeal to you.

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Imagine this as a virtual tour of what a personal retreat can be.  Then jot down  what you'd love to include in your retreat plans, and imagine a virtual tour of your ideal retreat experience!

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I've been very fortunate to find a retreat center in Reading, PA, that has very reasonable rates and is just 30 minutes from my home.  If you live in the Mid-Atlantic States here in the US, you're welcome to email me for more details about this particular center at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

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I began a ritual of going on retreats regularly back in September, 2011, when one of my health care professionals warned me that I was headed for burn-out if something didn't change soon.

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I had been under prolonged stress due to a family crisis, and it was wearing down my physical and emotional health.  (You don't have to wait for a crisis...regular retreats now will help you deal with obstacles and ups and downs that may confront you later.)

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O.K., on to the juicy stuff!

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photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Tina Lorien

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My intuition waits patiently for me to reach a relaxed and quiet state, even if it takes days.  Then I find ideas and solutions raining down onto the pages of my journal! 

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photo (c) iStockphoto.com/4FR

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 When I go on a personal retreat, I don't take "input" materials with me, such as books for example.  Here's what I do take, along with my clothes, toothbrush, etc.:

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~my camera

~items to make a small altar in my room

~my sketch pad and pencils

~sea salt and a basin for relaxing foot soaks

~my journal and pens

~snacks

~three beautiful scarves to decorate my room

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And that is it!  I don't take anything else to read, listen to, or do.  It's very important that I make my environment different from home.

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I love my home, but if I brought along the things I usually get input from at home, my habits of thought would stay almost the same, and I'd lose much of the benefit of the retreat.  My mind would be too full and noisy to hear the nuggets of wisdom being revealed to me! 

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"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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 The grounds around the retreat house are also very conducive to contemplation and relaxation.  Each room has a large window with a comfy chair strategically placed for enjoying the view.

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I get just enough socialization at mealtimes and from exchanging a few words with the others I may pass in the hall or outside.

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So, that sums up what works best for me during a personal retreat.

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photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Igor Demchenkov

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But everyone is different, of course.  Please click "Comments" below and let my other readers and me know what has worked for you. 


If you haven't tried a personal retreat yet, please comment on what you imagine would work for you.  That will help you to gain clarity and motivation, and it will inspire the rest of us!

"Awareness, in and of itself, is curative."  --Robert Marrone

Thanks, 

Susan

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org***

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/CGinspiration

LOCAL EVENTS

Healthy Lifestyles EXPO, April 20, 2012, 9:30 to 1:30, in Pottstown, PA

Call 610-326-9563 to learn more!

  

 World Labyrinth Day: Walk as One, at 1:00 ~ May 5, 2012

  Sally Martin, Facilitator ~ Pottstown, PA 

 email Susan at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details.

SPECIAL OFFERS ~ GLOBAL

I'm currently offering special pricing of 25% off all my services, including coaching by phone.  This pricing is subject to change after June 30, 2012.

Also, I'm currently waiving the fee on all initial exploratory sessions!  This gives both of us the opportunity to test-drive a possible coaching partnership with no further obligation.  This complementary session offer is subject to change after September 21, 2012.  To set up an appointment, email me at  scleaver@dejazzd.com.

A WORD TO THE WISE

"Dr. Amen's ANT's" has been on my top-ten most popular post list for quite a while.  Check it out by going to November 17, 2008, in the archives. 

You may be familiar with some of Dr. Amen's work. He has about four books published.  He's been on a few PBS special programs in his role as an expert on the relationship between the brain and behavior.

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The Possible You: Life-Long Learning

Life-Long Learning: A Valuable Investment in Yourself!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/William Britten

Many of us are very stingy with ourselves when it comes to life-long learning. There are several reasons for this:

~We have financial constraints.

~We have time constraints.

~We don't feel worthy, or are afraid of failure.

~We fear it will obligate us to then go to work in that field, or at least use what we learned somehow.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Janne Ahvo

~ We think we're too old or too young.

For this last one, I remember a great story mentioned by Julia Cameron in one of her books on creativity. It goes something like this: One friend says to another, " I'd love to learn to play the piano!" Friend #2 says, "That's great! Have you signed up for lessons yet?" Friend #1 says, "Oh, no, of course not! I'm too old to learn to play the piano. It could take years to get really good at it!" Friend #2 says, "Well, you'll be 70 in 5 years, right?" Friend #1 agrees. Friend #2 says,"And how old will you be in five years if you don't learn to play the piano?"

Coach, author, and speaker Cheryl Richardson, knows that most people are too hard on themselves about learning something new unless they have clear plans for how they'll put the new skills to work. In one of her workshops, she said the best advice she could give them in that moment was for everyone to give themselves permission to try anything new that they wanted, regardless of whether they would they would use it again or not.

Often, our intuition is what's nudging us toward a new experience well before we know why. I wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like that!

But what about the time problem? Take a look at what's on your plate right now. Is there anything you've been doing out of habit that perhaps has perhaps worn out its welcome? That's one place to look for extra time.

Take a look at what activities you could delegate or just pain dump! Does that sound a little audacious? Good! Try making a Not-to-Do List and see what you can get off your plate.

And there are lots of ways to get around the financial restraints. Don't forget about libraries, book swaps, used book stores, and sites you trust on the Internet! And of course, I hope you'll start with this site and join in on some of the complimentary and low-cost things we have going on in the Audacious Self-Care Community!

Please leave a comment, question, suggestion, or success story in the comments section of creative4life! I want our community (both local and global!) to be as interactive and inter-developmental as possible.

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. The next global event aside from the blog are the 8 complimentary hours of Hot- Line Coaching by me, on Wednesday, March 16, from noon to 8:00 pm Eastern! Just call at the top of one of these hours for a session of approximately 30 minutes. (First to call, first to be served at the top of each hour.)

Your only responsibility is to pay any long-distance charges from your phone service provider. So, if you're on an unlimited long-distance plan that includes Pennsylvania...even better! The Hot-Line Number is 610-385-3766. This type of exploratory session is a $35 value!

P.P.S. The next local event is Audacious Self-Care presented as a 4-week class that I'll be teaching for the Boyertown Continuing Education Program. There will be four 1-hour classes on Monday nights, starting March 14, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. For details, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. It's reasonably priced and definitely fun!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

***Proud and active member of the TriCounty Community Network at

http://www.tcnetwork.org/.***

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/William Britten

Ask "What?" and "Why?"; Forget about "How?"

Greetings, Law of Attraction Fans!

If you want to align yourself with the Law of Attraction ("like attracts like"), it's really important to ask yourself the right questions.

Ask Yourself "What?"

First, get really clear about what it is that you want. Think about it; isn't it next to impossible to help someone get what they want if they aren't even sure themselves? Sometimes as a coach it's my job to help someone figure out what they want. Then we can proceed from there.

Example:

O.K., let's say "Carmen" holds this intention: "To raise a healthy, happy, and productive daughter." Next, she asks herself, "What exactly does this feel like, assuming I'm already there?" This question helps to align her energy with what she wants as well as clarify exactly what the intention means.

Carmen's answers the question this way: "I feel pride, love, and feelings of contribution and accomplishment. I feel my daughter hugging me, and I'm delighted to hear her thanking me for always being there for her. I'm telling her that I wouldn't have it any other way; it's a total joy for me." Do you sense her passion and energy rising?

Now Kick it up a Notch by Asking Yourself "Why?"

Asking why you have set a particular intention pumps up the passion and enthusiasm even more! Then your vibration rises even higher to put you more into alignment with what you want to manifest.

Now Back to Carmen....

Carmen's "Why?": "This intention is my gift to my daughter and part of my contribution to the world, including my future grandchildren and great-grandchildren! I trust that I'll be shown how through intuition and synchronicity."

Suit up and Show up

That's what you do next. You show up. You watch for openings and check with your intuition. And you do this consistently. I would say, "Best of luck to you," but if you follow the advice in this post, you won't need luck. You will make your own.

~Susan

P.S. Give this complimentary coaching session a try....

Respect 101: Teach Others to Treat You Well

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We'll discuss the questions below as they apply to YOU:

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~How do you treat yourself?

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~Do you speak up for yourself clearly, directly, and in a timely manner?

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~Do you stand your ground when being pressured?

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~What vibes are you sending out about how you expect to be treated?

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~What limiting beliefs from the past are hindering you in asking for the respect you deserve?

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Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a session by phone or in person!

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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***Member of the TriCounty Community Network, a local human services resource at http://www.tcnetwork.info/ .***

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Step up Your Intuitive Development

Here are some tips for developing your intuition:

~Be open to the idea. Your relationship with your intuition can't bloom easily without your attention and respect.

~Start small. Ask yourself who's calling before you pick up the phone. What color will your friend be wearing today? What's coming in the mail for you today? Who should you call today?

~Get Feedback. By starting small, you can get lots of feedback on issues that are not emotionally loaded or parts of crucial decision-making.

~Learn more about what intuition feels like for you. Constriction of the throat may signal a "no," while a more expansive physical sensation may signal a "yes."

~Watch for the sensation of a solid "click." This is how I often experience intuition. It feels like two or more things have come together in a meaningful way. They meet, and then settle in as a new insight with a solid "click," similar to puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

~Be aware of synchronicities. The timing and meaning of synchronicities may hold a message for you.

~Watch for "way closing." This is the Quaker concept that intuition can show you which way to go by blocking the other options.

~Become familiar with the language of your subconscious mind. It speaks to you through your senses. Intuition can be delivered in the form of an image, a phrase that pops into your head, or a bodily sensation, such as an unexplained knot in your stomach.

~Engage in activities that encourage intuition. Some examples are creative activities, walks in nature, meditation, a relaxing bath or shower, and giving or receiving Reiki.

Please share your experiences with intuition in the comments section!

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Need a fresh perspective? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching session by phone or in person.

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Thanks,

Susan

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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***Member of TriCounty Community Network, a local human services resource at http://www.TCNetwork.info.***

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What Motivates a Patron to Buy Art? Here's What Stirs My Heart

Inspired by a recent visit to my favorite craft show (OJR Friends of the Arts), I'm sharing with you what motivates me to choose the particular pieces I buy there.

~The piece calls to my intuition.
~It expresses the artist's unique style and essence.
~The item may have an original twist on a well-loved theme or design element.
~It has an interesting combination of materials, textures, and colors.
~The piece has a certain earthiness to it.
~The item has a loose, flowing design that suggests a movement of energy.

At a show of this kind, I typically buy jewelry, clothing, and pottery. However, I look for these qualities in any art form, including books and performing arts, where some of these qualities tend to be more metaphorical.

I believe you should create according to what stirs your heart as a top priority, but I thought this list from an artist/patron's viewpoint might be helpful. I'd love to see your responses to the list in your comments!

Thanks,
Susan
scleaver@dejazzd.com

P.S. for Locals: Don't miss the free Wellness Fair this Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Boyertown Area Sr. High School! It's presented by the Boyertown Area Community Wellness Council. Bring the whole family; there's something for everyone.

I'm on the planning committee, so I can tell you it's going to be bigger and better than ever this year! Stop by and see me; I'll be exhibiting, giving brief Reiki treatments, and teaching a short workshop on "Embracing Imperfection."

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Fear and the Economy: Not a Good Mix!

If you are a Law of Attraction fan like me, I'm sure you'll agree that fear just adds fuel to the fire of an economic downturn. And of course fear can put out the fire of creativity.

I can't tell you what you need to do about the current economic situation. We've all had to make adjustments and maybe change some habits in response to the downturn. But take a look at how you feel about it. Replace any fear and feelings of victimhood with gratitude for what you have now and for what you intend to have in the future.

The Test

The following is a true account of how my husband, Stew, was repeatedly tested by the Universe in the last 6 months leading up to his recent retirement at age 55, all the while resolving not to let the media and the current climate of the economy keep him from this long-term goal.

We had a parade of unexpected expenses come into our lives over those 6 months, too. Our hard drive crashed, and so did our printer. I had a tooth that had to be crowned in December, even though we had used up most of our dental insurance allowance for the year.

We spent quite a bit of money on car and truck repairs in November, only to have the car's engine go permanently ka-put...one week before Stew's retirement in January!

Part 2 of the test came in the form of several several job offers in his field that might have pulled him back in. But Stew stood firm. He was retiring, and that was that! He didn't let anything scare him out of it or tempt him to change his mind.

Stew's response to "the test" may not be right for everyone, but I think Stew knew at a deep level that he was doing the right thing for himself. Law of Attraction expert, Dr. Joe Vitali, calls this "inspired action."

"The Test" Comes in Many Guises

It's often what keeps people in dysfunctional relationships, for example. Or it may keep someone stuck in some other pattern of behavior that they want to change, such as over-eating or smoking. Or you may get a "pop quiz" just as you're about to move across the country.

Author and creativity expert Julia Cameron calls this phenomenon "the escape-velocity test," because it reminds her of the earth's gravitational pull on a space shuttle that is being boosted into space. What a great analogy!

Check in with your intuition before letting yourself assume that "the test" is somehow "proof that it wasn't meant to be." (Whatever "it" is for you.) Maybe, but maybe not. Look deeper!

Please share your experiences with "the test" in the comments section.

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. Are you looking for a unique and fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your partner? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 to set up a prepaid appointment for my Cupid's Bow Valentine Special! It's a one-time couples-coaching session that's available for the month of February.

You'll leave the call (or visit) with a fresh perspective on what's right with your relationship! In honor of the special day, your session is just $14 US per couple, when prepaid and scheduled for the month of February. This offer has no calories and does not wilt! :-)

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Communicate with Your Subconscious to Make Your Resolutions Stick

For many of us, the most important second language to learn is the language of our own subconscious minds. Your senses, behaviors, feelings, and imagination are the best translators for communicating with your subconscious mind.

In turn, your subconscious will answer and cooperate with you through these same channels, in the form of intuition. Resolutions tend to make a quick exit when our conscious and subconscious minds are not aligned and communicating in these areas.

To invite your intuition to respond and help you keep your resolutions, find ways to communicate in these three areas:

• Auditory~ music, spoken language (affirmations, poetry), chanting, listening to nature, reading your journal out loud
• Kinesthetic~ movement, rituals, smell, taste, awareness of bodily sensations, writing in your journal
• Visual~ collage, photos, view nature, the written word (affirmations, inspiration), guided imagery, symbols

Remember that your intuition also lives in a different time zone! The answers and supportive synchronicities will come at times that will seem random to you. Just go with the flow! The responses from your intuition will come through the same three channels as listed above:

• Auditory~ a thought pops into your mind, song lyrics related to your resolution run through your head, affirmations are reflected back to you as new neural pathways are formed in your brain
• Kinesthetic~ a spontaneous nudge to take a certain action, a pleasant or unpleasant bodily sensation, writing something in your journal that you had no idea you were thinking, a taste or smell that seems to come from nowhere
• Visual~what you've been visualizing is showing up in reality, a symbol that now strengthens your resolve and helps you move forward

You get the idea...get your conscious and subconscious minds in the same "head space." :-) You'd be surprised how often they're not, due to limiting beliefs that cause inner conflict about what you consciously want.
Happy holidays,
Susan
P.S. 'Need support in this area? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching session by phone or in person.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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What's Holding You Back?

Check out these creativity squashers and their corresponding remedies:

Creativity Squashers-----------------Creativity Accelerators

"Yeah, but...."--------------------------"What if...."

"It hasn't been done before...."-------"Then I'll have to be first!"

"It's all been done before."-----------------"I'll find a new twist!"

Motivation from outside you.--------------Motivation from inside.

Too much or too little structure.-----------Just enough structure to-----------------------------------------------------hang your thoughts on.

Depression.-------------------------------Strong emotional health.

Anger or resentment.---------------------Forgiveness and letting go.

Fear.-------------------------------------Do it anyway.

Trying to please everyone.------------Being authentic.

Hidden pay-offs for staying stuck.-----Expose them and weigh them------------------------------------------------against the pay-offs-----------------------------------------------------------for letting yourself be creative.

Burn-out.--------------------------------Self-care.

Ignore your intuition.-------------------Invite your intuition.

Standard outlining.---------------------Tony Buzan's Mind Maps (R).

Perfectionism.--------------------------Self-acceptance.

Striving.---------------------------------Playfulness.

Having something to prove.-----------Having something to discover.


So go out and discover! What if...?

Please keep my other readers and me posted on your progress!

Be well,
Susan

P.S. To those in the greater Philadelphia, PA, area:

On Saturday, April 12, I'll be exhibiting and offering free Reiki samples at the Boyertown Community Health and Wellness Fair from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The fair will be held at the Boyertown Area Sr. High School, 120 Monroe Street. And there is no charge to attend! Stop by my table to chat, pick up some info on "stressing less," and try some Reiki!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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Resolution Check-In

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery." --James Joyce

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Sweet Victories or Sour Grapes?

Are you on your way to manifesting your resolutions, or is your enthusiasm sagging? Either way, I'd suggest that you go back to my December 11 post and brush up on the basics of carrying out creative resolutions. Then check out the common pitfalls discussed below.

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Pitfall #1: Trying to Swim Upstream

Have you ever seen the ads for a space-saving exercise pool? They are only about 8 ft. long, 5 ft. wide, and operate on the principle that if you try to swim upstream, you will likely end up staying in the same place. The pool sends a current of water forward and you swim against it.

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This is fine for space-saving exercise, but I don't think it's what you had in mind for your resolutions! The Universe can't help us if we are struggling to go the other way. We've heard it a million times because it's true: go with the flow.

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You'll have to decide what this means for you in relation to your own resolutions, but here's an example. Did you set up a resolution that forces you to focus on your weaknesses and fix them? Instead, rework it so that you are building on your strengths. It's easier, it makes you feel better about yourself, and it attracts more strengths, because that's what you're focusing on!

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Pitfall #2: Believing It Has to Be Difficult

We've been trying to swim upstream for so long, we've come to believe that where there's no pain there's no gain. Sure, you need to take action, but check in with your intuition first for help with your decisions and timing. It'll help you sail right around those pesky boulders in the river of life.

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Pitfall #3: Blaming Others

So, are you going to sail around the boulder, or are you going to blame nature for putting it in your way? Blaming others or blaming institutions or circumstances puts us in a powerless mindset, because it follows that we think there's nothing we can do to change the situation.

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This doesn't mean we have to blame ourselves, it just means that we have to accept responsibility for doing what is needed to get our resolutions back on the right track.

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Pitfall #4: Lack of a Support Structure on Which to Build Your Goal

Can your current life circumstances support the personal growth it'll take to get to your goal? How are your finances, health, relationships, etc.? Do you have accountability and moral support in place?

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I'm offering personalized complimentary email support, once a week for four weeks to the first ten people who request it. If you're interested, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

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To your success,

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Susan

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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Featured Artist: Kylene Cleaver

Photographer Kylene Cleaver is the amazing talent that has brought Leave It to Me Photography (TM) to life in Elkton, MD, and surrounding areas. Yes, she is my daughter-in-law, so if you think I'm biased, see for yourself at http://www.leaveittomephotography.com/!


Kylene is a great role model for other entrepreneurial creatives who want to work primarily from home while their kids are small and beyond.


Her intuition tugged at her sleeve about four years ago when she realized that capturing moods and telling stories with her photos were in her blood. Two years later, her son was born, and
many of her friends were also starting families. Her intuition nudged her again as she took photos of moms-to-be and later their babies, as well as her own son.


Kylene has branched out into other types of photography while remaining true to her own style. I feel that this is one of the keys to her success. Once you have developed your style, competition is not much of a concern. You may be working in the same medium of creative expression as many others, but it's how you express yourself through that medium that clients are attracted to.


As you peruse Kylene's beautiful site at http://www.leaveittomephotography.com/, notice how she sets herself apart from other photographers. Her creative thumbprint is on everything she does!


An important strength I see in Kylene is that she truly enjoys her work. Her enthusiasm is contagious, making the client's experience a pleasant one from beginning to end.


Another cue you can take from Kylene is knowing when to ask for help. She belongs to Internet forums and meet-up groups to give and receive tips, support, and feedback. Kylene also asks for help and feedback from family and friends, and we are glad to be involved in her creative process!


Then she takes the step that a lot of creatives forget. She uses the feedback that resonates with her to improve her work!


Another strength I've watched Kylene develop is that she clearly spells out her policies, deadlines, etc., so that her clients know what to expect up front. It shows respect for her clients while helping her to set boundaries that prevent her from getting burned out or just plain "burned."


Please check out Kylene Cleaver's site at http://www.leaveittomephotography.com/ for a great example of an artist who has found a way to see with her heart ... and translate it for the rest of us with her beautiful photos!


My best to all of you,


Susan


P.S. Regardless of your medium of expression, I can help you smooth out the rough spots on your creative journey. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary coaching tele-session!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Tune Into Your Muse

Have you ever felt that you and your muse are on different wavelengths, resulting in a frustrating creative block? From a metaphysical perspective, that's exactly what happens.

The conditions in and around us during a creative breakthrough are those that foster a higher vibration that closely matches what we call the muse...that special blend of creativity and intuition that we've been wanting to tap into. So here are some ways to raise your vibration and that of your environment to reduce the mind static between you and your muse.

• Apply basic Feng Shui principles to your work area and to the area between your ears. Clear out physical, mental, and emotional clutter. If you can do this on your own, great! Go for it. If not, get a friend, coach, or personal organizer to help you with the physical clutter. For the mental clutter (long to-do lists, too much debt, etc.), set aside time to attend to each item, ditch it, or delegate it, as appropriate. If the issue or item looms large, you may need to put a system in place for step-by-step progress. For emotional clutter, try journaling or writing an imagined dialog between you and the issue. If you need help, do yourself a huge favor and find a good therapist to help you sort things out.
• Hug a tree! Communing with nature raises our vibration gently and pleasantly.
• Listen to energizing music. If your energy is really down, start with music that is slightly livelier, then move to progressively more energizing pieces.
• Clear out internal energy bottlenecks with Reiki and/or massage.
• Eat light meals consisting of fresh foods that haven't had the life force energy processed out of them. Bless the meal and express gratitude for it.

If you'd like to explore this idea of rising to meet the muse's frequency further, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching tele-session.

As you experiment with these ideas, please post your experiences in the comments section!

Thanks,

Susan

Closed Hearts Shut Out Creativity

When Do We Close Our Hearts?
We close our hearts in order to prevent further pain when we have been emotionally injured. But like denial, closing the heart is meant to be only a temporary arrangement while we set up the healing process.

Why Does A Closed Heart Block Creativity?
Over time, a closed heart robs us of our enjoyment of life, our playfulness, our ability to trust, our creativity and our intuition. It leaves us in a state of disconnection from Spirit, other people, and ourselves. We feel empty and tired. It can even lead to depression.

Walling off our hearts is an all-or-nothing deal, like general anesthesia. All welcome sensations are blocked out along with the unwelcome ones. Joy, creativity, and even colors are muted. Negative emotions, which are designed to stay in motion, get stuck. Instead of being the useful messengers they are meant to be, they overstay their welcome and can even make us sick.

How Can We Tear Down The Wall, Open Our Hearts, and Start Feeling Again?
Usually we have to do this brick by brick. Even in the case of a sudden catharsis, it takes time to integrate a new way of being. Coaching can often help with this, but if the problem is deeply entrenched, do yourself a favor and find a great therapist. If you're not sure what kind of help you need, I can help you sort it out in a complimentary trial coaching tele-session; email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Part of opening our hearts is learning to forgive ourselves and others. Forgiveness has been given a bad name because people think it means that we have given in and are going back for more bad treatment. But forgiveness means releasing ourselves from the energy-draining situation in our own minds. It does not always mean reconciliation with the difficult person.

Placing blame leaves us powerless when it leads to feelings of resignation and victimization. We must take responsibility for our responses and for whatever we can do to improve the situation, whether we are to blame or not. As for our own mistakes, we can use the energy they stir up to learn from them and correct them instead of wasting it on beating ourselves up.

As we open our hearts, we can test the creative waters now and then to measure our progress. Here's the good news: Just as the closing off process affects us holistically, so will the opening process! Our general outlooks will improve, along with our energy and creative output levels. Unexplained physical problems may bow out, as well, once we "get" the messages they were sending!

Closing our hearts means closing ourselves off to a full life. What will you do for yourself today to let your heart help you express all of who you are? I'd love to see your answers in the comments section!

To your happiness,
Susan

FAQ's About the Creative Process

"Is everyone creative, or is it just a lucky few?"

I believe that everyone is creative. The catch is that there are blocks that stop people from accessing it or recognizing it, such as:

• fear of failure, success, responsibility, looking foolish, or being rejected.
• unconscious programing that may sound something like this: "I'm too left-brained to be creative," or "It would be arrogant to assume I'm creative."
• overlooking the creative things we do every day at work and at home. A former client of mine who didn't see himself as creative is actually an outstanding creative problem solver!
• depression. Even a mild case can shut your creativity down. Please seek help if you need it! Depression is a messenger, and you may need help deciphering the message. If you try to ignore it, the messenger may start knocking so loud that you can't hear anything else.
• limiting cultural stereotypes about creatives, which often include words like "flake," "drunk," or "starving." If I believed these descriptions, I wouldn't want rush up to join the club, either!

"What about those who start out creating but then seem to lose touch with it?"

Here are a few possibilities:

• the onset of depression (see above).
• pushing and striving instead of going with the flow.
• getting lax about self-care and balance.
• resentment toward those who have criticized or rejected their work.
• other unfinished emotional business.

"What are the relationships among creativity, intuition, and spirituality?"

If I took a poll of actively creative folks, I believe the responses would fall into three categories:

• Some might say something like, "I have no interest in intuition or spirituality, and I do just fine creating."
• The second group may not use the exact terms, but may report things such as "I get lost in my creative work," "I'm surprised by the results of my own work," or "The work seems to come through me instead of from me."
• The third group might be those who actively cultivate their intuition and spirituality and feel strongly that these inform, inspire, and shape their work. While I respect the experiences and preferences of others, I find myself in this group.

"O.K., Susan, please tell me why I keep putting off the work I would most like to be doing!"

Here are some possibilities:

• fear (see the first question again).
• guilt ("I should be spending my time doing something else.")
• ADD or culture-induced ADD-like behavior. See the work of Edward Hallowell.
• failing to break the project down into approachable pieces.
• lack of accountability. Set up a mutual accountability plan with a friend or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. I can always use an additional accountability buddy! I'd also be glad to coach you on this topic during a complimentary trial tele-coaching session.

Please ask any additional questions on the creative process in the comments section so I can address them in future posts. Thanks!

To your success,

Susan

Ups, Downs, and Overwhelms

Greetings...

As I mentioned in my May 2, 2007 post about embracing your style, many creative folks are also ADD folks and/or highly sensitive folks as well. Some aspects of these two latter traits actually help us express our creativity because we tend to notice and feel things that others may miss. They also tend to make us more intuitive, which is a great boost for our creativity!

But here's the rub...the downsides of these traits need to be managed if we are to thrive in a creative lifestyle, as some of you know all too well, I'm sure.

I believe that ADD and high sensitivity are closely related, because there are many overlapping characteristics. To read up on them, check out the work of Edward Hallowell (for ADD) and Elaine Aron (for high sensitivity). Their work is eye-opening and inspiring.

While it can be wonderful to be open to such a breadth of life's experiences and such a depth of feeling, it also makes us more vulnerable to mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, and burn-out. If you have ADD traits that cause you difficulty in managing your environment and/or time, these issues might be compounded for you.

Feeling more deeply as a highly sensitive person can be quite painful if you have any type of trauma in your history. Depending on your relationship with your ADD or high sensitivity traits, you may need to seek the help of support groups, therapy, coaching, and/or medication.

A good coach can help you sort out the kinds of help you might need. Most importantly, she will not hesitate to let you know if your issues are outside of her area of expertise. I offer initial complimentary exploratory coaching tele-sessions during which I can help you get started making the most of your traits while mitigating the downsides. Please email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a phone session.

Also I'd suggest reading or re-reading last week's post (6/19) on saying "no," because setting boundaries can go a long way in helping you avoid anxiety, stress, overload, fatigue, depression, resentment, and burn-out! It might be helpful to check out or review my post from 5/2/07, about embracing your unique style with the help of your ADD and/or high sensitivity traits.

Please feel free to send any questions in to the comments section below.

To your health and success,
Susan