Connection: The Passion of Artist Jean Richard Esther

Above is a photo that was taken while I was interviewing Jean Richard Esther, my Featured Artist for this blog post. I first met Jean at a local Farmers Market. Yes, you read that right...a Farmers Market, of all places! (www.boyertownpa.org/farmersmarket)
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The market hosted several children's activities, and Jean was there on behalf of Building a Better Boyertown (http://www.boyertownpa.org/). Jean was drawing amazing caricatures of the children.
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His three business partners (http://www.artcorner.net/) were also there, taking photos and helping children with craft projects inside a custom-remodeled school bus called the ART Mobile! (http://www.studiobbb.org/). The ART mobile is also a project of Building a Better Boyertown (http://www.boyertownpa.org/) and their artists' venue, Studio B (http://www.studiobbb.org/).
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Jean is a gifted teacher of art classes for kids and adults at Studio B and on board the ART Mobile. He also does commissioned portraits, and he explores almost every kind of art you can imagine!
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Meanwhile, Back at the Farmers Market....
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I took my grandson aboard the ART Mobile to make crafts, and then to Jean, who was sitting just outside the bus. Jean and I chatted while he drew my grandson's caricature...and for a long time after he was done. We soon learned that we have a lot of common interests and the same enthusiasm for art and for life! So, that's how Jean came to be my Featured Artist for this post.

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Connection and the "Wireless Web"

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The common thread that ran through Jean's answers to my questions can be summed up in one word: connection. Connection to others through art is Jean's passion. He loves to see his students' eyes light up when he helps them see the world in a whole new way...a way that enables them to translate it into art.

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During the interview, I asked Jean about the spiritual aspect of his work that I was sensing. Again, the word connection came up...connection with his students and connection with his Higher Self or the Universal Mind. Jean calls this the "Wireless Web." What a great term for it!

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Connection and Contribution

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Also on a spiritual note, Jean uses art and his talent as vehicles for making his contributions to the world. Again, it was about connection...connection with others through art, and the connection of his students to themselves and their passions. The world needs more passionate people!
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Don't forget to check out the sites I mentioned above. Interviewing Jean Esther was an absolute joy!

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All my best,

Susan

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P.S. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to schedule an initial coaching session by phone or in person at a reduced price. Your initial Reiki session is also at a reduced price!

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

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***Active Member of the TriCounty Community Network at http://www.tcnetwork.org/.

"Partnering to improve health, social and environmental conditions." ***

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Escape from the Need to Escape

"...set up a life you don't need to escape from." ~~ Seth Godin, business and leadership author

This is one of my favorite lines from Godin's book, Tribes. The quote resonates with me because I've noticed how often the word "escape" comes up in our everyday reading, conversation, and the advertising we see and hear.

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Have you noticed it, too? It seems to be everywhere:

~"Escape from it all with our special getaway vacation packages!"

~"Buy this book for summer escape reading!"

~"These new styles of exotic prints create a getaway in your mind!"

Now, please understand, I'm not advocating a spartan or puritanical existence for any of us. I'm all for vacations, retreats, breaks, and variety in our lives. In fact, I believe they are essential to our health, happiness, and success.

Please ask yourself this question: "Am I running toward something, or away from something?" Your answer will clarify where your motivation is coming from.

This theme dovetails naturally with that of my last post, which was about positive habits. When you give yourself credit for the daily habits you have put in place to move you toward your goals and into your vision, you can live joyfully in the moment.

If you're living happily in the moment of a well-designed life, you'll find that you aren't constantly daydreaming about escaping from the "grind," because you're not experiencing a "grind" to begin with! As I mentioned in my last post, "...you are living a life of grace and style that will make you proud to be who you are!"

If you're still working toward living this way, you've probably noticed people who already are. They generally have tons of enthusiasm and positive energy. They love their work (even if it's volunteer work). And they smile a lot!

I used to meet these people and wonder, "How do they do it??" In the last six years, though, I've been cutting myself a path to the same joyful, playful lifestyle. Now I'm smiling a lot!

Here are seven questions to ask yourself:

~Am I taking great care of myself, physically and emotionally?

~Do I have strong personal boundaries in place? Am I gently but firmly enforcing them with others?

~Am I asking for help when I need it?

~Does my personal environment at home, work, and play serve me or work against me? (Hint: Clear the clutter! I understand...you don't think you have time. I don't feel like I have the time, either. But try it; you'll love the results of having organized spaces to rest, work, and play in. Take it from a recovering clutter bug!)

~What about brain clutter? Well, you probably have some...in the form of negative beliefs that don't serve you anymore. Dump 'em!

~Do I fear change? Again, it's likely that you do, because it's built into our DNA as a protective mechanism. But it often works overtime and to our disadvantage. (Hint: It's usually disguised as feelings of resistance!)

As you can see, while a lack of money or time can be challenging, they don't have to compel you to escape your own daily life! Why wait? I'm a very busy person, and I'm not rolling in money. But I'm happy!

My advice to you: find or make a reason to smile today, right here and now!

My request of you: please leave a comment for my readers and me about how this turns out!

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"...today, well lived, makes every yesterday

A dream of happiness,

And tomorrow, a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to This Day."

~"Look to This Day!" from the Unitarian-Universalist Hymnal

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Thank you and bless you,

Susan

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P.S. 'Need help with making this happen? I offer you an introductory coaching session by phone or in person. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 to set up an appointment. The fee is nominal, and there's no further obligation. Just show up on time, ready to start. High pressure is simply not my style!

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P.P.S. This blog has an alter-ego! It's my snail-mail newsletter than comes out every two months, called "Susan...Unplugged." Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 to sign up with your regular mailing address. The newsletter is complimentary in the U.S. If you live outside of the U.S., I may ask for some help with the postage. [Unless, of course, you're a monthly international client! :-) ]

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

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***Member of the Tri-County Community Network, a local human services organization at http://www.tcnetwork.info/.***

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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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Enthusiasm: Have You Seen Yours Lately?

Your Level of Enthusiasm Is Your Barometer
Enthusiasm is a crucial aspect of your energetic make-up. You can check with it in many areas of a holistic life to see where you stand.

Making Decisions
Check in with your level of enthusiasm about each option you are considering. This is a great way to begin developing your intuition, too. Balance your more logical ways of making decisions (pro and con lists, etc.) with this valuable tool.

Recognizing Inspired Action
If you're a Law of Attraction fan, you've probably been advised to take inspired action. How will you know the action is inspired? You will feel pure enthusiasm and a certain "rightness" about it.

Actions that you've orchestrated because it's what you think you should do will not be accompanied by these feelings. This is a definite red flag!

Enthusiasm as a Mirror
Do you want to know how you are coming across to others, and how your energy is affecting them? Again, check in on your own level of enthusiasm. Is it sagging or forced? If so, this is what others are picking up from you, regardless of your words and actions!

For writers and artists in particular...is genuine enthusiasm coming through in your work? If not, maybe it's time to try a new technique, medium, or style!

Depleted Enthusiasm also Depletes Your...
~Energy Level

~Well-Being (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual!)

~Creativity

~Capacity for Rewarding Relationships

~Level of Enjoyment of Life!

Has Your Enthusiasm Gone Missing? Learn from the Little Ones.
Have you ever noticed the unbridled enthusiasm of pre-schoolers? They get so excited, they literally jump for joy!

Why does this come so naturally to them? It's because they have not yet been weighed down with negative self-talk, limiting beliefs, resentments, and other insults to their well-being.

Sure, they have their moments of disappointment or anger. But they express it and move on. That's what emotions are meant to do...flow through us like water through a tea bag. They're not meant to hang around where they are no longer needed.

Learn from a Master
Master Coach Dave Buck has some great advice for cultivating enthusiasm. He suggests that we infuse the spirit of play into everything we do! After all, that's what pre-schoolers do. Perhaps Dave Buck has learned from the little ones, too!

Let's Learn from Each Other
Please add your comments, experiences, and questions to the mix!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. I'm offering a NEW complimentary coaching session called...

"Get Your Mojo Back!"

During the phone or in-person session, we'll take a personalized look at three areas where you can take action RIGHT AWAY!

~~~Your Values~~~Your Passions~~~Your Self-Care~~~

To set up a time, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766.

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

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

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.***