This Could Be Your Greatest Creative Project

I agree with Mr. Kaye! How about you? 

The way I see it, your life is your greatest creative project of all. 

As Kaye says, life's a big old canvas, so why not leave your own special mark?

And there are so many wonderful ways to do that in addition to using actual paint! 

Your preferred pallet might be a colorful array of fruit, veggies and spices in the kitchen, fresh cut flowers assembled in a bodacious bouquet, living room furniture and knick-knacks rearranged to greet a new season, or accessories and clothes combined in a new way to create a fresh look.

I fell in love with this quote as soon as I saw it and have been a fan of Danny Kaye since my first viewing of White Christmas as a child, so I was delighted when I did a little research and discovered the many different ways he practiced what he preached. 

In addition to being a beloved actor, singer, dancer and comedian, Kaye threw a lot of paint on the canvas of his life in many different ways:

* Conducting ~ He regularly conducted world-renown orchestras though he couldn't read a note of sheet music! (He once used a fly swatter as a baton while conducting Flight of the Bumblebee.)

* Cooking ~ His specialities were Italian and Chinese. He once taught a Chinese cooking class in San Francisco restaurant and even had the theater and demonstration kitchen named after him at The Culinary Institute of America in New York City. 

* Flying ~ Kaye was an aviation enthusiast and owned many different types of planes throughout his life.

* Baseball ~  A lover of the game, he was also part-owner of the Seattle Mariners for a time.

* Golfing ~ He was an avid golfer.

* Philanthropy ~ Kaye was an ambassador for UNICEF for many years as well. 

Clearly Kaye's life was filled with an amazing array of Creative Oasis Moments! 

When we give ourselves permission to color our days with creatively fulfilling experiences that energize and delight us, we create lives truly worth living. 

What's one small, doable way you can throw some paint on the canvas of your life this week? 

Need a little help moving past blocks like procrastination, perfectionism, inner-critic voices and feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list to enjoy more time in your own Creative Oasis? 

If you live in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area I invite you to join me for one of my fall classes, workshops or coloring parties. 

Live outside of Dallas or looking for more personalized guidance? Contact me in the comment section below to schedule a complimentary call to explore the option of one-on-one creative coaching with me.

Here's to adding a splash of creative joy to your life, whatever that looks like for you! 

All the best from my Creative Oasis to yours, 

Jill

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please feel free to share. If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here.

These Summer Wishes Came True

(Original photo by Steve Poltz)

We wish on dandelions. We wish on stars. We wish on candles. In some rare instances, we even wish on trees.

Back in June many of you joined me in creating a Creative Oasis Wish List as the first step to setting your intentions for a summer filled with experiences that energize and delight you.

Many of you also purchased my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" and followed its gentle step-by-step guide to help turn your summer wishes into reality.

Here are a few of the fun summer experiences some of you shared with me as a result:

* You whipped up a fresh salad using in season berries. 

* You drank iced coffee from mason jars. 

* You planted flowers and photographed them. 

* You visited Farmer's Markets and bought fresh produce. 

* You hosted parties. 

* You blew bubbles. 

* You watched fireworks and chased fireflies.

As for me, three of my summer wishes led to some of my favorite experiences of the summer including:

* A girls' night sleepover at my sweet Aunt Suzy's house in the country.  

* An "adventure day" with my daughter that included our first ever trip to IKEA (an adventure in itself) and lunch at a Japanese restaurant. (She even tried the seaweed salad and liked it.)

* Attending a talk by the Dalai Lama. (We got to sing Happy Birthday to him for his 80th!)

When we give ourselves permission to make wishes and dream up ways to make those wishes come true we create lives truly worth living...lives filled with Creative Oasis Moments that make our hearts sing and time fly. And time does fly!

In fact, my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" will only be around for a few more days and then it will be gone. (Offer ends 8/13/15.)

There are still several weeks of summer left. Want to fill them with the quintessential summer moments you'll remember for a lifetime? Pick up your "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" today.

I'll leave you with this lovely little video just incase you can't find any dandelions in real life...you can wish on this one.

All the best from my wishful Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

Join Me for a Creative Oasis Coloring Party!

Have you heard the good news? 

Coloring is the latest and greatest in stress-relief and adult creative recreation. 

Seems like every time you open a paper, read a magazine or check your Facebook feed there's a new article popping up about the benefits of coloring for adults. There are even a slew of new coloring books hitting the market designed specifically with adults in mind. 

Have you read those articles and thought, "That sounds fun. Maybe I'll give it a try someday," only to find that "someday" never seems to come around? 

That's why I'm inviting you to join me for a Creative Oasis Coloring Party! 

You'll enjoy some low-pressure creative play using crayons, colored pencils and watercolors while learning simple ways to weave more creative fun into your busy life and why creativity can be so beneficial for your overall health and well-being. 

What could possibly make a Creative Oasis Coloring Party even better? 

The location ~ the lovely times ten cellars in Dallas! (So we'll during our party we'll combine the health benefits of wine with the health benefits of creativity, how fun is that?)

Want to join us? Please register online to purchase your ticket and reserve your spot. (*NOTE ~ Tickets will not be sold at the door and pre-registration is required so I can be sure to have enough space and supplies. Thanks!)

Here are all the details: 

 

What:

Creative Oasis Coloring Party

Where: 

times ten cellars

6324 Prospect Avenue

Dallas, Texas  75214

When:

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

7:30 to 9:00pm

Cost:

$25 (includes creative supplies and one glass of wine)

*NOTE: Tickets must be purchased prior to the event since there is limited space and we want to be to have enough of creative supplies for everyone attending. 

I hope you'll join me for an evening of wine, creative camaraderie and coloring fun!

I'm also happy to share my Mid-Week Oasis Moment with you ~ bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration and motivation delivered each week. (Of course you can unsubscribe anytime you wish.) 

xo ~ Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Special Delivery for the One & Only You

It's hard to believe it's already August. Before you know it the stores will be filled with Halloween decorations and summer will be but a faint memory. 

Have you enjoyed some of your favorite summertime experiences? Have you given yourself permission to dive into Creative Oasis Moments that energize and delight you? 

If not, there's still time! The "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" will be available to help you through August 12th. 

How would you like to enjoy a few more quintessential summer moments? Read a good book while lounging in a hammock...make a pitcher of homemade lemonade to sip...dive into one of the hundreds (okay, maybe thousands) of summer recipes and creative projects pinned to your Pinterest boards?

The "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" Do-It-Yourself Creative Oasis Kit gives you a simple step-by-step  plan to envision and enjoy a summer filled with creative delights, restful relaxation and fun. And the best part is you can do it in 10 minutes or less a day. (Hallelujah and pass the lemonade!)

Click here to see what people are saying about their "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" experiences. 

Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.CreativeOasisCoaching.com

Why It's Healthy to Experience a Lull

(*Full disclosure: in order to practice what I preach and enjoy some "lull" time myself, I lifted the above graphic quote from one of my previous Mid-Week Oasis Moments. You're good with that, right?)

I post this from a lovely lull in the mountains of Colorado to remind you that taking a break is healthy for your creativity.

Here's how Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time, characterizes this phenomenon:

Neuroscience is finding that when we are idle, in leisure, our brains are most active. The Default Mode Network lights up, which, like airport hubs, connects parts of our brain that don't typically communicate. So a stray thought, a random memory, an image can combine in novel ways to produce novel ideas. (You can read this entire Inc. article here.)

Remember, even if there's no vacation on your horizon, you can experience a mini-lull whenever you like. What if you give yourself permission to enjoy one the following? (Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour or more ~ any amount of lull time can be rejuvenating to your creative spirit!)

10 Ways to Experience Some Lovely Lull Time This Summer

1. Close your eyes and breath. (Yes, this could be called meditation...but it's also just relaxing to have zero stimulus coming in or out for a few minutes.)

2. Take a walk around the block.

3.  Doodle aimlessly.

4. Schedule a massage.

5. Flip through one of your favorite coffee table books. (We buy them...but sometimes we forget to enjoy them!)

6. Color in a mandala or coloring book.

7. Cut and arrange some fresh flowers.

8. Enjoy a solo trip to a museum, gallery or bookstore. (If you can find one!)

9. Peruse a favorite cookbook and choose a new recipe to try.

10. Spend 10 or 15 minutes completely lost in the Creative Oasis Moment of your choosing. (Remember: a Creative Oasis Moment is a creative experience that energizes and delights you ~ that makes time fly and your heart sing.) 

Wishing you some lovely lull time of your own this summer!

From my restful mountain Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

P.S. - My "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" will only remain available for a short time. Click here if you'd like to grab one while you still have plenty of time to enjoy more of the creative experiences you crave this summer!

One-Step Creative Self-Care Solution via Anne Lamott

"Have you tried unplugging it?" 

This is the standard reply you'll hear in my house when faced with an electronic device problem of almost any kind. Unplugging your computer when it freezes up is one of the easiest and most effective methods of solving the issue. 

Why not try this one-step solution for your own creative self-care?

As I enjoy some "unplugged" time in the beautiful mountains of Colorado these delightful (and true!) words from Anne Lamott seem most appropriate to share. 

Here's to giving yourself a break this summer...to unplugging for a day, an hour or even just 10 minutes to "reboot" your creative spirit. 

Here are a few prompts to help you get started: 

* When I visualize myself unplugged I see...

* When I give myself permission to unplug I feel...

* One of my favorite ways to unplug is to...

* Even if I only have 10 minutes to unplug I could...

* I'll give myself permission to unplug at least once this week by...

Find more ways to creatively unplug using my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" right here. 

Until next time, all the best from my "unplugged" Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

O'Keefe, Van Gogh, Sunflowers and You

(*An update from last summer's post.)
If you're inspired by the outrageous, sunny beauty of sunflowers you're in good company. Artists Georgia O'Keeffe and Vincent Van Gogh were clearly taken with the hopeful brilliance of the sunflower. 

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not."

                                ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

"Great things are done

by a series of small things

brought together." 

~ Vincent Van Gogh

Why not enjoy some time playing with your own creative response to the sunflower?

You may choose to take O'Keeffe's words to heart and slow down for a few minutes to simply hold a sunflower in your hands and absorb its beauty. Or you may follow Van Gogh's Kaizen approach and choose a few small steps to take for a sunflower inspired creative piece of our own. 

Of course, you don't need to be a painter to enjoy a little sunflower power in your life. I've shared a few simple suggestions above and below to help you get started.

What if you:

* Add a dash of bold gold to your outfit for the day.

* Write a quick "ode to a sunflower" in haiku form.

* Doodle a page filled with sunflowers.

* Stay on the look out for sunflowers and notice how often you see them, letting each sighting serve as a fun reminder that creativity comes in all shapes, forms and sometimes in the most unexpected places.

* Download and print this free Van Gogh Sunflowers coloring page or google your own. (There are lots and lots of wonderful free coloring pages to be found on the internet.)

Click here to download your copy to color or paint. 

Since creating my Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit with a sunflower as its symbol I see sunflowers everywhere! On my walks, in stores, on the side of the road, in a friend's headband, on billboards, even in my twitter feed in a Huffington Post story about 3D printing. 

Click here to learn more about the "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" Kit.

Until next time, I hope you enjoy your sunflower creations and inspirations whatever they may be and that they bring an added splash of color and creative play to your summer!

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

Happy Independence Day from Me & Georgia!

Here's to celebrating and embracing your creative independence today! 

From my star-spangled Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

The Dalai Lama Vs. Your Inner Critic

"Everything else on your to-do list is more important than creative projects!"

"Are you kidding? You don't have time for this!"

"You're not an artist, writer, photographer, musician, gardener (fill in the blank)!"

"Who do you think you are?"

"Everyone else's needs are more important than your silly creative stuff!"

"Why bother?"

"You're wasting time!"

"You're wasting money!"

"You stink at this!"

Let's face it...our inner critic voice can be truly awful!

If you ever find yourself thinking insidious thoughts like these, you are not alone.

As a wonderful woman in my recent workshop at the Creative Arts Center put it, "My inner critic is a total asshole!"

We all laughed, while at the same time nodding our heads in agreement. Every woman there could relate on some level to the toxic messages our inner critic spews forth at times.

I'm lucky to be going to see the Dalai Lama speak today, so I've been revisiting some of his quotes that I love.

When I came upon the words above I figured he'd probably approve of the message being used as a reminder for us to be kind to ourselves as much as to others.

So, in true Kaizen form, I leave you with this one small question to ponder today in your journal, or on a walk or right now for that matter.

What's one small way you can be kind to your creative spirit today? 

And maybe the next time your inner critic comes calling you can call on the compassionate words of the Dalai Lama and show yourself a little love and kindness.

All the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

This Was Going To Be A Surprise But...

That's right! In just 10 minutes a day (or less) you can enjoy a more relaxing, creatively fulfilling and fun summer.

Yesterday I was putting the finishing touches on a surprise thank you gift for everyone who purchases a "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" Kit ~ when I realized surprises are great, but you need to know this now!

This special gift, a Create the Summer of Your Dreams Check List, breaks down the entire kit into ten simple steps that you can easily enjoy one to ten minutes at a time. Totally doable, right?

Next to each small step on the check list I've put the approximate time it will take to complete that step so you'll know what to expect and how to easily weave time with your kit into your summer days.

You've heard me talk about how the "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Kit" can help you envision and enjoy a summer filled with creative delights, restful relaxation and fun. Now you know how easy it will be to do just that.

Grab your kit here now and in addition to your check list gift, you'll also be invited to join me for  a FREE Let's Get Started Q & A Call I'm sharing June 11, 2015. (This Early Bird Bonus offer ends at midnight CST, Tuesday June 9, 2015.)

I can't wait to dive right into the kit with you on the Q & A Call and send your surprise gift (okay, so it's not really a surprise anymore) Check List to help you start creating your dream summer right away ~ 10 minutes (or less!) at a time. 

All the best from my dreamy summer Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

Your Dream Summer Starts Today!

Today's the day! 

The "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" Do-It-Yourself Creative Oasis Kit is ready and waiting for you. 

Grab yours here and take the first small step to creating and savoring a summer filled with the relaxing moments and creative experiences you crave. 

Remember the carefree summers of your childhood? The freedom? The pure joy?

Well, even though you're all grown up now (and busier than ever) you can still tap into those fabulous feelings and energize your summer with them.

And it will be easy and fun when you use this simple, step-by-step kit I created to help you. Check out everything that's included right here.

BONUS ALERT ~ Purchase "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" during the first week of its release (by midnight (CST) Tuesday, June 9, 2015) and you'll be invited to a free "Let's Get Started Q & A Call" on June 11th. (If you picked up your copy last summer, you're invited to join us too!)

I know it can sometimes be a challenge to get started on your own, even when it's something you really want to do, so during our call we'll dive into the kit together and begin. I'll help you take the first small steps to creating the summer of your dreams right then and there. (And no worries in you're unable to join us live, the call will be recorded for everyone who has registered.)

Still not sure if "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" is right for you? Visit this page for more details and your chance to get in on the free "Let's Get Started Q & A Call" on June 11th. 

I'm so excited to walk you step-by-step through the special prompts and experiences I created to help you envision and enjoy the summer of your dreams. Click here and your dream summer starts today! 

If you missed the chance to get download your FREE Create the Summer of Your Dreams Wish Lists, grab yours here.

All the best from my "Dream Summer" Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.

Want More "Me Time" This Summer?

Memorial Day has already come and gone. Before you know it Halloween decorations will be showing up in stores. (That's true and truly scary!)

Remember the feeling of freedom the last day of school brought when you were a kid? Knowing there were weeks and weeks waiting before you with the tantalizing prospect of no homework, lazy mornings sleeping in, watching cartoons in your pajamas, reading book after book, hanging out at the pool, summer camp, road trips, picnics and more?

Those days may be gone, but you'd still like to savor summer moments and feel that sense of freedom and fun. But how when you're so busy and time flies by so quickly?

If you're anything like me you'd love to experience at least a handful of quintessential summer moments...lounging outside lost in a good book...sipping from a pitcher of homemade lemonade...diving into one of the hundreds (okay, maybe thousands) of summer recipes and creative projects you have pinned to your Pinterest boards.

Well, you're in luck!

I know just how you feel. That's why I created the "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" Do-It-Yourself Creative Oasis Kit ~ a simple step-by-step plan to envision and enjoy summers filled with creative delights, relaxation and fun. (That means more "Me Time" for you this summer!)

You don't have to wait much longer. The kit will be released for the summer of 2015 next Tuesday, June 2. (Wait ~ That means it's here! Woot! Click here to check it out.)

BONUS ALERT ~ If you purchase "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" during the first week of its release (by Tuesday, June 9th, 2015) you'll be invited to a free "Let's Get Started Q & A Call" on June 11th. (If you picked up your copy last summer, you're invited to join us too!)

I know it can be a challenge to get started on your own, even if it's something you're really looking forward to, so during our call we'll dive into the kit together. I'll help you take the first small steps to creating the summer of your dreams right then and there. (And no worries in you're unable to join us live, the call will be recorded for everyone who has registered.)

If you missed the chance to get download your FREE Create the Summer of Your Dreams Wish Lists, grab yours here.

Until next time, all the best from my "it's almost summer" Creative Oasis to your,

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post please share on Facebook and twitter using the buttons below!  If you'd like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this Mid-Week Oasis Moments plus a free copy of my e-book "Permission to Be Creative 101" join me here: http://www.creativeoasiscoaching.com/newsletter.html.