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.

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

Want to Be In Love With Your Life? 10 Quick Questions to Help

Want to be in love with your life?

Specifically, do you want to be in love with your creative life? (Or as I like to call it, your Creative Oasis.)

You know those creative experiences that fill you up with happiness? Anything from gardening to yoga to painting to writing to making music to art journaling to traveling to visiting museums to cooking to photography...all of the creative experience that makes your heart sing and time fly!

Today I'm sharing 10 quick questions to help shift your focus to what's working well and what could use a little help in your creative life. (You know how I love questions! Asking them tends to lead us straight to the good stuff!)

Doesn't it make sense that the more time you spend having creative experiences you love the more you will love your life? (Jack was onto something! Woot!)

To join me, set a timer for 5-minutes and quickly write your answers in your journal or on a sheet of paper.

Either way, please try writing them down somewhere. There's something powerful in the act of writing your thoughts on paper rather than just thinking them in your mind.

Ready? Here we go...

#1 ~ Are you in love with your creative life? 

#2 ~ If yes...what do you love about it? (If no...skip down to question #6.)

#3 ~ What's one simple way you can expand what's working well to enjoy it in a new and different way? 

#4 ~ What's another creative experience you've been dreaming of that you haven't yet tried? What's one small step you could take toward making that happen next?

#5 ~ What if you take a moment right now to enjoy a nice deep breath of gratitude for your wonderful creative life?  (Yay! Gratitude works like fertilizer to feed the flowers of our creative spirit and keep it growing strong! Please proceed to question #10.)

#6 ~ If no...what's worked well in the past? What's one small way you could revisit that?

#7 ~ What's one new thing you'd like to experience that you've never tried before? What's one small, doable step you could take to help make that happen?

#8 ~ If you're feeling stuck coming up with answers for 6 and 7, where might you find help? 

#9 ~ What's one way you can show some compassion and be kind to yourself around this? (*Hint: see question #10.)

#10 ~ How can you spend the next 5 to 10 minutes in a way that feeds your creative spirit and energizes and delights you?* 

(*Ideas: doodle, color, take a few photos with your phone, write a haiku, play a song on the piano or guitar, make a meal using as many colors as possible, take a walk around the block and look for pink things, write your creative self a letter telling her all the things you wish for her!) 

Questions are creative lighter fluid! Here's hoping that by pondering these questions you'll spark your creative curiosity and passion today and move one or two steps closer to being in love with your creative life!

Still need help? The one-on-one creative coaching I offer provides compassionate support, gentle accountability and ongoing inspiration to help you stay motivated and loving your creative life!
Learn more about it here.

You'll also find easy-to-use creative instigation and motivation in my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams  Kit" available here.

Until next time, all the best from my "I Love It!" 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.

Do you live in DFW? Please join me Saturday June 20, 2015!

Building Creative Confidence Workshop ~ Creative Arts Center of Dallas ~ Saturday, June 20, 2015

You dream of spending more time with the creative endeavors you love. 

You have lots and lots of ideas for creative projects and possibilities but you don't know where to begin. 

You know you want to experience more creativity in your life, but you're not sure what that would look like. 

Everything else in life pushes creativity to the bottom of your to-do list.

You find procrastination and perfectionism keep you from your creative passions. 

You just feel stuck.

If any of these sound familiar I hope you'll join me for my next live workshop at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas, Saturday June 20, 2015.

During our afternoon together I'll introduce you to several of the same simple yet powerful Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching tools and techniques I use with my one-on-one creative coaching clients around the world. 

The methods I'll share will help you: 

*Move past common creative blocks such as procrastination and perfectionism

*Diffuse feelings of overwhelm and not knowing where to begin

* Dive into low-pressure, hands-on creative activities to start your creative juices flowing  to 

* Help you quickly and easily make more time and space in your life for the creative experiences and expressions you desire

* Build your creative confidence

* Give yourself permission to live the creative life you're meant to live 

* Enjoy more time with Creative Oasis Moments (creative experiences that make your heart sing and time fly!)

"Jill's workshop gave me permission to take time for myself and 

not feel guilty about it. It inspired me and got me going!" 

~ Sherry Houpt, Creative Oasis Coaching class participant

Your Creative Oasis can be so much more that art, music, writing or other traditional artistic outlets. It's any activity or experience that makes energizes and delights you. 

It could be gardening, cooking, yoga, dance, entertaining, comedy, reading, scrapbooking, photography, jewelry making, traveling...you name it. 

Whatever puts you in that lovely creative "freedom zone" where you're fully engaged in the joy of the process...that's your Creative Oasis and I'm delighted to help you weave more of those experiences into your life on a regular basis! 

Sound good? 

Join me for my Building Creative Confidence Workshop, and take the first small steps into the wonderful feeling and flow of creative momentum! 

What:

Building Creative Confidence Workshop

When:

Saturday, June 20, 2015

1 to 5 pm

Where: 

Creative Arts Center of Dallas
2360 Laughlin Dr.
Dallas, TX  75228

Cost:
$65 for CAC members
$95 for non-members
plus $10 material fee

*Note: This workshop is limited to 10 participants with
pre-registration required.To register call the Creative Arts
Center of Dallas at 214-320-1275 or visit their website at www.creativeartscenter.org

“I absolutely loved Jill’s workshop. I’m more mindful and aware of new ways to acknowledge and incorporate creativity in my everyday activities. I'm inspired to give myself permission to get my creative stuff out and use it.  It was like a massage for my mind! Thank you!” ~  Denise R.

Hope to see you there!

All the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

P.S. ~ If you don't live in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, or you can't make it to the workshop but still want to add some creative fun and fulfillment to your summer check out my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams Do-It-Yourself Kit" by clicking here. 

Radical Suggestions & Gentle Reminders ~ A Creative Oasis Manifesto

When we give ourselves permission to enjoy what makes our hearts sing and time fly we experience our Creative Oasis. You've heard me say this before but we can all use a gentle reminder from time to time, right?  

Because our Creative Oasis is unique to each of us and because there are so many fabulous, fun, fulfilling experiences out there waiting to be explored, I decided to write a free-form list poem of some favorite Creative Oasis moments to share as examples and before I knew it I'd written a full-blown manifesto! (Click here to download your free printable copy.)

Of course this list contains only a smattering of the oodles of experiences out there just waiting for you to discover, revisit, explore and savor...but it's a good start. 

Here are five quick and easy steps to help you use my new Creative Oasis Manifesto to spark some creative joy of your own (sooner than later I hope!):

#1 ~ Read the manifesto aloud with a blank piece of paper or your journal open to a new page. Each time you come to a word or phrase that gives you a tingly, energized feeling, makes you smile or sets you to day dreaming about doing that very thing, jot it down. Our body is like our own personal polygraph machine. If we pay attention to the signals it sends us (warm fuzzy feelings, sly smiles, jazzy jitters and what have you) we're sure to stay on the right track!

#2 ~ Next, read over the list you've written. Quickly and intuitively (without overthinking) put a star next to your three favorites. 

#3 ~ For each starred moment ask yourself: "What are three super small steps I can take to enjoy this Creative Oasis moment?" Write those down too. You may feel compelled to doodle hearts, stars, moons and smiley faces all around your steps. If so, my professional opinion is to break out the colored pencils and go for it!

#4 ~ Each day for the coming week, you get to choose one of your super small steps to enjoy! Repeat as time allows throughout the day and week. 

# 5 ~ To make getting to your small steps even easier why not add them to your calendar or day planner? This really helps give your creativity priority just like everything else on your to-do list. 

In fact, I'm going to radically suggest you put your creative small steps at the very top of your to-do list! That's right, you heard me. Puttering in the garden trumps laundry. Felting for a few minutes comes before your meeting. Pulling images for a collage has priority over making dinner. (We're only talking about 5 to 10 minutes here, so I feel safe in saying no one will starve as a result.) 

#6 ~ Also, what if you set a timer for just 5 to 10 minutes to lower the pressure and help you begin?Another benefit of practicing small bursts of creative joy throughout the day is it helps us practice getting to our Creative Oasis more often rather than waiting for those big chunks of free time that rarely, if ever, come our way! If you have time to do more ~ Great! If not, no worries. At the very least, you know you'll be enjoying a few minutes of Creative Oasis time most days.

If you have trouble breaking down your Creative Oasis moments into small, doable steps, please drop me a line in the comments below and I'll be happy to lend a hand.

Until next time, here's to gentle reminders, radical suggestions and the Creative Oasis Manifesto!

Jill

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post and would like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this in my 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.

Creative Enchantment with Peaches and Tom Robbins

Several wonderful experiences inspired me to create the empowered quote above.
(Click here to learn how to quickly and easily create empowered quotes of your own.)

Since I do my best to practice what I preach, I enjoyed using my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" Kit myself the last few months. A few Instant Oasis Ideas I chose to enjoy were to eat more in-season fruits and veggies, take more photographs and read some fun books.

These lovely summer intentions commingled when I found myself reading Tibetan Peach Pie ~ A True Account of an Imaginative Life by Tom Robbins, enjoying the sweet taste of fresh Texas peaches and photographing them as well.

"I have an appetite for enchantment." 
~ Tom Robbins

I felt instantly simpatico with this phrase and added it to my growing list of favorite quotes right away. (Feels like time to revisit some of his books I loved back in college like Still Life with Woodpecker, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and Jitterbug Perfume.)

While playing around in photoshop with a photo of ripe summer peaches I'd taken, I was inspired to add my own love of making creative magic to Mr. Robbins' words to create today's Mid-Week Oasis Moment. What transpired was delicious creative summer fun with this empowered quote and the visual above.

"I have an appetite for enchantment and making creative magic!" 
~ Tom Robbins & Jill Allison Bryan

If nothing else, I delighted myself. The image and the sentiment make me smile. They remind me that we can experience creative magic in all areas of our lives. A bowl of fresh peaches in the kitchen becomes a playful reminder that "I Get To" see life through the lens of creative wonder and delight whenever I like ~ which is pretty much always!

What's one small, easy way you might make a little creative magic today?

What if you give yourself five or ten minutes for some low-pressure creative play?

What might that look like? How might that feel?

If this sounds good but you don't know where to begin I'd love to help you discover what your own personal Creative Oasis could look like.

If you like, check out my quick video invitation to my Fall 2014 Creative Oasis classes, workshops and one-on-one coaching below.  (Please share this invitation with any friends you think might like to find a little Creative Oasis of their own!)

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

Jill

p.s. ~ If you enjoyed this post and would like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this in my 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.

Double Rainbow Creative Connection

Earlier this week my daughter and I wanted to take some fun outdoor head shots in the wooded area behind our condo in the Colorado mountains. By the time we'd chosen outfits, put on make-up, fixed our hair and headed out, it started to rain.

Our creative plans foiled, we went back inside to wait out the storm, I'll admit, more than a little disgruntled. We were losing precious "golden hour" light and grumpy about having our mother/daughter photo shoot put on hold by Mother Nature.

Soon enough the rain let up and I suggested we bypass the muddy woods and take some shots by the gorgeous flowers at the front of the property. We never made it to the flowers.

Upon stepping foot outside we were stopped in our tracks by the truly glorious, choir-of-angels-singing-hallelujah sight of an amazingly vibrant and wide-arching double rainbow.

We were delighted by the brilliant prismatic display. Mother Nature instantly forgiven, we snapped dozens of photos of the rainbows and each other before heading back in, creative itches well scratched.

I love the metaphor of the rainbow. The natural example of sunshine (or happy times) and rain (or dark times) coming together to create something so beautiful and hopeful.

"When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. 

Without the rain, there would be now rainbow." 

~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

After looking up rainbow quotes I had fun coming up with one of my own. As you can see above, I combined it with one of my photographs and Creative Oasis Mantra #3 was born – my double rainbow creative connection! 

How might you shine your creative light into the storms of life this week? 

* Stuck waiting in a long line or traffic jam?

What if you transform a frustrating moment into a pleasant pause?

* Dealing with a troubling health issue?

What if you create a quick collage in response to the way you're feeling?

* Have a spat with your partner?

What if you write an apology in haiku form? 

I'd love to hear ways you choose to use creativity to shine a little light onto any dark days  you may have in the coming week. Please feel free to share in the comments section below if you'd like.

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

Jill

P.S. ~ If you enjoyed this post and would like to receive bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration like this in my 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.

Another Happy Creative Summer Kit Fan Shares Her Story

I'm delighted to share the story of another happily satisfied fan of my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" DIY Kit. 

A professional organizer (MakeMyLifeSimplified.com), a photographer and nature lover, Debbie Stinson is a longtime friend and client of Creative Oasis Coaching.  She kindly agreed to share some of the fun experiences she's enjoyed so far using her kit to create the summer of her dreams.

"I purchased pretty new flowers to plant in front of my home. I had so much fun getting my hands in the dirt that I didn't even notice the heat or the time. 

Now I have more flowers to photograph and I'll smile and be reminded of my Summertime Oasis every time I walk to my front door.

By the way, my early morning walks at the Arboretum are a direct result of the opportunity you gave me to "Create the Summer of my Dreams" using your fun DIY e-kit. 

I love feeling that I'm on a good summertime path. 

Thanks so much for creating and sharing this kit.

I look forward to continuing to let it guide me on a creative journey through the summer sunshine!"

~ Debbie Stinson (MakeMyLifeSimplified.com)

As you can imagine, I was tickled as pink as the pretty flower picture she shared to receive Debbie's awesome feedback and I'm so pleased to share it with you too. (Click here to read the stories of other happy customers!)

The good news is you still have time to delight in some satisfying creative experiences of your own and create amazing summer memories using my "Create the Summer of Your Dreams" kit. (Click here  for all the details and to purchase your own kit today.)

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

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

CreativeOasisCoaching.com

Creative Oasis Classes & Workshops – Ready to Live the Creative Life?

Craving Creative Fulfillment?

As the new year begins, Creative Oasis Coaching offers more ways than ever for you to learn and practice easy, effective ways to enjoy a creatively fulfilling life! These classes and workshops help you make the time and space for your creative passions – whatever they may be – even with your busy schedule!  They're also a great way to meet other interesting creative loving types who find it challenging to get to their creative interests as often as they'd like. (Sound familiar? You're not alone!)

Pre-registration is required for all classes and workshops. Space is limited to 8 people per session, so please register to reserve your space as soon as possible.

#1 – "PERMISSION TO BE CREATIVE 101" 
MINI-RETREAT

Sunday, January 27, 2013

10am – 3pm

$85 for CAC members

$115 for non-members

plus $10 materials fee 

(Please bring a sack lunch.)

Do you have a closet full of creative projects you haven't touched in ages? Do you long for the time to dive into creative endeavors – painting, writing, gardening, scrapbooking, dancing, singing –  in short, whatever energizes and delight you while adding joy to your life? This mini-retreat, set amongst the inspiring classrooms of the Creative Arts Center of Dallas, is another great introduction to Creative Oasis Coaching and share great ways for you to get back on track with your creative passions!

Location:

Creative Arts Center of Dallas

2360 Laughlin Dr.

Dallas, TX 75228

For more info or to register, please contact the Creative Arts Center by calling 214-320-1275 or visiting their website at http://www.creativeartscenter.org.

#2 – "LIVING THE CREATIVE LIFE" 
WORKSHOP          

Saturday, February 2, 2013

1:00 – 4:30pm

$99 

(includes creative supplies and handouts)

A great introduction to Creative Oasis Coaching. We'll explore fun and effective ways to make more time for creativity in your life. Writing, photography, cooking, painting, singing, gardening, scrap-booking…whatever your heart longs to do, you’ll be introduced to unique tools and techniques to help you easily enjoy the creative satisfaction you desire. 

Location:

Pigment School of the Arts

4605 West Lovers Lane

Dallas, TX  75209

For more info or to register, please email creativeoasiscoach@me.com.

#3 – "HOW TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE" 
6-WEEK CLASS

6-week course dedicated to weaving creativity into your busy life          

Thursdays – February 21 through April 4, 2013 (no class March 28th)

6:30 to 8pm

$275, plus $15 materials fee

                           

A more detailed exploration of and opportunity to practice creativity coaching methods designed to help you to experience more creative satisfaction. No matter what your interest – blogging, photography, cooking, writing, collage, watercolor, needlework, gardening ­– whatever creative expression you love, you’ll learn and practice innovative tools and techniques to help you enjoy the creative fulfillment you crave. 

Location:

Artistic Gatherings

9440 Garland Rd., # 138

Dallas, TX  75218

For more info or to register, please email creativeoasiscoach@me.com

Are you ready to stop making excuses and start making the time and space in your life for creative fulfillment? Then sign up today for the Creative Oasis Coaching class or workshop of your choice, and take the first small step to turning that dream into a reality.

Email me at creativeoasiscoach@me.com and reserve your space today!

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

Founder of Creative Oasis Coaching

Certified Master Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach

Singer/Songwriter

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Creative Comfort in Three Short Lines

Recently the Creative Oasis Day Trippers journeyed to Photographs Do Not Bend in the Dallas Design District to experience "From Uncommon to Blue," an exhibit of photographs by Keith Carter. Inspired by Carter's photos of everyday life taken in dozens of small Texas towns, our pre-trip creative prompt was to capture something from our daily world through a creative lens. Even commonplace objects such as a coffee mug became art when we took the time to view them as such, and we all agreed it was fun to step into the role of photographer in this way. But taking our photos was just the beginning!

Comfort
by
Jill Allison Bryan

Spirit quenching warmth

Serves up earthy blue comfort

Feels good in my hands

After taking in the exhibit, we shared our own images with each other. Then we created word pools (a quick list of words inspired by our photographs) as a jumping off point to write haikus, which  provide the opportunity for creative expression in a low pressure way with a short, gentle, easy-to-use structure. 

Five syllables

Seven syllables

Five syllables

Anticipation
by
Suzy Doss

Hope springs eternal

comfort of nature's promise

peaceful beginnings...

We all agreed that this was a wonderful reminder that it doesn't take a tremendous amount of time to experience a tremendous amount of creative joy and satisfaction. Here's one more example:

Fun
by
Maribeth Flowers

Glowing shapes. Bottles

It's color for the party.

Jump in. Dance tonight.

Looking for some quick, fun, easy-to-do creative fulfillment?

Why not take a few simple shots around your home? Then, simply choose an image you like and take a minute to jot down a dozen or so words that come to mind when you view your photo. Choose words from your word pool to write your haiku. (no need to use them all and feel free to add others once you begin to write)

Want to head straight to the haiku? I'll provide a word pool for you below using some of the interesting names of the small Texas towns photographed by Keith Carter. 

paradise, oatmeal, pep, blossom, bebe, air, earth, birthright, looneyville, noonday, blessing, uncertain, sweet home, lovelady, art, sublime, fate, welcome, splendora

Have fun and please feel free to share you haikus! 

Until next time, all the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com