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.

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.

Gifts From the Sea, Van Gogh & Me

I'm so happy to share a few gifts from my trip to the sea paired with 

blessings to inspire your creative journey this week! 

May you find inspiration in the beauty of nature!

The beach is one of my favorite Creative Oasis Places. Walking along the shoreline never fails to reenergize and inspire me. 

To create the Mid-Week Oasis Moment above I took a photo of the beach then gave it the "Van Gogh" treatment using a fun app called "AutoPainter" and added a quote from Vincent himself that I just love. 

May you continue to grow and find strength from your creativity!

The sun came out for our final morning beach walk and we encountered all sorts of treasures. I found this beautiful, blue-grey nautilus shell (a symbol of growth & strength) my lone souvenir of our trip ~ well, other than a few new laugh lines. 

photo by Ashley Thames Brown

May your creative spirit take flight like a feather on the wind! 

My friend, Ashley, found this white feather along with some lovely bits of sea glass. She left other pieces to continue tumbling in the surf and sand to smooth their sharp edges and become treasures for future beach combers.

And finally, may you find many opportunities to "flock together" with kindred "birds of a feather" on your creative journey! 

Non-stop laughter that makes your cheeks hurt and your sides ache in the best possible way...

Heartfelt conversations where you know you're truly heard and understood...

Unconditional love that reminds you you're not alone on this crazy ride called life...

All that and more filled a brief beach getaway with a few fabulous girlfriends and proved to be just what my spirit needed last weekend! 

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

Jill

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.

Come get to know Frank Lloyd Wright and audacious artist Karen Blessen with the Creative Oasis Day Trippers™ this April!

Our inaugural Creative Oasis Day Trip™ to the Modern in Fort Worth was such a great experience that I’ve decided to add two more outings for this April. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 from noon to 2pm

Gallery Talk: Frank Lloyd Wright: The Man Behind the Studio

Dallas Museum of Art

(Free admission with DMA membership)

We’ll first enjoy the Gallery Talk, led by Stefanie Kae Dlugosz, McDermott Curatorial Intern for Decorative Arts and Design. Afterwards we’ll engage in a creative activity designed to enhance our experience in the Center for Creative Connections of the museum.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 2 to 3:30pm

A very special private tour of Pulitzer-Prize winning artist 

Karen Blessen’s Deep Ellum Studio.

(Donations for Blessen’s “29 Pieces” project graciously accepted.)

Karen will share the inspiration for and the process behind creating her “29 Pieces” installation inspired by meditating on 29 different sacred texts from a variety of world religions. Space is limited to 10 people for this unique opportunity, so please register as soon as possible if you want to join us. (A recent Dallas News article about Karen Blessen.)

To reserve you place for either or both of these Creative Oasis Day Trips™ sign up here. Registration form and $15 payment is due three days prior to each trip to insure plenty of time for you to receive your pre-trip creative prompt and any materials needed for our trip activity.

If you’re like me, many of my friends and clients, these are the very type of interesting, inspiring outings you long for yet rarely seem to have the time or motivation to pursue. Join me and the Creative Oasis Day Trippers™ each month as we set out in search of a variety of experiences guaranteed to spark our creative spirit and add a healthy dose of fulfillment to our lives. Let me handle the details and planning, all you need to do is show up, join the group and enjoy! How does that sound?

All the best from my creative oasis to yours,

Jill

Jill Allison Bryan

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com