Archive for January, 2011

Studies have shown the successful use of creativity generates feelings of pleasure and self-esteem that are beneficial to health. In particular, it can help depression, stuckness, moodiness and anger outbursts. Current values do not give adequate importance to creativity and yet the practice of it produces massive health benefits.

Ruth Richards author of Eminent Creativity, Everyday Creativity, and Health, A psychologist who uses creative art therapies to work with at-risk children and their families as well as with traumatized adults found there is a strong case for fostering creativity in children, as well as in their families, in order to develop self-actualized, open-minded citizens who can address societal and global problems in an evolved manner. In practice, promoting a child’s creativity helps develop self-confidence to overcome family and societal obstacles to their growth and strengthens their resiliency. Richards also speaks of the “natural high”—the release of endorphins—that results from a joyous creative experience!

As a child you may have tried out something at school, music, drama, creative writing, painting, drawing and if you were criticised for your results, felt inadequate, believed that you couldn’t do it right, (always going over the lines) or if you were ridiculed or asked to share in front of the class this might have undermined your confidence and you naturally link humiliation or not good enough with creativity, forming beliefs, concepts and self judgement, that limit your potential for creativity now, even though you are an Adult.

You CAN clear these blocks and discover your own unique creativity.

Not all of us are Rembrants, Shakespeares, or Michael Angelo’s but it is the very immersion of ourselves in the creative inspiration that is the true delight. It is the act itself that has the healing power, and the results that can surprise us in unexpected ways.

Creating comes into form in many ways, music, painting, dance, acting, flower arranging, pottery, belly dancing, singing, interior design, writing, story telling, and other ways we don’t necessary think of like cooking, organisation, planning,  gardening, sewing, driving, even making the bed.

How many times have you struggled to find an answer or solution to a problem by over thinking it? and when you have gone for a walk, played sport, taken a bath, played music or laughed, the answer has just come like magic! By doing these things we are automatically shifted into the moment, the Now! We have made room for creative inspiration to flow. We let go of mind and move into heart. When we stop thinking our creativity and inspiration naturally comes through.

Letting go of the past, and any self judgement, not having any expectation of perfection or comparative results is the best way to “tap in” to your own creative expression.  Giving yourself permission to play and really mess up and just surrender to the moment, so that whatever you are doing is just expressed.

Try writing without full stops, punctuation, or perfect spelling, just write until you stop. Try painting with your eyes closed or with your fingers, or purely on colour. Try picking up whatever takes your eye at the beach or in nature and making an altar, or a picture, or display in the home. Try planting a tree, walking in nature, paddling in the sea, playing with play doe, singing with the kids in the car. Dance like no-ones watching, sing like no-ones listening and laugh for the sake of it.

Our society, plagued by massive addiction problems that destroy families and communities, could surely benefit from a widespread effort to promote creativity, that in turn creates health and wellbeing, and it starts with you.

Awaken Your Passionate Creative Heart  – the next Workshop is on 19th March 2011. This is a great workshop to GET CREATIVE! No experience necessary Call 0466831709.

Having recently returned from an “Art of Living” Workshop presented at the Riverdell Spiritual Center by wonderful teachers,I have to question myself on what it all means. And I have come to the conclusion that we have simply Forgotten the Art of a number of things.

Most of us are in Survivor mode! its all about surviving the day/week until we can rest/ relax at the end of it!  We are focussed ahead of time to some time in the future that is better than now! We are on auto pilot, already switched on well before we get to work! We enter conversations without really listening to other people, our minds already planning whats next, or comparing  to the past. We have automatic conversation starters and questions Like “How are you today?” and we answer, “Yeah good”  without even checking in our body or checking the other persons reactions.

1.  We have forgotten the  Art of Listening

Being of English descent and coming to Oz in the 1970’s  it was said that Australia was the land of opportunity and that we were “winging pomes” a nickname that has been well used over time. And yet I ask has Oz become a land of complaining? Most of us are winging about our work, the mortgage (which we are lucky to have in the first place), the banks, the price of petrol, the economy, politicians, how expensive everything is, how there’s no time for anything or that it costs too much.  Where is the talk on opportunities? on the abundance of food choices we have, in the supermarket and restaurants, the wide diversity of culture, the quality of our schools, universities, hospitals and health care compared to other countries. The jobs available and even the public service! Where is the talk on our many many blessings! our abundance that abounds daily!

2. We have forgotten to look for and count our blessings and be grateful for what we have.

And in doing this we have forgotten to take care of our neighbours and connect in the community and indeed put something back into the community.  Admitedly there are great groups of volunteers who are doing just that and I apologise if you are one of them, but most of us are not contributing actively to our community or even our neighbours! (I just want to say here that the recent floods in Qld and other disasters that happen, bring out this true Aussie spirit and love ) and then few weeks/months later it seems we go back to old ways.

3. We have forgotten to connect and give back regularly.

and lastly most of us are resisting change of any sort and bemoaning and grumbling about even the smallest of change, when it is infact inevitable!  The whole universe works on change, Seasons change, Snakes shed their skin, caterpillers become butterflys, flowers bud, bloom, decay and die! Nature never resists itself!  it flows in a divine rythm! We are part of that rythm, and yet we struggle against change, feeling ourselves out of control, if we dont know whats going to happen next!

4. We have forgotten to go with the flow!

How can we change this and turn living into an Art?

1. Take time to “smell the Roses” each day, and notice beauty!

2. Find a blessing in every situation, and express Gratitude, even when it doesnt appear so, and make this a habbit!

3. Do something different on a daily basis, eat something you never ate before, take a different route to work, give a stranger a compliment! Step out of your comfort zone and learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable!

3. Bless and forgive those in our world

4. Bless and forgive ourselves

5. Look to ourselves for our own answers and remember when we point the finger at someone else, there are 4 fingers pointing back to ourselves!

I will leave you with the newest version of the Serenity Prayer!

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change,

the courage to change the one I can,

and the wisdom to know its me!

Come Paint with Me!

• Awaken your Inner Artist
• Paint your own painting
• Surprise yourself
• Have Fun
• Get access to your own creativity & unlimited potential.

This fun workshop opens your senses and unleashes your creative spirit. A day of exploration, movement and creating!    No experience necessary.

Saturday 19^th March 2011 from 9:30am – 6:30pm

Cost $120  Venue Riverdell Spiritual Centre, 8 Clifford Road, Hillier.

You will need to bring a 60×60cm canvas – old clothes/shirt to paint in, an empty decorative plate or platter, open heart, and willingness to have FUN!!!! Lunch will be supplied by all, the ingredients you are requested to bring. ( I will let you know beforehand and please let me know if you have any special requirements or food allergies)

Check out Testimonials for what others have said about this workshop!

Ring 0466831709 to book

Hi Everyone,

Meditation Circle is starting again on 31st January 2011 from 7pm. Phone for more details.

Meditation is good for you on so many levels. Connecting you to your inner wisdom and higher self. Reducing stress in your life and bringing an inner peace and calmness.

I have been meditating regularly now for 16 years and it has made such a difference to my life. Everything  just falls away and you can deeply RELAX, with nothing to do & no where to go.

Come and try or ring me on 0466831709 for more information.

Much Love Deborah

This is my Vision Board for 2011.

Be encouraged to give it a go for your self. First check out the previous post on Vision Forward, then GO FOR IT!  Just get yourself a bunch of Magazines and sift through just tearing out all the pictures and words that you like and stand out for you. Then neaten them down and cut around pictures, (just like you did when you were a kid and had to cut out at school), then get yourself some cardboard and glue stick and be Creative, and put it all in place.  Lastly Office works will Laminate for about $10.  Have Fun! and guess what, THEY REALLY DO WORK!

• Acknowledge your successes from 2010
• Look at the insights you have learnt and ask yourself how could I have handled those differently?
• “Big” gratitude for the love & support you received not matter how big or small
• If there is anything that you need to let go of LET IT GO, don’t concentrate on it, let go of the story that has  triggered your behaviours that keeps you stuck in any negativity.
• So, what sort of a year would you like 2011 to be? Can you be bothered to get excited about it, are you complacent and are ok just to slip into anything that may fall my way type of year!
• Firstly I suggest you write a gratitude list for 2010. See how well you manifested what you asked for and how much you have grown. Be proud of yourself and for what you have achieved.
• Begin your vision board for 2011. if you havent already. I use a large piece of Cardboard and cut pictures out and words that represent what and where I am heading. Glue them down, and then Laminate at Office Works.
• Be specific about what you would like to bring into your life. Reach for the stars and don’t entertain any negative feed back that comes in from your self talk. Let that go. If you feel saddened or overwhelmed at all, go for a walk have a cry, acknowledge what you are feeling then let it go and get back to work with your vision board. Be your own coach in daring to ask for the Best Life Ever.
• What Action do you need to take to begin the process?
• Don’t worry about the ‘HOW’ it will manifest. That’s not your job.