Journal

Make Time For Your Creative Nature

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Do you ever open a fortune cookie and see something that makes you sit up and take notice? This bit of wisdom found me after dinner a few years ago – and I still have it posted right next to my desk. For me, it’s a valuable reminder of the long path I traveled the past few years.

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In the middle of 2013, I attended a 3-day retreat with Rachael Jayne Groover, author of Powerful and Feminine. It was a wonderful event, and another step on my path to figuring out what I am here to BE in this world. While I was at the event, I had a chance to film a short video. I decided to go for it, even though I had no idea what I was going to say.

What came out, with amazing clarity, was a very strong message about creative self-care. What I did not understand until later, was that this was a message from the Universe to me, not just me talking to others. I still get goose bumps when I think back to the filming of this short video. I hope this message is as valuable to you as it has been to me.

Honor Your Creative Nature

Over the past two and a half years, I have learned to make time in my day to create, to experiment, and to work on my own art. And the better I take care of my creative self, the more energy I have to support the people around me, including you.

I have also learned to listen with my heart as I try to understand what I am really here to BE. After stripping away all of the things I thought I SHOULD be doing, my list got really, really short.

Wife. Sister. Friend. Artist. Teacher. Writer.

I’ve made a lot of changes in my life and here at Cedar Canyon to make this list a reality. The transition is still a work in progress, but I am thrilled to spend my time teaching, writing and making art.

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My journey into the world of Online Teaching and Learning has been quite an adventure. It’s very different than teaching in person, but even more rewarding – at least for me.

With the long format of an Online Course, I have the pleasure of working with you for 6-8 WEEKS rather than a few short hours. I get to watch as you get past the initial “baby steps” and dig into the “good stuff.” I love watching your skills and your confidence grow as we move through the lessons together. At the risk of sounding sappy, I want you to know that your success brings me incredible joy!

For me, the greatest value is in the connections and community we build in the Online Classroom. Seeing what you are creating, answering your questions, and guiding you past the creative potholes is incredibly rewarding.

Whether you join the current Whole Cloth Collage course or not, I want you to know how much I appreciate your support. I am honored to be a part of your creative world as you make time and space to honor your creative nature.

 

 

4 Comments

  1. jinnie on January 15, 2016 at 6:43 am

    Well said!



    • Shelly on January 15, 2016 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks, Jinnie!



  2. Jessica Schick on January 19, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    Loved this article. I couldn’t think how brave you are to listen to your heart and strip away all those things that you thought you ‘should’ be doing and concentrate on what is good for you. It made me so happy for you.
    Jess



    • Shelly on January 20, 2016 at 10:22 am

      Thank you, Jess. I struggled with this for many years before giving myself permission to move on. In hindsight, it looks so easy. In the middle, it was hell on wheels. It feels great to be on the other side!