Monthly Archives: July 2009

Connecting, Inspiring and Rediscovering Purpose at BlogHer

downtown_chicago
I so enjoyed my time in Chicago for BlogHer. While I did not attend as many sessions as I did the previous year, this year was all about connecting with old friends and making many new ones. My voice is just now returning to normal from all of the screaming and yelling and laughing I did this weekend. This will be the first of many posts about my time there and sharing images of the kindred spirits and women who truly touched me with their words and generous spirits. I know there are a number of posts out there already about the issues with swag and babies not being allowed at the parties at the bars and so on, but you won’t find that on my blog. There is no need to add to what is already out there and honestly, it goes against what I stand for and the spirit of the Art Slam.

I have to tell you, I was so humbled and surprised by how many people I met who come to the Art Slam frequently to be inspired. I had no idea, but this weekend, I understood what my purpose is with this medium. You don’t always know how or when something you say will touch someone when they need it the most, but hearing people tell me that what I have started here matters to them and the reasons for it, made me understand that this is not all about me. The Arts are always the first thing to be cut from our schools when funding is low and artists are sorely under represented at conferences like BlogHer. That being the case, I know that my presence there brought some exposure to how critically important self-expression is to our souls. So, I have some ideas and many people to talk with about how I can grow and continue to inspire. That thought just thrills me!

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BlogHer & Chicago Bound

Sassy Sandels
Early, early, early tomorrow, I will be headed to Chicago with four other ladies for BlogHer. While I am excited about going, as I have not been to Chicago before and seeing new and old friends, the preparation for traveling makes me nuts. I like to prepare for things and even though I know I will be able to buy whatever I may leave, I really don’t want to be stressed. My intention is to go to the conference, make some connections, gain some clarity about a few things that have been on my mind and shoot some awesome photographs. Otherwise, I have no agenda. I want to see where those feet in that picture take me. I am looking forward to that.

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5 Fab Faves **Fitness Edition**

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Since starting back running, which I am enjoying more each time I go out, I have a few things that have made my new fitness routine a lot more enjoyable:

  • Running Skirts. Just found this website recently after wanting to find more running skirts. I love them because they look great, they do not get in the way of my walking or running and they feel amazing. Runningskirts.com is a sister run business and their skirts are too cute for words.
  • Nike+ sensor and Nike+ website. Love, love, love my Nike+ sensor and the website. I can track my runs, calories burned, set up challenges and goals and makes notes about the conditions of each of my runs. It also helps me keep track of my personal bests for a 5K, mile and so on. Love it.
  • Slimperfect Swimwear & Activewear. I am in love with this live of activewear, which fits nicely into my obsession with running skirts. Slimperfect is running a BlogHer promotion through August 1 of 50% off already reduced prices. Make sure you enter the special code, “BlogHer” at check out.
  • Runner’s World website. Great resource for beginning runners and those who have been doing it for years.
  • Nike Air Track Star 2 Running Shoes. These are the shoes I wear for my workouts. It feels like I am wearing nothing when I have them on.

Other 5 Fab Faves Posts:

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Recurring Themes and Colors in Art and Life

change is coming

I have been noticing a theme in my journal pages lately. Lots of yellows and reds. After doing some research, I found that yellow is associated with joy, energy and happiness. All things I have been feeling a lot of lately. Red is associated with energy, strength, determination, passion, desire and love. Again, all things I am feeling right now. So, I understand how and why they keep showing up in my journals and my paintings. Colors and the energy behind them show up in your life when you need them the most. Kind of like people. These are also qualities I want to radiate outwardly. Being passionate is something I own proudly and I don’t try to hide it. Without passion, there is no purpose.

Another theme that keeps showing up is Change. This particular journal entry sat blank for months. No words and no title, just the background. Then one day, it came to me and I journaled quickly, almost to the point I could not read what I had written the thoughts were coming so fast. Yesterday, while reading Foolsgold by Susan G. Wooldridge, I came across a passage in the book where she speaks to change:

“It can take courage for us to realize we’ve had the wrong idea and made wrong decisions and need to change midstream. We might be in the wrong city for us. The wrong relationship. The wrong life. Writing the wrong book. If we have to be right about everything, we won’t allow ourselves to change, and to free our creative natures.”

Well now! That speaks volumes, doesn’t it? Change can be scary for a lot of people and because of that, we would rather be miserable and right, then admit we were wrong. We think it too late to make a change, using our age, current circumstances or society’s views as reason to stay in our situations. What I would like to know is, when do your excuses start getting on your nerves enough that you are willing to be courageous and say, “Hey, I was wrong about this,” and try something new? Failure is not failure if you learn from it. I tell it to my kids, I tell it to myself because I believe it. I would rather make a mistake than be stuck in a mistake wishing I had simply taken a chance. So, don’t wait. If all of these recent very public deaths remind you of nothing, it is that life is short and you should live it fully every single day. No regrets.

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Follow Your Heart

authentic self

For a few weeks now, I have been at a crossroads. Knowing that one choice brings me closer to my authentic self and the other choice is basically following the path I always have. So, what is one to do? Keep on doing what I have always done, knowing it makes me feel stuck and unfulfilled or take a chance and follow my heart. Ultimately, I am going to go with my heart. When I am open to all the possiblilities, it has never led me wrong and right now, it says I need to grow into who I am becoming. That thought alone, ignites a fire in me.

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