Tag Archives: healthy mind – healthy body

the in-between moments…

Are you working from home right now?

maybe you find yourself there half-time, full-time, or no-time.

I know this Season has been hard in oh so many ways….and for so many people.

It has never been more important than now to care for our hearts…and CARE DEEPLY! Our personal soul-care is vital to our well being, both mentally and physically. It is from our OVER-FLOW that we are able to affect those around us…hopefully for their good.

When we are emotionally spent – which, haven’t we all been there a bit too often lately? – there is nothing left to give others. Not our families, not our friends….even our work people suffer at the hands of our personal neglect.

But filling up can be a challenge when we are faced with stress, job loss, money shortages …temper shortages. The negative culture around us can affect us so deeply if we allow it to. So I would like you to do something for me….for you….

Find Beauty in an In-Between Moment

Right now in fact… Stand Up and walk to the closest window…

What do you see?

Now look closer – notice something that you hadn’t before. What does it look like? What color is it? How does it move [or not move]? What surrounds it? Is it affected by its surroundings?

Now craft a little story in your head about this noticing.

Tell it’s Story

It doesn’t have to take long. Imagine you are telling a child about this thing. Everything has a story, even inanimate things. How does it look, feel, think.

Imagine the possibilities.

Taking yourself out of the auto-pilot moments of the day, and into creative story, helps you to find beauty in life. This practice can lift your Spirit, and bring you more in-tune with the present moments that you often can’t see because of busyness, obligation, and world view. As you fill up with these, your over-flow will change the culture around you.

Notice the change. It may be very subtle at first, but as you lift, so will the atmosphere.

Somehow we all need to find a disconnect….in order to reconnect – to what’s important, to the natural world around us…to our very Souls.

Take time today to find beauty in the In-Between Moments…

Make it a habit every hour or so. Stretch. Walk. Look. Breathe. Five minutes is all it takes to totally change your perspective. Over time you will begin to see your Spirit lift, your emotions settle, your mood improve, and your Creative Heart begin to soar!

As you transform, so does the world around you….for it’s good

WHAT do you see right now? I would love to hear it! Please leave a comment and encourage the world. We are all in this together my friends!

Don’t forget to share, comment and engage! I would love to connect with you

Peace and Love and Art! ~lisaellen

Gratitude and the Creative Connection

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Science and Psychology tells us that there is a strong link between gratitude and mental health. Let’s explore that connection to our Creativity…

PEOPLE with an “attitude of gratitude”

  • experience lower levels of stress
  • are more satisfied and tend to have higher levels of self-esteem
  • have a sense of increased well-being, as well as lower levels of depression and anxiety

The link between the mind-body connection aligns with how gratitude can have a double benefit. For example, the feeling of appreciation helps us to have healthier minds, and with that healthier bodies.

Here are 5 ways GRATITUDE can help your creative practice:

Healthier minds tend to be more creative, as they look more deeply at their surroundings noticing details often overlooked.

The right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Gratitude can strengthen the synapsis, creating stronger connections and enhancing the right brain abilities. Some of it’s strengths include: Recognizing faces. Expressing emotions. Music. Reading emotions. Color.

Stronger self-control which helps with discipline and focus. Long term this can help you to make that creative practice more consistent.

Gratitude is a powerful tool for strengthening interpersonal relationships which can lead to a deeper Artist/Customer connection. Art isn’t about the need for what you make…it is about the connection to the work, and the artist themselves.

Simply being grateful for being alive is a great way to motivate oneself to seize the day. Take on that creative project that you didn’t think you could do…You Can!

Creative Next Steps:

Would you like to cultivate a practice of gratitude? I am starting a new book project on my facebook live Monday sessions at 9am –here. Can’t join live? All of the video sessions will be available in the “Express Yourself! A Creative Soul-Journ” group. Its free to join, you can do that here

I hope to see you there. Like, follow and share this post, my page or the group….I would love to have you along on this creative journey. Let’s do this together!

Tell me ~ What are you grateful for today? Leave a comment and encourage someone!

Peace and Love and Art ~lisa