A False Start

Have you ever experienced a False Start? 
Maybe you know the kind...where you have an idea of something you want to accomplish. It sounds really good. But then when you actually start working on it, it's not at all what you envisioned. 

It can be really upsetting when this happens, and you wonder where you went wrong. You feel a bit thrown, perhaps off your center a bit, disappointed. You might even let out an Argh or Dang It as I sometimes like to say when I'm frustrated. ;) 

See the palette below? This is one I use for my watercolor painting. Actually, I have two, just in case I decide to do more than one painting at a time (which I haven't done as of yet, just with my art journal). 

Do you notice the residue from the Winsor Blue paint in the upper right corner and in one of the small round areas? Yep, that's where I had my paint placed for a new painting I was about to start. 

But it's not there anymore, is it? Not. Nope. I took it out within 5 to 10 minutes after I put it in. The consistency of the paint was not to my liking (straight of the tube with water), like my other colors were from my previous painting that I just completed. So I decided to just remove it. Just like that. (And I cleaned it out a bit better so now there's just a blue stain, not paint.) 

I put it on my blotter paper so that I could at least use it in collage at a later time; no waste then. 
But you know what was really interesting? 

The Winsor Blue wasn't the only color I had laid out. I also had Winsor Orange and Yellow Ochre, which I had used in my previous painting. But the colors didn't mix well (it's true that when you mix complementary colors, it looks like mud). Nothing mixed well. It just looked uninspiring, to say the least. 

But as I was removing the Winsor Blue, I had a glimpse of the Winsor Orange and Yellow Ochre, and thought, maybe I could work with those two colors and work with a couple of others besides and see how it goes.

In other words, as I was removing myself from this creative False Start, I had another idea for the Start that I actually decided to run with. It's often when we are exiting from something that disappoints, and might even tick us off that we can reveal our truer path of creativity. 

That might just actually work out! 

I did start a new painting, using the Yellow Ochre as a start. So far, so good. 

Have you had a False Start recently? Did you find another truer path in the withdrawal process? 
If so, I'd love to hear about it! 

In the meanwhile, I'm happily applying my paint, with ideas in my mind of where I want it to go. 
And you know what? I'm okay with whatever happens. 

I'm listening and painting step by step; I'm honoring Who I Am as an Artist as I do. 
When you take the time daily to Honor Who You Are in whatever Life Dimension calls out to you, you are nurturing the core of your being and saying YES. 

You Deserve That. 
Enjoy.

P.S. To my readers of A Fresh Perspective: I am now posting from my Artistic Point of View on my website blog, Refresh Daily. You are welcome to subscribe to that one as well. I am posting content that is not being posted here on A Fresh Perspective. Here's a link to A False Start. 

© 2014 by Dawn Herring

Refreshment or Rejection?

Refreshment is a key component to my daily life. I know the deepest benefits and that's why I always remind folks to refresh themselves daily.

However, it's easy to let a day or two or many more slip by without re-invigorating ourselves in some way; but unfortunately we may experience the "side effects" of not doing so and, maybe, not even realize it.

Such was the case for me recently...

I was having a challenging morning, feeling a bit discouraged, a bit out of alignment and un-grounded. You know how I could tell?

I was feeling doubtful about some things. I was impatient, lacking faith in areas of great importance to me.

(Yes, this is an honest confession.)

I was really wondering what was going on with me; I don't like feeling or acting this way. It's very disconcerting, perplexing and distressing.

So I certainly did NOT want to stay there.
NO.

So I got my journal out and wrote my a.m. entry. After detailing my distress of those minutes I just described, I then switched to my non dominant hand and began to ask what went wrong.

What I wrote came as a complete but revelatory surprise to me.

I had not painted in about three days.

That was it.

You wouldn't think that putting pigment on a paint brush and applying it to watercolor paper or canvas would make that much of a difference, right?

But, here's the truth in a nutshell: I am an artist. It's a huge part of the core of my being. (I continued to journal just this truth when what was next came out in all of its profoundness...)

When I go one day without creating in some way, especially painting, which helps me activate my creative center and stay aligned with Who I Am, I am essentially Rejecting that Core Part of Myself.

Self Rejection!

This really woke me up.

It's easy to point a finger at another and say, this person has rejected me, and put the blame elsewhere.

But in reality, rejection from another is often a reflection of how we are rejecting ourselves and not even know it!

I realized with this revelation of self rejection when not taking the time DAILY to honor Who I Am as an artist, I also came to the conclusion that Daily Authentic Refreshment is even more Vitally Important than I initially realized, for as much as I remind folks to refresh daily.

I understood on an even deeper level what it looks like and feels like to not refresh yourself to nourish the core of your being.

Instead of simply saying to get your guilt free refreshment daily, now I'm saying, Don't reject that Core of Who You Are by letting a day go by without that essential nourishment that is so vitally important to your well being. That cannot be overstated.

I realize that now more than ever before.

So, guess what?
I have painted daily since then, whether in my art journal or on canvas/paper. I finished one painting and started another.

Yes, when I paint daily, not only do I nourish myself, I also get more artistic work accomplished, and have a splendid time doing it.

And it does make a major difference in how I feel: more aligned with Who I Am. I can hear that Intuitive Voice speaking ever so clearly: Go Paint. And I say, Okay, I will!

My painting gives me space to express what's in my heart; it gives me deeper understanding of what I'm feeling, thinking, saying and doing.

And you know what else I realized?

My journaling practice is a super powerful tool that gives me space to express how I feel and listen to my Intuitive Heart; but it's NOT ENOUGH to keep me nourished in the Core of my being.

Once you find what nourishes the Core of your being, do it daily. Whatever it takes. Even if it's just 5 minutes!

And if you don't know what that nourishing activity is just yet, you're welcome to check out my Your Life Refreshed! Creative Strategy Sessions so we can get on board with helping you find out just what that is!

No Rejection. Just Love, Care and Nourishment...ultimately so you can make a positive mark in your world.

© 2014 by Dawn Herring

A New Paradigm

We all have our routines filled with to dos, tasks, conversation, decision making, choices, relationships and expectations, either initiated by our own desires or someone else's. This all sounds like a pretty typical life. So we don't often make much change since we get used to the way things are.

But that's not necessarily a good thing.
Especially if we're feeling the stress of unmet expectations no matter the source, if we find ourselves tired and worn out from not pacing ourselves and if we find less joy and more discouragement in our overall emotional life experience.

We need to heed the warning signs of doing too much, saying too much, and not taking enough time to do what will invigorate, inspire and re-energize.

Thus we need a new paradigm. A new approach. A New Way of Doing Life.

How do we know what changes to make?

We have to base them on our values, what really matters to us most, what is priority over everything else.
That means saying no to things that we may see as valuable or at least reducing the amount of time we spend on them with no major consequence and at the same time, increase the amount of time of what we know is essential to our well being.

First of all, one of the best things I've ever done is choose to SLOW DOWN. Take it easy. Take Breaks. Don't push yourself too hard. And forgive yourself when you make mistakes. Life is full of them; we cannot expect perfection, just our best.

I have found that when I PACE myself, doing certain tasks at certain times, and then taking a break to relax, journal and do something that energizes me makes all the difference in the world for my over all well being. Don't let your life circumstances become so overwhelming that it's what you have to do. Pace yourself now so you're body will thank you later.

Another issue I've addressed: when I feel stress in a situation, I exit, going somewhere where I can regroup, center myself, and give myself space to release stress and relax, doing something I love to do, even if it's just being quiet for a time.

Speaking of Quiet, reducing your amount of conversation can actually enhance your well being. The less we say, sometimes, the better. Much of what we say, whether just in daily existence or in conversation with another, is full of unnecessary noise. How often do we find ourselves saying, "Why did I say that? I should have just kept my mouth shut." Exactly.

If you institute less talking (try writing down everything you want to say and you'll find yourself saying less automatically just because writing it down is such a pain), you will find more energy for doing things you want to do. It's also quieting for the soul. Less talk produces more quiet contemplation.

It can also help to keep a journal when you institute less talking so you can record what you're thinking and still feel "heard" in a way. At least your point of view still matters on paper. The point is that when you talk less, what you do say will have more power. They say your words carry energy; so when you use that energy to speak, really think about what you say before you say it. Be choosier with your speech. It may just change the way you think about everything.

These changes will take some getting used to since we're so used to being in a rush, talking too much, and doing too much every single day.

Make space for Quiet Contemplation. Connect with your Source Energy and find yourself more aligned with who you really are. With Quiet, Slowing Down, Pacing Yourself and Taking Time to do what you love, you will enter a whole new Paradigm and Way of Life that will increase the quality of your life experience and give you a greater sense of purpose in all you do, say, and think.

Do you need to Slow Down? Be More Quiet? Say Less and Do More of what you Love?
Start now before your body starts speaking for you in ways that are uncomfortable and unpleasant.

Listen carefully to your Higher Self, that place of Inner Wisdom and Intuition that will tell you what changes you can make to enter a New Paradigm for Living Authentic to Who You Really Are.

In the process, you'll also make the world a better place.
Have a Happy New Year and Happy New Life.

&#169 2014 by Dawn Herring

My Year 2013: A Rewind

As I did last year, I wanted to do a bit of review of my year in 2013, to celebrate, share and consider what I've learned and accomplished, with the hope of making a meaningful mark in my world.

What I share in this post reflects my life as a journal keeper, an artist, host of #JournalChat Live, as writer, as a grandma, as a refreshment specialist, as a researcher, as an author, and as a newsletter creator.

As you can see, my life is very layered, multi-dimensional and rich! For that I am grateful.

So, without further ado, (drum roll, please! ;)) my life in 2013!

I shall begin with my life as a journal keeper:
I continue to enjoy engaging with my written journal, usually recording entries in the a.m. and p.m. and others when the situation calls for it. But starting in November, I began to take more breaks in my day and record in my journal three or four times per day, which has given me an even deeper clarity and insight into what I'm experiencing, thinking about, and determining needs to be done, especially with creating positive change--always vitally important! My journal gives me space to pay close attention to my intuition, my inner wisdom and to the divine spark given to me by the Creator.

I continue to use my dominant and non-dominant hand approach to my entries, activating both sides of the brain for a more holistic, logical and creative result. My journaling exercise, using Xs for negatives and * for positives, continues to give me visual clues for where I need more balance (key word here!). I also add a summary word that tells my day succinctly; that really gets me thinking in the big picture. Just a few months ago, I started using colored markers to write my entries, and I've written so much, that I need a new set already! Also, I even did a little of backwards writing as the suggestion of a friend (Thanks, Suzanna!) on #JournalChat. It takes a lot of concentration so I don't do that every day. It has also been fun to incorporate some other ideas I've gleaned from my reading and chatting on #JournalChat this year; that's always fun!

Now to my Authentic Refreshment with Art Journaling:
In January, it will be three years that I've kept an art journal; I am truly hooked!! I love using watercolors, oil pastels, crayon, tissue paper (for texture), colored paper (for collage), and rubber stamps to create messages as well as letters cut from magazines. In the latter half of this year, I've been experimenting with image transfers, getting the hang of working with gel mediums and creating layers on the page. Some of it has been a challenge, but I'm getting better and loving the process.

I always have so much fun going through magazines to pull images, text and color to work into my collages, my paintings and my pages. I love designing and combining different techniques to create fun works of art from the heart.

Also as a fine artist in watercolor, I did my first replicating rendering, using the stipple method, of a mocking bird, my adored bird you will find on my website, who delights my heart with his song and dance. It was such a delight to paint "In Your Element" considering my love for watercolor and for the mocking bird itself. I also continue to do intuitive paintings from my imagination and heart.

As an artist, I am absolutely delighted to have my Dawn Herring Collection Art Gallery available on my website, a long held dream of mine. It contains a page of my fine art paintings as well as my mixed media and watercolor bookmarks and message cards which are available for order! I love designing empowering message cards with favorite colors as reminders of who we really are and how we can make our meaningful mark in the world!

My whole website, Refresh with Dawn Herring, has been fully refreshed this year, featuring my empowering products and services, information about #JournalChat Live and Links Edition along with journaling prompts and resources for all things journaling that I've compiled from my reading and posting as host of #JournalChat Live on Twitter. There's a place to sign up for my now monthly Refresh Journal, which contains #JournalChat information, refreshing tips, music, and so much more, and to purchase my book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child, which had its one year anniversary of publication in March. My daughter, Sarah, shared her point of view on The Birthday Wall this year.

As Host of #JournalChat Live, I reached my two year anniversary in June with the structure of a weekly chat with new topic based on the journaling resource I choose for #JournalChat Pick of the Week. I even wrote a blog post covering all the resources and topics we covered for 2013 as a big THANK YOU for those who authored them and to those who participated. One big change that occurred back on October was the switch from Thursday afternoons to Sunday afternoons to hold the live chat on Twitter. And this month, another big change is being implemented in 2014, with #JournalChat Live being held the first Sunday of each month. Plus I've changed what was Pick of the Day to Dawn's #JournalChat Favorite and what was once Pick of the Week to Dawn's #JournalChat Choice to reflect those changes to once per month. I'm excited about these changes which I explain from the heart.

#JournalChat Live continues to be a source of fun, inspiration and ideas for journal keeping enthusiasts and we've had a lot of insightful conversation and support for our journaling community. Come join us the first Sunday of each month at 4 EST/1 PST on Twitter using the #JournalChat Hashtag in your tweet!

One of my good friends, Nathan Ohren of Write4Life, who has been a special guest on #JournalChat Live as well as an active contributor to our chats, interviewed me on his #JournalTalk podcast which was fun, interesting and fun! (When you listen, bear in mind that the time and day of #JournalChat Live is now on first Sunday of each month.) One of my favorite things about Nathan's approach to his podcast and his work in the world is his sense of humor (plus his heart). He has been a true supporter of my work with the live chat as well as my life as artist and refreshment enthusiast. It was a pleasure to work with him and to chat with him on #JournalChat Live. His podcasts with journaling experts are well worth listening to; I was glad to be a part of his series.

As a Refreshment Specialist, I've engaged in some refreshment research and have started a new blog called Your Authentic Refreshment, showcasing interviews with folks who engage in authentic refreshment which is something to help you appreciate yourself for who you are, validate your emotions and feelings and nurture your soul. Also new are my Refresh Sessions which I provide to work with people privately to help them discover what will refresh them and help them gain a fresh perspective in all of life's dimensions, thus loving themselves from the inside out and living empowered lives as a result!

As a writer, I have published several guests posts this year focused on journaling and refreshment on the websites/blogs of Kathleen Pooler, Karen Horneffer-Ginter, and in Outlet Magazine. I also continue to post on my Refresh with Dawn Herring blog (that you're reading now!) about once per month in addition to the content for Refresh Journal. I also have several longer works in progress, with one I hope to share in 2014.

As a grandma, I am deighted to say that my grandboy turned two! He is such a delight, always making Grandma smile and laugh with his chatter, his personality, and his love, always looking for hugs which I gladly give. We have so much fun together building with blocks, talking to his stuffed animals, doing sock puppets, and talking on the "phone." I just love to teach him all kinds of things, tell him stories, and just be plain silly to make him laugh. And Boy Does He Laugh! :D

When I look back on all of this good stuff, it really makes me want to do a happy dance; won't you dance with me?

My 2013 has been full, rich, insightful, and creative in many aspects and I look forward to what 2014 will hold.

My desire is to encourage folks to refresh themselves daily, keep a journal to record their special story for all posterity, and to love themselves heartily from the inside out.

I hope you will join me in this wild, wonderful journey; lets keep in touch in 2014!

© 2013 by Dawn Herring

Preparation

"It's all in the preparation!"

I think there's something to be said for that, especially when it comes to unexpected or self-initiated change.

No matter what kind of change you may be experiencing right now or what change that you are deliberately choosing, it helps to be ready for what that change might entail.

We never stay in one place for very long; otherwise we'd become stagnant, in an unhealthy mindset, which would prove to drag us down.

Instead, we are constantly evolving, learning, growing, and hopefully, through the best choices we can make, becoming more of who we really are.

But in that process of change, there are specific areas that can help make our "change transition" easier. We can move through the process with anticipation, expectation and confidence rather than fear, anxiety and trepidation.

Of course, our lives are full of many dimensions, but I think of a few that can really help make a difference in our experience with change, no matter where it comes from.

Relationships. The people in our lives can have a tremendous impact on how we respond to change; so it pays to pay attention to who we spend our time with, who we give our energy to, and who supports us in our life adventures. If we find ourselves depleted with certain relationships, we may need to look at where we're losing our personal power. We can do something to develop proper boundaries where we need to activate more self-respect when necessary. When we find that a relationship really boosts our energy and enhances our confidence, then we know we've hit on a gold-mine of relationship that is worth savoring and spending time with! In the process of determining where and how to invest our time with the people we care about and who enhances our life experience, we can see how that relationship benefits us in regards to the change we are experiencing.

Work. Work will either deplete us or give us purpose, depending on our perspective. What we do with our time will often determine how seamless a life change can be. When we look at the successes in our work lives and feel good about what we accomplish, then we will be better prepared to meet with the results that change brings. When we work from the heart, giving it our best, we will benefit from that diligence as we work through change more naturally.

Play. Hobbies, Authentic Refreshment, and taking time to do what you don't normally do come to mind with play. Play can help us have a broader, more comprehensive perspective when meeting with change. We may come up with better solutions to problems that arise; we may get a more flexible perspective on what direction to take so we don't feel stuck with the where of things. Play helps us bring our subconscious mind to the fore, whether we're painting, singing, dancing, spending time with our kids or grandkids, or simply enjoying nature or going for swim. Being in a more relaxed state of mind will do volumes for preparing us for the unexpected.

Spirit. Our connection to what is larger and vaster than we are can give us a true understanding of change. We can gain a stronger, more flexible position when we know we have the Creator of the Universe working for us in our process of change. Taking the time to tune in to our soul and listen carefully for that inner wisdom and intuition we are all gifted with will enable us to face change more seamlessly, with confidence and clearer vision of what it is we really want. Whether we pray/meditate, read spiritual text that livens and encourages, or simply tune in to what we already know, connection with Spirit can make all the difference in preparing us for what lies ahead.

Each dimension of life will affect to a great extent the way we experience change, whether unexpected or self-initiated. Change can be a great place to be when we know who we really are, when we know why we're here, and when we know what really matters to us in life. When we pay close attention to the decisions we are making with our relationships, with our work process, with our playful opportunities, and with our connection with Spirit, our experience with change can actually be a catalyst for fabulous opportunities, for forging deep and lasting friendships, and for giving us an even greater sense of purpose and love for our destiny and what we are called to.

It's best to be prepared for what change is on the horizon; we can meet that change with great expectation of good things to come and know we are headed in the right direction.

Are you prepared?

&#169 2013 by Dawn Herring

Who I Really Am

It's in the core of your being.
You feel it when you're in the flow.
You experience it as that unmistakable Wow in your gut.

You often notice Who You Really Are when you're engaged in Your Authentic Refreshment.

I notice it most when I paint. When I create.
I am an Artist. I have been an Artist since I was 8 years old.

I started drawing with pencil and did that for many years, dabbling in animals for a time, but went to people soon after. I enjoyed looking through fashion magazines as a teen and tearing images I would later draw. I loved detail. I was never a sketcher. Just detailed drawing.

Then I went to Morris County Vocational School for their Commercial Art class when I was a Senior. I LOVED that class. Met a lot of cool artists. Learned some new mediums, like Acrylic (did not like the heavy bodied stuff) and Pen and Ink (took a liking to that MUCH better). We also learned the technical stuff of cutting mats and creating advertisements (it was commercial art, after all). I was very pleased to have taken part in most of what I learned there. Because I knew I was an Artist. Who I Really Am.

Once I moved from there, I continued with the human figure with fashion, but moved more closely to the Face.

Yes, where the eyes are the window to the soul.

Portraiture was where my heart was at at that time.

I recall doodling a LOT of eyes in high school. So drawing faces seemed the natural progression.
So I was always looking for the perfect image of folks I wanted to draw. At first it was just models from magazines. But then I started showing interest in movie actors and musicians. Like Michael Jackson. And Air Supply. I also recall Princess Diana and various TV actors from my favorite shows. (I'd scour the TV Guides Mom saved for great images.)

This was mostly in Black and White.

Then after I married, I figured out color. So I started to do full color portraits.
Oprah. Former President George W. Bush. Chuck Norris of Walker, Texas Ranger.

I also did portraiture of my immediate and extended family members.

Then I stopped drawing pictures of faces for a time. I took a break for several years, which for me, felt like a long time.

Then I discovered watercolor and the JOY of painting intuitively. Using my imagination and playing from the heart.

I've never been happier as an Artist.
I'm having SO MUCH FUN.

You may find when you discover Who You Really Are, that that's where the FUN and the JOY manifest, and in ways you may never have experienced before.

And once you do and keep showing up to whatever it is that enables you to be in the YOU place, you won't want to go back to where you came from.

Oh, you'll appreciate the journey you've trod and all you've learned in the process. Because you wouldn't be able to appreciate where you are now without that reflection and history.

But Now you're in a NEW place of Discovery. Experiment and have fun with All You Really Are. Don't be afraid to take risks with this new direction. You never know where that may lead.

So, Who Are You Really?
Enjoy your discovery. Enjoy the journey.

© 2013 by Dawn Herring

A Fresh Start

When you come to the end of something, like a larger project or work task you've recently completed, you don't just recognize the ending of this path you've trod.

You can also see it as a Fresh Start to something new.

But it can also take on a daunting dimension, especially if you're not sure of your new direction due to a lack of developed purpose.

There's also the issue of False Starts where the effort you put out doesn't flow because the energy is all wrong; then you end up working yourself into a frustrated corner, feeling frazzled and overwhelmed.

But there is a better approach; there is a way to work around that struggle and avoid wasted energy.

First, you need to Trust Yourself.

Yes, this is Paramount. If you constantly second-guess where you want or think you should go or what your purpose should be, you'll trip yourself up before you even begin.

You need to recognize your value and see yourself as capable and ready for the authentic path you will take.

Part of Trusting Yourself is being able to Tune In to your intuition, your inner wisdom and the Light that guides your every step.

When you're tuned in to the right authentic frequency of what really matters to you and listen to your heart's message, you'll be drawn to the right path and gain a fresh perspective in the process.

There's a melody in your heart's song that is yours alone to follow and pursue in a way that only you can do. That is what that path is for--directing you to your Authentic Purpose, which the world needs.

Once you begin to Trust Yourself, Tune In to your heart's song, and pick up the authentic vibe that will reveal your next step, you will be lead right to the Fresh Start you've been looking for.

Then it will be time to simply Go with the Flow.

Listen. Learn. Pay Attention. Make Space. Open the Energy and run with it, whether it's the first words of an essay, article, or novel, the first brush strokes of a new painting, musical notes to a new song, dance steps to a new choreography, or the first seeds to a new garden.

Give yourself space to make mistakes. Don't expect perfection. Yes, do your best--but even more importantly, Have Fun in the process! Get into your creative zone. Immerse yourself in this New Start. Revel in it. Be in the moment.

Then watch what happens as the song gains melody, as the chapter or article begins to take form, as those dance steps find their rhythm, as the colors of the painting begin to form a meaningful image or expression of the heart, as the new seed begins to take root.

Don't underestimate the Power of a Fresh Start. It is Full of Possibility.
It could change your life. It could make the world a better place.

What will you start today?

© 2013 by Dawn Herring

A Nourishing Source

nourish v. 1. to keep alive and well by means of food 2. to foster or cherish

source n. 1. the place from which something comes or is obtained 2. the starting point of a river 3. a person or book, etc, supplying information

Nourishment is a natural need and requirement of the human body, of plant life, of animal life, etc. No living thing can be without nourishment for very long.

When we don't have it, we whither, wear out, become depleted and even sick if the nourishment is withheld long enough. Or if we simply don't partake of it when we need it. Which we may do simply because we don't realize its necessity until we feel the consequence of what we don't have but should.

This can be the case when it comes to spiritual and emotional nourishment.

When we put ourselves out for the benefit of others but don't replenish what has been depleted, the quality of our life experience drops and we are left feeling out of sorts, exhausted and frustrated.

We need to replenish what has been lost. We need a source of nourishment in our lives that gives us energy, vitality, and a greater sense of well being.

But when do you know when you have discovered a nourishing source in your life? How do you know when something will refill your well, inspire you to creative tasks, give you the inner purpose of taking care of your responsibilities?

When you find a place, an activity, a pleasure--maybe even from childhood--that helps bring you back to center.

A nourishing source is going to provide you with light--the kind of light a plant depends upon, so much so, that it will grow toward the sun, pressing up against the window if need be to derive what it needs from that light.

When what you engage in provides you with light for your goals, for your activities, for your dreams, you know you have found nourishment, a place where you can feed yourself until you are fully centered and ready to walk in your purpose.

A nourishing source will provide nutrients--the kind of substance that enables a plant to grow and develop into a beautiful spreading bough with gorgeous leaves and bountiful blooms, drawing pleasure to the viewer.

When what you engage in provides you with nutrients for your creativity, problem solving and intuition, this can be an empowered place of peace--where you naturally move in flow with your gifts, talents, and calling.

A nourishing source is going to provide you with moisture--the kind of water source that can imbue a plant with what it needs so that it doesn't dehydrate and lose sustenance, keeping it lively and healthy, where it gives off the beauty and bounty it is meant to produce.

When what you engage in provides you with the Living Water of nourishment for your mind, body, and soul, you will feel lifted up, filled up to the brim with peace, joy, and purpose, the way you are meant to experience life at its fullest and best.

Yes, nourishment is vitally important to our well being in all of life's dimensions. Be sure to take the time for nourishing discovery, not leaving a intuitive stone unturned, always following your heart with what treasure lies within.

And when you find it, what gives you all you need for sustenance, energy, and personal empowerment, go to it often as if it were a beautiful plant just waiting to release its delicious scent for just your pleasure and delight. Because that is what your nourishing source is there for.

Take. Eat. Drink. Enjoy. Flourish.

© 2013 by Dawn Herring

Competition or Complement?

Are you one to write a "to do" list each day to keep yourself on track with your goals and tasks?

If so, do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed by its sheer volume, as if you'll never catch up?

Do you find it difficult to decide what tasks or responsibilities should take priority over the others? Do they all seem priority and you don't know which one to do first?

Ah, yes. Those tasks can often seem to take on a persona of their own, as if they were people vying for your attention, competing with the other tasks, hoping to be noticed for how important they are. You might even hear them saying, "Don't you care about me? Why do you keep ignoring me? I'm IMPORTANT, aren't I???!!" Right?

When we take on this perspective with our tasks, we may find ourselves feeling defeated before we even start. You know the guilt, the criticism, the beating ourselves up when we think we're not doing enough.

This doesn't have to be a competition. 

No, it doesn't.

Perhaps taking a new view on each task will help you know what direction and process to take, one that is authentic, intuitive, and even rewarding for you.

Here's the key: What if you saw each task or responsibility as a complement to each other? You know, how they work together to enhance the function of each, kind of like how our body parts work together to help us breathe, digest, and assimilate what we take in and experience in our daily lives?

I have several dimensions of my life that I work with mostly on a daily basis; all of them to me are VERY important, not to just one area of my life, but holistically.

It would be easy for me to see each of these dimensions separately and feel a bit nonplussed on how to get it all done without feeling like I'm leaving something out.  

There's my study/writing time; there's the work I do online; there's my artistic pursuits; and my time for home and family. (Of course, my office work is always priority since there are immediate deadlines with much of it; our electrical contracting business, Bill's Quality Electric, LLC, is service oriented.)

Yes, it can seem overwhelming sometimes when it doesn't all get done in a way I'd like it to. Sometimes something will fall to the wayside, and I'll feel the effects of what hasn't gotten done. The effects can sometimes create fatigue or lack of energy or stamina. I find this is especially true if I don't make enough time for my artistic pursuits.

But when I see all these ingredients of my day as compliments to each other, it helps me to have a different view of these activities. Instead of them vying for my attention, I can see each one as helpful to the other.

When I write, then my artistic side is enhanced. If I study, then I feel grounded and centered for my writing. Life experience feeds life experience. So when I see each task as something that can enhance my well-being, I don't feel as apt to get discouraged when something falls to the wayside. It's more of an awareness than a criticism.

When I see my life holistically in this way, I feel better overall about what I do and when I do it and how much I do it.

Just a few minutes of creating a stippled rendering in colored ink can lift my spirits. Doing a bit of cleaning can help to clear out negative energy for a more healthful flow at home.

Listening to my intuition on what comes next helps me to see things naturally and organically, rather than competitively.

Yes, I sometimes write a "to do" list when I have things to do that I don't want to forget. But I don't write one every day. Most days, after an a.m. journal entry, I know the flow I'm looking for and aim to do what I know is best for the moment.

And I need to be satisfied with that. No Guilt. No Overwhelm. No Criticism. No Bullying.

Just a peaceful contentedness that all is as good as it needs to be with my world--in all of its dimensions.

© 2012 by Dawn Herring

Are You Listening?

We all have an inner ear.

We hear things from different sources.

Some voices are loud and cacophonous, irritating and annoying, even criticizing.

But how can you separate the voices in your inner ear? How do you know which ones are true and which ones are just noise?

There are several ways we can discern the difference, if we're listening carefully from all possible "venues."

1. Our Body
Yes, our bodies speak to us all of the time, and if we listen carefully, we can learn a lot from what our body has to say. Whether it's the food you ate for dinner last night, for better or for worse. Or a tightened feeling you get in your belly when a certain topic comes up in conversation or when you meet up with a person who is toxic to you. There's your body's energy, either by the depletion or the increase of it; you may notice it in your daily experience, especially when you're exhausted and didn't take the time to recharge or when you meditate and feel invigorated afterwards.

2. Synchronized Messages
When a message must get to you in response to a question you have asked, you will see an answer in various places that may seem totally unrelated but are actually in sync with each other. You may read something in a spiritual or self help text that really resonates with you, and then see it again in another form, and it all adds up to what you were looking for. Or someone may simply say something to you that you already read that day or that another person already said to you and you notice it.

3. Inner Wisdom
We are all birthed with an inner wisdom given to us by the highly intelligent Universal Energy (or God or Creator) that we can access simply by asking, whether in prayer, meditation, or through a more hands-on/ artistic application of journaling, art journaling or collage. This inner wisdom is powerful and personal, and when we listen carefully, it can have a profound, even life-changing effect on our lives.

4. Intuition
Call it a gut feeling. A Mother Bear response. A Protection from toxic energy or from danger. You could be drawn to something that ultimately adds to your energy; you may not know why at first, but when you embrace it, revelation comes. As a result, you are elated and encouraged. You may find a book title that actually changes your life. You may run into a person who becomes a fast friend. And you notice the inner feeling of intuition when it happens.

Yes, we all have wonderful sources of positive, life-enhancing messages for our inner ear to hear. But it takes an awareness, a decision to slow down long enough to hear it clearly, even if it's just a whisper.

Sometimes what it says may seem a bit odd or different or even crazy. But when we follow through on those messages and give heed to them, we may find ourselves in a better, more authentic place, one that challenges us, but in a good way.

But we have to keep our inner ears open and listen carefully. To the whisper, the idea, the intuitive hunch, the warning of danger, or even just a word to keep us out of a traffic jam.

Whatever it is, take heed and follow that lead.

It might just make your day.
It might just change your life.

Are you listening?