Friday, February 12, 2010

Love Yourself; Love Your Life (and a sweet give-away!)


Today marks the end of the first session of my e-course, Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery.  It has been such an amazing experience.  I'm left feeling so overjoyed at the amount of deep connecting, sharing and exploring that has taken place over the last 28 days.

I light this candle, as a symbol to honor the "closing ceremonies" of class, and to show that today is not the end, but rather the beginning of the rest of our lives.  May each of you see the direction you're heading, stay connected to your community, and radiate your authenticity, from the inside out.

To celebrate this incredible journey, I'd like to give away one spot to my spring session.  The next Inside Out e-course starts April 5th, and to learn more, visit HERE.

To enter for your chance to win, leave a comment on this post by Sunday, Valentine's Day, at midnight US Central time.  I will announce the winner on Monday!

Enjoy a few of the beautiful comments shared by the bold explorers who just completed the course.

By giving my thoughts some space and time, it has helped me to see my inner wishes better.  My intentions have showed up and now I feel the need to realize them in art.  They have been ready for this for a while.  I have questioned myself with, "Why have I waited so long?"  Life is life.  I had to do other things to get to this moment.  This is not the goal and there is a lot to discover.  I think I found the very right source - ME!

I'm loving all the creative ideas.  I have learned that I don't have to just sit still and think through the hard parts to write them down.  I can paint, draw, glue...when I'm stuck!  It gets my juices flowing and opens me up which makes the 'writing-down-part' so much easier!

Allow softening of the edges of the walls and paths of history.  Grow leaves and branches out.  Come home to my own, my heart - my self-reliance will give me peace.  And every day, in every way, I am becoming more me.

 I am learning that to live life I have to participate, but that I don't need arbitrary rules.  This course has been a fabulous opportunity for me to practice just that: to take it as it comes, to resist the perfectionistic tendencies that leave me stuck in the mud, and to explore my creativity without self-editing.
Over the last few weeks I have let a lot of emotions out that I have been keeping inside for some time and it feels liberating.  I have learned that I choose my thoughts and that I can change the negative into the positive.  As a result of this course I became brave and told my husband my dreams and wishes.  I knew he would be supportive, but I had to let go of my own self-doubt first and believe that I could make them a reality before sharing them with anyone.   Now that I have said them out loud, they've become more than just thoughts, but tangible goals.  Another thing I have learned is to let go of the guilt.  This is hard to do, but every time I feel like I'm not living up to the person I think I should be, I step back and repeat that "I am enough."  The positive affirmations have been so healing for me.

I love the things that have come 'out' of 'Inside' me!  I so truly love me and am ready to BE BOLD!

I have learned that I have lost my own personal confidence, and most importantly, I have learned that I can get it back!  I have learned that I can be a creative person, that I am a creative person, and that I am good enough to be the person that I have always dreamed of being.

Your Personal Reflection: Are you creating a life you love?

*The art journaling photos were provided by class participants.

Enjoy the "opening ceremonies" of the Olympics tonight!  If anyone is interested in reading behind the scenes, my father-in-law works for the US Ski Team and is blogging about his adventures in Canada HERE.

36 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great giveaway Shannon, I'd love to win the e-course.

    highonbutterflywings[at]gmail[dot]com

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  2. Reading the first-person accounts makes me even more excited about the class this spring!!

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  3. Yeah!! If I win can I give the spot to a dear friend?? This class was so much fun and so good for my creative soul.

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  4. I'm delighted to discover your most magical and inspiring blog. I mentioned your valentine hearts in my blog today! And, put my name in for the e-course give away!

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  5. Your website and blog look so inviting and wonderful. I would love to take that class--really, I would love to find 5 women who would go through the Artist's Way with me! What a great idea! Glad to have found you.

    Can't figure out how to leave a comment--I don't have a URL...

    Rae
    rachelhower at gmail dot com

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  6. wow, the course description sounded intriguing, but the comments really push it over the top. i've been unemployed for a year and am running out of money, but when people ask what i want to do i (at 50, for heaven's sake) can't answer the question. i am sure a career counselor would be mortified. i'm working with some affirmations and i think it is helping, but i'd really love to take your course.

    and yesterday's recycled hearts are beautiful.

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  7. very very powerful. I'm waiting patiently for the eCourse, but I'm forging ahead with some creative outlets.

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  8. I would like so much redoing the class again (and again, and again!)! Keep fingers crossed! ;-)

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  9. This sounds like exactly what I need in life right now. Funny how we stumble upon things right when we need them. Love your inspiring blog and outlook at life!

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  10. I've been looking at different e-courses for a while, but this one seems to be 'the one'. Especially after the wonderful comments you posted!

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  11. I'm hesitant to put my name in the hat for the e-course but I've realized that when I push past the nervous fear of the unknown I find myself in a beautiful place. Thank you for offering a spot for your next session.
    knittingnettsie@gmail.com

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  12. I found out about your e-course through Heather's post about it. I have been coming ever since. I would love a chance to win it!! I would love a chance to learn more about myself and get in touch with my creative self

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  13. Hi Shannon - the artwork is superb - as well as practising my lettering I must spend more time trying to draw/paint!! I would love to do your course, but some of the others are far more deserving of the place! have a super weekend, love, Anne

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  14. How exciting for you to get such amazing feedback on your ecourse and it sounds so super delicious and yummy.. what a wonderful thing to give away!

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  15. 2 years I've been subscribed to the magazine Yoga,... will I now succeed to start the exercises?
    I want to feel free and happy! Not occasionally one day, but all days :)

    Thank you Shannon! You inspire me to actually do things!

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  16. it was a fabulous ride, shannon! i learned so much from the course and was sorry to see it end today!

    p.s. not putting my name in the hat - just wanted to say how much fun i had!

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  17. I look at all these bold, beautiful pieces and the words they wrote, and I just melt. So uplifting. Your course sounds wonderful and life changing!

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  18. Thank you for the chance, I have looked at the registration page over and over, the course sounds amazing.
    granolaknits at mac dot com

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  19. I am one of those people who always says I never have time to do something just for me. Maybe it is time to start. Your course sounds amazing. I am putting my name in for a chance - but if not, I will enroll anyway! Truly looking forward to it! casey.clt@gmail.com

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  20. Hi there,

    Stumbled across your blog from CED. I'm loving your space here. I'm a repressed Creative, and I'm finding inspiration blog-hopping through other people's creative lives.

    I'm giving myself permission to be fully creative..... so it's an exciting and vulnerable time for me.

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  21. Oh, I would so love to win this. Maybe more than anything I have ever signed up for before!

    A bit out of curiosity, are you still in the KC area? I am, and I would love to get together for a bite to eat or coffee sometime if you are. Forgive me if I'm being a bit forward...

    I read your circle of stones interview. Thanks for sharing so much with all of us!

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  22. It sounds like everyone had a great time with your e-course!

    And made some beautiful pieces while they were at it.....

    Sign me up for the drawing!

    Thanks!

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  23. Shannon, it looks like this course really took off for you and for the participants. I am so sorry that I had to miss it, there was really some wonderful art pieces that were created I see and lots of learning and self discovery. I hope to be able to do your spring workshop, but I am going to into the last 3 weeks of my research course at that time...my final research proposal is due on April 20th so I might again have to pass. I sure am interested though. Maybe you will do another workshop in the summer or another one that I can actually sign up for. No classes in the summer this year! Good luck to you and thanks for the creative energy you bring to the world!

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  24. Fingers & toes crossed! I would love to win a spot for my beautiful, creative, daughter. Thank you. Trina Briggs, B.C.

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  25. Me please! I would love to play along.

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  27. Wow... How will you ever possibly choose from all of these beautiful posts, from whom I assume to all be truly amazing people, Shannon??? Well, I can't promise you a beautiful post from myself, or that I'm an amazing person, but what I can tell you is that I would be honored beyond belief to win this generous gift. I think that if I were to be given this spot, I would put even more zest into my contribution within this e-course! Your blog literally makes me giddy everyday. It's the most inspiring thing I go to on a daily basis. (I even shared it with my writer's group this morning!) Anyway, YES, I'm raising my hand for this fabulous opportunity, Shannon!!! :) Thank you, whatever the outcome may be!

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  28. I have been away from intentional creating for awhile and from art even longer. This would be just the push I need to find that creativity and inspiration and hopefully my higher self.

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  29. You all are so truly amazing. Seriously, I have to take a step back and some a big breath in. I feel blessed and happy to have connected with all of you.

    I will do the drawing late Valentine's so there's still opportunity to sign-up. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

    Happy heart day!

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  30. ooooo - I've been longing for something like this, but with limited income it is not possible. So please enter me in the giveaway!

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  31. What a wonderful giveaway!
    Please include me in your draw!
    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  32. I would LOVE to win! How thoughtful of you!!!

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  33. I would love to participate in the next e-course. I just completed a yoga teacher training program and this course would wonderfully augment what I've started to learn about myself. Thank you!

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  34. This looks fabulous Shannon! I love your style, your photos, your happy smile..It makes me want to get my chalks out and draw :)
    Would love to have a spot in the new session!!

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  35. LOVE LOVE LOVE all of your amazing comments. I'm glowing. Thank you.

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Thanks for sharing!