Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Express the Free Spirit in YOU

Free Spirit Spotlight Graphic

I asked the lovely Megan Monique to participate in this next Free Spirit Spotlight.  I virtually met Megan last year on Twitter (@meganmonique) and I had the privilege to meet her in person this summer when she stopped by my Kansas home as part of her Magical Eyes Tour.  She's bold, she's cool, she's funny and she's kind.  (Her photos say it all, don't you think?)  I know you will find her outlook on life to be quite honest, refreshing and super inspirational.

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How did you come to a place where you embrace yourself as a creative being?

Truly, I have been creative my whole life.  However, for most of my life I never called myself an artist.  I was always comparing myself to other people.  The real shift came when I started to embrace my own creative instincts.  I noticed people would come to me for feedback on certain things.  It was then I began to notice my niche and then really finding ways to utilize it in my business and to others who needed the creative boost.  I believe what calls to me most now is doing what FEELS good.  If it feels good to my mind, body and soul - then I dive right in.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?

I have a few.  Lately I have enjoyed working with pastels (I love getting messy with art).  There is something about having my hands covered in color that makes my life feel complete.  Hehe.  Also, anytime there is a glue stick involved - I am a happy camper.

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What is a free spirit to you?

To me, a free spirit is someone who listens to their Inner Goddess (mine is named Fiona)!  Our Inner Gods and Goddesses guide us through our path.  They are our intuition, passions and light.  When we can tap into that free spirit, that Inner Goddess - we can follow what we are most called to do in life - which essentially leads to peace and happiness.

Where do you get your inspiration?

What a great question!  I hadn't thought about this.  Color provides me with most of my inspiration. I love shiny things, especially glitter.  Another great fuel for my inspiration is fashion.  I love seeing people dress how they feel inside.  It's like wearing your soul on your skin.  Beautiful.  Honestly - inspiration pops up for me in many different forms throughout my day.  But my greatest creations come from looking inward.

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How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?

Unlike a lot of your readers, I don't have kids. (cheers to the moms!)  So it isn't as challenging for me to make time for creative play and since I work from home - it's even easier.  However, I do find myself seeping into a funk from time to time and when I do that I make sure to schedule time for creative play.  Whether that is with friends or by myself - I take an hour or so to explore my imagination and see what comes out.  Even though most of my creative projects are shared digitally, I still love venturing into the unknown of my imagination.

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What would you say to those who want to live a creative life and find their artist within, but don't know where to begin?

I would suggest that you begin with your childhood.  Look at the things you loved to do when you were a kid and how they made you come alive.  Even if it seems ridiculous to do it as an adult - that is where you need to look - there in lies clues to your passions.  Although the activity may look a bit different as an adult there is something in the way it made you FEEL that will lead you to your passion in this time and space.  Another important thing to remember is there is no box for creativity.  It doesn't look any one way.  When we stop comparing our work to that of others, we are able to see that we are all creative geniuses.

Click HERE to see a recent video interview I did that talks about creativity.

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Thank you, Megan, you free spirit, you.  (To learn more about Megan, visit her blog.)

Also, Megan is giving away two spots to her upcoming e-course called Rooted.  Simply leave a comment here by Friday 10 a.m. C.S.T. for your chance to win! 

Your Personal Reflection:  How do you express the free spirit in YOU?

22 comments:

  1. I loved learning about Megan and will go visit her blog next. I think her advice about not comparing to others, about creativity not looking any one way is sooooo important. And I have to remind myself of this constantly because if I let the inner critic and comparisons run wild I'd never get anything created :-)

    Megan's answers were great. And Shannon I haven't forgotten and am intending to work on my answers this evening all being well.

    Thanks for another inspiring interview.
    I'm off to visit Megan's blog next...

    Kat X
    PS please put me in the hat, thank you X

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  2. Growing and moving and going forward. That frees my spirit.

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  3. Great interview and lovely photos.... and anyone who wears orange with bright pink hair is definitely a free spirit! :D

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  4. What a lovely, creative and sweet person! I loved her interview. Her advice about looking into my childhood was awesome. I really enjoyed learning about her and her process. The best part was her advice about not comparing ourselves to others! That is such a hard habit to break. I don't do it to my kids, but I do it to myself!
    Thank you for this great post!
    xoxo, Angela

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  5. Just seeing her on the photos makes me smiling :)
    Would love to be part of the course offered by her! Off to check her blog now ;)

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  6. Great interview! I remember when you guys made those cool hearts together a few months ago. I would love to take Megan's e-course!

    Rae

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  7. I love Megan and I love this idea for her ecourse!

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  8. I would love to take part in this e-course!! I enjoyed the interview as well. Thanks Shannon.

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  9. I express my free spirit by trying something new each day - even if it scares me!

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  10. Hi Megan! I show my free spirit by blogging and knitting! I want to learn to paint, though.

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  11. (Previous comment lost!?!)

    Two beauties in one in here!
    I follow and adore Megan since Owning Ping and on her blog! She is Free Spirit itself! No better incarnation!
    I really wish to receive some of her wisdom!
    Grateful for the timing!
    Grateful for both of you in my life!
    Love,

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  12. Thanks for the great interview... this site is new to me, so I will be spending time on THIS site as well as Megan's! Woo-hoo, I just won TWICE! :-) I love thinking of creativity as more of a feeling and a flow than necessarily a product or outcome. Living creatively--being true to yourself and your path, and supporting others in doing the same--is the ultimate creative act, in my mind. And Megan's philosophy reflects that. LOVE IT! Thanks again! :-)

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  13. Oh I would love to win a spot in her e-course. What a wonderful and fun idea. Thanks for sharing your friend with us! I cannot wait to read more of her blog!

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  14. WOW!!! She is fabulous. I would love to tap in to a bit of her energy...!!!

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  15. Megan sounds and looks like the free spirit I have been trying to find in me.I would love to take Megan's e-course!!!

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  16. Thank you ALL for your entries and WONDERFUL compliments. So happy to have 'met' all of you. OX

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  17. Wow!! You are all so OSUM!! I am honored to be here... Now : ) I missed the deadline for comment to enter the drawing : ( Sick kiddos have been my focus for several days. We are releasing...renewing...rebuilding... ridding ourselves of dis-ease,and all that no longer serves us... foooor sure! I am so looking forward to being involved with you Megan... all of you... asap : ) Free Spirited, recently single stay-at-home Mom to children Serenity-11, Zen-6 and Phoenix-2, earnestly seeking the Divine creative genius Goddess within : ) I hear her... I feel her... I AM her... and I AM surrendering to staying in that Knowing : ) I am expanding...evolving... opening up to my infinite potential... finally : )Tears. I am so ready to make the most of myself...rising above my past... brighter... wiser... stronger... more brilliant than before... so I can help other BEautiful souls do the same : ) Megan- thank you for BEing such a magical inspiration... Thank you to ALL of you Goddesses truly BEing the change we wish to see in the world. Ahhhh... the world is a rainbow...and we are the creators...we are the radiant, colorful Lights : ) What a Divine gift, indeed <3

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  18. Thanks to each of you for sharing your awesome comments with us! I feel truly grateful to have connected with each of you!

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  19. Oh wow, great interview! I loved meeting such a beautiful and creative spirit! She's inspirational. Thanks, Shannon! :)

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Thanks for sharing!