Simple Keys to Living Your Life As Art

Uncover your natural artist within with these simple shifts. 


The most incredible artists have a passion for making their art.


They enjoy the process and simply allow something to emerge from their inner creative nature.

We all have passion available to us, but many aren’t connected to it at all. By simply making our inner life a priority and allowing enough attention to discover and develop it, we can connect with our creative energy more deeply than ever before. 


Be aware. Everything you do is already creating. Even when you drive along the freeway. Start with realizing you already are an artist and allow everything you do to be a part of your art form. Create your life in your ideal ways. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to the mysteries and miracles before you every day. It is a great opportunity that you have to be aware of this and consciously create each action as a deliberate work of art. 


Enjoy the dance of it all. When you drink water, why not drink it happily and give thanks for the replenishment to your body rather than dreading the plain taste. It creates a much more fun experience to have this type of open-minded attitude and appreciation for the events you experience in life. 


Develop your inner artist. Begin by uncovering the innate talents you have. Have an open mind and be gentle with yourself. Explore what you are attracted to and continuously nurture yourself in these areas. Take your creative projects to new levels. Educate yourself, look for new opportunities, and connect with others who have the same interests. 


Stay on top of it. Make it a priority to check in with yourself each week. Give yourself this space to integrate everything going on in your life. Follow up on goals, sync with current things going on, look at present opportunities, and allow time to refresh again. Connect with various parts of yourself, what you want to do, and connect them. Consciously create your ultimate dance with time. Make sure those you are dancing with are enhancing to your experience, rather than draining it. Keep mentors close and be a mentor to those you can.

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 2/4/09.  Refreshed 2012.

  

How to Process Emotions and Find Their Value

Step-by-step instructions on what to do with feelings. Key information that has to be easily referenced!

By honoring your inner feelings and emotions, you quench your deepest thirst. These arise as golden breadcrumbs indicating an opportunity for alignment with your greater self. However, they are not always the easiest to deal with.

Here are simple steps to processing your emotions – to get through them rather than “stuffing them”. Reap the rewards of these divine hints.

1. Grab a pen and paper and get to a quiet space. Go to the bathroom if need be. Center yourself and create a compassionate space for your healing.

2. Write down what made you feel blue. Who or what upset you? Outline notes about what triggered the emotions.

3. Vent/express the emotions. In a healthy, safe way, let the feelings out! Get to those feelings that the innermost part of you felt in the situation. You can cuss if it helps you to uplift them from your inner being (this actually pumps out your lower chakra). Act as if you are talking to that person and say the harshest things you want to say – on paper. Let it all out - anger, frustration, and sadness. You can punch a pillow, exercise, cry, talk it out, create art - whatever works best for you, as long as you have the intention of letting these emotions out of your body and physically release them.

4. See the reflection. What opportunity has been given to you today? Why did God bring this into your life? What did you want to learn here? Usually if you go back and look at the things that you said in #2 and #3, you’ll find that you’ve been doing these exact same things on some level to someone as well, possibly yourself. When we aren’t seeing what we are doing, the world acts as a mirror to reflect to us what we are doing - to help us see. If you are open, you will find it.

5. Own the mirror. Accept what you have done and determine how you will be better next time. If necessary, make agreements with yourself or others about how to handle these situations or feelings in the future. True compassion is beyond forgiving - its actually giving thanks to the people who have helped you to learn about yourself.

6. Clear it out. Apologize to the person who has reflected this to you. Sometimes, it may be yourself or your inner child. A true apology has nothing to do with rationalization. Simply speak to the pain that you have caused, acknowledge it, and if possible make amends. Take action to better yourself.

As you continue to work through emotions, you may find that many of them clear out and you are not triggered as easily any more. After repeated use, people often heal miraculously from their dis-eases, look years younger, and you may see a sparkle return to their eyes.

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 10/29/09.  Refreshed 2012.

  

Feel Great Being Grateful

Gratitude is the easiest way to really be happy. We’ve been taught this so much that we don’t value it anymore. However, giving thanks not only improves your living, it heals feelings, and allows joy to be a regular force in your life.

Sure it sounds easy. But so many of us are numb to the feeling of being thankful. We take for granted the soft pillow that comforts our head and the clean water we have for a bath. Small things - sure, yet huge conveniences and benefits. We’d definitely notice if they were gone!

Not until my own personal experience with this lesson, did I know it so well myself. About a year ago my mom’s house was in one of the California wildfire areas. She got her favorite items and animals and evacuated her home. The firemen decided it was too dangerous to protect the canyon where her home is. They let the fire go free in the whole canyon. My mom was devastated. I was stuck at work and longed to be there to support her. I felt sick to my stomach and overwhelmed with despair.

Although I knew I should be thankful that she was alive - and I definitely was - it was very difficult to actually feel that way given the circumstances. I had a deep gratefulness in my heart, but was more overwhelmed with feeling hopeless about her challenge. My mom had no insurance and would have to rebuild from nothing. I was so sad to see her go through the stress of this situation and wanted to care-take her and protect her from the pain.

A coworker gently nudged me enough to look at the situation again, with an attitude of gratitude. And although I had already told myself this and wasn’t able to really feel that way, somehow she triggered me to reach that point of really opening to feeling very thankful. Pausing in that feeling allowed a shift which released the yucky heavy stomach I had. My heart began to glow with joy. I felt it sing; “My mom is alive! Thank God she is alive!”

The best thing I could offer to my mom in that moment was a reminder to be thankful for what she does have.

Her house did not catch on fire. It came up to the edge of her barn and caused severe damage in her canyon, but her home and her things were untouched.

I will never forget this lesson - as simple as it many seem. It was one of those that actually shifted my awareness and freed me up. I know the true power of being thankful first hand and live differently because of it. Every day I live in gratitude for much of it, which I find is a very enjoyable way of living. I see benefits and opportunities and feel more joyous. When I don’t feel grateful or I feel down, I tune into myself to look at why and process the emotions.

Studies have proven that gratitude increases the experience of feelings of happiness and positive emotions. They’ve also proven that being thankful increases your physical and mental health - and leads to increased energy throughout the day.

You Know The Secret

Just as “The Secret” made famous, there is a universal law that happens – whether we pay attention to it or not – that says “whatever you invest your energy into, manifests”. Whether you worry or work hard, both are creating your reality. If you worry about your greatest fears, they can come true. If you instead channel your energy into vision, love, and growth - that is what you experience.

Knowing this to be true, why not channel your energy into focusing on the things that you are grateful for?

The Lost Mode of Prayer

Giving thanks is actually a form of prayer to many of the ancient cultures. This is the method used in the shamanic rain dances. As they dance, they call the rain through feeling thankful for already receiving it. They envision tall cornstalks that have grown from the plentiful rain and express the gratitude they have for the harvest. This is how many have traditionally called the rain to water their crops.

The state of thankfulness is a powerful method of attraction - much more so than being in a state of needing or wanting. When you say “I want peace”, you confirm that you are in need of peace, rather than already having peace. When you say, “I am peace” or “I have peace”, you are actually creating the peace itself by being it. Affirmations are used by millions of people around the world. These statements and ways of thinking open you up to truly creating that which you seek.

Affirmations can be hard for the critical mind as saying them can feel elementary or too basic while repeating wishful thoughts. If such is the case for you, a better form of this awareness is available through songs with affirming lyrics. By singing or following along, you affirm the powerful words. As such, be selective of what you allow to be running in the back of your mind. It makes a big difference on the feelings you have.

The original intention of Thanksgiving by the natives was to be in the state of thankfulness for all of the food they were blessed with and were able to harvest.  By emanating this thankful essence and attitude, they attracted more blessings into their lives.

Isn’t that who you like to help? Those that are truly grateful?

The Power to Transcend

Being thankful is great way to lift your fear into love. Give thanks for the opportunity to learn. See it with true compassion.

Bring Gratitude Into Your Daily Life

• As you give thanks, open your heart and allow it to pour out gratitude.
• As you open your eyes each morning, give thanks for a new day.
• As you take a take a bath or shower, reflect on the past day and give thanks for the opportunities and blessings.
• Every morning note five things you are thankful for. They can be anything from “a home” to “a nourishing place to center myself and love my family”. Whatever your style. Just note the things that you are genuinely feeling grateful for at that moment.
• Give thanks for each meal before eating it.

www.gratitudelog.com is an online community in which people share their five thankful things for the day. If interested, you can connect with others there who are in the healthy habit of giving thanks.

by Danielle Crume © 2011

Originally Posted 12/16/09.  Refreshed 2012.

  

Giving Thanks in the Morning

One of the most powerful exercises I do in my day is to give thanks in the morning.

At times giving thanks naturally arises for me. At others it doesn’t. It’s been those times that I’ve been far from feeling thankful that I’ve really come to understand its significant importance on another level.

Now it’s a key part of my “daily do”. I have a regular morning routine that I play with to help me get off to a great start. Giving thanks has the greatest consistent effect over any other part of my morning “get ready” rituals.

It’s simple. I just take a few moments out and check in to what I’m naturally feeling thankful about – and then magnify it. Sometimes I have to search deeply and may come up with things like “I am thankful for being in this nourishing space with my loving family." At others simple things will pop up quickly, like “I am thankful for having the space to take a bath this morning."

I’ll tune into the first five things to arise and feel my heart expand with thankfulness for each one. I usually do this in a quiet space such as driving in the car or in my home before leaving for the day. The bath is the best. Sometimes I like to write them down on a list in my daily planner.

It greatly impacts my attitude for the whole day. On the days I’ve forgotten to take time out and feel thankfulness, I often notice at the end of the day that I’ve felt distant or disconnected. My day can feel more like a struggle I have to push through than a delightful experience that unfolds. When I take time out for giving thanks, I take a more artful approach naturally.

By exuding gratitude, my whole being is naturally shifted into a different state. I feel more grateful and am more aware and present. My perspective is much more open and receptive. My attitude becomes more playful and fun.

So just a little reminder for us all to give thanks! …Even our logic can justify it. =)

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 10/14/09.  Refreshed 2012.

  

Being Happy - From the *Inside* Out

I've always been a people watcher.  As a young girl, I openly looked at everyone I came in contact with, wondering who was the happiest?  It was a little disheartening during my exploration to uncover that it seemed that almost everyone had a significant amount of unhappiness and troubles in life.  I guess I wanted to live a fairy tale.  Some people, however, had a great time with life even through its challenges.

I noticed that those who were happiest usually had a sense of humor about their experience.  They weren't richer, more beautiful, or better off.  They were just happy with what was and were strong in rolling with it.  Everyone goes through hard times.

Being truly happy is not by getting somewhere or accomplishing something.  It is a part of who you are.  It is your character, your essential being, the fabric of you.  Children are often born with a knowing of it, but many of us lose touch with this understanding along the way.

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" 

Happiness is a personal thing.  And we're all different.  That being said, these are recurring  characteristics of those who are consistently happy:

• Have Preferences Instead of Needs.  Ask for what you want, but don't be unhappy if you don't get it.  Go with the flow and make the best with what is.  

"Do not spoil that which you have by desiring what you have not;

but remember that what you now have was once 

among the things you only hoped for." ~Epicurus

• Enjoy the Journey.  Keep going for what you want, but don't require a certain outcome to be attained before you allow yourself to feel happy.  Enjoy the whole time through.  Continuously strive for goals and growth - and treasure each step as part of a beautiful experience.  When you enjoy each step, you are excited to move forward and thus grow exponentially faster than the average.

"Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.

If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." ~A. Schweitzer

• Be Fulfilled with Faith.  Whatever form it may be that fills your soul, know what it is for you.  If you have found and connected with your faith, treasure the blessing.  If you have followed a crowd into a practice - but don't find it fulfilling or haven't found what feels right for you - explore all kinds of faiths, beliefs, etc.  Those who have connected with their spirituality have a deep sense of purpose that fills their cup regularly and are not in need of anything outside to complete them.  So if this isn't your case, enjoy the journey of uncovering that and moving into living it.  Just keep following your curiosity and allow your heart to guide you.  Often times all you have to do is stop being in your own way.  It's always been there.  Just open up and be ready for it.  Nearly all forms of organized faith believe some form of "Ask and you shall receive."  You've always been invited.

• Trust.  We are given all we need.  We may always think we won't make it through, but we have, haven't we?  Everything is fine in this moment.  You've made it here.  There are those who are suffering greatly - and the more we can grow our collective consciousness, the more we can improve conditions and resolve root issues that so that the world is a safe and abundant place for everyone.  If each of us worked on ourself, that's all it would take.  As we grow, we can easily help many others who aren't getting enough.  Begin with practicing to trust in your daily life.  Trust that everything that comes to you is for a reason and that all you "need" is within reach.  This goes hand-in-hand with heartfelt faith, so begin cultivating your faith if this seems unfathomable.  If you are already in connection with your spirituality, step up to living it - with true trust.  This doesn't mean to act ignorantly at all.  It means to get up and dance with life.  Stop fearing it.  It really is all happening perfectly.  Not always wonderfully, but always perfectly for where we are at.

"Each problem has in it an opportunity so powerful  

that it literally dwarfs the problem." ~J. Sugarman

• Give Thanks.   Receive everything with gratitude - even challenges.  Start each day with giving thanks and your entire experience will significantly shift for the better.  It's not only proven scientifically, but supported by many of the most successful people in the world in every sort of realm.  Feel GREAT by being grateful.

"The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today 

is to start being grateful for what you have right now." ~Oprah Winfrey

• Select Your Experience.  You are not a victim to anything.  You experience whatever it is you focus your attention on and invest your energy into.  Instead of fear, choose to focus on loving outcomes and that which you prefer rather than fear.  Don't give into dramas.  Release them and LET GO!  It's amazingly freeing!!!  Don't worry about others and stop judging them.  Look at the things you see everyday that are vibrantly displaying something that is not your preference, give thanks that you've seen it to know more about what you do not want, and then reflect on what it is you do want instead.  Focus on CREATING that what you prefer rather than REACTING to that which you are not interested in or refuse.  These irritators and attractors are divine breadcrumbs.  Notice them, take note, and adjust your experience accordingly.  As you make these adjustments, you feel happier - and attract less from your fears.  A basic part of life is facing our fears and growing beyond them.  When those times come, welcome them, stand up, and be your best.  You'll get through them fine.  We are only faced with what we are prepared to work on.  If we aren't ready to grow beyond them yet, we keep facing them until we learn to grow beyond them.  These are the basic patterns of life - the divine dance.  As you notice the challenges become easier, select your next level of growth - and keep going!

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within." ~H. Friess

• Know Your Story - and Then Move On.  We all have a past that was not what we'd define as ideal at the time.  So own up to it, be aware of it, and take new steps in light of it.  When you do that - when you give life your all - you consciously create one that is in alignment with who you are now.  Fully participate by checking in with yourself and adjusting your conditions as necessary.

"What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret 

than our willingness to choose life."~Leo Buscaglia

• Have Compassion for Yourself - and Others.  I'd really like to list this first as this was one of my biggest lessons, but I think it makes more sense to be here, logically... so here it is.  Be your best - and lighten up on yourself knowing that you are giving it your all.  So many of us are so damn hard on ourselves that we are stuck in think layers of guilt - paralyzed in life.  Many of us have an inner voice (yes, we talk to ourselves in our heads - know it!) that is extremely critical and downright abusive.  This happens.  Its not your fault.  Its part of our collective consciousness.  So choose to rise above it.  Make a commitment today to love yourself and be your best friend.  Your entire life will change significantly and it will be much more enjoyable.  Many of us, women especially, seek a fulfilling relationship from others.  If we can give it to ourselves, we can truly be a delight to others - adding to their experience, rather than trying to pull them into ours.  Be love.  The more you love yourself, the more you can really love others.  You can love them with Pure Love rather than one fueled with selfish motivations.  The more you love others, the more you will love yourself.  Get in the love cycle guys.  It's much more fun than the one you've probably been stuck in...  Be at peace with trying your best, honoring your needs and feelings, and being love.

"Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight." ~Rumi

• Honor Your Feelings.  When things feel bad, when you are sad, or feeling down, don't shy away from the truth.  Take off the rosy colored lenses and be openly honest about what's going on.  Tune into you.  These feelings are divine sign posts.  Honor them by looking at them and see what needs adjusting.  This is a great way to truly being happy.  We have our own guidance system built in.  Make sure to check on it often.  Emotions rise.  Stop and tend to your feelings as soon as you can.  Give yourself the conditions to compassionately deal with them. We all are faced with sadness.  Life is constantly changing and its hard to let go of things that we treasure.  However, we can still be sad without being unhappy.  As we grow in awareness of the beautiful cycles of life, we can grieve with gratitude for what leaves us or the challenges we go through.  Its a way of blessing it with love and letting go.  With a solid foundation, these things don't take away our happiness.  We can be happy with the process and what is to come from the changes.  We can even be happy when we are sad - happy because we are feeling our emotions rather than thinking our way out of them.  It says a lot about how much we've grown!

"There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course.  

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, 

the world 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." ~C. Jung

• Speak Your Truth.  Be who you are.  Be totally you.  You are a gift from God, as we all are.  So please, be you.  As they say, "everyone else is already taken".  But seriously, there is magnificent beauty in who you are.  Allow it to unfold and share your authentic being with the world and with your loved ones.  We need you.  When faced with challenges, stand up as who you are and share your feelings and perspective with others.  Live your truth.  It's much more enjoyable, very freeing, and lots of fun.   We are all different pieces of the puzzle - each one essential and equally a part.   

• Have Fun.  We all have our own funny characteristics and likes.  I love to play games.  I consider it a very serious part of my day to retreat into something fun.  It's healing and reenergizing.  I love it.  Be goofy if you like to be goofy.  Be dorky if you are really a secret dork inside - or possibly even a very obvious one :).  Enjoy your life.  Spend time with those who make you laugh.  Sing out loud even if you sound terrible.  Watch your favorite comedian at least once a week for a few moments.   Live your life as art - and share that pleasure with others.  Squeeze smiles, laughs, and fun into every moment you can.  Lighten up and don't take it too seriously.

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; 

it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."~ Franklin Roosevelt

• Nurture Your Relationship with God.  Develop it, treasure it, make it a part of your daily being, and relax into it.  Remember you are a soul having a human experience, not the other way around.  Think of life as a Harvard of experience and growth - and every day give thanks that there is so much beyond here and that you are so much more beyond your body.  Have fun while you've got it and make the most of this experience as well.  Indulge in your personal relationship with your Creator and the life you have been given today.  Savor the gifts of the Divine.

• Be in Service.  A secret of the manifestation masters - the creme of the crop lesson in these teachings - is that you can reap rewards exponentially faster by giving others what it is you seek.  By focusing on another, you can much more easily find the way to what it is you are seeking. Now, hopefully your motivation is simply to give back...   but whatever it may be to get you started, leave a legacy and participate in the world.  Give back and make life a little better each day.  One very simple way is to smile at a stranger.  Such a simple act, yet greatly changeable.  Be in the habit of smiling.  A huge way to assist the growth of the collective is to dedicate service to those you can help.  If your skill is cooking, cook for an elderly family member and share a few hours with them.  If your skill is financial calculations, help your mom get ready for her taxes.  If we'd all just give back at home that would make a huge change.  If you can reach farther and give back where others aren't reaching enough yet, that helps greatly too.  If you can do both, great!

"Happiness cannot come from without.  It must come from within.

It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; 

it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves."

~Helen Keller 

As I continue to grow and get even more curious, I often become the subject of my own studies.  In the last ten years I've made significant changes in my life to go for everything that I've dreamed of.  Not everything is always "going great," but I am greatly happy - from the inside.  It was tough and took strength to be brave enough to expand beyond my limits and do some of the hardest things for me, however, a much better self relationship has ensued.  I am grateful and enjoying the blessings of this foundation in my life.

I've also had my share of hardships and adversity.  My life hasn't been a cake walk.  However, I don't let my challenges keep me down; rather, each one builds on and adds to my character.  Through the experiences, I grow.  Although some were extremely painful, through them I chose to transform.  I stood up, faced them, and dealt with my feelings.  I went for love and growth beyond the pain.  Not right away.  I allowed the healing process to flow naturally, but I did make sure I got back up - each and every time.  Mistakes we make and challenges we face can often spark amazing changes that will last us a lifetime.

Please share your experience or favorite quote.  What makes you happy?
To our happiest year yet, with lots of Love!

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 1/5/10.  Refreshed 1/3/12.