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 © 2012

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.