My goal for the month was to paint a picture every day of the sky and clouds.  I didn't paint every day but I did paint  20 out of the 31 days so I feel good about what I accomplished. This week I hung many of my paintings across a wall in my studio.   I have always felt that my paintings all looked the same.  But when I saw them hanging together I realized that althought the theme was often the same the paintings were different.  The sky might have been a morning sky or it might reflect a very sunny day or that a storm was coming up.  There is usually water in my paintings but it might be the ocean, or a river, or the lake. Hanging them up  together was a great way to step back and evaluate what I am doing and learning.  I realize that most of you already know what I am just learning but it always fun to share something new (at least new to me) with others. 

It was fun to challenge myself in this way.  I am not sure what I will do for the month of June but I think this is a good way to keep growing and learning while really enjoying myself. 

My post would not feel complete without a few words about what I am grateful for this week.  As we begin this summer, my husband is feeling so much better than he was a year ago.  It is wonderful to be able to see him really enjoy what he is doing each day.  We have learned never to take anything for granted and for that I am very grateful.  

        Remember :  When you share your gifts and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
       
                                                    Linking with Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day

Wednesday is the day designated to sharing a Kaizen-Muse coaching strategy with everyone.  But it is also becoming a day to visit WOYWW (What's on your workdesk Wednesday)  It is fun getting to see what everyone else is doing and it also a great reminder to clean up my desk at least once a week. 

This week it was easy to combine both of my objectives.  On my desk is my Reminder Journal which I really love.  A reminder journal is kept for the specific purpose of reminding yourself what is working or what has made an impression on you that day.   Each page is dedicated to only one thing.  It can be a compliment you received, a quote you want to remember, an explanation for a new technique, the solution to a problem or whatever else you want to remember.  Most of us easily remember what does not work.  It's normal for our brains to go there.  But it is often more difficult to remember what really works for us.  Not for somebody else.  But what works for us.

What I love about the way this journal works is that on each page you are to write only one sentence or one quote, etc.  It should be a quick way to remember something that is important to you or something that made a difference in your day. 

So the quick, easy, and really important Kaizen-Muse strategy I'd like to share today is the importance of the Reminder Journal. Remind yourself of what you have accomplished.  Remind yourself of what steps you have made towards making your dream come true.  And remind yourself of how truly unique and special you are.  And last but not least remind yourself that the world is waiting for you to share your talents and gifts them. 

             Remember - When you share your gifts and talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!

If you would like to learn more about the idea of a Reminder Journal or any other Kaizen-Muse strategy, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].  It would be great to meet you!

                                          Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.  
                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                 Chinese Proverb

I think this proverb has a message for so many of us.  I know it does for me.  We live in such a fast paced world that it is often hard to slow down and when we do it sometimes seems like we are standing still.  But I have learned that the slower I go, the more time I have, and the more progress I make. Several weeks ago I wrote about taking the time to think about and plan changes in my studio.  When I wrote that blog, I was thinking there would have to be major changes and new furniture, etc.  But when I set up my vision board on Pinterest I realized I have basically what I want and need.  This week I rearranged a few things and the studio is just what I need at this point in time.   

The above proverb goes with the basis of my coaching philosophy - take small steps and you will get where you want to go in a calm peaceful way.  I am using this philosophy in my garden this year.  It's a small garden but I am enjoying creating it so much more because I am doing a little at a time.  Each day I go out and enjoy listening to the birds sing as I plant my flowers.  I take time to appreciate all the green that surrounds me and the blue of the sky each morning.  It is a perfect way to start the day. 

It is interesting how slowing down can improve how you feel and think.  It can help you realize what is truly important to you and where you want to put your energy.  It can help you appreciate what you already have and recognize what you want to do in the future.  It can help you recognize the special moments in your day and remember them for a long time.  When we rush through life, we actually miss the things that mean the most.  So although I never want to stop growing, I know now that for me slowly but with purpose and intention is the way to move forward.  If you wanted to slow your life down just a little bit, what is one small step you could take to make it happen?


You don't need diamonds to make your light shine brightly.  It comes from knowing who you are, what you love to do, and sharing your dreams and yourself with the world.  Then it is easy to sparkle.                  Ginny Lennox  

Well the journey continues.  Clouds, skies, and more clouds.  When I put this picture on the computer I realized that all of the trees were leaning to the right.  When I write everything goes to the right as well. It is a good thing that all of the students that I taught handwriting to years ago are probably using computers.  I did my best to model good handwriting but ............ 

I am trying to get over my reluctance to change my work so I decided to change my trees to mountains.  When I put the picture on the computer the mountains looked a little too pink but sitting on my desk it does not look pink at all.  So the computer is good for helping you to write straight but can turn gray mountains into pink.  Which is good to know.  Even a computer is not perfect! 

We have had beautiful weather this week and for that I am so very grateful.  But I know that for many others the weather has been very harsh.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Oklahoma.  Years ago when I was first married we lived through a tornado.  We were young and naive and slept through it.  When we woke up there was devastation all around us.  It is something I will never forget.  We live in a state where we frequently experience tornados and I know what it is like to be in a school with 600 students who are in the halls waiting for the tornado to pass.  Luckily, it always changed direction before it got to us but it was terrifying for everyone as we waited to see what was going to happen. It is something none of us will ever forget. As I look back on those experiences, I am grateful for all of the wonderful students, teachers, and parents who came together to support each other.  When life gets tough, it is the support of the people around us who make it a little easier.  And for that I am always grateful. 
 
                                     As I do every Friday I am linking to Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day 

                            When you share your dreams and talent with the world, magic happens!  Let the magic begin.
                                                                                                                                    Ginny

Do you believe in synchroncity?  I do. Last week was my first time joining  What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) and I really enjoyed it. I love to look at how other people decorate and use their spaces in their home.  So being able to visit over 100 artists was a great treat.  Then this week a coaching client and I discussed creative workspaces. 

 Now, I am seriously looking at my workspace to see what I want to change.  It's fun to visualize what I want the room to look like, to look for inspiration on Pinterest, and then to think about how I can use what I already have just in a different way.  I believe in change in most aspects of my life but when it comes to my home once I am comfortable with an arrangement I usually stick with it.  But it is time for a change.  Time for something new.  Time to make my workspace not only more usable but more inspiring.  Wednesday's Walk is the time when I share what I learned as I became a creativity coach. In this series I have talked alot about the importance of taking small steps.  My first step in this project involves self-awareness.  If I could have a workspace that could include whatever I wanted, what would it be?  This week I am going to give myself the gift of time to think, to plan, and to create a vision of my space.  I want to enjoy the process of creating this space.  I want it to represent who I am now.  It was the perfect space for me several years ago but I've changed and my work needs have changed so my space needs to change as well.  I am excited about this project.  I think it will be fun to see what happens over the next several weeks or possibly months.  If you were going to change something this summer, what would it be?  What first small step would you take?  Remember one small step at a time will get you where you want to go.  What is even more important is that you will enjoy not only the finished project but each step along the way.  Who could ask for more than that?

                         When you share your talents and dreams with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin. 
                                                                                                 Ginny Lennox, Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach 

                       Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life.  Mark Twain


I love the thought of every day being the most beautiful day of my life.  That would mean that each day would be incredible with only more beautiful days to come.  Do I think that is possible?  I do.  I am not sure I would have always answered in the same way but now I realize that every day is special, every day can be beautiful.  It does not mean that every day will be the same or that every day will be perfect.  But I have learned that even in difficult times there can be beautiful moments and beautiful days.  There is always something we can learn.  There is always a beautiful sky to look at, a breeze to feel, or a picture to paint. There is always a person to smile at, a child to laugh or giggle with, and a dog to pet.  We can always find a way to turn a negative into a positive.  Is it easy?  No.  But it is definitely worthwhile. 

I love to start my week with a positive quote. I am not sure I always remember it by the end of the week.  But I do believe that somewhere in the back of my mind the quote that began my week is there helping me to make decisions that lead to beautiful days and special moments.  So let's try, let's give every day the chance to be the most beautiful day of our lives. I hope you will join me this week in finding the simple things that make life beautiful.

                     When you share your talent and dreams with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin.
                                                                                                                          Ginny Lennox

My challenge to paint a sky a day continues.  I have not completed a picture each day but I have worked on something so I think that I will let that count.  Since I created the challenge, I can change the rules as I go.  I am having fun working on each painting and that is definitely one of my goals.  This is a really loose painting.  I am trying to decide whether to take a drawing class this summer.  I thing it is something that I need and would enjoy.  If anyone has a recommendation for a great online class, I would love to know what you have enjoyed.

It's almost Friday so it is time to share what I am grateful for this week.  Tonight I went to watch my middle grandson graduate from 4 year old kindergarten.  The children were adorable and I loved every minute of it.  I taught kindergarten many years ago and I know how much hard work goes into a performance like that.  I know how much the teachers plan and worry and want things to go just right.  But with four and five year olds you just never know.  Tonight one little boy decided to make a really cute but spontaneous gesture after receiving his diploma which got a big laugh.  The next twenty boys decided to add a gesture or two or their own.  My seven year old grandson could not wait to see what they were going to do next and was completely disappointed if they just hugged their teacher after getting their diploma.  So this week I am glad that I was Nana having a great time in the audience enjoying every minute of the whatever those kids decided to do.  I have been on that stage never knowing what was going to happen next.  I would not give anything for the years I taught, they were wonderful, but tonight it felt just right being able to just sit back and enjoy the show.  It has taken me a long time to adjust to being retired but I think I am finally there and for that I am very grateful.

                      When you share your talent and dreams with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin.
                                                           Linking with Paint Party Friday

                                                       "Imperfection is a form of freedom"   Anh Ngo

When I saw this quote on Pinterest I immediately repinned it on my Creativity Coaching Board and much to my surprise it was one of my most popular pins.  Being a perfectionist is something many creative people struggle with and something that seems to pop up again and again as I blog or work with friends or clients.  It can truly block us from moving forward.  It can take the joy out of what we are doing.   It's hard to be perfect and it can be diffuclt to change if that is your natural tendency.  But just as with anything else change can happen if, (1) we are aware of what we need to change (2) we are changing for the right reason (3) we begin with tiny steps and (4) we celebrate each of the steps we take.

This month I have challenged myself to painting a picture of the sky and/or clouds each day.  The thing that is different about this self-imposed challenge is that there are no expectations.  I begin each painting just like a kid.  I pick a pastel and start to play.  Not only am I having fun but I am learning so much about myself, what works for me, and what I want to do differently next time.  I am not judging each painting (at least I am trying not to) and every day I am finding things that I really like about what I created.  

So yes I do agree that imperfection can lead to freedom.  It can lead to the freedom to explore, the freedom to relax, and the freedom to have fun.  It can also lead to wonderful discoveries that can lead to new insights or to new adventures that we never would have thought possible.  If you have not done so before, give imperfection a try and see what happens.  

                                                                Linking to WOYWW and Creative Every Day

                      When you share your talents and dreams with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin.
                                                                                     Ginny Lennox, Certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach

Wednesday's Walk is a series of posts that discuss creative blocks and the strategies that can help you overcome them.  If you have any questions or topics that you would like me to discuss, I would love to hear from you.

                     "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep."  Scott Adams

I think the above quote would be great for a discussion.  Some people think there are no mistakes.  They believe that we can learn from everything we do.  Others are paralzyed by just the thought of making a mistake. There are lots of mistakes in the above painting.  There was a time when I would have painted this picture, analzyed it for what I could do better next time, and then put it away.  Now, when I paint I am learning to look at what I have created with kind eyes.  The same type of eyes I use when looking at someone else's work.  I find the colors that I like, the stroke that is perfect, the one petal that is formed right.  I celebrate those parts of the painting. I hang the painting on the wall and look at it for several days.  I remember the experience of painting it and I celebrate the fun I now have when I  paint.  By recognizing that I will always make mistakes when I am trying something new and allowing myself the chance to grow as an artist, I have discovered the joy in painting.  And for me, that is what painting is all about - another way to find the joy in life.

                        When you share your dreams and talent with the world, magic happens!  Let the magic begin.

I am really enjoying painting a picture of the clouds and the sky each day.  I try to vary what I paint a little in each picture but without thinking about it, the central theme in all that I paint tends to stay the same.  I realize that I am ok with that.

I am learning how important my touch is with the pastel.  Too hard and my pastel is going to crumble. Too soft and I won't get the rich color I want.  I also am beginning to feel the difference in paper and I now realize how using the right paper can really make a big difference.

I am anxious to see what will happen when I complete 30 sky paintings in a row. It is something new for me and something that I am enjoying. 

As I always  do on Friday, I want to share what I am most grateful for this week.  This week I have to admit I am grateful for something that may be considered superficial but I can't help it - I love convertible weather.  Today was the first day I was able to put my top down and I was ready. When I was a teenager many years ago my first car was a convertible.  I have always loved feeling both the sun and the wind on my face.  So today the sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the top was down.  It was perfect!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend with perfect convertible weather.  Rumor has it that it is going to rain here again all weekend but I had my perfect day and I am sure there will be more.  I am linking this post to Paint Party Friday. It is a perfect way to start the weekend, with or without rain.

                  Remember:  When you share your dreams and talents with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!