Listen - an important word and a valuable practice to begin.  I have been sitting in silence each day listening.  I hear the sounds of the leaves falling, the whisper of the wind, and the laughter of children. I hear the dogs barking and the rumble of cars coming and going but I also hear so much more.  I am listening quietly to my own thoughts and questions.  What to do next?  What brings me a sense of purpose each day?  What makes me laugh and what challenges me to grow?  What can I do for others that will allow me to share what I have learned throughout a lifetime.  I listen and the answers come - one by one.

I also listen to the sound of my own voice.  Two people asked me yesterday if I wanted to get a job.  The answer came quickly, loudly, with conviction.  No!  I want to create a business sharing with women all that I have learned through not only living a creative life but through my education and coaches training.  Knowing something is wonderful.  But sharing that information is what makes me happy.  

I hope that you are listening to your voice - both the quiet silent one within and the loud determined one that sometimes surprises even you.  Take a little time each day just for you. Listen quietly to the sounds around you.  Listen for the answers that come from within as you ask yourself the small but very important questions.  And then be prepared for the loud answers that eventually will spring forth.  It may take awhile but it so worth the wait!

Circle of Dreams is coming true.  It will begin in January.  When I picture Circle of Dreams, I see a small group of women meeting either through a teleconference or in person in Woodstock, Georgia.  We will come together once a week for six weeks and meet for 90 minutes each time.  Each woman will bring with her an idea, a dream, a goal, or a project that she would like to bring forth into the world.  We will meet to share, to set goals, to celebrate, and to support each other.  Your dream can be very small or take a lifetime to complete - all dreams are welcome and valued.  There will be an ending for each circle for those who want or need it but my dream is to see the circles continue for those who want to do just that.


Several years ago I was a member of just such a group.  There were women from all over the world in our circle.  All of us have continued to grow and support each other no matter where our dreams have taken us.  I would love to create just such a place for others.  


I am deliberately keeping each circle small.  I know there is value in truly getting to know each other.  I know that sharing our ideas with others helps to make them a reality.  I believe in the Kaizen-Muse creativity principles, tools, and strategies that I will be sharing each week. They work for me and I know they can work for you.  I would love for you to be a part of the Circle of Dreams which will begin in January.  Please contact me at [email protected] for more information or to become part of either the Circle which meets through teleconferencing or the one in Woodstock Georgia.  


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

Wednesday  night I hosted a wonderful conference call with five Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaches. Using the powerful Muses or creativity principles created by Jill Badonsky (The Nine Modern Day Muses And a Bodyguard) to guide our discussion, we shared ideas and strategies about self-care throughout the holidays.  When we first started our call words such as stress, dread, challenging, pressure, laughter, happy time, family time and uplifting all were shared. At the end of the call when I asked what one word each person would like to use as their guiding light throughout the season the following words or phrases were used:  contentment, grateful, joyful, mindful, shared space and peace. I've turned to the muses throughout the past several years to help with concerns I have with my own creative journey but also to meet life's challenges. They offer great insight on how to finish a painting, clean a room, or enjoy the holidays.  I created a handout for the call and thought you might like to read it.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season and that you will call on the Muses to help if you find that you need them!


                                                      Holiday Self-Care with the Muses            

The holidays present the perfect time to look to the Muses for guidance.  We often find ourselves overwhelmed as the season looms before us.  This year let the Muses help you create the holiday season that feels right for you and your family. 

Aha-phrodite – As you walk through the stores or out in nature what feelings do you get?  Do bright colors and lavish displays call your name or is it the soft blues and greens that leave you with a peaceful feeling? We all experience those AHA moments.  Take time to appreciate them and see where they lead you.

Albert – Albert helps us to think out of the box and to look beyond what we always do.  If every year you place your tree in the same corner with the traditional decorations, is this the year to change things up a little?  I know the kids and family love what you have done in the past but maybe this is the year to call upon both Albert and Audacity to give you the courage to break the rules.  One of my favorite trees was covered in Pepto Bismol pink ribbons and Christmas decorations.  I could tell by the looks on my friends’ faces as they walked in the door it wasn’t the tree they wanted in their house.  But it didn’t matter.  It was the tree that made me happy that year.

Spills and Bea Silly are great friends to carry with you throughout the holiday season.  Trying to find the perfect gift for everyone is truly overwhelming.  Mistakes are going to happen, gifts are going to get lost, and you may say Happy Holidays to someone who only wants to hear Merry Christmas.  Bea Silly helps you to look for the fun in the season and Spills reminds you that mistakes happen and that it is ok to be imperfect.  A wonderful season with a real person who makes mistakes is so much more fun that a supposedly perfect day with a person who has forgotten how to smile.

When you get tired, and we all do, remember Lull. She reminds us to take a break when we need it.  You may even want to build that break into your day or week.  Remember that it is ok to say no to something you really don’t want to do.  Do the things that make your heart sing!  Lull’s sister Song is someone I turn to often.  She reminds me to be as kind to myself as I am to other people.  During the holiday season a nice massage might be the perfect gift to give yourself or a day to just “be” whatever that means to you would be something Song would love to see you do.  Nurture yourself during this season so that you can also be there for others if they need you.

Marge is someone we all need.  She’s that person who tells us to get going.  But the different thing about Marge is she reminds us to take small steps.  Marge believes that it is easier to begin something as well as to get it done if you take small steps.  And you know what.  It works.  Not only do you enjoy what you are doing you get a lot more accomplished when you follow Marge’s advice.

I hope that everyone has a fantastic holiday season and that you will take time every day to notice and enjoy all of the special moments that are there if we just slow down enough to notice them.  Ginny

Circle of Dreams will once again meet in January.  Circle of Dreams is small group online coaching. We meet weekly for six weeks to discuss a special project that you are just beginning to dream about or something that you want to finish but for some reason just can't seem to get to. Maybe there is something you want to do but just can't quite put your finger on. We can help with that too.  My coaching approach has been described as peaceful, calm, and nurturing but very effective.  If support is what you need from a group of like-minded women Circle of Dreams is for you.  Spaces are limited so please let me know if you are interested or would like more information.   [email protected]

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

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



I think we all have dreams.  Sometimes we are excited about them and energized by them and immediately do whatever we can to make them come true. Sometimes they seem so out of reach that it seems impossible for them to come true.  But I have learned that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself and your dreams.  Nothing is impossible if you surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you and your dreams.  Everything is possible if you visualize your goal  and then take small steps to help that dream come true.
  
I have a dream and I have had it for a long time.  I want to work with women in small groups to make their dreams come true.  I want to do this in a way that fosters the understanding that dreams can come true in a quiet peaceful way. I want to create small groups throughout the year where women can share their dreams, receive support and encouragement, as well as learning strategies and tools that will help them through the creative process.  We all go through times of procrastination. We all are afraid to take that first step to introduce our idea to the world. Many of us are perfectionists. It's normal to experience these things when something is very near and dear to our hearts. But I have found that there are ways to overcome these fears in a way that seems easy once you begin.  

I would love for you to be a part of Circle of Dreams.  We will meet in person or by teleconference once a week for 90 minutes beginning in January 2015.  Each circle will be limited to seven women so that we will have time to talk, laugh, share, plan and celebrate our dreams and our goals each week for six weeks. You may have an idea that is just beginning to grow or you might be ready to introduce your dream to the world.  No dream is too big or too small.  Your dream can be to write a book or to begin painting.  It can be to change the colors in your bedroom or redecorate your house.  It can be that you want to take the first step towards changing your life.  It's your dream! 


 Circle of Dreams is a place to nourish your dream while taking care of yourself.  It is a quiet place that offers support and ideas in a nourishing way.  If you are interested in joining one of my circles this January, please let me know so that I can save you a spot and send you the details.  If you need more information or would just like to chat, please contact me at [email protected]

When people describe me they often use the words quiet, nurturing and peaceful.  I would love to help you nurture your dreams in a quiet peaceful way. Have a wonderful week and remember:
                    
      When you share your dreams and your talent with the world, magic happens. Let the magic begin!
                                                                                                                              Ginny

  The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
                                                                                                                                             Helen Keller

There are many times when I see a beautiful piece of art that I can't put into words why I like it, I just know that it speaks to my heart.  I've blamed my lack of words on my lack of knowledge but I am not going to worry anymore about explaining why I like something.  I think it is enough, or maybe more than enough, that something touches and speaks to me.
This is a beautiful time of year.  I have promised myself that each day I will take time to notice something beautiful in the world that surrounds me. This simple intention has filled each day with wonderful surprises.  The kindness that has been shown to me each day by friends and strangers alike is truly beautiful.  The color of the trees, the sound of the wind, and the laughter of my grandsons are all beautiful and bring joy to my eyes, ears, and heart.  Finding beauty in my world brings me both peace and joy while it opens unexpected doors.  What did you see, feel, hear, or experience this week that was beautiful to you. I truly would love to know!


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