Jump For Joy!

Enjoy this free printable! 

Create for Woman

I am so doing this!!! I think women everywhere should sign up and create for equality!!

Not my entry, but something like it(I'm still working on the boobies)

~PROSPECTUS: UniteWomen.org is looking for art that speaks to, examines and explores the social, political and economic issues related to women's activism. We are seeking art (all media) that expresses the women's perspective on issues of women's rights, political rights, reproductive rights, the ERA and issues of societal control which can range from literal to poetic, abstract to representational, and psychological, to social and political commentary. Submit work that explores the concepts of being a woman in today's global society and how social constructs define your experience whether internal, external, imagined or imposed, and how it defines and shapes our identities, relationships, ideas and politics. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme broadly; submit works that have resonance and meaning to you. UniteWomen.org will present these issues in visual form, creating a public forum for action, reaction, and informed discussion.~ 

BITCH

Why? Why do we live in a society that thinks it's alright to refer to women- 

The mothers of this earth

- as bitches?

As you all may or may not know, I bartend on the weekend, and I hear this word more than any other word. And it sucks. What's worse is that I hear it from the ladies just as much as the men.

"Where my bitches at"
"Damn, did you see that bitch?"
"so there were these two bitches"
"Bitch Please"
"Look at that bitch"
"hey bitch!" usually said lovingly...which makes me cringe.

Never would I drop a derogatory term towards a type of people or person...there will be no N words, no F words, no words at all. If you'd like to describe someone why not be complimentary?!? Why be negative at all? And if you are going to be an asshole, why not be intelligent? You can't think of a more hateful way to talk about a women or another group of person that you obviously despise, other than bitch?!?

Oh, wait, you don't despise women?
Ladies, you mean, you don't hate each other?
Then what the hell is up with all the name calling?!?

Every single time we use this word, we weaken the walls of our femininity, and allow abuse to seep in a bit more. The cracks start to show, and negativity pours in; breeding jealousy, paranoia, envy...all emotions that are going to rid you of self esteem and self worth.

Try this-

"Where my ladies at?"
"Damn, did you see that beautiful and powerful female?"
"So there were these two women"
"Girl, please"
"Look at that female"
"Hey dear!" "Hey love!" " Hey babe!" Hey beautiful!" or "HEY"

It's up to us to lift one another up. Remember your power, and if you can, remind someone else of theirs.

Be Creative Everywhere!

Monkey Joe's- an indoor bouncy haven for bubba's!

My travel studio!

Look what I created while the bubba's were playing!

I try to find pockets of time everyday, not such an easy task with 4 bubba's and a husband who's pretty cute. I'm always distracted and procrastinating. One of my goals for 2013 is to create EVERYDAY. Sounds like a large project, but it's totally manageable!

1. Sketch, doodle, write for 10 minutes a day.

2. Paint a background, walk away, come back and add elements throughout the day. You don't have to finish today, just work on it daily.

3. A little TMI, but I always take a note pad in the bathroom with me, it's really the only place in the house that I can get a bit of privacy.

4. I always have a sketchbook and some colored pens on hand, so if I'm waiting in line, or waiting on the kids, I can be productive!

It's easy to make time to be creative, you just have to do the work. If you create a daily practice, you'll start getting that artistic corner of your brain all juiced up and it will be ready for creation always!

Soul Talk

Please print this out and hang it up!

There are not enough people who are aware of what acceptance of a gift feels like.

Or hear the opening of a door. 

Or realize when their wishes and desires come to fruition.

You need to listen to your soul talk, hear the whispers, and know that they are true. 

Accept the offerings and open doors; before they are whisked away, or closed.

Never to return.

Trust what you feel,

and

Listen.

PS- You can never want or wish for too much- but it's up to you to be open to getting it.

Journaling

Journal pages, journal pages, time to get your journal pages, time to get your crayons and your pencils...(sang to this tune)



Journaling has become one of my favorite things to do after meditation.The images and words that I gently push to the side during my 'sit' I gather together in my journal through paint, ink, crayon, and pencil. How awesome would it be if they collectively explain all of my subconscious secrets when spread out and read?!? Spending just 15 minutes a day in your journal will give you a deeper understanding of the real you...

Don't you owe yourself a little love and understanding?

Love Your Body

Raise your body image with the begining of my Official 

Body Consciousness Plan

I'm really working on myself inside and out. In doing so I've been figuring out things that work for me, and I think they'll work for you too! Let's follow these together and I'll post my results monthly...I can't wait to see what December will hold for my soul!

 1. Become aware of your negative body talk. Negativity affects you inside and out, I can't say it enough, there are enough negative people saying negative things about you, don't add to it! Only point out what you do like and repeat it to yourself daily. I love my butt, it's big, and round and well; baby got back. I love it...it makes my jeans look amazing and my dresses fit awesomely!

 2. Do an energy scan- Once a day (I do it after yoga, before meditation) sit down and close your eyes. Breathe in and out with deep evenly counted breaths. Turn your attention towards your body- starting at the tips of your toes, Notice if anything feels weird, pained, or tense. If it does, place your hand on that spot and concentrate on "breathing" positive oxygen into that spot.Continue to do that throughout your body. Dis-ease can't live in a place that is oxygenated. And it never hurts to envision light pouring into your hand as well!

 3. Talk with your body image- Sit in a comfortable position, breathing deeply and evenly. Close your eyes and envision yourself sitting across from you. Notice every detail of your image. Ask it questions- Are you okay? Do you have anything to tell me? To teach me? Make sure to tell your image how much you love it. Visualize giving yourself a hug and really loving yourself.When you are finished, journal your results. It's amazing what doing this monthly or so and journaling about it, what a difference you'll read in your writings.

I'll continue to add to this series throughout the month. Let's make November POSITIVE IMAGE MONTH! It never hurts to give yourself some lovin'!

Today I Believe

If you pull back my skin this is what you would see.

 Today is the day I make a move...I have to decide which path at the fork in the road to take. And it looks like its going to be the one overgrown with weeds and briars, potholes everywhere. But i'm sure I can forge through and create a beautiful path with flowers along the sides and no feral animals in the wooded areas, it's just going to take me actually DOING the work. I tend to plan and dream and start...and fizzle...so my goal is to finish everything I set out to do today...and for the rest of my life! I need completion, but when you finish something- then it's open and bare and available to be criticized and judged...and that's something i'm still not comfortable with...the non-attachment to my work, my life, me...I think I've held the thought tight in the back of my mind, that if I'm always a work in progress, I can never feel the sharp sting of the criticism that's sure to follow. And who says there going to be criticism? Well, I can only assume my inner critic; that jerk that tells me constantly i'm NOT good enough, he's the ass that's been fueling my fears for 37 years. And I'm putting a stop to his whiny sniveling voice TODAY. 

I AM ENOUGH

I AM AN ARTIST

I AM BEAUTIFUL

I AM A GOOD MOTHER

As I write these mantras statements, I KNOW that they are true, I own them, but then, right when I'm about to finish a project, I feel the fear creeping up on me, and I find something else, "more important" stuff to work on, procrastination...it's a hell of a crutch.

So no more!

I WILL BELIEVE...

in me

in my art

in my life

in my abilities

I'm awesome, I just sometimes forget it!

Starting a Creative Revolution

I'm a self taught artist and creativity coach. Everything I've learned (mostly the hard way) I want to share with you. I've always been creative, but I never really knew my path until recently.
 I choose to be a part of a CREATIVE REVOLUTION...
I want to teach everyone that creativity and positivity go hand in hand and should be available for ALL. There is no reason for anyone to live in black and white and shades of grey...nor should they doubt their potential to shine brighter than any star. I love me and I want you to love yourself!!! Through art, journaling, yoga, creativity, meditation and love we will conquer self-doubt, despair  sticky stuckness and low energy in all areas of your life. Confidence is beautiful and bright! And so are YOU!

I just signed on to Ustream and i'm going to start having monthly gatherings online and LIVE as well as live demonstrations of yoga, art and journaling...and maybe some chitty chat too. I've really been thinking about how I want to lead my life and help others find their path...I know I talk about that a lot lately, but without the on-line proof...I'm trying to start small in my community and build into a larger community...and today is the day of on-line community building.

Help me Start a Revolution...
Let's start an online community of strong creatives who gather together and help each other through ALL times- life and art. I've been playing with intuitive creation for a while now and I want YOU to create along- with me...let's manifest magic by setting our intentions~in paint, journaling, and guided meditation and chat...
Grab the button in the sidelines and display it proudly on your blog, let's join together to create a new wonder of truth and safety. Join me here on the blog, or at my New Ustream Channel, OR at the newly created HappyTrees Studio Ning Site!!!! There I will be offering tutorials on everything from yoga to painting, classes and discussions, and plenty of forums and chats. I hope to interview other artists and creatives as well!!! I hope to see you soon!!!

xxsmoochxx ana

The Power To Empower

 The idea to start a Woman's Circle has been strumming deep in me for a while. I want to make a difference in my community. And I want to start with my sisters.  The idea that right now in this time of political uprising,   Women are one of the most vocally and physically attacked beings on the planet- bothers the shit out of me. The strong, independent, powerful, mother/sister/friend/goddess is becoming an endangered species one power at a time. They will start with stripping away our rights- and end with convincing us that we have NO power. WE are the mothers of this earth. We are the POWER. We give BIRTH. To ideas, children, LIFE. We are strong, and we have to ban together and not allow any one to convince our sisters that they are not special, powerful.

 YOU- WOMAN-YOU ARE AMAZING- remember that you hold power, remember how to harness that inner strength and energy- it's been with you since the beginning of time.

We ban together, we teach our daughters, we never forget.

We have the Power to Empower

Confidence from the Universe

It's not the steps that matter, anastasia, but the path.

All is well,
    The Universe

I receive these emails from the universe every couple of days , and let me tell you....they're almost always on time!I need these confidence boosters as much as I second guess myself sometimes, and they always make me smile! To start receiving some universal love into your inbox go to Mike Dooley's website at TUT and sign up, while your there peruse through everything and be amazed at the positivity that seeps through your computer!

GLOW

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WishBIG Instructor- Amy Palko

Amy Palko

  I am really excited about the e-class with Amy Palko. She sounds fascinating, and she's delving into herself like I want to. She teaches women how to regain their sense of self- through self guided centering. I only know what I read at Amy's blog, but I can't wait for her class. And to read everything she's written. I have been on a soul search to find the real me for quite some time, and I believe she may be the one to help me find my path!

Goddess Girl Power

 I have been blessed with four beautiful children, two girls and two boys. My girls are ages 2 and 10 and the 2 year old is fierce and dynamic, never afraid to be herself, she hasn't yet learned shame, fear, or pressure, And I hope I can shield her from that knowledge of childhood cruelty forever...or at least until she's confident enough to not care. But my dear sweet 10 year old is so much like my young self it makes my heart ache. She's so good...so willing to please...and so unbelieving of herself it makes me want to cry and yell at the same time.
 We have this practice in the family that if you say something negative, about anyone in the family-yourself included- you have to say three positive things to make up for it. I have to force her to say nice things about herself with the threat of time out or no TV...she says she doesn't want to sound too proud.


WHY ON EARTH NOT?!? 

Who is going to love her if she doesn't think she deserves it? Who is going to see her full potential, and convince her it's there if she never believes?
I don't want my beautiful girl, who is so GOOD, to waste her childhood believing untruths. I am trying to help her become empowered, become strong, become sure, BECOME. It took me 35 years to START to believe in myself. And I know, looking back, all of the joy I could have found in life had I believed in myself. I can't stand the thought of it taking her that long. My mama bear comes out full force when anything happens with my babes, and it comes out with they are mean to themselves as well.

Last night we rolled the windows down and yelled at the top of our lungs-
I AM GOOD ENOUGH!
I AM BEAUTIFUL.
I AM SMART!!!
I AM WOMAN!!!
She hated it...
And the newest (embarrassing to her)project, is saying to our reflection in the mirror how much we love ourselves, everyday...every time we brush our teeth. I'm sure she thinks I'm a nut case. But it's worth it because (hopefully) one day, she will believe in herself as much as I believe in her.