This episode is a throwback to August 2019. I imported the audio from a video I did for my doula business (Heart Full Beginnings) when I was much more uncomfortable doing a lot of the stuff I do now without even thinking about it. Like a podcast.

The episode has a few references to activities and situations that may no longer be relevant based on how 2020 has changed us. However, the intention to make the most of your uncomfortable situation, circumstances or choices still applies. We can always choose to go back to the comfort zone. But how will that serve us or our community? The magic happens when we move through the fear and get comfortable with being uncomfortable over and over again. I guarantee you there will always be something new and uncomfortable to try.

Happy New Year!

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Have you ever given handmade gifts? And not just the ones that you bought from some maker at a craft show, either. Have you, yourself, made gifts to give to the people you love because the perfect gift just wasn't out there-- it had to come from your own two hands?

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss one of my most memorable Christmases, which was the one where we had very little financial wiggle room, but the impact of what I did choose to give was truly beautiful.

I believe that we all have the ability to express ourselves creatively. Maybe you don't consider yourself very creative. Maybe you have no desire to dabble in the arts or explore the crafting realms. But the gifts we come up with from our own impressions, inspiration and experiences when thinking of that special someone to whom we'd like to give are some of the most meaningful and memorable. And in the act of creating, trying something new, we not only connect on a deeper level to the item's intended recipient, we also connect with a deeper understanding of ourselves.

I mentioned this book in the episode, Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by Daid Bayles & Ted Orland. And here are a couple of the quotes that have resonated with me so far as I've been reading through it:

pg 5 "The function of the overwhelming majority of your artwork is simply to teach you how to make the small fraction of your work that soars."

pg. 15 "Imagination is in control when you begin making an object. The artwork's potential is never higher than in that magic moment when the first brushstroke is applied, the first chord struck. But as the piece grows, technique and craft take over, and imagination becomes a less useful tool. a piece grows by becoming more specific...The development of an imagined piece into an actual piece is a progression of decreasing possibilities..."

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and holiday season full of peace, joy and hope.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13

In this week's episode, in the spirit of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, I thought it would be fitting to discuss a little bit of my early explorations into the world of selling art. I'm a total white belt at it, or as my kids would say, "noob." I've been learning a lot since I got a little bit more serious about creating with openness to selling. Which is different than creating to sell. I will always create because of a deep need to create, but as I explore different opportunities to contribute financially to my family's well being, I'm taking a journey to a place where I always thought I would want to go since my very early days of wanting to be an artist when I grew up.

The one book mentioned in this episode is Start With Why by Simon Sinek. Even if you're not an entrepreneur or business owner, leader or CEO, there's a lot of value in what he has had to say. So for some more information, check out the book or his TED Talk.

This week's challenge is to put your creativity out there. Do something new. Put yourself out there in a new way. Show the process or put a piece up for sale. Or prepare something of your own to give as a gift -- This is the perfect opportunity. If you'd like to share in a super small (for now) Facebook Group, you can check out @mymartialartsncrafts page on Facebook to join the group and show me. I'd love to take a look.