a tickle of words to create smiles

Archive for the ‘Imagination/Creativity’ Category

New Beginnings

NewBeginnings

As we kickoff a new school year in my hometown, I like to give myself a clean slate… A NEW BEGINNING. Starting Monday, September 1st, I am challenging myself to create consistently and regularly in many areas of my life. I will be expanding my imaginative spirit in art, writing and grate-full living. I plan on documenting my progress this year in writing, in expressive art, in photography and video.

The THEME I have chosen for SEPTEMBER is NEW BEGINNINGS; and the prompt for week 1 is: EXPLORING LINES.

As I embark on this creative journey, I will share my writing and grate-full living experiences here on A Kiss of Bliss; and, I will share my artwork and art techniques on Blissful Art.

You are invited to join me. You can share your progress in the comments here on my blog or join my Facebook group – Art, Buddies And Creativity: www.facebook.com/groups/ArtBuddiesAndCreativity.  You can also subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AKOrobko where I will be posting videos of my journey. Here is the link to the kickoff video of this challenge: http://youtu.be/YCODHqqsi-I?list=PLoCvvdbjmEyUfbBSUEXvqHU4v1uRSTGHm

Join Our Free Online SoulPlay Family Camp

SoulPlay TeleSummer Camp

 

 When is the last time you let your soul out to play?

We know that as human beings, we are a mix of Mind, Body and Spirit; each of these aspects of self can be activated through fun experiences. When we follow our heart, passion becomes activation in remembering more of who we are and why we are here. Play is one of the best teachers ever because it is experiential and activates our inner passions.

When small children play; they are immersed in the moment, in full focus passion. Children are experts at play! People of all ages seek fun but too often, not often enough! Fun is something to be squeezed into our busy schedules. Typically, as adults, we schedule play in the form of vacations, organized sports, or some other ‘destination’.

SoulPlay is an invitation to another way of living in the flow of what our souls know. From this happy place, we are free to be more fully expressed and fulfilled in all areas of our lives.

My friend, Laurie Story Vela, has successfully woven aspects of play and passion in her literacy work found at Creative Spirit Families. Her latest endeavor is an amazing online summer camp that mixes the arts with Spirit play.  SoulPlay is a groundbreaking, online experience that invites

all ages to flow their divine essence as Love expressed and PLAY! This 21 day event is chock full of inspirational, imaginational invitations from an awesome assortment of cultural and healing arts presented by an array of authors, artists, musicians, teachers, and soul reachers, aka Camp Counselors.

I am the camp heART counselor in the online SoulPlay TeleSummer  Camp airing next Saturday, beginning August 9th, 2014. You will find me sprinkled throughout the 21 day Camp sharing my own passions with creativity, color, paint and inner treasure mapping. Find out more about the camp, meet the Camp Counselors, and register here for this free camp today.


SoulPlay TeleSummer Camp

http://creativespiritfamilies.com/SoulPlayCamp.html

Experience the joy & freedom that comes when you let your soul out to play!

Grateful to be Me (TY-18)

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Today, I am grateful to be ME, because as you can see, it is ME that can set my CREATIVE heart and soul FREE! (Dr. Angi quote). I am grateful that I can rhyme from time to time, as well as all my qualities and attributes. I am even grateful for my faults and shortcomings. I am grateful that I have a positive outlook on life and that I find it easy to care about people.

I have the innate ability to see both sides of most situations, which allows me to be objective most of the time. I am grateful that I am able to profess confidently who I am even through my doubt due to my courageous  heart. I am grateful that I am able to write whatever comes to mind without worrying too much about what I have just said only to discover that it was indeed profound. I am grateful that I can laugh at myself and not take myself too seriously. Today, I deeply appreciate who I am and for what I believe…love, kindness, compassion, God and humanity…especially our ability to bounce back and adapt. Today, I am celebrating, ME! 

Grateful for Differences (TY-17)

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A world without differences would not only be boring, but it would also be stagnant that is without growth and learning experiences. I am grateful for differences, whether it be difference of opinion or different styles and trends. Differences allow each of us to be unique and to stand out. Differences allow us to be imaginative and creative.

Without difference, everyone and everything would be the same, right? For example, everyday would be the same with the same weather, the time would not change, there would only be one species of the same gender speaking the same language thinking the same thing…it could get quite nonsensical. Right? I deeply appreciate having variety, contrasts and differences. These differences are in fact necessary. Viva la difference.

Grateful for My Feet (TY-4)

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Dearest feet…you are so neat!
You take me wherever I wish to go.
You often do not receive praise; instead, you get complaints and woe.

Today, dear feet, I am showering you with love, affection and appreciation.
This blog is devoted to you, dear feet. I submit it as a dedication.

Peculiar and sad is the fact that I do not give my feet any thought until they hurt from overuse. I depend on my feet for holding me up and allowing me to stand tall. My feet carry my weight wherever I wish to go. They allow me to walk, run, hop, skip and jump. They help to give me balance, as well as, allow me to dance and prance.

I very much want to express my gratitude to you, my dear feet. I really appreciate you. You deserve to be pampered. Tonight, you are going to get massaged with lotion. I may even doll you up with a pedicure. Would you like that? Thank you, feet! You are super sweet!!

Grateful for Color (TY-2)

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I am deeply grateful for color and the joy it has brought into my life starting with the first time I experienced sight and seeing my beautiful mother, my first toys, my indoor surroundings and then all the splendors of nature outdoors. I profoundly appreciate color. It delights me as I generously use it in all my artwork. I LOVE color!

Color plays a subtle yet significant role in our lives as it lends itself to how we view the world. Color, of course, would not be visible if it was not for light; so, I am equally grateful to light and its role in color (as well as our eyes…but I will save that for another blog). Color not only adds aesthetics but it also helps us to distinguish things.

A world without color would be bland as we would experience shades of gray with only light and contrast to help us differentiate things. Maybe some of you remember watching programs and movies on the now antiquated black and white television set; then later, television tubes were developed so they could transmit color. It was a marvelous transformation.

Color can also ignite our imagination, as well as, affect our emotions: reds and oranges energize us and blues and greens calm us. Color transforms our world and our lives in so many ways and on so many levels. I deeply appreciate all the color in my life. Thank you, color, for being so full and vivid and a part of the human experience.

 

 

Inner Wisdom

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In our minds, there stirs a voice, often like a whisper that speaks to our spirit.

You know that voice, especially after hearing a catchy tune and that song repeats itself in your head for the rest of the day. External stimuli can activate that voice positively or negatively. I believe that is why people tend to be just nicer in December when all the happy and fun Christmas songs are broadcasted into the general public almost everywhere: radio, grocery stores, shopping malls, dentist and doctor offices, beauty salons, auto repair shops, restaurants, etc.

However, the wisdom that I speak of originates from the soul of an individual.

It is that deep internal whisper that you hear when you are sitting quietly in prayer and/or meditation The inner wisdom may also come while you are engaged in solo activities like swimming, biking, writing, walking in nature, running, reading, painting, playing a musical instrument, sculpting, and so on and so forth. Physical and creative activity, as well as, spiritual engagement draws out our inner wisdom. The key is to learn how to really listen to it over the mindless chatter that may be stuck in your head due to external stresses.

You know that voice that tells you that you don’t have time to enjoy the moment because you need to pay bills, pick up the kids, make the meals, complete the project or paperwork for the job, clean the house, gas up the car, rake the leaves, renew your driver’s license, get the groceries, go to another meeting, do the laundry, schedule that appointment, go to the appointment and the list goes on and on and on. The best way to lower the volume of that chatter and eventually eliminate it is to focus on your breathing and/or your heartbeat.

You do this by closing your eyes and breathing slowly, deliberately and deeply. Focus only on the breathing, the air going in and out of your lungs. In through your nose and out through your mouth with a sigh or a hum. Do this several times.  It only takes a few moments. And, do this before you engage in any solo activity, so that you will be able to clear the channel for the voice of your inner wisdom.  Not only will you be able to hear your inner wisdom more clearly, but you will also be able to enjoy your solo activities with tranquility. Be open to receive any newfound wisdom that will come to you. This is where great ideas are born. Are you listening?

Happy Independence Day, 2013

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Since today is Independence Day, I am re-posting an acrostic poem I composed last year; however, the artwork above is brand new. I just painted it a few hours ago…

It is a time for
Nationalism by honoring our
Democracy, Independence, Liberty and
Equal rights.
Patriotism bounds as we participate in parades,
Enjoy cookouts and watch fireworks.
Never letting go of the American
Dream, this
Awesome
Nation is able to
Celebrate and
Embrace freedom.

Daring to be…
Amazing and free…
You and me.

Happy Independence Day! I am proud and delighted to be a citizen of the United States of America. I appreciate where I live and feel blessed to be born here. In all my travels, I have seen wonderful cultures and countries; however, I have not found another that surpasses the United States. We are truly free to be whomever we wish to be; and, have access to so many opportunities! God Bless America!

As a creativity/ life coach and anti-bullying specialist, I have come across many who wish to liberate themselves from their self-doubt and fears, because they come to me for inspiration and guidance. Are you ready to be free and independent of doubt and fear? I am currently offering an amazing summer program, heART Splash, which will help you to splash into your creativity and delve into your inner treasures that will boost your confidence and liberate you from your insecurities. <www.HeartsThatCare.net>

“Ready to Create a Successful Life?”

HeArtSplash05 EC05 HeArtSplash01

“I’m excited to show you “Step by Step” how YOU can Focus on Your Dreams….Prioritize them….and ACHIEVE THEM!!!

  • 10 Fun & Creative Packets helping you Map Your Success
  •  Downloadable videos …yours to keep….that will help you MAP OUT YOUR INNER TREASURE MAP!!
  • 5 Private Live Class Sessions that will liberate your Creative Spirit – and help You to Focus on the True Potential you were Designed For!!!
  • We will Create Amazing Journal Spreads…that will help REVEAL… Your gifts and talents….and “springboard” you to Your Own Positively Empowered Life!!!

Participants of  HeART Splash will be invited to an EXCLUSIVE GROUP on a PRIVATE social site ran by Hearts That Care called Positively Empowered People. This program will run until Monday, September 2, 2013 (Labor Day); however, downloadable materials will be available until Monday September 1, 2014 (Labor Day)

Please e-mail: Dr. Angi (admin@heartsthatcare.net) to register.

Art Exhibition and Exhaustion

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I spent most of January creating these incredible acrylic paintings (each is 20 by 16 inches) for my art exhibition in my local library. I am being showcased for the entire month of February. It is such an honor!

All the effort did not go unrewarded as my immune system came to a screeching halt. Exhausted and tired due to running on adrenaline all last month, the FLU caught up to me. So, I listened to my body, because I had no choice and spent most of the weekend recuperating in my sanctuary, otherwise known as my comfy and cozy bed. Hot fluids, a few over the counter medicines and bed rest ruled the past couple of days. As promised, here is a digital collage of my artwork. I hope it brings you as much joy as it brought me when I created them.

More blogging when I feel better. Have a super-duper week!!!

 

Courage and Creativity

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Good things come to those who believe. Better things come to those who wait, and the best things come to those who  “DON’T GIVE UP”.

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is that quiet voice at the end of the day that says…I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

This is the LAST MONDAY of the month of JANUARY, 2013! This year, I promised myself to embrace being FEARLESS in all my pursuits! That is my word of the year. In reflection, this month has been AMAZING and WONDERFUL. I am creating so many wonderful opportunities in my life simply by acting on my ideas and pursuing them instead of fearing the what if “negative things happen”.

It just occurred to me, we need to be true to our ideas and our purpose. We are like any celestial body in the Universe, for example, our sun, which continues to serve its purpose, to shine. The sun does not worry if it will be too hot or not burn through the clouds; it simply continues to be true to itself and radiates its energy into our atmosphere as well as across the Universe.

Dan Zadra says that worry is a misuse of imagination. I feel that worry is in fact a perverse use of our imagination and creative energy. Creativity can be a very liberating experience when utilized in a positive way. Imagination can fuel our dreams and inspire us. Natalie Rogers stated, “Creativity is like freedom: once you taste it, you cannot live without it. It is a transformative force, enhancing self-esteem and self-empowerment.”

Courage and fearlessness is about showing up each day and facing your responsibilities, embracing life and seizing the moments. It is also about giving yourself permission to be you and delight in who you are! Each of us is a valuable and intricate part of the Universal tapestry, where each fiber adds strength, beauty and purpose. So, it is important for each of us to believe, be patient and to always try again! Don’t give up!

Also, I want to take this time and FEARLESSLY acknowledge and share my deepest appreciation and love for all my friends and family on-line, face-to-face and in the Universe. Without the connection, your encouragement, your positive energy, your love, your kindness, your everything….I would simply be a hollow shell. YOU….ALL OF YOU….FILL my HEART and SPIRIT!!! YOU CONTRIBUTE TO MY PURPOSE. ♥ I LOVE YOU! ♥

Now, is this not a lovely way to end January and move into February, the month of Love. February is going to be a FUN-nominal month for me. Starting February 1, my artwork will be featured and displayed in my city public library. I have at least 16 acrylic paintings (20 x 16) being showcased. I will share pictures this weekend. I am also doing live video-conferencing every Sunday (6 p.m. Eastern Time) in February sharing fun, creativity techniques, such as I used in the artwork in this blog. You are welcome to join in this gathering: http://www.linqto.com/rooms/docangi. I will also be offering private on-line programs. Check my website for the latest: www.heartsthatcare.net

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