(Painting of my dog Emmett by my 12-year old nephew Matthew Lee)

This afternoon I hosted book club at my house (we’re on year eight!) and we enjoyed a lovely lunch in my backyard. I always enjoy catching up with my friends and indulging in yummy food. My pick this round was The Art of Racing in the Rain. This endearing tale is narrated by a dog named Enzo and I found the book to be surprisingly spiritual. I chose it because I couldn’t resist the cute little video of Enzo the dog on the Amazon page. I’m a total sucker for dog stories. I remember crying in my sixth grade classroom as our teacher read us Where the Red Fern Grows.

For my birthday earlier this month, my brother got me the movie Hachi. He had seen it on a plane and had a feeling I’d enjoy it as much as he did (and he’s not even really a dog person). The story is so touching that I went through a whole lotta tissue watching this one and even woke up with puffy eyes!

And the other day I watched this episode of Underdog to Wonderdog about an amazing dog named Faith. I got teary within the first few minutes of watching this heartwarming pup.

Like I said, I’m a total sucker for dog stories.

Dogs give such unconditional love and are so present. They teach us how to be better human beings (check out Eckhart Tolle’s Guardians of Being for simple, inspiring reminders from our four-legged friends).

My pup Emmett is getting on in years, which made reading Enzo’s story that much more tender for me. But of course, Emmett has no idea how old he is! In fact, he got himself into trouble tonight by breaking yet another plate that fell from the counter as he tried to lick it. Guess he wanted to enjoy some of the delicious book club leftovers, too!

A dip in the pool on a hot summer day.

A hot new pair of boots.

A morning of painting, painting, painting!

Just a few of my favorite things from this week. Ahh, the simple pleasures.

On Saturday I led another Intuitive Painting Playshop with a fabulous group of people. I love helping to guide the participants’ creative journey and seeing how the intuitive painting process promotes permission.

Permission to get out of your own way.

Permission to take up space.

Permission to fully feel your emotions.

Permission to use as much paint as you want to.

Permission for things not to make sense.

Permission to delve into deep, dark places.

Permission for things to be ugly.

Permission to tell your inner critic to take a hike.

Permission to listen (I mean really listen) to your inner muse.

Permission to have fun and to delight in yourself.

Permission to keep giving yourself permission… in your painting…. AND in life.

What permission will you give yourself today?

Last night I volunteered at an inspiring event through C.E.O. Women. This amazing non-profit empowers immigrant and low-income women to create economic opportunities for themselves through starting their own business. Through a rigorous 16-week program, the women learn English and entrepreneurial skills. The program culminates in their “Storefront Presentations” where they showcase their business idea and share their plans with us.

I’ve been volunteering with C.E.O. Women off-and-on since 2005 as a business coach for a massage therapist from Japan and a jewelry designer from Peru and guest presenter but this was my first time attending the Storefront Presentations. It was so much fun to get to talk with the women about their ideas and see their visual presentations (very much like a Right-Brain Business Plan!). We were encouraged to ask them lots of questions like who their target customers are and how much will it take to start their business so they get practice talking about what they do. The women last night we’re totally engaging and oh-so passionate! I met a coach, a professional organizer, and women who wanted to open up a day care, consignment shop, lunch delivery service, a floral design business, and more.

I came home feeling inspired by the passion and dedication of these fabulous women who are overcoming obstacles left and right so they can live their dream.

If you’re in the Bay Area and want to get involved, they’re looking for their next round of volunteer business coaches starting next month.

After a long time away, I finally returned to intuitive painting class this week. It felt good to be back in the studio again. To be done with my deadlines. To be surrounded by color and creativity. And I got to paint alongside my dear friend Julie Daley, which was an extra special treat.

I picked up where I left off with my crazy dodo bird/parrot/flamingo that I created last month. It amazes me how easy it is to get reacquainted with a painting. The magical world of your imagination and intuition is right there waiting for you. All you have to do is show up and be ready to play.

I don’t know why I’m always surprised, but a few more interesting creatures appeared. I have no idea where this painting will take me next and I’m curious about what will unfold. So I just gotta show up and paint!

If you’re interested in exploring your own world of imagination and intuition more deeply, I’ve got a couple more spots available for my Intuitive Painting Playshop on Saturday, August 21st in Oakland. Your inner muse is waiting for you to come play!

I had the pleasure of joining the conversation over at Spring today with my video about self-care. It starts off with me in my hammock (one of my most favorite things to do on an ideal self-care Friday. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, it’s heavenly). I also offer some simple things to ask yourself to help you take care of yourself.

Today’s self-care Friday started off with some movin’ and shakin’ at Zumba class, followed by a scrumptious smoothie, then taking care of some work, and then taking a snooze. I even picked up my paintbrush for a few minutes today and I got to connect with a very dear friend on the phone.

I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m feeling good that I committed to some good old-fashioned self-care. How have you practiced self-care today?

I’ve also got a couple of links to share with you from this week:

• I was interviewed by the cheerleader extraordinaire Carmen Torbus in her Inspring Minds Want To Know series.
• The Right-Brain Business Plan was briefly mentioned in August’s Entrepreneur magazine. Woohoo!
• And I’m excited to say that registration is now open for the next Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course that starts in September.

Have a great weekend. I’ll have my nose in my manuscript as I edit away. Wish me luck!

I’ve been feeling overwhelmed as of late. I’m back on deadline editing my manuscript. I’ve got lots of converging deadlines, piles of administrative crap, and a general lack of sleep. If it weren’t for my VA, bookkeeper, accountant, Nurture Huddle, and wonderful hubby, I would probably be at my wits end. Thank goodness I can lean on them for support!

Yesterday I was finishing up a video on self-care that will post tomorrow on Spring. It was a great reminder to ask myself what I needed in the midst of all that’s going on.

While I didn’t make it to painting class today, I carved out 15 minutes to connect with my inner muse. I covered the kitchen table with a huge sheet of butcher paper, squeezed some paints on to a tray, and allowed myself to enjoy the sensation of putting paint to paper.The paint even smelled good! It was amazing to just give myself that bit of time to recharge by doing something I love.

My deadlines aren’t going anywhere, and I acknowledge I’m just in a crunch time for the next few weeks. But even so, I know there are small, simple things I can do to stay grounded. I can pick up my paint brush again tomorrow, I’m drawing boundaries around e-mail correspondence, and I’m enjoying going for walks outside with my dog. Remembering to breathe is good, too!

This morning I led an Intuitive Painting Playshop with a lovely, small gathering of women. I had so much fun being a steward of their creative process. And here I am with the wonderful Gina who came all the way from Sacramento.

I was delighted to find one of my scrap papers from teacher training pinned up on a wall at the studio. I think Nadine had asked us to jot down a few words to describe what freedom means to us. As I witnessed the women play today, I’m reminded how liberating the intuitive painting process is. How it’s a gentle doorway into your imagination, your creative flow, your intuitive wisdom, and your childlike self. A place where anything is possible.

Since I haven’t been to painting class in awhile, I took the opportunity after my playshop to pick up some paints and play around myself. This strange and colorful parrot/wobbly-legged flamingo/dodo bird appeared on the page. We’ll see where it takes me the next time I’m back at the studio. It’s always a surprise!

I’m excited to lead my next Intuitive Painting Playshop in August. If you’re in the Bay Area, I’d love to have you join us!

My self-care Fridays seem extra special during the summertime. The gorgeous sunny days and balmy breeze invite a carefree spirit.

Here’s how I’ve honored my self-care Friday so far today:

• Went for a dip in the pool
• Lounged in my backyard hammock
• Got creative inspiration from flipping through Maira Kalman’s The Principles of Uncertainty
• Sipped a luscious blueberry smoothie
• Picked blackberries from the wild brambles that randomly grow in my backyard (maybe they’ll go into tomorrow’s smoothie!)

I love how peaceful it is to look up at the  canopy of green leaves rustling in the breeze. It’s the perfect place to have my own zen-like mini-vacation.

How do you slow down and savor during the summer? What self-care practices can you incorporate into your life this weekend?

For more ideas on self-care and slowing down this summer, check out my final post on the wishstudio.

]]> http://www.lifeunfoldsblog.com/2010/07/16/summer-self-care-friday/feed/ 0 http://www.lifeunfoldsblog.com/2010/07/11/catching-up-a-vacation-from-vacation/ http://www.lifeunfoldsblog.com/2010/07/11/catching-up-a-vacation-from-vacation/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:25:27 +0000 jenn http://www.lifeunfoldsblog.com/?p=3512

It’s been several weeks since returning from my family trip to the Bahamas and my tan faded long ago. But apparently I needed a vacation from my vacation because I caught a cold right after returning from my trip. I’m finally feeling much better and am getting caught up.

My parents took me and my husband, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my twin 12-year-old nephews on a Disney cruise. While I could’ve done without all the Disney characters and crazy crowds/kids (I’m not a cruise lover and yes, I suppose I rubbed elbows a bit with Grumpy dwarf), there were some nice highlights from the vacation. Some of my favorite memories included:

• Spending time with my whole family. Growing up, we hardly ever went on vacations with my parents, my brother, and me altogether (since I’m 9 1/2 years younger than my brother). So, it was nice to have a big trip with all of us.
• Hanging out with my twin nephews. They’re a hoot. They loved playing games on our iPad and iPhones and they were always cracking me up.
• Lounging around on floaties with my hubby in the beautiful Blue Lagoon. I could’ve stayed there all day!
• Escaping to Serenity Bay, the adult’s only area on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. The rest of the island was an absolute madhouse, but this secluded section was pretty deserted and oh, so gorgeous with its clear turquoise waters.
• Seeing a screening of Toy Story 3 in 3D on-board the ship. The movie was so cute!
• Taking a “how to draw Goofy” class (that’s me above with one of my nephews and my sister-in-law sketching away)
• Dining at the Palo adults only restaurant on the last night. The food was absolutely amazing!! And there are my parents below enjoying a delicious dessert.

The trip came and went so quickly and I can’t believe it’s already July. It’d be fun to do another big family trip again. Maybe next time we’ll do it old school and rent a house in Mammoth during the summer.

Thanks mom and dad, for a great and memorable family vacation!