The Sacred Life project

In my earlier post I talked about my favorite candles from Zena Moon. Well, Carla from Zena has started a cool project called My Sacred Life project.  Everyday she takes a picture of something that is sacred in her life.

It reminds me of my daily gratitude list where I look for those amazing synchroniticities, serendipitous moments and feel huge appreciation for my life.  I like the idea of adding photos - pictures after all can tell a whole new story.

What I know is if you write a gratitude list for two weeks straight it is life changing. I think I'll take a sacred picture each day and see how that adds to the richness. I'll post some of my favorite photos (or maybe all of them) - I'm in to making this inspiring, sacred project easy....

My first photo has to be the one from the "No More Hoarding! Embracing Abundance" blog posting yesterday. Every time I create a vision collage board or book I always have a photo of something arty- like jars of paint brushes, or cans of paint...to me that just symbolizes creativity. I was so thrilled with how the photo came out of my desk with the afternoon sun coming in and my cups of colored pens and markers along with my favorite Zena candles.  Felt very sacred.

Read more about The Sacred Life project at Carla's blog at Zena Moon.

What is sacred in your life? 

Laura

No More Hoarding! Living in Abundance!

Earlier in the year when I went to lead a workshop for women business owners in Mississippi. My friend, Beverly, was hosting me.  In my guest room, in her lovely home she had a gift for me...a Zena Moon candle!  They are my favorite candles...truly divine. They come in gorgeous colors, fragrance, a jewel or stone and an inspiring poem to reinforce the type of candle. "Self Nurture, Acceptance, Sacred Time with Self, are a few of my favorites"

Well, I took my lovely "Calling the Muses" candle home and then as I started to put it away with my other beautiful Zena candles I realized that I was "hoarding". I was "saving" these delicious candles for some other day (when - I don't know). They are so beautiful and so wonderful but I felt like I couldn't really burn them. Well, I realized that I was stopping up the flow with that point of view! I was vibrating with such thoughts and beliefs like..."I don't deserve such beauty in my every day" or that "I will burn them and I'll run out and I will have wasted them".

In my new office in our new house, I am committed to let the abundance flow. I have gathered my Zena candles and every day I light one depending on my mood. I know that I am sending a message to the universe about being in flow and being open to abuandance, beauty and joy because it feels so good. I really appreciate the ritual of selecting the right candle for the day, lighting it with a blessing or prayer and then enjoying it throughout the day. (Last week I had to bring out the "crabbiness b gone" candle once or twice"!)

Where are you holding back on abundance?

Where are you saying you want more flow and joy and yet withholding it from yourself?

When do you allow yourself to revel in beauty and delight?

PS: Be sure to check out Carla's blog from Zena Moon! Another delight!

Laura

The Woman Entrepreneurs Toolbox 100

I have seen this list popping up on emails, ezines and blogs all over! It's a very comprehensive top 100 list of resources for women entrepreneurs and small business owners.  See Women Entrepreneurs Toolbox 100

I've added this to my resources file and will keep coming back to it to find recommendations as needed. It's quite a list to go through so I'll check them out when I need them. I already notice lots of my favorite sites and tools. It's broken into helpful sections: blogs, tools, networking  & organizations, How To, Government Resources, Inspiring Stories, Books.

En-JOY!

Laura

Crazy, Sexy Cancer - Beware passionate, courageous, creative woman on the loose!

I just have to share this.  On the list of inspiring amazing women - this one takes the cake - the whole cake!

Kris Carr is just launching a new book (published by Skirt! magazine) and a new documentary on TLC (The Learning Channel) called "Crazy, Sexy Cancer". It is absolutely mind boggling how much this woman shines her light! Now, before you say to yourself - did Laura just mention the c-word? and run and hide - hear why I'm sharing this with you..

-First of all, I don't have cancer but I sure do know a lot of wonderful women (and men, and children) who have had first hand experience. It seems to be all around these days and I want to know more about how to support those I love and care about. And it impacts our business - our families, our collegues, ourselves...it all touches our lives and businesses in so many ways.

-Second, this woman's approach is truly innovative and creative - and I love innovative and creative! She is truly a joyful woman entrepreneur harnessing her strengths and passions as a storyteller, performer, photographer, and creative scrapbooker to help educate people around the world. I love that! A receipe for a success in her mission.

-She is also an amazing example of living life to it's fullest - whether you have cancer or not. On her blog she talks about cancer as a metaphor for what is holding you back - perhaps your battle is with a job you hate, or an unhappy marriage, or _________ (fill in the blank). Her blog is really inspiring to read - here's one of my favorite excerpts so far about Soul Shine : Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Blog.

She is one of the most courageous, vulnerable and passionate women you will every meet.

Let yourself be inspired by the message, the energy, the passion and the intention....

Laura

Joyful Business Tip: Promote your business with gorgeous product photography

One of the things I did early this summer is find a great photographer to shoot my new product, the Joyful Business Guide (a creative business plan and system for women entrepreneurs). The company I found is very easy to use and talented. I was really surprised at how affordable they were. Thanks so much Robert -  The photos are gorgeous! (And thanks to Ali Brown, the ezine queen on the recommendation!)

If you have a product: CD set, cards, books, etc...I highly recommend that you get several great quality photos of your product. This really builds up your credibility as a professional. I am amazed at how many opportunities I have had to use them already. Obviously you'll use them on your website - and I've also used them on flyers, email inquires to the media, and emails to potential joint venture partners.  I also have a magazine review coming out and it was so easy to have my photos on hand for them to use!

Andrea Lee, who is well-known in the coaching industry and a leader in helping small business owners create "multiple streams of income", just wrote a blog posting about product photography and used the Joyful Business Guide as an example...read on....AndreaJLee.

Let me know how it goes!

Laura

I'm back from Sabbatical!

Well, school has started and my boys (and me!) are getting back into a routine. Each week we are adding soccer practices, cub scouts, homework and all those fun unexpected activities to the mix.  Fortunately I had a really great time off this summer and filled up my creative reserves. 

I read some great books - actually I read fiction for the first time in a while. Spent lots of time with family,  we moved into a beautiful new house with more room for our home offices (my husband and I both work at home) and I even got in a little kayaking too.

A couple of cool things happened while I was playing and rejuvenating.  I am pleased to share an award and an accreditation.

I am excited to announce that I am now a Certified Professional Coach through the International Coach Federation. This is a coaching professional industry organization with over 16,000 members worldwide. This requires 750 client coaching hours, over 100 hours of coaching training and passing a certification program.

Also - This very blog, Cafe Entrepreneur, won an 2007 APEX Award for publication
excellence!  I'm so thrilled...it's a payoff of quite a bit of tweaking and getting the right mix of information, resources and letting my personal style out.

Thanks for sharing in my celebration! I have already added copies of my certificates to my own Joyful Business Guide to remind me to appreciate my gifts, strengths and experiences!

Laura

Sabbatical Learnings

I'm such a learner.  In the book, StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath, Learning is one of my top five strengths. So even though I was on sabbatical this summer I can't help but to review and squeeze out the learning.

1. If I can't order out every meal then I can change my relationship to cooking. During the last two weeks I’ve had my husband’s family in from the UK. That equates to lots of lunches and dinners (I abdicated breakfasts). Those of you who know me, know that I don’t really like cooking and I’m not so great at it. I really focused on changing that experience. Realizing that nothing was going to make me a better cook or to love it overnight…I  changed my relationship with it.  I thought of it not as “slaving away in the kitchen while everyone else watches TV/plays video games, etc.” I looked at it as giving joy. Helping to create an experience that would give them each pleasure which in turn would give me pleasure. (selfish – I know!) I started really listening for preferences. J. likes butter on his sandwiches but not cheese. A. loves chex mix for a snack, etc… I started appreciating the “thank you’s”, and the relief on their faces when the food was familiar and they loved it. I still don’t love cooking but I feel content and even a low simmering joy that I could give in this way.  It makes me think – what else could shift just because I change my relationship to it?

2. Am I so used to resistance that when it's easy & joyful I have to shake things up? I read several romance novels over the summer. I haven't read romance in forever - probably 20 years! My mother-in-law visiting from the UK lent me her book, Vagabonds, while we were at the pool. It reminded me of all those Barbara Cartland romance books I read as a teenager. (I used to devour them!  My favorite was The Sheik. J ) After finishing that one - I was inspired to buy a Nora Roberts double novel called Summer Pleasures. One was about writers and the other about photographers…again romance, and two people resisting the urge and passion to fall in love and spend their lives together. I'm wondering if I "learned" that I need “tension” in my marriage because of all those Barbara Carland novels I read as a teenager (in my formative years)  where the indepenedent fiery girl/woman resists loving the powerful, attractive (dark haired) prince/marque/Sheik/Duke.  Hmmm…makes me think. Did that somehow become my “role model”? Even in the series by Nora Roberts both stories were all about resisting loving the other person because they have an important creative career or they can’t give enough, or they aren’t good enough.  Interesting food/words for thought…..It has me curious if that has been a model or vision I’ve held without realizing it. Not that I’m picking fights all the time but I have noticed that when things are going quietly along (ie: going pretty good – ah... JOYFUL) I start to feel antsy or maybe bored or start questioning if everything is really all right?? Thinking about this has been helpful and as it quieted down I'm finding I can be with it and I don't have to make up a story that something is wrong. I'm always learning about the power of joy!

3. You can't press a button and "unwind" - it takes time. When I first go on a vacation or take time off I feel restless. I can feel the energy swirling in my body and the thoughts that accompany the energy are going 100 miles an hour. The unrest and agitation passes. Every time I take time off I find this is the same. The “shoulds” as in: I should be doing “x” (cleaning, answering emails, etc..) eased with time. I realize how unconsciously addicted we get to “going, going, doing, doing” that it is truly hard to stop. Your body is wanting the adrenaline. Your mind plays games with you and has you thinking you need to be doing something. Finally your natural system takes over and you can relax and just enjoy the hummingbirds with a glass of wine, enjoy sitting with someone and offering up conversation when the moment inspires you, and enjoy quiet together as well.

4. Energy management is critcal. I think this is one of the most important pieces of being a business owner.  I saw it up close and in action during my sabbatical. Whether it’s watching the boys' energy (when they are exhausted and I need to get them in bed even if it’s “vacation time”), managing my energy (creating alone time even in a house full of family), giving my husband space to manage his energy and knowing when we have energy for amusement parks and climbing to waterfalls, and when we need a quiet day at the pool just hanging out.

5. Creating a creative space doesn’t happen over night and yet you need to just jump in and take a step.  When we moved into a new house this summer I felt a bit overwhelmed with the kitchen. In my mind I couldn’t quite figure out where to put things in the kitchen. I soon realized that I had to just take a bite-sized step. Put the silverware in a drawer that seemed like the best place. Next, put the glasses in the cabinet closest to the sink. From there I could take the next step and then another….cooking utensils near the stove in a drawer, etc… Now that our family has left I’m pondering my office setup and I notice that I’m feeling stuck with my office much the same as I felt with the kitchen.  I have a desire for it to be inspiring and creative and yet it’s hard to imagine “inspiring” with all the boxes half unpacked all over the place. I think I’m back to “take one step at a time” and “trust that it will come”. Meanwhile I’m putting pictures from magazines, looking at color swatches on the walls, and as I take things out of the box I ask “does this inspire me?” and allow myself to put it in a different spot than before.

6. Physical challenges can help you build trust in yourself. It sounded like a great idea…. We were all going to my sister’s new lake house. The boys would all fish with Dad and Grandpa on the dock and my mum-in-law and I would kayak from the public boat ramp to the house dock. As they dropped us off they kept saying…just keep going right and it’ll take you about 15 minutes.  Well, about 3 hours later we finally made it to the lake house dock!  It’s all about perspective. When you are in a speed boat the public ramp is about 5 minutes from the house dock – when you are in a self-propelled kayak – it’s going to take a LOT longer.  In a speed boat you can see which coves “to the right” go through to bigger water and which ones dead end without having to paddle inside every cove to find out (hence part of the 3 hours). We didn’t freak out because it was taking so long. We knew we could go back to where we started and eventually someone would show up (like my husband who unknown to us was frantically driving around the lake in our SUV trying to sight our bright green boats). We didn’t ever panic. We just kept paddling…one stroke in front of the other (ok, so my mum-in-law had trouble with going in circles quite a bit…also adding to the 3 hour tour time!) Still, one stroke at a time, keep noticing what is around you. We saw lots of beauty. Fish, birds, terrain, interesting bugs floating by, beautiful homes, gorgeous summer sky….Again, I’m learning…trust yourself. Be present and all is well. Take one step/stroke at a time. When you go in circles…conserve energy and let the current do the work and you’ll come back around! And I still can feel the physical sensation in kayaking on the cool calm water.  I felt so grounded and peaceful even while being unsure of where I was at. 

7. The 80/20 rule really does work!  Or in my case 90/10. During my sabbatical I focused on the 10% of work that I felt was really important for NOW just to keep things going over the summer. Following up with potential new clients, new collaborators and partners and current clients. I am excited to say that it really works.  Having just done an introductory launch of the Joyful Business Guide and then gone into summer/moving/six week sabbatical – I was a bit nervous. What was I thinking “launching a product and then taking a sabbatical? The thing was I knew that my plate was overflowing with two boys having baseball practice and Allstar games every day for three weeks, summer camps, family visiting for two weeks, packing up a house and moving in and setting up a new home….I wouldn’t have had time to work on my business much, but I surely would have felt a lot of guilt and beat myself up about not getting to it if I hadn’t gave myself permission to “power down”.  I had a colleague and wonderful friend, Dawn, from Write Well Me, observe my process. She was amazed at how I followed my energy and listened to what needed to happen. She talked to me in May and I didn’t have an inkling about a sabbatical but by early June I knew I needed to give myself a break.  There’s that following the joy energy, listening to your intuition, and trusting that the 10% will be enough at times.

Let me know if any of these resonate with you and what you learned during your "summer slowdown" or vacation!

Laura 

Christine Kane's 21 Steps to Being More Creative

I'm often asked what are MY favorite blogs...I'll share one of them by singer, song-writer, teacher, speaker, Christine Kane. She blogs about her road trips as a musician, observations of life, creativity and living life fully.  She is just an all around cool women entrepreneur!  You can check out her website at www.ChristineKane.com. 

Here is a sampling of how she puts her talents to work....from Christine's bio....

"Her popular college-circuit lecture, “Getting a Job is Boring. Get a Life Instead,” draws on her own experiences as an independent musician, and gives grounded career advice to college seniors. Christine was contracted by the Federal Government to teach creativity as part of its bi-monthly 2007 Leadership Assessment Program, an intensive retreat for government leaders."

That inspires me already!

I'll share one of my favorite blog entries from her. It's about 21 Steps to Being More Creative...by Christine Kane:

Creativity isn’t a big deal. It’s like our breath. It’s just a part of who we are. Some of us don’t realize this. People who say, “Oh, I’m not creative,” or “I don’t have a creative bone in my body,” sound to me like they’re trying to convince themselves of something, rather than telling themselves the truth. They make the idea of creativity a BIG DEAL because then it will stay safely at arm’s length out of reach and require nothing of them.

Again, creativity isn’t a big deal. It’s not an event. It doesn’t so much happen, as it is allowed. It comes out slowly.

When I found my dog, she had been badly abused. I was walking in the countryside, and she was watching me from a mound of dirt in an old church yard where she had been dumped. She started to follow me. If I turned around, she’d stop. If I tried to walk towards her, she’d tuck her tail under her butt and walk away from me. But if I moved along on my own way, she’d follow me. She eventually got closer and closer, and ultimately she followed me home.

This is how I experience creativity. Anytime I try to turn around and catch it, it turns away. It’s not about willing it. It rarely takes to announcements like, “Today I’m going to be creative! I’m going to write a whole song!”

In my experience, it’s a process. It is slow. Creativity is a way of being, and though it can’t be forced, it can be cultivated and allowed. It happens when I’m already open and my mind is receptive and quiet. There’s almost a joyful laziness to it. Kind of a “Hmm, well, what if I tried this OĶ?”

There is definitely a happiness to it. A deep happiness and peace. My theory is that when we cling to our vices, when we do unhealthy things that we adamantly say we deserve, what we’re really trying to do is give ourselves what we keep denying ourselves - a fully creative and artful life. Once we start allowing more creativity in, we might find some of those old habits and “vices” just fall away. After all, they are not a substitute for the real thing.

So, if you’re opening up to a more artful and creative life, know that it’s not something to push. It’s something to allow and live. Here are 21 Ways to be more creative, and subsequently, more happy!

1 - Stop watching television

Or better yet, get rid of the damn thing. Any time I teach writing or creativity, this is one of the biggies. TV is a mind-killer. It numbs you. It fills you with emotionally-charged images and over-simplified solutions. It dulls you. Turn it off. Even if this idea scares you, turn it off.

2 - Take a 20-minute walk everyday

It’s easy to become driven about exercise. You go to the Y. You go running. You think that a 20-minute walk isn’t productive or worth much. Take a 20-minute walk and allow the world to just be. Watch things. Stop and smell things. Notice birds. Let the world unfold and show itself to you.

3 - Write with pen & paper (or pencil and paper)

Keep a journal. Do morning pages. Write in long-hand. Typing on a keypad into a computer doesn’t always open up that tactile sense-loving part of us that loves to create.

I can sometimes get weirdly happy just hearing the sound the pen makes scribbling on paper. I also love it when the paper is thin, and my pen makes indents so it feels sort of Braille-y, and the paper makes a snappy sound when I turn the page.

4 - Write songs to your pets

At the first women’s retreat I ever facilitated, (at a college campus in St. Louis) a group of women sat on the floor one night in the dorm and sang each other the songs we’d written to our various pets. It was hysterical. The more we sat there, the more women came and sat down with us.

I’ve written many songs to my dog. Greatest hits include “Mom’s Little Girl,” “She Is Going to Be a Very Clean Girl,” (a bathtub song) and “She is Unbelievably Cute.” Of course, there’s also the “Good Morning Song.” My cats each have their own songs too. I actually make myself laugh as I’m creating them because my animals look so truly unimpressed with me.

It’s easy to do because you can do it anywhere - while you drive to work, while you make dinner, while you lie on the couch with them.

More tips:  Read Christine's blog entry for the rest of the 21 Tips

Be sure to support Christine's success and buy her newest CD!

En-JOY!

Laura