Living Our Dreams

Living Life Through the Eyes of a Child

© 2012 www.sherigaynor.com. All rights reserved.

 

Every Thursday morning, the studio becomes a magic kingdom
for little hearts and minds and their families. 

 

This week I arrived at the end of Music Together with Annie Flynn and a mother greeted me
with "The kids were just WILD today, someone said it was the Solar Flares!"
As I looked at the energy that had now spilled into the round room, I could see exactly what she meant.

The little ones were running hither and yon and
 one little gal, was trying her best to keep up with it all,
crawling on all fours, at about 20 miles an hour.

The laughter and energy was absolutely contagious and I found myself in awe of it all.
The photo above of sweet J. was taken as the chaos went on around us.
It was seeing the world through her new eyes, as she held her mother's phone to take a picture
that allowed me to remember...

Do YOU?

Remember what it was like to be completly in your BODY? 

Remember what it was like to have the world and everything in it seem

BRIGHT.   ALIVE.   FREE!

 

This week...

Step out your front door and view the world through

THE EYES OF A CHILD! 

 

"Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child." ~Ron Wild

Puppy Love

 

One of the most powerful things about Everyday Bliss

has been to learn to awaken to the beauty around me.

 

This simple act has brought me so much peace, gratitude and joy...

 

How do I do this?  

I carry my iPhone with me at all times.

 

Sure, it's not a PRO camera,

but it allows me to SEE my world every time I walk out the door.

 

Clients continually tell me they have no time to create...

Hmmm...perhaps it's as simple as a change of definition.

 

How do you BLISS?

 

Happy Holiday to you...YUM!

Recipe courtesy of our favorite local gourment....Dava @ Fresh and Wyld.com

Healing with Horses...

Horses are my healers. Since the time I first sat on a horse at age 3, I've had a deep spiritual connection with these amazing creatures. I haven't ridden in about 4 years. I've had plenty of invitations, but there always seems to be something keeping from taking up the generous offers.

Since my mother's been in hospice, they have been calling. I've been hearing them...but I haven't been listening. What I hear instead is, "Not enough time, not today, etc." All excuses I take responsibilty for... No time for self-care. But today...I listened. 

Last night I had a profound dream. It was very disturbing. My shadow side was calling and I woke up very agitated. After writing the dream out, I realized that my shadow was indeed calling me. Not to act out, but to act INtentionally and connect with my healthy wild spirit. In one part of the dream I was riding a horse and had a small toddler on my lap. I had no reins in my hands and felt calm and in complete control. The animal, child and I were one.

After writing my dream, I called a friend who I've recently reconnected with. "I could really use a horse snuggle today." Truthfully, I just wanted to go and rub my face in the winter fur. To breathe in their scent and to brush a tangled mane. She hadn't expected to go to the barn today, but a client cancelled and she was headed to  exercise a couple of horses, and invited me to join her. "Can this be happening today?", I wondered. Pure synchronicity? Truthfully is was my Higher Power in action. Healer...Heal thy-SELF.

And so I found myself surrounded by love, a full heard nuzzling me and breathing warm air into my ears..both of them at one time! This is BLISS...

When we came from the herd, with the two we would ride, I said to my friend, "This is the one place in my life, where I have no fear. I am calm, grounded, completely at peace." And then we ran...there is nothing to describe the feeling of being in tune with a creature who has its own heart, mind and spirit. To bond together in a dance of rhythm and harmony. To fly...

When I am with the horses...I am home.

 

30 - Day Bliss holiDAZE Challenge

 

 

EVERYDAY BLISS-The Bliss-30 holiDAZE Challenge

Would you like to introduce a little personal BLISS into the bustle of the holiday season? Do you find yourself thinking of everyone else and putting yourself at the back of the line? What would it be like to give yourself 20 minutes a day to FEEL BLISSed IN!

Join me for another 30-day challenge. Post comments on this page, sharing how you've blissed and on December 30th, I'll announce the winner of our holiDAZE challenge. How do you win? The person with the most posts...wins a signed copy of my book Creative Awakenings: EnVisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art. 

What's the Bliss-30 Challenge? Every day for the next 30 days, you are to engage in some form of Everyday Bliss. What's that? Here is an excerpt from the book:

"Everyday Bliss is about process, not product or outcome. Think about things you love or once loved to do that have fallen by the wayside....Each day, take twenty minutes for yourself, doing something that brings you only joy and renews your spirit. Mix it up. Try Everyday Bliss at different times of the day to see which time resonates most with you."

"Here are some examples of Everyday Bliss actions: a spontaneous painting or drawings at the beginning of the day, a quick poem, a fifteen-minute yoga workout, dancing to music cooking from a favorite cookbook. Or try my personal favorite, a "daydream meditation," where  you let your dreams flow onto your paper, using your non-dominant hand..."

You can read more about Everyday Bliss on page 118 in the Creative Awakenings book.

Create your pledge NOW to take the 30-day "Everyday Bliss" challenge, and share-COMMENT BELOW-about "how you've blissed," and you will be registered for a blissed out holiday giveaway....a free signed copy of Creative Awakenings: Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art.

And there's more...order a book for yourself and someone you love for the holiday and you'll both be ready to start your Creative Awakenings 9-month Coaching Adventure beginning in January! 

Want a badge? Place this code on your blog, website or in your sidebar to show you're taking the 30-Bliss Challenge!

Here's the code:  <img src="http://i.imgur.com/4hOrF.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

 

EVERYDAY BLISS-The Bliss-30 holiDAZE Challenge

Would you like to introduce a little personal BLISS into the bustle of the holiday season? Do you find yourself thinking of everyone else and putting yourself at the back of the line? What would it be like to give yourself 20 minutes a day to FEEL BLISSed IN!

Join me for another 30-day challenge. Post comments on this page, sharing how you've blissed and on December 30th, I'll announce the winner of our holiDAZE challenge. How do you win? The person with the most posts...wins a signed copy of my book Creative Awakenings: EnVisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art. 

What's the Bliss-30 Challenge? Every day for the next 30 days, you are to engage in some form of Everyday Bliss. What's that? Here is an excerpt from the book:

"Everyday Bliss is about process, not product or outcome. Think about things you love or once loved to do that have fallen by the wayside....Each day, take twenty minutes for yourself, doing something that brings you only joy and renews your spirit. Mix it up. Try Everyday Bliss at different times of the day to see which time resonates most with you."

"Here are some examples of Everyday Bliss actions: a spontaneous painting or drawings at the beginning of the day, a quick poem, a fifteen-minute yoga workout, dancing to music cooking from a favorite cookbook. Or try my personal favorite, a "daydream meditation," where  you let your dreams flow onto your paper, using your non-dominant hand..."

You can read more about Everyday Bliss on page 118 in the Creative Awakenings book.

Create your pledge NOW to take the 30-day "Everyday Bliss" challenge, and share-COMMENT BELOW-about "how you've blissed," and you will be registered for a blissed out holiday giveaway....a free signed copy of Creative Awakenings: Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art.

And there's more...order a book for yourself and someone you love for the holiday and you'll both be ready to start your Creative Awakenings 9-month Coaching Adventure beginning in January! 

Want a badge? Place this code on your blog, website or in your sidebar to show you're taking the 30-Bliss Challenge!

Here's the code:  <img src="http://i.imgur.com/4hOrF.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

Walk in Bliss

As we move closer to the true season, I think we can all feel the pace picking up a bit. I leave on Saturday to visit my family in Florida and it's been a busy week of clients, classes and getting things tied up in a neat bow, before I leave. 

I won't fib...there have been moments of stress as the list seems to grow longer, but I will tell you this, the BLISS has helped. My biggest moments of quiet have been those times with Blue, watching him hunting for mice-icles in the snow. Fortunately, they evade him, but his joyful pouncing and romping brings a smile to my face a few times a day. Our walks have also been a time of daily reflection in the spirit of Thich Nhat Hanh, he is my teacher...Innocence, simplicity and Bliss....he is my daily reminder. 

I will be checking in from the road, sharing with you my upcoming Gyspy Spirit Holiday Adventure.

May you find some BLISS today....

A Week of bliss-FULL Moments

Thank you to my guest bloggers. You're writings were inspiring and well received. What a treat for all of us. 

Here's a view of my bliss-FULL moments...9-12. 

BIG SNOW BLISS!

 

Blue Bliss
  

 

Sancho Bliss

Jerry the Snowpiller Bliss

Birth Class Bliss

 

Belly Bliss and Birth Symbol's

I can't remember when I have felt so grounded during a Holiday season. When I begin to get impatient standing in a long line or driving behind a cautious driver, I take a deep breathe, look out around me and count my BLISS and Blessings!

 

Guest Author: Carmen Torbus

 My fingers are covered in paint as I type this.  Paint on my fingers always makes me smile.  You would laugh if you knew how many times I've gotten to work, the grocery store or the post office only to realize I have turquoise paint on my knuckles, a smudge of gel medium on my forearm or a piece of scrap paper stuck to the bottom of my shoe.  Although each of these situations have caused fleeting bouts of embarrassment, they always bring a smile to my face and overwhelming, instant bliss. 

This time of year especially, I find myself rushing everywhere I go and I sometimes forget to pause for the most important things in my life. Finding those colorful bits of my creative life following me around, smacking me right in the forehead (or smeared across it anyway) remind me to follow them right back... to make time to follow my bliss.  

Make time for paint covered fingers, doodled journal pages or sketches.

Make time for story time with the kids, or cuddling up with a favorite book.

Make time for intimate moments with loved ones.

Make time for snuggles and games and utter silliness.

Make time for deep conversation, quiet moments and laughter.

Make time for appreciation and thankfulness.

Choose bliss.  

What ever your bliss is...

Find it.

Shine your light on it.   

Follow it. 

Soak it in.

Share it.

Delight in it.

Savor it. 

Devour it. 

Then do it again.

Blissed out again and again,

Carmen Torbus
Bliss follower, big dreamer, mess maker and lover of the words, "I'm so inspired right now!"

Thank you Carmen, for sharing this lovely bliss-FULL moment.  To learn more about Carmen, visit her site. www.carmentorbus.com

Would you like to be a featured guest author? Share a bliss-Full December moment with our readers and help them find serenity during this Holiday season. 

Get the code and join the December Bliss Challenge!

Bliss 9-Guest Post: Katrina E. Kniep

 

I am new to meditation. To be completely honest I've meditated all of three times in my life. However, meditation is something that's been at the bottom of my to-do list for way too long. So, I've decided to add it to my Bliss List this year. 

Yesterday I went out onto our screened in balcony and sat down on the rug next to the Christmas tree. I picked my three favorite ornaments off of the tree and I stared at them. They slowly became my mantra as I drifted out of my monkey mind and into my bliss. 

The smell of real pine next to the sweet, warm Florida air was incredibly pleasing. I could hear the palm branches hit the side of the apartment in a nice whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. I took that pattern and said to myself, "Love, Dream, Imagine."

I cleared out all the to-do lists from my brain, I cleared all the shoulds, I cleared out all the anger, sorrow and physical pain. I packed up my cell phone and internet compulsions and left them far, far away from me. I shoved everything right inside my balcony door to deal with later. For now I would sink into my bliss, even for 30 minutes. And it was heavenly.

Thank you Katrina, for sharing this lovely bliss-FULL moment. To view more of Katrina's writing, visit her blog.

Would you like to be a featured guest author? Share a bliss-Full December moment with our readers and help them find serenity during this Holiday season. 

Get the code and join the December Bliss Challenge!

Bliss 8-BIG SNOW

We woke this morning to over a foot of fresh powder! The Delegates were correct in leaving early, and we are holding the intention in our hearts that they can travel back to their villages, towns and countries, with no flight penalties. 

Yesterday was DreamTime Monday.  It seemed appropriate to be creating my December Art of Intention after such a sacred weekend. As I woke this morning, new images were in my mind for the painting I began this morning. Often, I have to live with the images that present themselves to sort through them and see which feel the most significant to the moment. Sometimes the images are fleeting and I see this as a way of release. The ones that continue to show themselves, are the ones I move toward and "listen," to. 

As I continue to work on my painting-this one was too big for my DreamTime Journal-I know this month's Art of Intention is about Integrity. Yes, I put the capital there purposefully. 

I hope you will join me this month as we continue our December EveryDay Bliss Challenge and join us for EnVision Art of Intention.  Feel free to send me your Art of Intention and I will share it on my FB page to inspire others to join in the Creative AWAKENINGS adventure.  

Will you create a December intention?