Cleaning and Creativity

This morning as I take my time getting started, I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of my favorite Ceylon Black Peach Tea and contemplating my day.  After the very late night blog post I wanted to start my day with creativity.  I've been playing with this for the past two weeks since I've started blogging daily.  It truly does make a difference with my day when I lead with creativity at the forefront.  Just like it makes a difference to me when I lead with my Yoga and meditation/prayer time.  So this morning I jumped out of bed contemplating writing my blog first thing this morning before I cleaned the house.  Great wisdom you say, or procrastination - probably a little of both!

As I ran outside barefooted in my house dress to take a picture for you all of my beautiful flowers in my front yard - I laughed.  I laughed with the joy of looking for beauty to share.  I smiled with the feeling that creativity wells up in me even when it's something little like trying to get a decent picture with my iphone.  
 

Today is a day for cleaning around the Gautreaux Gang Hideout.  I made some headway this week in between fun activities but I want to get some deep cleaning done including shampooing carpets and dusting ceiling fans (yuck). I may have out of town company next weekend and I love having an impetus for getting major cleaning tasks done.  I've always had a love/hate relationship with cleaning my house.  I LOVE to have a clean house - It makes me feels like I can breathe when the Fung Shway is flowing and I have the space to create.  Of course I hate am not a fan of getting it there.  Especially since I live with a house full of artists and anytime the house is completely clean it seems everyone gets the same bug to immediately create a new mess project in honor of the cleanliness!  So this has always been one of my challenges in regard to liking/loving the process.  I love Flylady who shared this banner this week:

Of course today it will be way more than 15 minutes to bring La Casa back into balance between the laundry and floors.  So what am I going to do about it?  This morning I decided I was going to clean with creativity!  I have loved remembering over the past two weeks how much creativity I have in my life between my family, writing, cooking, playing, exercising, friends and actual artwork.  Today I'm going to apply it to cleaning - I decided one of the things I can do is sing while I clean -since I've been wanting to practice for the upcoming Secrets workshop for Interplay.  I've also decided to keep my eyes open for neat picture opportunities within my house to create memes and such for the blog.  Of course the trick with this one will be not going off on a tangent of photography which (in my opinion) is so much more fun than the original tasks.  I'm going to reward myself tonight by going to the Art on the Atlanta Beltway Lantern Parade with the family - We've never been and it looks fabulous,  So I'm off to get my chores done and even as I write this I'm in a happy place thinking about leading with creativity!

Happy Saturday Friends,

Christine  

Fabulous Friday & Meatball Madness :)

I just found this picture and thought it was too funny since it's 11:02 pm and I'm writing my daily blog before Midnight so it counts for today!






Today has been a fabulous Friday full of fitness, friendship and fun!

The morning starting with my usual routine which includes Rodney Yee and Morning Yoga.
After a delightful morning with my girls and car pool.

My neighbor and friend Ellen & I headed to our YMCA to lift weights. We've been doing the strong lift program so today was Squats, Bench Press and Barbell Row.  We love being strong women!!! 

After the Y we headed off to the Decatur Farmer's Market - What a treat! 

Terrific food, International choices and interesting people.  We were on a mission.  The plan - buy the supplies to do a big "cook" for some freezer meals.

After our shop and lunch we headed to Ellen's house to cook.  Let me tell you this woman is a master!  I learn something every time I am with her and as a bonus she is fun and funny to hang out with.  Today was chicken meatball creation day :)

We had a fun time creating Asian Meatballs for two meals (one set to go with Lion's Mane that was served for dinner tonight) 

Indian Masala Meatballs for two meals for the freezer and Italian Meatballs x 2 also.

If it wasn't nearing midnight I would give you a hint of the recipes and pictures which would have to be of them in my freezer since we didn't document the actual process (*reminder for next time*).

Ellen held down the fort while the meatballs cooked and I scurried back and forth for afternoon carpool.

We wrapped up in time for me to head home for dinner - which was already cooked (yeah us!) and delicious!!!

Next I headed off to book club.  Can I just say that I love my book club!  It was our first meeting in a while since we took the summer off and it was so nice to reconnect with these fantastic women.  They are witty, smart and just all around amazing.  As we sat around on my friend Irina's back deck in the candlelight, with the nice summer breeze carrying the sound of our laughter out into the world I took a moment to look around and give gratitude for how lucky I am. 

I have an amazing support group and network of friends.  In my neighborhood, in my city and on the web.  I am Thankful for each and every one of them and for each and every one of you who take the time to read my blog - even when it's just a recitation of what I did today since it appears that for this morning person this time of night is waaaaay to late to write with any creativity :)

Wishing you a good night and sweet dreams on this fabulous Friday,

Christine

The Importance of Rituals

I have participating in many rituals in my life.  

When I typed the word ritual in Bing the following appeared:

Definition of ritual (n)

Bing Dictionary

rit·u·al

 [ ríchoo əl ]   

1. established formal behavior: an established and prescribed pattern of observance, e.g. in a religion
2. performance of formal acts: the observance of actions or procedures in a set, ordered, and ceremonial way
3. system of rites: the system of set procedures and actions of a group

Synonyms: ceremonial, procedural, ceremonious, sacramental, formal

 

Today I participated in the memorial mass for my friend Janet's mom.  Janet's mom, Diane, died of cancer last week - she was in her 80's.  I didn't know Diane, but I do know her beautiful daughter, her son-in-law (David, my co-leader) and her granddaughter, Jamie (one of my girl scouts).  So today I showed in up in support of this family that I love to help them celebrate the life of their mother and grandmother and to help mourn her loss.

 

This particular ritual took me right back to my childhood.  The church had almost the same carpet as the one I grew up in (except I think ours was a little more obnoxious of a red) and the different colored pews, beautiful stained glass that tells a story and so much more.  The scent of incense in the air was familiar (and yes that brand still gives me a slight headache) as was the tolling of the bells.  

 

So as I sat responding to the call and response even though I haven't been to a mass in years it was like putting on an old coat from the back of your closet.  One that didn't quite fit right anymore but had a wealth of memories. 

 

When I think about the rituals I've participated in over the years there have been many:  Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings, Funerals, Memorials, Dedication Ceremonies, Girl Scout Award Ceremonies, Pipe Ceremonies, Smudging, Adoption Placements and more that I'm sure I'm forgetting.    

 

Rituals also make me think of my friend, Sheila's new book:  Warrior Mother:  Fierce Love, Unbearable Loss and Rituals that heal.  You can check out the video trailer for her book here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y12Wj06_nAI.  As her title says, Rituals heal.

This week I had a dream about a soul sister of mine from Texas, Mary Grey Bear and I sitting in a pipe ceremony together.  It wasn't clear in the dream what the specific ritual was for but I know it was one of healing.

With all of the news and insecurity in our world this week I am feeling the call for healing.  Healing ourselves, healing our families and healing our world.

 

Even though I am not a Catholic anymore it comforted me and inspired me that the new Pope Francis called for a day of prayer and fasting on Sunday over the situation in Syria.

 

On September 7, he said, people will gather at St. Peter's Square from 7 p.m. to midnight, while other churches hold similar community events.

"Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace" he said.

  

A gesture, a ritual, to help us heal. 

 

It makes me think about a bookmark I have in my journal that reads:

 

"If there is to be peace in the world,

There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

There must be peace in the heart."

 

Lao-Tse  

 

 

 

Wishing you peace in your heart today and always,

 

Christine

P.s. Before I left for the funeral mass this morning I found a peace sign charm - I held it throughout the service infusing it with love and peaceful energy before giving it to my friend, Janet after the service.  That was the inspiration for tonight's blog. -C

Celebrating Joe :)

Today is my sweetheart's birthday.  Today he turns 48.  Happy Happy Birthday Joe!  The above picture is one of him jumping for joy (beside Sammie who had landed) in celebration of the sun rising on Amelia Island.  One of the things I love most about Joe is his playfulness.  We met over 23 years ago when I got my first full time job at the Oasis Car Wash in Nacogdoches, TX.  He was the manager of the Detail center (which was his full-time job as he put himself through college).  He jokes that yes he was my boss for a year - a long time ago - and then we got married!  When we met we were both dating other people and so we were just friends.  I thought he was a nice guy (still do) and he was cute.  Two days after I started working with him his current girlfriend showed up, got hired which was a ton of fun since she didn't like me and told Joe on many occasions that he wasn't allowed to talk to me.  We laugh about this now as one of the many reasons I believe in past lives since it was very apparent that she knew something was between us long before we did!  We all worked together for a year and I left to pursue other work interests more related to my degree.  Nacogdoches was a small town so we would see each other around town and say hello.  Four years later I was invited to a mutual friend's wedding and reception.  Vance had tracked my roommate and I down personally to hand us our invite since we had recently moved.  On the day of the wedding we remembered the invite (yes we were young and distracted) and my first thought was "I have nothing to wear!"  Well, we figured it out and my friend and I cute-i-fied (I know it's not a word but that was what we were doing) ourselves and arrived a little late to the wedding.  After a beautiful ceremony it was time for the reception.  On the way out of the church I saw Joe and my ex-boss and went to say hello, looking both ways for Joe's girlfriend before I approached.  I found out pretty quickly that they were no longer dating (still talking though) as she had moved to Houston.  Well wasn't that interesting - I wasn't dating anyone at the time either.  I remember there was a huge thunderstorm that night.  It blew in after everyone arrived at the venue and had just gotten settled - the lights went out.  Looking back I'm sure this caused lots of distress for the bride and her big day.  For us it was pure romance!  We talked for hours and reconnected.  We officially started dating in October 1993 and we got engaged New Year's Day of 1994.  I am one lucky girl.  For those of you who don't know Joe he is funny.  He loves to laugh and tell jokes.  He also loves to Dance.  You can find him at the YMCA most Tues/Thursday nights and sometimes Sat/Sun dancing with the Zumba class. He is an incredibly talented artist who can draw and/or paint like a master. 

Joe at the LionHeart Theatre posing with the set he painted

And yes, he's brilliant.  He's a scientist - Senior Field Service Engineer who's day job includes installing, teaching people how to use and repairing numerous instruments like DNA/RNA sequencers (the who done it machine on CSI Miami).  Joe's an athlete who completed the Houston Marathon for his 40th birthday and helped me train and competed with me for my first triathlon for my 40th birthday.  

Joe at Dragon Con!

Joe and I at a concert in the park in Duluth this summer :)

All dressed up for an 80's party!

Ready for Dragon Con 2013!

He is a fun and loving dad who tells way better bedtime stories than me.  I could go on and on!  I know, enough already. 

I should add that no, he is not perfect (and for sure I'm not)   but he is willing to work on himself and our marriage and he strives to be a great dad to our girls.  

I just wanted to share with you today a little bit about this amazing man who is my partner, my husband, my friend, my lover and my soul mate.  I am grateful that he was born and I'm so lucky that I can call him mine.

Happy Happy Birthday Joe,

Christine

 

Posing in the kitchen & yes he cooks too!

Having a moment...or two!

Lost passwords, computer glitches and other fun things have delayed me in starting my blog today.  Or at least those are the physical things I can "blame" it on for now.  Even as I type this the screen is in a grey color I have never encountered and I just had a pop up box say "Highlight the problem."  Okay, now that's funny, laugh out loud funny since that was what I was going to write on today...the problem (so let me highlight it for you).  

Yesterday after a wonderful workout, blog post and productive day I had an "Oh no, what have I done moment!" Sort of like the one I had after my 3rd blog post recently.  I felt vulnerable and had that squirmy feeling in the pit of my stomach that accompanies the little voice whispering, "Hide...there's still time...hide."  

Even as I type that the "grown up" in me scoffs slightly and says, "Just a little Drama Darling?"  

Back to the vulnerability.  My dear friend, Cynthia, offered to help with my flyer for my upcoming Fall Women's Retreat - she is delightful and so was the flyer she produced in a remarkably quick time.  I was in business.  I have been facilitating women's retreats in Georgia for the past four years and attending them for over 13 years in Texas at Earthsprings with mentor and friend, Glenda Taylor.  Retreats are one of my passions.  So what is the problem you say?  When I saw my flyer on Facebook, for what it felt like all the world to see, it induced a bit of panic.  The usual gremlins whispering, "Who are you to do this?" To which I always say, "I am the person willing too!"  and the other fun one, "What if no one shows up?"  To which I respond, "Then you must be in need of a solitary retreat and that will be delightful." 

Today as I write this it seems a bit silly.  Yet I know for myself and other artists that putting ourselves out into the world can sometimes be intimidating.  I know I have the skills, the heart and the time to create this magical weekend for others and I am willing to offer it to other women and the universe.  So I sit here breathing deeply and comforting myself that all will be well superb and that taking the first steps is key to creating anything.

Brené Brown's third book Daring Greatly
(which is a must read by the way) has the following Leadership Manifesto which I sought out in this moment to give me courage (and you can find a printed copy on her website www.brenebrown.com):

The Daring Greatly Leadership Manifesto

To the CEOs and teachers. To the principals and the managers. The the politicians, community leaders, and decision-makers:

We want to show up, we want to learn, and we want to inspire.
We are hardwired for connection, curiosity, and engagement.
We crave purpose, and we have a deep desire to create and contribute.
We want to take risks, embrace our vulnerabilities, and be courageous.
When learning and working are dehumanized- when you no longer see us and no longer encourage our daring, or when you only see what we produce or how we perform - we disengage and turn away from the very things that the world needs from us:  our talent, our ideas, and our passion.
What we ask is that you engage with us, show up beside us, and learn from us.
Feedback is a function of respect; when you don't have honest conversations with us about our strengths and our opportunities for growth we question our contributions and your commitment.

Above all else, we ask that you show up, let yourself be seen, and be courageous.  Dare Greatly with us.  

That last line truly speaks to me in this moment and I say, "YES!  I WILL show up.  For the Retreat , https://www.facebook.com/events/404559516310918/, for the Interplay Secrets Weekend and Leadership training, https://www.facebook.com/events /473071402789566/ and for all the other things I have a passion for including my girl scouts, my new blog and my fun, active life.  I WILL let myself be seen (even if I'm shaking in my boots a little), I WILL be courageous and you need to know...I will be daring greatly! 

What do you have going on in your life where you want to dare greatly?  I'd love to hear about it.

Hugs and a high-five,

Christine

Manifesting Mondays

Recently a group of friends and I starting gathering for a Manifesting Monday's group that I facilitate.  This is a one hour goal and positive accountability group to help us focus in on our dreams and what we want to create.  It's based loosely on Jack Canfield's book The Success Principles - How to get from where you are to where you want to be. Today was our 3rd time to meet.  One of the things that we fill out is a victory log that has blank lines (19) for you to write your weekly successes down - for me it's about giving gratitude and thanks also.  This week my page was overflowing!!!  It was such a busy and full week.  When I looked at what was different about this week several things stood out - This week I led with creativity!  With Ruth Schowalter's
encouragement and inspiration I began blogging daily which activates my creativity early in the day and helps me to have fun!  Sometimes when I lead with the "shoulds" I get bogged down in drudgery and we all know that leads to stinky moods.  That being said I do confess that a few more "shoulds" need to happen soon or my children will be in danger of having nothing clean to wear to school :)  The other thing I did this week was dance and dance some more with my sweetheart as some of you know from yesterday's post.  Filling my soul plate this week also included connecting with good friends for great conversation, snuggle time with my girls and volunteering/advocating for a great program I believe in - our public schools Fine Arts program.  Throw in some great exercise and reading Sheila's terrific book (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y12Wj06_nAI) and I declare last week a success in so many ways!!!  So today on Manifesting Monday and Labor Day I pause to think about the week ahead and what adventures await me.  I'd love to hear what you are wanting to create in your life?

Creating Happiness,

Christine

Daily Practice and a Poem of Thanksgiving

The thing about a daily practice is that in order to get better you must practice it daily.  Brilliant insight... I know.  

Yet on this stormy Sunday afternoon I am just sitting down to "make" myself write.  I am tired.  Two days of Dragon Con and dancing way into the early morning with the love of life has worn me out.  

I am full of great memories and my body can still sway with the music and yet in the same breath it is saying, "Stop. Take a break and rest."  

So today, even though I had grand plans to get to the Decatur book festival I am honoring my body's wisdom and resting.  

I've been thinking about this post this morning and the headache that has been plaguing me and wondering what it is I have to share today.  I have been wanting to share some of my poetry.  Yesterday I bravely told a friend that next year I want to participate in the Decatur book festival by reading some of my poetry.  I am fascinated by Slam Poetry and have set a goal for my self to write and perform some in 2014.  

I just went and grabbed one of my favorite journals off my bedroom bookshelf.  It's called A Women's Journal which has a beautiful hard back blue cover with a delicate bouquet of flowers on the front and was filled with blank pages and quotes by amazing women when Joe gave it to me years ago as a gift.  

This journal holds pieces of my soul:  Poetry, Sammie's tiny baby foot print (from 11 years ago) her birth story and notes from several sacred retreats.  Needless to say it is yummy.  Just opening it feels like greeting a true friend with a warm hug and the sigh of satisfaction you get when you know that you are loved.  

Today I picked the poem Thanksgiving to share with you.  It was written during a women's retreat and is one of my favorites.  Several years ago I sent it with my sister into the desert at Burning Man as my art to be used in ceremony.  

Today and tomorrow wrap up another year of Burning Man, Dragon Con and the Decatur Book Festival.  Three amazing events that celebrate creativity and artists and each one in different ways call to my soul.  So in honor of this fabulous weekend which is honoring creativity all across the land and taking it back into the world I give you "Thanksgiving."


"Thanksgiving" 
 by C. Gautreaux


You were there.

I feel it in my being.

From the moment we first met
I know we had loved before.

You are my sister and my friend.

Together we have shared may lifetimes.

You were there when spirit looked around and chose our paths.

You were holding my hand, surrounding me in light
and searing the message into my soul...

I'll be there.