5 x seeker

I had the great fortune of staying at the Yasodhara Ashram for a month as a karma yogi in their young adult program. It was a beautiful transition between seasons, and deepening thirsty roots that had been forgotten. During my time there I got take a closer look at the motivating forces in my life, and really hone in on how I would like to focus these energies in my next chapter. Entering this community enriched my personal practice deeply, and reignited a deep desire within me to ~know~ more. I'm currently reading Ram Das's book Be Here Now and he talks about the searching feeling of each of us looking into each other's eyes "do you know?" And the ultimate satisfaction of finding someone who Knows. It was encouraging to be in a community of such earnest seekers. I've spent the last couple weeks transitioning back, and here are a few of the things I have been considering as I do. Enjoy ~

1. Oprah Winfrey talks to Thich Nhat Hanh an 20 min excerpt via Super Soul Sunday
2. Kardinsky on the Spiritual Element of Art & The Artist's Three Responsibilities via Brain Pickings
3. Something About Mary via Ascent Magazine
4. Marias: Faith in Womanhood on Netflix
5. Music by Sheenah Ko

End of the year goals

Checking in my New Years resolutions I’m feeling really good about the place I’m at. Feel very on target & happy with results. That being said there are always a few loose ends to wrap up as well as seeds to plant for the coming year.

My personal goals aka a recipe to flourish:

• Paint/draw/craft 12 fruits & flowers in 12 weeks
• Play more bass, write more songs
• Cook more meals with less meat, consume less alcohol/intoxicants, practice mindful consumption for 8 months
• Adjust morning rituals to darker season
• Publish book of poetry, throw a party to celebrate (November)
• Create dance/video collaboration in bloom (December)
• Meditate, journal, observation, contemplation, yoga, mindful body work, presence, gentle focus, careful attention, joyful curiosity
• Leave time for more reading, laughing, loving, hand holding, sharing, listening, dreaming

Community goals aka a offering for tomorrow:

• Next stage of development for SPC engaging with membership to build thriving community results by May
• Alt alt producing & mentoring learning cycle – a celebration of weirdos cummulate in January
• Join international mentorship program (December)
• Continue to support friends and cultivate strong bonds with women/non-binary folks

Professional goals aka ambition’s map:

• Spend time catching up on administrative details that have escaped (December)
• Build portfolio, documentation, and website (March)
• Develop alternate revenue streams (November)
• Continue to reach out and build bridges between creatives & businesses 
• Keep saying no to offers that don’t make sense to leave room for the opportunities that excite me

Huffing Gas

It’s been years since I worked up the magic blend of courage & cash to leave you.

A little over a year since I realized what you were doing to me was abuse.

Seven months since I decided I wouldn’t let myself be treated that way anymore.

Three months since I started believing there was another option.

And I’m still unlearning all the ways you made me feel less than myself, smaller, quieter, afraid, unloveable, untrustable, unfuckable, unstable, stupid, useless, paranoid, broken, and crazy. My anxiety is worse than ever, but I’m healing. 

I am healing.

I am healing.

I am healing.

I am healing.

I am healing.

Inspired by Everyday Feminism

5x body of/in work

You may have noticed that I have taken a break from publishing these lists every week. In short, it’s summer, and I’m tired. However as I re-entered the studio this week to continue work on Dear Devotion a couple of these links really jumped out at me, so I wanted to share. I’m more interested in sharing the work than the links at this time, so I make no promises how regularly I will post these lists. For now, here are some pieces I am reflecting on in my body of/in work.

Enjoy

1. Creepy Ghost tunes by mass marriage via Weird Canada
2. Hacking the Canon via Canadian Art
3. Stop Treating Emotions Like Character Flaws of the Powerless via The Establishment
4. Diva in Full Swing via Howl Round
5. Am I A Dancer Who Gave Up? via the wonderful Alicia Ward

5x

I will be entering the studio this weekend for our third devising intensive with the Dinner Tables Theatre Collective. After a long week of illness and mental fatigue I need to recharge my creative juices, so I’ve gathered a few links to things that are currently inspiring me.

Enjoy

1. Interview with Helen Rice and Joseph Nissenboim via The Great Discontent
2. Almudena Toral: Focusing My Energy via She Does Podcast
3. Why Metaphor Matters via the Banff Centre
4. Station Wagon via Kay the Aquanaut and Maki
5. A Classical Guitarist’s Assuring Account of Creative Homecoming and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome via Brain Pickings