Pleasure Loves Awakening You

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #23. Let's go out and play.

As kids we don't need a reason to play. And we sure don't need to be asked twice if we want to go out and play. Whether that means going on the swings, sliding down the slippery-dip, kicking a ball around, running through the park, collecting leaves, climbing trees, shape-spotting in the clouds, drawing with chalk or building sandcastles. Perhaps due to weather or your location it's all about indoor fun like colouring in, finger painting, face painting, baking cookies and creating a mess in the kitchen, carving potato stamps, making play-dough, playing an instrument or a board game. Maybe it's more quiet play like doing a puzzle or reading a book.

Here is a nudge to up your inner-child happiness. Play. Go out or stay indoors. Whatever works for you. Think about the kinds of things you loved doing as a kid. Or maybe it was things you would have loved to do as a kid if you could have.

Play is happiness enhancing and ups your inner bliss! It's sheer joy in motion and super food for your creative spirit.

Here's my acronym for play --> Pleasure loves awakening you! It loves awakening you to the full expression of who you are.

To remind yourself that play is serious self-care business, take a pic of your play in motion, then use the pic as your screen saver or wallpaper on your phone or computer.

If you give the nudge a go, comment below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page. If you share your play in motion via Twitter or Instagram use the tag #creativenudgefridays so we can find you.

Create on, Jelena x

© Copyright Jelena Mrkich 2013.

Permission is granted to blog about this nudge or share this post and images within it freely on the condition that the author is credited and this byline is included. Jelena Mrkich is an Artist, Art Therapist and Creative Catayst who is passionate about creativity as a tool for healing, transformation and self-awareness. For more info visit JelenaMrkich.com or for regular creative good things join her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Up Your Inner Bliss

What if you knew that pleasure, as a way of being, was seeking you right now. Would you answer its call to lighten up? Would you seize the opportunity to expand your joy? Would you accept its invitation to be more playful with who you are? Or would you press pause, take a ticket and push it aside for later?

Pleasure is expansive, soul-nourishing and boundless. It is readily available to us in each moment. But how ready are we really to be present to it, and to accept it?

Every experience of sheer joy need not be off-the-richter scale states of euphoria. True inner joy is cultivated one happiness at a time, no matter the intensity. Yet how we respond to pleasure on one level informs us a great deal about how we respond to pleasure on any level. Let's consider for a moment one of the most intense points of physical pleasure aka the "big O". It is interesting to note men have little challenge experiencing this. On the other hand, according to Planned Parenthood statistics, at least one in three women have issue in this department. Our culture calls it "Female sexual dysfunction (FSD)". The very word 'dysfunction' suggests that in fact intense states of pleasure are a natural part of female functioning. Others say women just aren't built 'that way'. As George's dad in an episode of Seinfield says to Elaine, "What the hell does that mean?". She responds, "That means whatever the hell you want it to mean!". 

So, what might really be going on beneath the surface of such an imbalance within humanity? Regardless of gender we each hold masculine and feminine aspects within. Our divine masculine makes no excuses for immersing in fun on all levels and is more au fait with meeting its own needs of pleasure, including but not exclusive to sexual pleasure. Our divine feminine however, has been placing the pleasure of others (including the inner masculine) above the needs of her own pleasure, also including but not exclusive to sexual pleasure. We are living in a time where this is shifting. The divine feminine is awakening on an individual and collective level. The more we surrender to this awakening within our own selves, the more we awaken to its positively powerful ability to transform our lives, our relationships and our outer world.

Adept at self bliss, our divine masculine is now ready to expand its definition of pleasure to include the embodiment of heart-based love. Experienced with heart-based love, in particular expressed toward others, our divine feminine is now ready to expand its definition of pleasure to include her own bliss.

Inner bliss is a vital part of the full expression of who we are. Every little morsel of joy matters.

I'd love to hear from you. In what ways do you pursue or push aside your inner bliss? This question can also be used as a journal prompt! Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin says when we surrender to bliss~fullness on any level, it helps us surrender to bliss~fullness on all levels. Pleasure can show up in an abundance of ways depending upon where you are at in your life right now. It might show up as a smile in your eyes, in being present in the moment when immersed in play or in greater actioning of what feels good for the highest vision of your life. Kalvin says pleasure as a way of being is seeking you right now. To help you up your inner bliss here is a pleasure activating affirmation; "I breathe with pleasure. I allow pleasure to flow through me. I open to the pleasure in my life right now."

© Copyright Jelena Mrkich 2013.

Permission is granted to share this post and images within it freely on the condition that the author is credited and this byline is included. Jelena Mrkich is an Artist, Art Therapist and Creative Catayst who is passionate about creativity as a tool for healing, transformation and self-awareness. For more info visit JelenaMrkich.com or for regular creative good things join her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Breathe in Joy

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #19. We're breathing in joy.

Living a life you enjoy happens in the now, whenever you feel or are open to finding the joy within you and in your life. Whether you have a busy outer world or a busy inner one, it's essential for wellness to give yourself permission to take time out for you. Even a little. Especially if you still feel 'on' whenever you try to switch 'off'. One simple way to do this is to appreciate mother nature. 'Always take time to smell the roses' is a well-known phrase about slowing down, noticing what is going on within you and enjoying the journey of your own life.

This nudge is an invitation to do just that. Smell a flower. Any flower.

Find a flower that calls you this weekend, whether in nature, on your everyday path or in a florist. Then, take a moment to put your nose to the petals and inhale its scent. As you breathe in, imagine it's tranquil essence reaching your every cell and filling you up with a wave of tranquility and joy. And as you breathe out, imagine the wave of tranquility and joy sweeping out anything you no longer need to hold on to.

A note, if you happen not to find a flower you can do this nudge quietly within. Close your eyes and imagine that you are holding your favourite flower, then follow the process above.

Taking a moment to connect with nature's beauty can help us connect deeper with our own inner beauty. Nature's beauty is living creativity. And every time you pause to breathe in the natural creativity around you, you expand the stream of conscious creativity that flows through you.

To remind yourself that appreciating nature is naturally nurturing to your whole self, take a photo of your flower, then use the pic as your screen saver or wallpaper on your phone or computer.

What colour or type of flower calls you right now?

If you give the nudge a go, comment below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page. If you share your flower pics via Twitter or Instagram use the tag #creativenudgefridays so we can find you.

Create on, Jelena x

© Copyright Jelena Mrkich 2013.

Permission is granted to blog about this nudge or share this post and images within it freely on the condition that the author is credited and this byline is included. Jelena Mrkich is an Artist, Art Therapist and Creative Catayst who is passionate about creativity as a tool for healing, transformation and self-awareness. For more info visit JelenaMrkich.com or for regular creative good things join her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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You are a Meaning-Maker

For those of you who know my blog you know I love to share with you soul-nourishing creative good things and deliver self-empowering invitations via creativity and the written word to help you be more of who you really are. This week I felt guided to do that in the form of a more personal story.

I was searching for a particular tiny notebook I had bought in Milan, Italy after spending a month printmaking in Florence in 2006. I looked all through my studio, in my craft boxes, on my shelves, in my drawers and in the cupboards. It was nowhere to be found. So I took to my art supplies storage space under my house yesterday. I still didn't find it. Instead I did come across a stack of blank watercolour papers that had belonged to my mum, Miki Mrkich (1951-2002) . She was an artist, amongst many brilliant things, who allowed me to find my own way as an artist too. In the ten and a half years since she transitioned, these precious papers were still blank, waiting to be used for something fabulous. As soon as I saw them again, I knew what they had been waiting for. My 365 Acts of Creativity project. I'm already two months into it, creating in a beautiful red art journal. Yet I kept sensing that my project wanted to be in another format. Holding the watercolour papers in my hand I knew their purpose, to be the canvas for all 365 pieces. This means quite a few already completed pieces are going to go through a rebirth and transform as new creations. Quite apt really, for the Year of the Snake. Shedding layers to reveal new layers.

This afternoon I placed the papers on the lawn and lay down amongst them. Grateful that creativity - be it through art, craft, photographs, videos, music, voice recordings, hand-written notes, letters, postcards, poems, hand-painted plates, hand-knitted socks, hand-quilted blankets, hand-beaded jewellery, family recipes, hand-planted mulberry trees or any other creative imprints and expressions - gives form to our essence and when shared with others, allows a part of us to be with them in the present and in the physical when we pass on.

Some may say, 'But it's just blank paper, there's nothing on it.'. True. There is nothing on these papers. But they hold a lot. They were my mum's and as such hold a deep meaning to me. They mean the world to me.

As with anything we own, create or do ~ what touches us and can immeasurably shift us the most is the meaning that it holds or the meaning we give it. Whenever we wish to make or create anything for ourselves or another, it is an opportunity to create greater meaning in our life right now. From my soul to yours I say, "Get your create on!".

Your view. If you like this post click LIKE, add your comments below or on my Facebook Page.

Pass it on. Here is a ready-to-go prod for you to share on Facebook, Twitter + elsewhere on the web; You are a meaning-maker, http://ow.ly/i5SV9 via @jelenamrkich

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin dove straight into the papers and hopped from one to the next imagining they were stepping stones. Kalvin says life is a journey of stepping stones. Some stones are more challenging than others to travel across. Each one carries its own experience, which can include; joy, sadness, laughter, tears, easeful~ness, frustration, clarity, confusion, expression, suppression, stillness, movement, wounds, healing, anxiety, liberation, grief, peace or gratitude. Each step holds value, purpose and meaning. Each step is what leads us to where we are. And when we acknowledge where we are at, we allow ourselves to be more of who we are. Kalvin says wherever you are at, express your brilliant self. It's beneficial for your whole self and your sense of wellness. And as a bonus, one day someone who loves you just might one say thank you for it too.

p.p.s. For details on my 365 Acts of Creativity project, see the postscript here.

© Copyright Jelena Mrkich 2013.

Permission is granted to share this post and images within it freely on the condition that the author is credited and this byline is included. Jelena Mrkich is an Artist, Art Therapist and Creative Catayst who is passionate about creativity as a tool for healing, transformation and self-awareness. For more info visit JelenaMrkich.com or for regular creative good things join her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Move it Out

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #12. We're going to move it.

As children we instinctively bounce to the beat, no matter when or where we are. We innately move with no self conscious editing or judgement. That space is liberating, blissful and brings us in alignment with the now. As adults, dancing helps us reconnect with that space we so ease-fully enter as kids. That space where you can breathe in the pure joy of being you.

Here is a nudge to uplift yourself by shifting yourself. Play some music that moves you, literally. It might be; rock, rap, pop, be-bop, jazz, classical, country, contemporary, instrumental, techno, tribal or whatever is calling you right now. Then, move it! Dance, sway, groove, shake, stomp, jump or step it out. Dance for a minute, for the whole track or however long you like.

For those of you who are regular dancers, brilliant. This is a reason for more movement. But if you've become a rare-groover or can't remember the last time you really shook it out, here's your opportunity. Put your dancing shoes on. Or dance barefoot. Dance at home. Or outside. Dance in nature. Dance with percussion. Dance with a scarf. Dance as soon as you wake up. Dance with yourself. Dance with others. Attend a dance class. Or get creative and have a five minute dance break wherever you find yourself this weekend.

To remind yourself that shifting yourself can help uplift yourself, take a photo while dancing, then use the pic as your screen saver or wallpaper on your phone or computer.

Your view. If you like this post, click LIKE or if you give the nudge a go, please let us know. Share a pic with us on my Facebook Page, or add your comments below. I'd love to see your dancing images! If you share your dancing images on Twitter or Instagram, let's use the tag #creativenudgefridays so we can find you.

Pass it on. Here is a ready-to-go prod for you to share the nudge on Facebook, Twitter + elsewhere on the web; Get your creative on! Move it out; http://ow.ly/hLxnZ via @jelenamrkich #creativenudgefridays

Expressive movement is a positively powerful way to feel good naturally. When we feel good, it ripples through our body and out into our life.

Dance on, Jelena x

© Copyright Jelena Mrkich 2013.

Permission is granted to share this post and images within it freely on the condition that the author is credited and this byline is included. Jelena Mrkich is an Artist, Art Therapist and Creative Catayst who is passionate about creativity as a tool for healing, transformation and self-awareness. For more info visit JelenaMrkich.com or for regular creative good things join her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Rest Your Head, Enter Your Heart

Here we are. In the eye of the storm. 

As I sat down to write this post, that is the image that came to mind. Of being in the centre of shifting weather. The kind of weather that cleanses the old, throws things up to the Universe and washes things anew. No matter if your regular happenings have shifted a little or a lot during this time of year, the festive season