Move Your Inner Creativity, Out

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #26. We're moving our inner creativity, out!

What comes to mind when you think of the world 'creativity'? We each have our own definition of and connection to the word. Though in our busy inner and outer worlds we can feel like there's just not enough time for it. Yet that's what life is. An ah-mazing and ever-evolving act of creativity. Beyond the bounds of time, are you paying attention to the creativity within you or are you pushing it away?

Here is a nudge to amplify your awareness of your inner creativity and move it out into your life. Pay attention to how your inner creativity shows up for you this weekend and then, action it. Follow through in a way that feels life-enhancing for you. Your inner creativity is there to assist you in living the full expression of your highest self. It simply loves to create. It can show up as an inspired thought, an illuminated idea, an intuitive hunch or a spontaneous 'yes' to step out of your comfort zone. It can show up while you are taking a shower, driving, dancing or about to fall asleep (you might like to keep a pen and a notebook on your bedside table for such moments!).

However your inner creativity shows up for you in your life, pay attention to its blazing creative genius.

To remind yourself of your blazing creative genius is always with you, take a pic of your nudge in action, 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 nudge in action 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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Truth and Hot Chocolate

Truth is often seen as a fixed and factual force, an ideal place to cast our life's anchor. But what happens when what we know as truth, begins to shift? It can rock our boat and feel far from a safe harbour.

There are truths in life that are definite and precise, such as the truth that our physical body is made up of over 10 trillion cells and the truth that our planet Earth orbits our closet star the Sun. These principles of nature thrive and exist beyond the need of our validation or control. Yet because these truths exist, so do we. There are truths that form part of our reality for a short time or our entire life time, truths born out of trust in others. These can be life-changing truths. When expressed through the lens of inner wounds and fear, such truths can trigger and surface hurt within us. But when expressed through love it embraces its highest purpose and ultimately serves to uplift us even when it may initially feel otherwise. Then there is our own inner truth. The more we learn to ride its ebbs and flows without self-judgement the more easeful we find our footing whenever we might lose it.

Our inner truth is ever-present and positively powerful. We can consciously tune into its wisdom and allow it to illuminate our highest path forward. At any given moment we can resist or flow with what rings true for us. To connect deeper with your inner truth right now, ask yourself, 'Where does my inner truth sit in my body?', 'What does my inner truth look like?' and 'Where am I resisting or flowing with the wisdom of my inner truth?". Allow the responses to come to the surface or free write your answers in a journal.

Standing in our truth honours what is true for us in any given moment. Our truth can alter as our perspectives alter. The more you focus on refuelling your self-love and self-care tanks, the more easeful the transition whenever your inner truth moves through periods of growth and expansion.

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio right now is a super-charged time for aligning with what rings true for you. If you feel right on track in your life, you might feel like life is gifting you a timely boost. If you feel off-course, you might feel momentarily lost but soon to be unexpectedly found. Hold steady to your inner truth with this Moon Mantra; "I hear my inner truth and flow with its wisdom. I trust my highest self."

I'd love to hear from you. What does your inner truth look like and how do you connect deeper with its wisdom? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin just made himself a cup of organic hot chocolate. It's getting a bit nippy in the evenings here in Sydney. Being a lover of all things nourishing, Kalvin says it's drinkable self-care and a comforting reminder that truth like hot chocolate is fluid. Sure he says, it can burn our tongue when too hot or when left unattended can become unsavourily too cold to swallow. But when it's just right, when it rings true from the depths of our being, it warms our belly with pure and delicious richness.

© 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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Sip From What Makes You Shine

Everything we absorb, drink in and soak up is used as fuel for our being.

What we eat, the fluids we drink, the thoughts we think, the air we breathe, the emotions we hold, the beliefs we have, the inspiration we devour, the responses we experience, the actions we do, the movements we make, the words we speak, the words we attach to and how we perceive ourselves and our outer world - all fuel our being. On the surface they all appear to be very different types of fuel. What can be and often is similar is the quality of what we consume.

When the quality of our fuel is of a lower or dense vibration, our being requires more energy to process it. As a result we might find ourselves feeling depleted or drained of energy. When we gravitate toward higher vibrational fuels, we increase our health and sense of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. As a bonus higher quality fuels allows our inner furnace to burn energy more efficiently on all levels - giving us better digestion with everything we consume. Notice this in your own life, higher quality fuels enables you to literally digest emotions smoother, inhale more love, take in more joy and be more present in the now.

Eating an bunch of grapes is different to gulping down an emotion or swallowing an uncomfortable thought. Yet when we are aware that all these things provide fuel for our being - we can shift from leaving the quality of our fuel up to chance to consciously engaging with the quality of our fuel by choice.

Our being does not label fuel 'good' nor 'bad'. We all have moments when we feel triggered to do something we know is not so brilliant for us. Or moments when we simply fancy a treat. Like having a makes-my-inner-child-happy butterfly cupcake or a weekend fry-up for breakfast. On a not so side note, having such things on a regular basis shape-shifts a treat into an energy depleter. What matters is the quality of fuel we most often choose on a regular basis.

To create positive change in your life, or increase your sense of wellbeing on any level - check in with the quality of your fuel.

I'd love to hear about what fuels you! How do you notice the difference in your own life between lower and higher vibrational fuels? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin says what fuels us brews together to form our very own personal blend of life tonic. It's like a bowl of goodness from which we draw our sustenance from. Of course the goodness in your bowl can only be as fabulous as the ingredients you put in it. Kalvin says our personal blend of life tonic is magical, in the sense that we can change it at any time. We can add to or subtract from the blend. We can dull it down or perk it up. We can neglect it as a resource or make conscious use of it as a self-nourishing tool with abundant boundless possibilities. Making more nourishing choices with what fuels you can transform you, your path and the vision you have for your life. Sip from what makes you shine.

© 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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Be an Agent of Positive Change

How often do you positively love YOU? 

There are many ways to positively love the self via nourishing actions, loving emotions, kind thoughts, life-enhancing behaviours and self-caring habits. But sometimes it can seem like no matter how much we love ourselves, we encounter an impassible wall that blocks access to our highest level of blossoming. You might recognise it in your own life in such moments like; attempting to shift past an on-going issue, trying to heal a re-occurring negative pattern, striving to finally get over a self-sabotaging behaviour or tackling that all-too-familiar hurdle in the way of your dreams. So often our self-inflicted stumbles, challenges and hurts are a sub-conscious reaction to an experience somewhere along our life journey. However slight or serious our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wounds, when we have the courage to acknowledge our path, we create the space for deeper healing and transformation. Acknowledging our path also allows hidden aspects to step out from the shadows which can help us uncover why they might be resistant to heal, shift and transform. No matter how long a healing journey takes, we each deserve self-care and self-kindness every step of the way.

Which brings me to February 14. I like to call it Love Day. It's a brilliant day to remember to express love, care and kindness to YOU. Get creative; write yourself a love note, pick yourself a bunch of wild flowers, eat some chocolate, go to your favourite cafe, dance to your favourite tunes, have a relaxing bath, wear your favourite clothes that make you feel a million bucks or make a brunch date over the weekend with loved ones. February 14 also marks V-Day, a global activist movement bringing awareness to violence and abuse. In honour of its 15th anniversary, V-Day has launched One Billion Rising. A campaign that invites one billion women and those who love them to walk out, dance and rise up for the purpose of creating a real shift within humanity.

I am rising because a global rising is only made possible one by one. Every one can be an agent of positive change.

Open to a daily practice of positively loving YOU. When you come from a space of heart-centred love you become an agent for positively powerful change in both your inner and outer worlds.

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; RISE up, DANCE and be an agent of positive change, http://ow.ly/hGbbD via @jelenamrkich @VDay #1billionrising

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin reckons every day is a day for love, care and kindness. There's no need to wait for Love Day to embody more love within us and extend greater love out. But Kalvin reminds me that's not to say don't get him anything. He's partial to dark chocolate, pink lotus petals, iced macha tea and is always open to new water-soluable pastels and dance shoes. Speaking of dance shoes, he says One Billion Rising is one ah-mazing opportunity for humanity. It will be one of the first times in history for one billion people to consciously rise up together. Kalvin says he will be rising. He says the rhythm of humanity dancing in unison for a positively powerful cause will send out ripples of healing and transformation greater than Earth has ever felt before. Want to be a part of that? All you have to do is dance.

© 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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Your Creativity is One Clever Cookie

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #9. We're getting into some sweet business. With a pinch of salt. 

The ways to nourish our blazing creative genius are infinite. Sometimes it asks us to get out tools like glue, scissors, paint brush, knitting needles, yoga mat, cd or djembe drum. Other times is calls us to get out our mixing bowl. And a spatula. Here is a nudge to encourage you to add a cup of conscious creativitea in your kitchen. It's a recipe. For baking a batch of homemade yum.

Lelicious Almond, Honey & Coconut Cookies
Makes approximately 24 cookies

Ingredients:
150g almond meal
150g plain flour
150g pure honey
80ml coconut oil
1 egg
1 teaspoons ground ginger powder *optional for a dash of subtle spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch natural pink salt
handful of shredded or desiccated coconut

Method:
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Grease a baking tray with spray cooking oil or line with a baking sheet.
- In a mixing bowl add meal, flour, ginger powder (optional) and salt. Add honey, oil and vanilla extract. Whisk egg separately in a cup and pour into mixing bowl. Combine well.
- Use a teaspoon to scoop up the dough and roll into balls. Evenly space them on baking tray. Press each ball down flat using the back of a fork. *To prevent the fork sticking to the dough, dip the fork in warm water and tap dry on a tea towel.
- Sprinkle tops with a pinch of shredded or desiccated coconut.
- Place in oven for 12 mins or until golden.
- Let cool on a wire rack. And, enjoy!

To remind yourself that your blazing creative genius is one clever cookie, take a photo of your freshly baked batch, 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 baked creations! If you share your baked goodness 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; Your creativity is one clever cookie, http://ow.ly/h8Tld via @jelenamrkich #creativenudgefridays #recipe

Most of us spent time daily in the kitchen. Which makes it a brilliant place for daily creativity. Making edible creative goodness is nourishment for our being~ness, and it's even more nourishing when we get to share it with our loved ones.

May you always bake from your heART.

Create on, Jelena x

p.s. this recipe can be altered to suit your dietary requirements. If wheat flour is not for you, replace with almond meal (making the almond meal total 300g). Note, this will change the consistency of the cookies a little. Coconut oil can be found in your local heath food store, or can be replaced with melted butter.

© 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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You Were Born to Be {You}

There are an infinite amount of creative ways to express the truth of who you are. To quote Robert Benigni, I'm "full of joy like a watermelon" at the very thought. No matter how many mediums, methods and techniques I've explored, learned, tried, tested, forgotten about, remembered, played and worked with (130 and counting), there are more. An infinite amount of creative ways. Because we

A Love Note to Self, Transcript

This is the transcript of A Love Note to Self. Click here for the original video version + blog post.

Creative Nudge Fridays is Here!

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to the first nudge. We're going to start at the heart. It's where your expression of love - of who you are - begins. Most of us are familiar with living, being and investing enough into who we are not. This weekend, hold the space for who you are. You are energy dancing in form, a reality shaper {you create it!}

Got Creativity? Use it.

There I was in the garden collecting zucchini flowers for eating when I had an a-ha! moment.  Picking ripe flowers continues to birth new ones on a consistent basis. But when left unpicked, creates a limited supply that become over ripe and when past their use-by-date eventually wilt. The amount of flowers that blossom doubles when the ripe ones are regularly picked. The same occurs for the rest of

a cup of CreativiTea

I love my morning soy chai. It has become a ritual that marks the beginning of my day, no matter what the weather. Stormy, cold, blue skies or humid, I like to have my tea. Much like art and creativity for me, no matter what my inner weather. Joyful, refreshed, hesitant or frustrated, I tap into the creative realm daily. It is not so much what I do. It's the movement behind it, what's going on behind the scenes that is nourishing to the self.