A Radiant Gem

'A Radiant Gem', an intuited sketch from my soul with a message for the week ahead, 12-18 August 2013;

A multi-faceted gem radiates (that's you), knowing each facet (of the self) is unique yet part of the same whole. There's a facet that wants facts first, and a facet that dares to dive into the unknown. There's a facet that seeks silence, and a facet that presses its face to the window eagerly awaiting the next thunder storm. There's a facet that loves to be filled to over-flowing, and a facet that desires to empty itself of all it is not. Who you are is not a collection of contradictions (or a mis-matched mess). Nor are you broken or faulty. You are a divinely crafted whole.

Inner-battles, struggles and self-sabotage momentarily blind our higher vision when we forget we hold it all. 

Your whole self is as you already are, whole. 

You are a beauty-filled multi-faceted whole. Each one of us are well-aware of the things that seem not-quite-right about us, inside and out. Gemstones do not seek to ignore, deny or dismiss one of its facets. Each facet is held sacred as part of the one beautiful whole.

As any facets show up this week that irk you, push you, bother you or bug you, let them be (without becoming them). There are facets within you that want, will and wish for opposing things. But not to start a war in your head and heart. Simply to remind you all things are possible. So, own the facets that tug at your sleeve. No, it doesn't mean you have to become them. If one facet is loudly protesting that it needs alone (all-one) time doesn't mean you must now become a monk or a nun. Allow them space to be. Listen to what they want to tell you. Hear the message they hold for you.

When our individual facets (especially the ones that are unsure, unclear and holding fear) are allowed to be, they release their resistance and naturally 'click' into place. You are beauty-filled. Beautiful. Whole.

You radiant multi-faceted gem you.

I'd love to hear from you. What facets of self are asking you to let them be right now? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine 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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Round Up, Picture This

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Round up, picture this: We're taking a group photo. Of you.

Your team-of-you aka all your inner aspects work together as exactly that, a team. Sure, some aspects can get a bit rowdy possibly because they are so very passionate about your life direction, others want to protest or quit, some sit quiet and there are those that roll up their sleeves ever-ready to do what needs to be done to get you where you want to be.

Now, imagine gathering your team-of-you for a group photo.

As you round up all your inner aspects together, from the unsure self to the assured self and every other self in between - what does your group look like? What symbols, visuals or objects come to mind? What feelings surface? Let your imagination and intuition guide you. Your team-of-you might be flowing in harmony like a waterfall, huddled together like a mis-matched soccer team or grouped as one like a bunch of wild flowers. Allow whatever surfaces for you, sans judgement.

Note, if you find yourself wishing your team-of-you could get a make-over, how would you want them to be?

Then, allow yourself to express that out in whatever way calls you. Maybe you take a pic of something symbolic that represents your team-of-you. Perhaps you create something to symbolise your team-of-you, such as a circle or other formation of sacred, natural or random objects. Or you might artwork it out.

To remind yourself that when your inner aspects are seen, they lift your own self-awareness, take a symbolic pic of that which represents your team-of-you. 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 pic 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.

Be Kind to Your Mind

Our thoughts are impressive. They make an impression on how we feel, what we do and how centred we are within our being at any given time. Where our mind goes, it creates a groove that invites our whole self to move in that direction. When we think life is always blessing us - our energy, emotions and actions tend to draw more blessings to us. When we think everything is going against us - our energy, emotions and actions tend to, well, make everything go against us.

When we think enough similar vibrational thoughts (be they calm-grounded-grateful, inspired-kind-mindful or chaotic-overwhelmed-suffering), it's like the mind sends out a memo to your team-of-you, that reads, "Heads up team! This is where we are going now! Let's align!". 

It takes a lot to keep your inner world in the state that it's in. Enter your team-of-you. It consists of all your inner aspects, from the unsure self to the assured self and every other self in between. To check in with the state of your team-of-you, observe your thoughts. Are they self-loving, supporting and encouraging? Are they helping you to move forward on your highest path? Are they impassive or reactive? In harmony or arguing? Peaceful or frustrated? Growing and flowing or stuck in an old pattern that's on replay? Too busy being busy they've pushed aside your dreams and desires? Where your thoughts are at informs you on the state of your team-of-you aka your whole self. Your team-of-you doesn't judge your choice of thoughts (conscious or subconscious), it receives them as your focus point and draws more of the same to you.

If you love the way you think, brilliant. If you desire to transform the goings-on in your mind, it's possible if you think it is.

To think the way we desire we need to break through old thought patterns. To fight, deny or dismiss them can turn up their volume. Instead thank them. Love them. For they have brought you to here. If it resonates with you ask them what message they have for you. So often old ways and modes of being, including old thought patterns want to be seen before they can move on. Acknowledgment is a powerful key for unlocking the energy of transformation.

Let any old thought patterns know; I see you, I hear you and I now let you go.

As the energies of this weeks Full Moon reminds us, when the mind is at ease it steps into its highest role of being a positive ally to our deep inner knowing.

Wherever you are at in your life journey right now, be kind to your mind. To think is to imprint. May you think the way you desire.

I'd love to hear from you. In what ways are you kind to your mind? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine 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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Your You~ness Party

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

We're going to the party.

Our whole self is constantly inviting all of our inner aspects to come to the party - of being who we really are and letting go of who we are not.

What would your party look like if it could be anything in the world? Of course your life is your you~ness party. For this nudge we're inviting our imagination to run free and open to what our party would look like if we let go of any fears, limiting beliefs, self-sabotaging patterns and old modes of being that no longer serve us. Ask yourself what kind of event is it - casual, relaxed, sacred, natural, vintage, original, simple, elaborate, fun, childlike, serious or something else? It might be a quaint or boisterous celebration. It is whatever surfaces for you.

Pay attention to any signs or tangible objects that show up on your path that symbolise what your party would look like. It might be a rainbow, glitzy shoes, balloons, delicious food, a magnificent cake, your favourite band, a jumping castle or whatever you feel drawn to. You might want to bake that cake! Or express this nudge in the form of an artwork.

To remind yourself that your life right now is your you~ness party in action, take a pic of your symbolic object or artwork, 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 pic via Twitter or Instagram use the tag #creativenudgefridays so we can find you.

In the words of Steve Covey, "Live out of your imagination, not your history.".

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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Pressure to Potential

Our whole self is born to be just that, whole. And so it constantly invites all our inner aspects to come to the party. There's always a group that don't need to be asked twice. Some arrive ease-fully with their party shoes on and ready to go. Others hesitate, wait by the door for further encouragement. There are those that check in with the rest to see what they are going to do before following suit. Then there are those that show up kicking and screaming. Ah, the ones who are on some level resisting (in that moment) to attend. All that resistance can create conscious and/or subconscious pressure. Which really makes them our diamond aspects. They so often hold the most illuminating of insights that at first glance can appear to be, well, bulky and cumbersome coal.

Our diamond aspects are super savvy at getting our attention. You might have witnessed them showing up in your own life as being; rowdy, mischievous, in the way, too loud, too much, too shiny, too independent, rebellious or stubborn. They are after all, very adamant that if they don't show up in these particular ways - we may very well miss their precious messages.

We can ignore our diamond aspects, push them aside or try to tune them out. Like really, really try. But when you are truly ready for or are in need of their deep wisdom, try as you might they will do their best to be seen. Before they fully come to the party, which they secretly wish to do.

It draws upon our deepest courage to pay attention to where we most resist our wholeness. When we do pause to listen in whatever way calls us, we create the space for our inner diamonds to reveal their true brilliance.

It is in opening to the gifts of our diamond aspects that activates their highest potential - of assisting us to be more of who we really are. Fully and whole.

And, as a bonus it's what gets them to the party.

Diamond aspects surface in divine time. We can not force them to surface, though we can invite them to be more clearly seen. It is a life-long journey to embody more of our wholeness. Trust your own flow.

I'd love to hear from you. In what ways have you noticed your diamond aspects surfacing in your life? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine 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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Move Toward Your Light

Seedlings and plants have an innate response to "move" toward the light. Super sensitive to their environment, they bend and grow in the direction of their light source. We too bend and grow in response to our environment.

Each and every day our whole self experiences movement. From moment to moment our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states can shift slightly or significantly. As we go about our daily routines and regular happenings, our senses are receiving word about our internal and external environment - whether sensory via what we hear, see, smell, taste and touch or extrasensory via intuition (commonly known as the sixth sense), visions and telepathy. Our response mechanisms are so ah-mazing that it doesn't even matter whether stimuli is actual, imagined or a fallacy. We can be triggered by such things as; a tangible object, a real action, an imagined happening, a meditative experience, a factual memory or a false perception. This is a remarkable gift, as we have the capacity to consciously use our imagination and the power of imagery as tools to create positive and purposeful change in our lives.

We encounter stimuli throughout our entire day from the moment we open our eyes, be it; the natural light of daybreak, the sound of a little one stirring, an animal friend wanting food, an alarm clock sounding, a neighbour mowing the lawn or traffic driving by.

But what effect is your response having on the direction of your own growth? 

Tune into your current responses to gain clarity with the direction you are moving in right now - further away or closer toward your own light. 

If it resonates with you, here is an awareness exercise you can do wherever you are and no matter what unfolds during your day, whether a lot or very little. Pick a day this week and be aware of what shifts your states and when. You might like to write it down in a journal. Alternatively, during the day check in with yourself on the hour every hour and note down any inner or outer shifts. Do this without any judgement. Simply allow yourself to observe what shifts you. Notice what changes your body posture, what alters your mood and what triggers reactions within you. Take note too of what changes your energy levels.

The more aware we are of what shifts, uplifts or squashes us, the more empowered we are to make different choices if we desire. As a bonus, paying attention to what triggers us opens the doors to a rather fabulous personal resource library. When you know what gives you more energy, greater clarity, harmonious emotions and calmer thoughts - the more readily you can draw upon these experiences in your life when you feel otherwise.

What direction are you growing in? To tweak your course, pay attention to how you are responding to your inner and outer environment.

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; Move toward your light, http://ow.ly/irIsJ via @jelenamrkich

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin was sitting in my hand as we both became the tree during today's photo shoot. He laughed and laughed himself silly saying sometimes he feels teeny tiny in the world. But through the power of light and shadow he was able to be like the tree and stretch his limbs up to the Sun. He said this made him feel as tall as the tree and like his own roots were planted firmly in the ground. In that moment, as his shadow and mine became an extension of the tree, he realised that it doesn't matter how big or small we might think we are in relation to others or other things in the world, what matters is that you are here - like every plant and every tree, you have a place in the world.

© 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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Transform an Ideal Feeling into a Real One

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #14. We're creating a sacred reminder that whatever we desire to feel is already within us.

The desire to transform any part of ourselves or our life often births from the desire to feel better than we do. Whether that is to be happier, healthier, wealthier or more loved, valued and seen. One of the most powerful ways to get to a more positive place of being is from where we are right now, by connecting deeper to any desired state from within. As the words by Mahatma Gandhi remind us, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Here is a nudge to encourage you to be the change you wish to see in your own life. Create a visual mantra. A mini-one that you can place on your desk, on your dashboard, in your pocket, wallet, bag or wherever you know you will regularly see it. You will need an old business card, scissors, glue and collaging papers. This exercise can be done in 20 minutes, though create in the time that feels right for you.

To help get in the space for creating your visual mantra, ask yourself;
- What would I like to change the most in my life right now? It might be one aspect or area of your life, or it could be your entire life.
- How do I really feel about this (the thing I want to change)?
- How do I desire to feel? It might be one feeling or a combination of feelings.

Use your desired feeling(s) as the inspiration for your visual mantra. Express it out through a collage, using the old business card as your mini canvas. If you feel to use another medium or work with mixed media, do it! You could also add words that reflect your desired feeling.

Note, collaging paper can include; used magazines, brochures, leaflets, wrapping paper or old book pages.

To remind yourself that you can be the change you wish to see, take a photo of your visual mantra then use the pic as your screen saver or wallpaper on your phone or computer.

Your view. If you like this post, click LIKE below 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 visual mantras! If you share your visual mantras on Twitter, Instagram or elsewhere on the web, 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; Transform an ideal feeling into a real one, http://ow.ly/ibYe0 via @jelenamrkich #creativenudgefridays

The visuals around us, whether tangible or imaginary, can affect our whole self - including our emotional state. Raise the vibration of what you see to help transform an ideal feeling into a real one.

Create 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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There's an Angel in My Tea

"Do you have tea?", I asked the lady.
"Yes.", she replied.
I waited a moment to hear the selection, though no such details were forthcoming.
"What kind of tea?", I enquired.
"Hot tea.", she replied in a gentle and genuine tone.
"Perfect," I said, "I'll have that thanks.".

It was oolong loose leaf. And as I went to take a sip, I noticed there was an angel in my tea. I put the cup back down and took a moment to observe my minuscule visitor. The oolong angel spoke to me of being present.

Being present gifts our full presence to whatever we are doing, wherever we are at. It creates the space for being in sync with our whole self. 

Our ability to be present works in partnership with where we place our awareness and what we give our attention to. When our awareness and attention are somewhere else, we can be doing one thing but a part of us can be doing another. There are times when this can be super useful, such as when we need to multi-task. But there are other times where it causes us to miss the magic and power of the present. Such as; when we are resting, but our minds are racing; when someone is speaking with us, but we completely miss what they have said; or when we action a task in one moment and forget that we did in the next. Whether we feel too busy, stressed, distracted, disrupted or are in denial in any way - being elsewhere can cause our whole self {body, mind, emotions and spirit} to feel out of sync. And when we feel out of sync we can either sit in it or shift through it. Sitting in it can attract more experiences of out-of-sync~ness.

Each out-of-sync experience is an invitation to break-through the pattern. Because our natural state of being~ness gravitates toward wholeness, a whole self that is in sync on all levels. 

Bringing our awareness to the now and giving our attention to where we are really at, assists us to shift through out-of-sync~ness and realign with being present.

We all have moments of not being present. Though the more we are conscious of where our awareness and attention are at, the swifter and smoother the journey back to the present, our own presence and being in sync with our whole self.

Tea, anyone?

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; There's an angel in my tea, http://ow.ly/h5Y8s

Sip on, Jelena x

p.s. Kalvin {lover of creativitea in all its forms, including the sipping kind}, nearly fell off the table from excitement when he realised there was an angel in my cup. He went to dive in and splash around but the tea was still a tad too hot for such shenanigans. Kalvin says that tea {like art and creativity} has fabulous benefits for our whole being. It can soothe the mind, calm emotions, help heal the body and it's delicious. He reckons the journey of life is a bit like a pot of tea. Sitting in the hot spots too long can result in bitterness. But gifting your whole presence to the experience of drinking it, opens you up to its fullest flavour, richness and sweetness.

© 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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Shine On, Like the Moon

As beings of light even our shadow has the potential to shine. And when our shadow shines, our whole self illuminates. We are full. Like the Moon.

From Earth's perspective there are two sides of the Moon that make up its celestial self. The dark or far side, which is the side we never see (though it does actually see the Sun), and the near side which is the side we do see.

The Liquid Saltiness of Harmony

You are a physical embodiment of your soul spark. Made up of stardust some say. 

Your light is made manifest into the visible world via your actions, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and what you hold in your energy fields. When you have awareness of and own your whole self - your body, mind, emotions and spirit