Spread Your Wings

23-29 September 2013; 'Spread Your Wings', this morning's intuited sketch from my soul with a message for the week ahead.

The colour-filled and calm winged one arrived to remind the self, 'this way up!'. 

This way to the highest vision of yourself and your life. Spread your wings, let go of the outcome and be free (from within) to see the heights they are capable of (up)lifting you to.

We're working with the notion here that you have a pair of wings. Well, you do. The more you know this the more you can work with them and spread them wide to help shift yourself beyond old patterns, inner-tensions and self-doubts. Sounds too fanciful? Remember, you are a miracle happening on an organic life-supporting rock hurling through an ever-expanding Universe at the precisely the exact speed to keep you on it.

Your soul has a pair of wings, and while you are here they are located right in between your shoulder blades. They move in tune with your whole beingness.

Here is an exercise you can do to Open Your Wings right now; 

Take a moment to sit or stand comfortably (if the only spare moment you have today is in the bathroom, that's as good a place as any!). And inhale slowly and deeply (bring your breath all the way down to your abdomen and allow it to fill up like a balloon). And exhale, releasing all the stale air. Again, inhale deeply and slowly, this time become aware of your chest expanding. And exhale. One more time, inhale deeply and slowly and as you do see your wings puff wide open behind you. And exhale. A note, some of you will be able to visualise this process. Others might need to imagine it is happening, like you are pretending and that is okay. Or you can work with the words and allow the process to happen in whatever way feels right for you.

Whenever our chest aka heart chakra feels it has room (is allowed) to breathe, your wings shoot open even if your arms are by your side. Whenever you trust your heart they shoot open (I'm told it's their favourite method). Whenever you follow through on your inner knowing or centre yourself in your truth within, your wings shoot open. Whenever you are expressing yourself authentically, feeling gratitude and in a state of calm, they shoot open. When you invest in self-care, they yes shoot open.

Our wings are also our helpers. Especially when we don't know which way to go or when it feels too overwhelming to shift yourself from where you feel you are at to where you wish to be. Whenever we find it challenging to trust our hearts, are doubting our own selves or feeling displaced from within, what is the one thing we must all keep doing? Breathing. The more you tune into your breath, the breath itself can help relax your chest. Keep breathing. And your wings will puff open to help you.

This week, spread your brilliant wings. 

We're not talking about being showy in order to prove our worth to others, we talking about showing up for ourselves, showing up as who we really are (which means having the courage to be vulnerable). If you are doubting your worth or who you are right now, breathe through it. Puff those wings open that will show you otherwise. You can do it. *If you are new to your wings, test them out. Practice with the breathing exercise and notice how this changes your mood and mode of being.

I'd love to hear from you. How do your brilliant wings assist you? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. while doing this sketch I unconsciously flipped my art journal around, thus it's upside-down in relation to the rest of the book. Sometimes things (need to) appear upside-down in order to be seen in a new light and thus (re)turned right-side-up. Including our own self 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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The Shapeshifter

9-15 September 2013; 'The Shapeshifter', Monday's intuited sketch from my soul with a message for the week ahead.

The shapeshifter surfaced as 'She with the fox mask' to say not all masks hide who we are. 

Some masks gift us the exact dose of courage we need to throw off what we have been using as an excuse to make ourselves smaller, less than and unloveable (first to ourselves then with others). These kinds (of kind) self-empowering self-strengthening masks remind us that we always have what we need, which includes courage to reveal our soul truth (first to ourselves then others). To shed like fur or hair that which we no longer are and give light to our vulnerability.

To be vulnerable is to transcend the heaviness that would have otherwise hid your you-ness (yes, first from ourselves then others).

To be vulnerable is to show up as yourself and let yourself be seen. She with the fox mask reminds us that sometimes showing up as ourselves means to hear the call from within that only we can hear. The call that guides us to retreat into our inner world and embark on a journey to our core. The more we familiarise ourselves with this inner path home, the more easeful and direct we can tap into the inner knowing that resides there. She with the fox mask reminds us to deepen this connection with the unseen world, that of our own intuition, inner creative force and the call for transformation into a new way of being from within. Deep inner work is concealed from the outer world at first and can appear as if little to no movement forward has or is being made.

Even in silence, solitude or at a standstill the inner creative force is always in motion.

This week, strengthen your self-trust. Trust with your heart. Trust with your you-ness. Trust that as you are changing, shifting and evolving from within, your outer world is also dancing to the same rhythm, shifting to match your new ways and vibration - as you show up more (and more) as yourself and let yourself be seen.

The more you allow your inner knowing to surface, the sharper it becomes. Like a fox, it is crafty for a reason because it is the stuff from which you shape-shift yourself from old and/or false definitions of self and into your soul's truth in the now (new) moment.

She with the fox mask has an additional note on fur and hair; They are ancient symbols of energy and fertility, and changing it can help change the expression of our own creative life force. Hence we feel anew with a hair cut or change, regardless of how subtle or drastic it is.

I'd love to hear from you. What masks have helped strengthen aspects within you? 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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Born to Roar

This week's New Moon in Leo is telling us a story, and it's called: Born to Roar. When a lion roars, we listen. And the current lunar energies are inviting us to do the same. To own our inner-roar aka our unique voice that is solely (and soul-y) ours. Are you listening to the story it wants to tell, and allowing it to be told through you? Now, a roar that bellows up from the depths can sound scary. But a lion doesn't roar only to frighten everything away. Even the king of the jungle likes to hang out with its tribe. A lion also roars as a way to assert itself (with confidence), claim its space (sans self-doubt) and communicate (in the most effective way) with others.

A roar says, 'I am here!'. Yes you are. Own it without shouting it. Love it without doubting it. Here's a Moon Mantra to honour you and the inner-roar you were born to express:

I am me. I am here. I am seen now. I am heard now.

Meditate on this mantra, or use it as a positive affirmation by repeating it quietly within or aloud. To extend on its message, write it down in your journal and say it to yourself - tune in to how it feels within your body and note it down. Express it out in whatever way feels good to you.

Roaring is optional.

I'd love to hear from you. How are you owning your inner-roar? 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.

A Super Full Moon

The super rainy weather may have blocked the view of the Super Full Moon here in Sydney tonight, but not its gifts and effects.

This Full Moon in the earthy sign of Capricorn is an ideal time to pause and reflect on your recent emotional growth. To embody the full expression of who you are, means to allow the self to release all that you are not. One layer at a time, one old belief at a time or one self-sabotaging thought at a time. As the moon grew full, you may have been called to tweak or completely redefine what it is you desire to do right now, whether within your home, relationships, family, life or work. As an added bonus, this call very likely arrived with an invitation titled 'Out with the old!', this includes old ways of thinking, feeling and being that simply do not fit anymore.

To honour your journey wherever you are at, here is super-loving Moon Mantra;

I truthfully see how I respond to life. I loving release all I am not. I love all of who I am.

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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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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A Recipe for Bliss

Happy Easter lovelies.

Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Spring, is considered the ancient namesake of the festival of Easter. It's about fertility, renewal, rebirth and the divine return. All of which are aspects of creativity. Whether or not you observe Easter, this week is a brilliant time to honour the connection with your creative spirit in whatever way feels good to you.

One of the things I love to do during this time is to get in the kitchen and create nutritious and delicious concoctions to share with my loved ones. Here's one of my recipes for bliss that I'd love to share with you!

Lelicious Raw Cacao and Coconut Bliss Balls

Makes approximately 22 regular sized bliss balls.

Ingredients

12 mejool dates (about 2 cups), pitted and chopped

2 cups shredded coconut

4 level tablespoons coconut oil, melted if needed

4 level tablespoons cacao powder

1 heaped tablespoon tahini

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup extra shredded coconut for covering, optional

Method
- Add the ingredients into a food processor or blender, one by one. Blend until well combined.
- Spoon the mixture out into a mixing bowl. Using your hands, roll one spoonful at a time into bite-sized bliss balls (about the size of a golf ball).
- Roll your bliss balls in the extra shredded coconut to coat them.
- Place in the fridge to set (or eat them immediately if you prefer!).
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Recipe Notes
- If your mixture is too dry, add a little more tahini one spoon at a time.
- If you find your mixture too wet, add a little more shredded coconut.
- No blender? No matter. Place your mejool dates in a pot of shallow water over medium heat. Gently stew them until soft and the water has been absorbed. Keep your eye on it, in case you need to add a little more water. Then, spoon into a mixing bowl and combine it with the rest of the ingredients. This method may add more moisture to your final mixture, in which case add more shredded coconut as needed.

Eat before they all go!

It's a bite-sized superfood for your super self.

I'd love to hear about how you connect with your creative spirit! In what ways do you connect or desire to connect with its essence? Add your comments below or be a part of the conversation on my Facebook Page.

Shine on, Jelena x

p.s. Honouring the connection with who you really are, in a way that feels good to you, is a brilliant recipe for personal bliss.

© 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

365 Acts of Creativity. Let's Do One.

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to nudge #6. The arrival of a new year is a brilliant time to begin new things. 

This week I've embarked on "365 acts of creativity", a creative exploration for my year ahead (details below). 3 down. 362 to go. This weekend join me on the

Let Found Treasure Find You

Creative Nudge Fridays is here!

Welcome to the second nudge. We're going to let found treasure find us. 

Treasure is always on our path if we open up to seeing {and receiving} it. Treasures do not always show up in the packaging we expect, though it does not make the treasure any less a gift. When we allow ourselves to receive the little

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!}

What Story is Your Life Here to Tell?

In my last blog post I shared my love note to 2012. In this post, we take it personal. You'll be getting a love note. 

This month I've been working on a video project. Gathering up and weaving together photos and footage. Super fun. But the narrative was, let's just say, challenging. What I thought would come out was quite different to what flowed

Sweet Creation! Be in the Now

Creative expression is an opportunity to be present in the moment, to release what you no longer need and lift the veils of doubt and fear. To create is to be in the now, its energy allows you to experience, integrate and embody who you really are. It creates the space for you to access and express your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies, paving the way for abundant benefits to

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.