Race for Life

Well the day is finally here, I'm taking part in the Cancer Research - Race for Life at Richmond Park today at 2pm.  The sun is up, its planned to be a great day, wonderful atmosphere. As with my creative life its all now about stepping out of my comfort zone. I had a target of £100 to raise but managed to raise so far £122.50 from generous friends and family, see my link which will accept donations until 14th August 2010 http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/amandatrought .  Will be showing some of the images at the event later on today.

Happy Fathers Day

Kenneth Lloyd Trought

1926 - 1992

Even though its been nearly 18 years since my father died I still miss him.  There were so many things I wanted him to share and to see.  In my 20's I didn't appreciate or have the maturity to understand why he did the things that he did, how hard it can be to bring up children and all the lessons I have learnt over the 14 years of my sons life. 

I would have loved him to share the many highs and lows that I have been though over the 18 years -  walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, to meet my son (his first grandchild) and laugh at his humour, to tell him how much I appreciated everything he tried to do, and how many of the sayings that he use to tell us as children I now say to my child -  "looks like you want to learn the hard way", "I wasn't born yesterday!" and many others.  I would like to show my father that I am following my creative dreams and most of all that I loved him. 

To all those fathers out there full of wisdom, knowledge and understanding - we want thank you for your sensitivity, your strength, your laughter and love.

 

Me as an 8 year old in my favourite top

Negativity/Insecurities - kick them to the curb!

At the beginning of your creative journey there is always something that seems more important than you spending quality time on your work and your development. I am half way through the Kelly Rae Roberts ecourse - Flying lesson and we are looking at the market places for your work. 

As I read through I was met with a barrage of fears and negative thoughts all designed to make you do a U-turn and dash your creative flight to the wayside as there is always something more important that you could be doing - like the hoovering, putting another wash in the machine, or a mountain of other things that often crop up when we are at the breakthrough stages. 

I decided not to ignore them but to write them all down, give my critic the space to voice its fear, and I came up with 2 A4 pages of all the reasons why I shouldn't be working on my art and creativity, but once the fears were voiced I could move on.

In the process I got myself a website and have been adding some of my work - You can see it HERE

Proverbs 3:5-6 says - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. When I was a child wasn't sure what I wanted to do, now I am older I am sure and its taken many years of reflecting, doubting, and going though to come out the other end with a lot of experience, knowledge, wisdom and a surety of how I want to express my creativity!

Like a child I nurture my inquiring mind, I am sensitive to my own insecurities and I support my growth. There will always be dishes and clothes to wash and hoovering to be done, at one stage or another you'll wonder what you did to receive so many blessings and be able to bless others with your work, but life is not a dress rehearsal and we have to live it to the full for we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Check out some resources and book on Amazon that may help you with your creativity and direction.

Back on Track

I've been back in London now for 3 days now, been trying to catch up with all the emails,  the ecourse, the general day to day demands that tug at you.  Had a really good time at the conference in Norway (http://www.create.uwe.ac.uk/news.htm) , as well as taking in the lectures over the 4 days, I got to enjoy the peace that comes with being in your own space, learning more about what it is I want from my creative journey, and not having to cook for 4 days, but being pampered with the culinary delights from someone else's fair hands!

The conference was held in Gjovik, and there were researchers from all over the world, I was quite privileged to be among some of the brightest minds.  As well as work, there was play, we got a tour of the worlds largest underground auditorium built for the XII Winter Olympic games in 1994

We also had a tour of Oslo, and visited the The Vigeland Sculpture Park covering an area of 80 acres. The 212 sculptures are all modeled in full size by Gustav Vigeland, it was definitely a sight to see!

the viking museum

.....and many other places,  as well as some time on our own in Oslo.  All in all I had a great time.  It was great to get back to the family, my computer and my art materials!  Now I need to hit the ground running into the next adventure! I've got my eye on the many art retreats that are taking place in the US and some in Europe.  It would be great to get some feedback from any that you may have been to and enjoyed, so please comment.

Review of Delivering Happiness - a path to profits, passion, and purpose

Once I opened up the book to read, it joined the ranks of books that I didn't want to put down until I finished, that said it's one of those book that you can keep on dipping into, trying out the ideas and making changes to your life.  Delivering Happiness is not only for employers wanting to make a change in the work environment and to their customers, but it is for anyone who would like to make changes to their mindset and ultimately their lives.  It is written in a clear and humourous style.  Tony Hsieh reflects on his life, his mistakes and his successes in an open and honest way.

Overall, I thought the book gave great insite in to his journey, written so that it is easily accessible - telling his story and encouraging the reader to change at the same time by getting you to ask yourself some key questions.  It was also great to hear the views of his employees and the act of being open and transparent as an organisation, whilst sharing the vision behind the company organisational structure.  I definitely encourage everyone to read it, and take a look at their website -  http://www.deliveringhappinessbook.com   

When you walk with purpose you collide with destiny........ Bertice Berry

Winged Thoughts - I am an artist

From one of the pages of my journal I look at the way ideas are formed and how being that they are so delicate we have to use wisdom.  In the depths of my heart creative dreams are calling me to take notice.  With all the distractions its quite easy not to take notice of our ideas.  I explored the areas that I wanted to work in, things I wanted to try.  How many times were you told you couldn't do something or you shouldn't try something?  I've just recently started the Kelly Rae Roberts ecourse, and just been reading her blog entry on facing our fears. its amazing to look back on this now and think about the fears I had when I did this journal page and the growth thats come later on.  I have named and shamed the fears.

In 12 hours I will be winging my way to Gjovik in Norway for a 4 day conference - sharing and learning from others who come from all over Europe who have an interest in colour research.  I have been taking little steps that have led me to this point and as I face my insecurities, I'll soar like the eagle and I will be able to look down on the fears and insecurities. I know that I will come back enriched from the experience, and welcome the numerous experiences and blessings yet to come.