Follow Your Dreams - Do What You Love!

 What are you dreaming of?

When I was growing up - even with the qualifications,  if you wanted to show your art work you needed a gallery to represent you, to publish a book you needed an agent/publisher, if you had a name you might get an advance.  Similarly if you wanted to be on TV or in the movies the agent would come into play and there was a very small window of opportunity if that - with certain roles going to the select few and you might be lucky to get a few walk on parts in a crowd scene.  'Its who you know not what you know'  were words I heard my father say a few times.  There were no guarantees, if it was thought that 'your face didn't fit' chances were slim to none.

But would you allow that to stop you?

Many have stopped short on their dreams, maybe having thought of what they want to do with the lists bouncing around their heads, having resigned themselves to not even getting close, maybe meeting a celebrity is the icing on the cake or reciting to who ever will listen how they 'nearly got to' 'always wanted to' came close to' pursuing their dream.  The graveyard is full of unfulfilled dreams and visions.

For every problem that exists there are thousands looking for the solution or alternative solution, the answer comes in many shapes and forms.  What if you held the keys to the very thing that others were looking for?  What if you didn't do it in the traditional sense but from a different point of view?  Becoming the publisher for the field that you want to enter!

The use of technology now a days means that you can be at one part of the world providing a solution for someone on the other side of the world while pursuing the dreams of your heart - what you have been dreaming about, wanted to pursue, someone else wants that product, solution, and it is sitting in your head, in your heart, and on your note pad.

So in the scenarios that I gave earlier and being of the artistic kind (the writer, actor and artist) -  the tables have turned on your ability as a creative to get your work in front of those who need and want to see it, sell your work, show in a gallery, publish that book and more.

It is time to create your own story - see the vision and make it plain...., it starts with a thought, you have to write it down and then look from every perspective to see how you can make that baby become a reality.

Don't over complicate it for instance agonizing where you are going to sell your book before you have written a sentence.  If you want to publish a book it first starts with you writing, forming a habit, and putting down on paper that which you want to achieve.  Why not join a challenge or two like 'the Ultimate Blog Challenge - posting every day for 30 days) and not only be committed to yourself but to sharing and being among others who are pursuing their dreams.  When you know what you want to do and the steps that you need to take, when those discouraging times come and you don't feel like showing up, you show up anyway.

All things are possible, do you believe?  It starts with believing that you can achieve your dreams and goals. If you are in the arts as mentioned, you can self publish, start a YouTube channel, or Podcast, have your own Website, and sell your art online all over the world in different formats.  You don't need to wait for permission, you just have to press publish or send!

So with that said, I believe in you!!, I know that you can do all that you set out to do, change your perspective, speak encouraging words to yourself and get around others who are encouraging, reaching for their own dreams. Like you I am working towards the dreams and goals that I have - I am not an expert, just someone who thought you needed to hear these words of encouragement today.

Now, go be the amazing soul I know you can be - I believe in you!

Stay blessed and be a blessing!  

100 Days of Handmade Foam Stamps

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

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I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

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Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

Inspirational Shorts - Encouraging words for your week - Diversity

Welcome to the blog.  On my podcast today, while slightly late I posted an episode of Inspirational Shorts with the title Diversity, and also included some encouragement to help you go about your coming week.  We all need some encouragement from time to time, reminders of how far we have come, how precious we are and not to give up on ourselves.  I hope this short recording serves as the encouragement that comes just at the right time for you.

The title Diversity is a word 'just in time' or 'for this particular time' and it is for you to think about what that word means to you, the things that you are doing, does it remind you to do something, change something.  Does the word speak to your personal life or business life or both.  Take the encouraging words below as a reminder, and every now and then over the course of the week give yourself a reminder as you listen to the recording.

You are precious, a gift, you touch the heart of many. So many miracles have come from you - through your smile your warmth, your heart. Keep believing, patience is the key that comes in many forms and you hold the key to unlock the many blessings that are waiting for you. Everything will come together for good at the right time

Do remember to check out some of the links on the blog, check out my YouTube channel for encouraging videos to assist you in your creative journey.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Inspirational Shorts - Authenticity

Welcome to this week's Friday Podcast - Episode 113.

Authenticity 

The doors are opening, are you ready to walk through? The time is coming - you have put in the hard work, you stayed up late and got up early, you made the sacrifices and carried on making your mark despite the circumstances. The time has come for you to look back at where you came from, look at all your achievements, no matter how small, you have come a long way!  Be proud of what you have achieved, be proud of your authenticity.

*  *  *

I thought I would give you an insight for the weekends, and prepare you for Mondays.  These Friday podcasts will be typically under 3 minutes, and just a pit stop.

Each Friday I share with you an insight or revelation and I hope that It will bless you as it blesses me.  Today it is to encourage you to go out and do some exercise, in whatever way you want to do it. have a journal or art journal handy, so that you can either make notes or create something from what inspires you. 

You can check me out on the following platforms,

Amanda Trought on Social Media (Realityarts):

www.youtube.com/amandatrought 

www.twitter.com/Realityarts 

www.instagram.com/realityarts/ 

www.facebook.com/realityartss/ 

Are you neglecting yourself? Where is the Love? 10 tips to get back on track

Are you neglecting yourself?

How many times have you neglected yourself in the past month, have you stopped treating yourself with kindness?

I have been there, it creeps up on you, and you have to make some decisions about how to get yourself out of the heaviness. 

When I have lots of different things going on it can be easy to forget about self-care and nurturing, and when caring for my mother who is living with dementia I found that turning to creativity, my art journal and a few other tips help me put things into perspective.  This last few months for me have been a challenge, some good and some bad.

Mixed media art Journal

The journal page says 

"The gentle breeze, the birdsong, the still small voice reminded her to step out of the self imposed barriers......she was enough"  

You are enough, have value, are absolutely brilliant and more!  We often put up those comparison charts, the "Not good enough Chart", "Self sabotage Chart " and "the 'Throw away' negative comments made by other people that hurt" chart and we put the breaks on our moving forward.  Which one have you used on yourself?

We forget ourselves don't we? and before you know it you have this ache....When I am out of balance and without routine or any scheduled 'Me Time',then things that I would normally brush off get on top of me. I find that comments that people say play like a theme tune in my mind, I try to put out fires and it is almost like a bottle that gets full to the brim and then overflows (well that's how it sometimes feels).

The Neglect Effect

Neglect effect can showcase itself in different ways:

- lack of exercise, 

- not allowing yourself to have a break, 

- taking too much of a break, 

- not eating right, 

- not spending quality time with loved ones, 

- sabotaging your work, 

- comparing yourself to others, 

- feeling stuck

-  self doubt, 

TV series binge, 

-followed by the cake and ice cream you wouldn't normally eat, 

- self loathing that follows and then beating yourself up for the work you didn't get done while you were watching back-to-back series of something you really weren't at all interested in before.

I am sure that you can think of other ways - the list goes on.  The knock-on effect is that it impacts on our commitments and relationships.

Admit you have a problem

The First step is admitting that you have a problem and that the pain of staying how you are is worse than the pain that comes from change!

My name is Amanda, a Mixed media Artist, and I have been neglecting myself.  For one reason or the next I allowed things to slide, became overwhelmed at the amount of work that I needed to get done around my art, commitments, my blog and to top it all I am in the process of moving again!

New Temporary Studio space

The move itself had stresses of its own, but then I started to stress about where I would put every thing, this is the new temporary studio space which is half the size of my current studio.

Current Studio space

This is my current studio space. minus the strapping young man (I will do a post-move studio tour on my YouTube channel in the next couple of weeks), just where would I put every thing, stay on top of things I needed to get done and I found myself becoming inactive while continuing to internally stress-out, secretly hoping somehow someone else would sought everything out.  

At the end of the day you have to realize your worth and value and what really matters and make the move, make a decision and take action, shine your light and be good to yourself.  

Here are also some quick and easy solutions for you to try and to get back on track, there are obviously loads more, but these helped for me and I hope you find them useful if you need them.

Here are 10 Tips to tackle the self-neglect and give yourself more love

1. Admit you have a problem - realizing that this neglect will be a problem if you allow it to continue you have to put in the right ingredients to ensure that you can turn things around. 
2. You have a choice - If you do nothing you are still making a choice, you can choose to start making the most of the situation, what are the ways you can see the good things that you have going. 
3. Take small regular actions - What small actions can you make that will eventually create the big change.  
4. Acknowledge your achievements - keeping an achievements book is a way of looking back at how far you have come, and celebrating those achievements, and the impact that you may have made on another persons life.
5. Eat right - Make sure that you are getting the right nutrition from your foods, and take supplements were necessary.  I firmly believe that food has an impact on our health and well-being, and it might be some small changes that you have to make.  Check out my Smoothie Recipes
6. Clear up your mess - Tidy up, and declutter, start with a clean room - sometimes being around mess will hamper your productivity.
7. Get Fit - When was the last time you got some exercise? Go for a walk - get out in nature, this helps refresh your ideas, and keeps you fit.
8. Creative Challenge - I usually kick off with a creative challenge, that helps me focus on what I really want to have in my life, and creativity impacts on our health and well-being as well.
9. Share/Give -  Think of the needs of someone else, what could you do to help their situation? why not see how you can give of your time or other resource to be a blessing to others.
10. Love yourself - show some self love, think about the things that you enjoy, going for a walk, beach, swim, visit a gallery, work in a journal, learn a new skill, read a book, achieve a life long goal

Bonus 

Feed your mind - listen to encouraging and positive messages feed your mind and get a shift in perspective.

Gratitude's - what are you grateful for in your life that you have been taking for granted?

OK, now what are you waiting for, you don't have to wait until your feeling off to put some things in place, but start something today!

Stay blessed and be a blessing

One BadAss Art Journal Workshop - Fear and Courage Art Journal Page

The One BadAss Art Journal workshop is coming to a close and it has been a very insightful journey.  As one of the teachers I have been blessed to be among so many talented artists who each gave so much of themselves during their lessons.  I have really enjoyed creating alongside them and all the others who took part on the course.

I did a journal page inspired by the session that Keri Sallee did during her week, and this is what I came up with in my journal.  

Fear comes, remind you of ALL your limitations

My piece started out with background colors, then figures started to appear as I worked on it.  It addresses the journey that I feel that we all make at sometime or another, of stepping out into something challenging, and allowing the doubts and negative voices to put you off course.

Fear is represented in the picture as a one-eyed monster type figure, staring, and behaving as if there is concern really at the center of it and it really wants to support.

We have all dealt with fear in one shape or another, we know what it looks like, some of us can handle different situations that for the rest of us we can only look on in admiration from a place of safety.  Fear can remind us to be careful in some situations, and reminds me that sticking my head into a crocodiles mouth should be handled with caution.

Essentially we have to find ways of tackling with fearful situations especially where the critic is involved, disguised as a voice of reason, especially as we may not always see a plan, route, or steps that we can take.

Have the courage to take the step...you know you want to

When I come across these situations I try and see what fear is saying, and why these emotions are coming up at this particular moment.  I think about what it is that I am trying to achieve and some of the ways in which it can play out.

I look at what support I have around me, sometimes there is none and in those situations you have to brave uncharted waters.  Other times you have support around you, but they are coming from a place of fear, as they don't want you to change.

Are you brave enough to take the first step on the tightrope?

At the end of the day you have to take the step, make a decision, hold on to what you got and put one foot in front of the other.  It might feel as if you are walking the tightrope, but armed with your pole to help keep your balance, and keeping your eye on your goal, you can make it to the other side.

All that from a journal page!!!  I always find it amazing what stories want to be told on the page.  I hope if you are dealing with a situation that currently seems impossible that you take a look at it from a different perspective before you make your decision to quit.

Stay blessed always and I will be showing you some of the other art that I have created from The One BadAss Art Journal workshop.

Word for the week - Matthew 6:26

Welcome to Word for the Week which has been taken from Matthew 6:26 and reads:

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?

Sometimes we choose to worry about the wrong things, we spend our times tearing our hair out at how everything will work, what we should have and where we should be rather than taking note of the value we bring with the gifts we have within.  When we worry we focus our attention on the negative.   When we focus on what we can be thankful for the answers we seek are in the midst.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

In the News.....Go, arise..... Be the best you!

I hope you are having a great day so far, or if you've just got up due to your time zone that you have made a choice to be more that you were yesterday. 

How many of you have already heard a number of negative words, thoughts since you got up, and just how are you going to hush those voices?  What encouraging words will you be saying to yourself, they say that for every negative word it takes 150 positive words to cancel it out.   

We have all heard, said negative things about ourselves at one point or other and I think that we have to daily remind ourselves about the talents and gifts we have within - our words have power to lift up or to tear down.  We have a responsibility to be our 'best selves' and by that I mean who we were created to be not who 'man' says we should be.

To explore those ideas, try those skills, learn, expand your mind, travel, write, create, sing, climb, never give up on yourself no matter what age you are.  And the more you do it the closer you come to yourself who has a gift to share, a story to tell, an example to be.  Don't give up on the 'you' you can become, will become, if you give yourself some room to grow, step out of the boat, - out of your comfort zone.  Life hasn't finished with you yet, you are not at your destination and someone in the world, could be half way across the world or just round the corner from you needs to hear your voice.  What are you waiting for - go do you!

Mixed Media Art 

As I encourage you, I encourage myself,....And Still I rise...

I will leave you with Maya Angelou's Poem.  I had the fortune to meet her many many years ago when she graced our bookshop - Grassroots that was based in Ladbrook Grove UK. On the night she signed books, read some of her poems and inspired many.

And Still I Rise..

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may tread me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? 

Why are you beset with gloom? 

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? 

Bowed head and lowered eyes? 

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you? 

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? 

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs? 

Out of the huts of history's shame I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise

Maya Angelou

Word for the Week - 1 John 1:19

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...

1 John 1:19

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the week - Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.....Romans 15:13

I trust in the Lord and He gives me hope, there is always an opportunity for a turnaround in our situations, a complete change.  What area of your life do you need to trust that the Lord has it in hand.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?   Psalm 27:1

He is my light, he shines through me.  He reminds me how precious I am in his sight and that he loves me.  I need not fear as I step out, for he is always with me.  This week stand firm for he is with you, he will lift you up and shine his light through you!

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Ephesians 2:1

I am Gods workmanship, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do. Ephesians 2:1

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Stay blessed and be a blessing

I am Teaching at - My Color is Beautiful Art - Classes

I am really excited to share a wonderful, collaborative effort that Tiare Smith has put together and that I have been asked to make a contribution - how exciting!

Myself along with 7 AMAZING mixed media instructors will bring you an experience like no other. You will get to immerse yourself in color, creativity, techniques, awesome positive energy and inspiring and empowering techniques.

Want to know more about My COLOR is Beautiful Art CLICK HERE!

Come and join us on the blog hop, we’ll be sharing a bit about ourselves and the classes we will teach and we’ll also be giving away some FREE spaces in My COLOR is Beautiful Art 2015.

So let’s get this party started!

We will kick off the fun with a blog hop starting November 1, 2014 and you will be introduced to the rest of the wonderful instructors!

Registration will open on November 11, 2014 and class begins February 2, 2015.

My Color is Beautiful will be hosted in Tiare's creative community Scraps of Color. Membership is free and you will need to sign up for an account and access to the classroom. Sign up here for community access.

Once registration opens and you are registered you will be invited to the classroom.

I am really excited to be part of this wonderful collaboration of creatives and to share my lesson and interact with you on both the Scraps of Color Community and the Facebook Group.  

Do make a note that we will be doing a blog hop from the 1st November to the 9th November, where you will be meeting the other instructors, and come back here on Sunday 2nd November and I will be sharing with you what you will be doing in my lesson!

UBC - Day 7 - Encourage - Tips for Carers

Welcome to day 7 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, 

Tips for Carers

It can be very easy at times to loose your cool, you get frustrated and then annoyed at something that you need them to do that they are not doing, or appear to be sabotaging.  I must admit at times I have got angry at mum thinking that she is doing something on purpose, and I think that these things stem from fear, when you think about the thing that they were quite alright doing, suddenly the next day they don't have a clue how to do it.

I remember the day mum couldn't work out how to get out of her bed room.  This was in the early days and I had gone round there and my key wouldn't open the door as she had put the chain on the door.  I rang the bell and couldn't understand why she hadn't come to the door yet, I knew she was in, I kept calling through the door but didn't hear anything, so I started looking through the bedrooms thinking something must have happened.  

I was shocked when saw her through her bedroom window trying to find the door which was directly in front of her, there wasn't anything wrong with her vision but she just couldn't work it out, she kept feeling the walls and muttering to herself.  I was scared, for her and what it meant for me, as there would have to be things implemented to cope with this new change.  I called to her through the window and directed her to the door, and then when she got to it she came straight to the front door and opened it for me.

Over the years, I had to keep reminding myself that if we focused on what she could do for herself and encourage her along the way this took the anxiety out of the situation that was changing.  I am not saying that I don't get frustrated at times, but I have to  put it in perspective and celebrate all thing things that she can still do, and today being able to feed herself is something to celebrate.

For now, think about all the things that they can do and celebrate no matter how small.  The encouragement that you can give will mean so much to them, and help you put things into perspective as well!

Check out some of my A-Z posts on my journey as a carer, click on the links below

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts about my A-Z experience as a carer.

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 54 - Become your own Cheerleader

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

As I embark on the 2nd year of keeping a Gratitude and celebration journal I asked myself where the self love was.  I have shared so many things that I am grateful about from the large to the very small, for the friends that I have to the opportunities that present themselves, whether positive or negative, everything has its' place at some point if only to shine the light on the gifts that lay within us that needed the trial to make it what it can truly become - think of the pearl and how that is created in the Oysters shell.

So thinking about self love, I asked myself how many times I had acknowledged when I did something good, did I take the time to celebrate the accomplishment. As well as having really encouraging people around who support and encourage you, how many times a day do you say something supportive about yourself, or say 'well done me'? 

We are not always going to have people around us that say those great things about our accomplishments and that is where you have to be your own best friend.  When you got up and did that exercise even though you wanted to slouch around what did you say to yourself? what do you see yourself becoming?, who is unfolding in front of your own eyes?  I say this because I realise that I don't always see myself, I see the person who fulfills many roles, I see the daughter who is looking after her mum with dementia, the daughter who deals with mums care and support from others, I see the wife and mother, the friend that is supportive, but for a long time I didn't see me.

As I approach my birthday next week, I have been thinking about who it is that I want to be for me, as an artist, a woman, a friend.  I have been listening to what I say about myself, how I treat myself, if I am putting myself and my needs on the back burner while taking care of others needs and beginning to shift the balance.  I realise that if there is no more of me then I cannot help others, I cannot be the blessing that I want to be. We need to take care of ourselves to be able to care for someone else, rather than taking it all including our well-being for granted.  I want to treat me as I would a best friend.

I celebrate and I am grateful for the woman that God created me to be, and will say and think encouraging things about myself everyday as I encourage others in their walk.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal