Creating in Faith - Podcast Word for the Week - Optimistic

Join me on the podcast where the word for the week is Optimistic.  

When you think about the word Optimistic what do you think your approach is with regards to your own creative walk and how you feel about the work.  Sometimes we can hold an internal view about ourselves and not realize the impact that it is happening on the way that we do things.

Listen to the podcast below.

Did you miss the previous weeks recording?  You can also check out Here

It would be great to hear how you are getting on, Take care for now!

Creating in Faith - Word for the Week - Overjoyed!!

 

Welcome, hope you are having a brilliant day so far today. On the podcast - today is the Creating in Faith episode. It is about Creating regardless to how you are feeling.

It is so important for us to do a creative activity each and every day, no matter how small as it is widely known that Art and Creativity have a healing effect on our health and wellbeing, so a getting involved in a creative activity will impact you in a positive way.

Check out the podcast link, the word for this week is overjoyed, and I want you to think about how that word makes you feel, what memories or reflections are brought up for you.


I would love to hear what things make you feel overjoyed.


Stay blessed and be a blessing

listen to the Podcast

If you missed last weeks podcast you can check it out Here

Creating in Faith - Eager (Word for the Week)

Welcome on the Podcast today we look at a new word each week.  The Word for this week is 'Eager'.  When we think of our creativity and the words we should think about how it relates to us and how we can use the encouraging aspects of the word to motivate and propel us forward into our creative pursuits.

You can listen to the podcast below.

Did you catch last weeks Art Journal Page video and the word 'Quiet'

Thank you for watching, Stay blessed and be a blessing

Affinity - Creating in Faith - Podcast

I talk about the affinity that I have with the land.  Over time working out in the garden I have been able to see my landscape change by planting tendering and nurturing the land that I have around me.  I grew up with house plants and had a big learning curve in transferring the knowledge that I have gained.  It has all come together as I step out of my comfort zone. 

Listen to the podcast

I mention gardening and I would love you to check out my Creative Gardening platform and YouTube Channel

Creative Gardener

Word for the Week - Rapturous - Creating in Faith Episode

Realityarts Podcast

Welcome to Episode 221 - I hope that you have had a blessed weekend. Today's word is Rapturous, is this a word that you have ever used in relation to your creativity. Think about it for a moment, get out your art journal and spend some time thinking about the kind of colours that could be used and ways in which you can express the word in your life.

Creating In Faith Encouraging Recordings are to bless and inspire you. It can be really great to pull out your art journal/Journal and express what comes up for you either with images and colour, with words or with both. Check out the weekly and monthly videos to help you spend more time in your art journal.

Listen to the Podcast

Art Journal Page

Check out an art journal page from start to finish which might give you some tips for starting your own.

Image Artwork

You can find the image Artwork on my Red Bubble Store, with a range of different images and merchandise -HERE

Arts and Health Network

I also have an Arts and Health NHS Network for information on activities and organisations working in the field. You are welcome to join, it is a FREE resource and if you have any activities or want to talk about your work you are welcome to send me the information and I will see that it gets uploaded. You can create your own profile on the network and connect with others who are passionate about the arts in health too.

Looking for ways to express yourself?

Creative Encourager - If you want to talk about creativity and the direction you are going and need a listening ear, sign up for two FREE 30 minute calls http://bit.ly/Encoura

Creating in Faith - What are you 'Interested' in?

Word for the Week - Interested

Welcome to Episode 218.  Creating In Faith Encouraging Recordings are to bless and inspire you to be the best of yourself.  

The word for today is 'Interested'  What is it that you are interested in?  What sparks your interest in relation to your creative practice?  Are you surprising yourself and trying something new and stepping out of your comfort zone?  

I always encourage you to do some work in your art journal - see what comes up for you, get down your thoughts in written form or in colour and even shapes.

Pastel Art by Amanda Trought

The art shown in this series is taken from my 100 days of Pastels where I painted 100 paintings and it felt like a big achievement for me.  The pastel paintings are available as prints or you can get the images on other merchandise which you can check out HERE

Art created on merchandise by Amanda Trought

Why not also join me on my blog on Patreon, you can get access to a number of resources, art tutorials and videos not see anywhere else.

Join me on Patreon

Let me know how you get on as you look at some of the questions on the podcast, and remember you can also sign up for two free creative sessions and chat about your creativity.

Want to talk about your creativity?  Click HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Poet of the Month - Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud - Inspirational Shorts Podcast

Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud, Inspirational Shorts

This week on the podcast I am sharing another poem by poet Gwendolyn Brooks.  In Episode 217 of my podcast you will here the poem Sadie and Maud.  

Listen to the podcast

Joyful

Art Journal Page - Amanda Trought

The word for the day is Joyful.  

Think about how the word can be incorporated into the things that you do and create an art journal page linking the word.

Let's look at the definition of the word joyful - 

• joyful feeling or causing great pleasure and happiness
•  with joy great pleasure and happiness,
•  a cause of great pleasure and happiness success or satisfaction.

Now how is it you feel about your creativity? 

Can you find those pockets of feeling joyful or joy and think about how you can find those little moments in your creativity because sometimes you just don't feel like creating.  

Sometimes you know you want to do something else but if you think about the creativity as a blanket so whether you going to your studio sear your table or wherever your space is and create something or write something or take a photograph it's all part creativity so it's all feeding you, feeding that 'well' that you can dip in-and-out of and grow.

Poet - Gwendolyn Brooks

“Poetry is life distilled.” ― Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud

This week is the 2nd week of looking at the work of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, so today the poem that we are going to read is called Sadie and Maud. 

Sadie and Maud 

Maud went to college 

Sadie stayed at home 

Sadie scraped life 

with a fine-tooth-comb 

she didn't leave a tangle 

in her comb found every strand 

Sadie was one of the Livingest 

chit in all the land

Sadie bore two babies 

under her maiden name 

Maud and ma and papa 

nearly died of shame 

When Sadie said her last so long 

her girls struck out from home 

Sadie had left her heritage 

in her fine-tooth-comb 

Maud who went to college 

is a thin Brown mouse 

she is living all alone 

in this old house 

Gwendolyn Brooks - Sadie and Maud

You can find some of her book on Amazon

Find her books on Amazon

You can check out more about Gwendolyn Brooks, her life and other poetry on the Poetry Foundation Website - HERE

Join me each week on the podcast - HERE

Thank you for joining me, stay blessed and be a blessing!

Thanks for joining me - Amanda!!

Focused Attention - Podcast Episode

Welcome to today' Creating in Faith podcast episode  210.  In today's episode I talk about being Focused.  What does it mean to you, how are you focusing on things that you would like to do, need to do in the midst of everything that is going on.

Are you creative, do you have a regular routine, are there things that you are working on at the moment.  I would love to hear from you, how you blend a creative activity into your day to day living.

Art Journal - Spirited

Also today you will find an art journal that I made, working spontaneously creating a mini journal to put additional thoughts within.

Art Journals can be made from a variety of supplies, in the video I make a small one from a variety of card and patterned papers.  Check what type of supplies that you may have around and utilize these 

You can also use a variety of hand painted papers as well that you may have in your stash

Let me how you get on with the art journal, join me on the YouTube Art Channel and subscribed to hear about more videos.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.  

Join me on Patreon

Check it out HERE

Encouragement for today - What are you going to do about it?

Welcome to Wednesday!  I just wanted to encourage you on your journey today.  Sometimes the middle of the week can send you either way in your thinking.  You are either in the flow of things and really excited about where you are going on your journey.  The other end of the spectrum is to look at today and wander what on earth you have been doing, with half of the week nearly over and nothing to show for it!

Whatever your state of mind is today we all need encouragement, granted of different sorts.  I encourage those who have not yet recognized their abilities and skills and who may feel that it is just 'too late' to try something new or to step out.

At the end of the day time will pass (and I know I've said this before), but you will age whether you like it or not.  So why not look back and see all the things you accomplished 'at your age', the things you got to enjoy, the miracles that began to unfold in your life just because you said 'YES' to you and your creative journey.

Mixed Media Art - Amanda Trought, Realityarts

I hope whatever you decide or decided to do today utilized all of your abilities and you were able to identify new ways of working and opportunities for growth.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Word for the Week - Hebrews 13:6 and Happy Mothers Day!

Welcome to Word for the Week.  Today we not only celebrate that we get to live another day, but that we also have an opportunity to be a blessing.

I want to start out by saying HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I wish to celebrate the life of a beautiful woman, who gave me life, who showed me what sacrifice and generosity was, who cherished, treasured and loved me unconditionally, who gave, blessed, had courage, and still despite living with dementia shows her determination, grace, her beauty and her love.

Mavis Elizabeth Trought

Love you to bits mum!  

I also want to celebrate the lives of all mothers around the world, my sister, sister-in-law, friends, family.  I celebrate my own life and how far I have come, I treasure and nurture myself and know that God has placed a light within me that has to shine, despite and in-spite of the circumstances

The scripture word for the week says says...'So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

We have so many circumstances where we operate in fear rather than in strength.  Coming through the situation, you learn exactly where you buckled in your weakness, but also where you showed strength and courage.  It is that courage that keeps you going so hold tight! 

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Quote Wednesday - Sara Teasdale - and news

Welcome to quote Wednesday for today, and I hope that wherever you find yourself you are blessed and able to be a blessing.  The quote today is from Sara Teasdale and reads:

Life will have given  me the truth, and taken in exchange my youth.....

For me this is a reminder to make the most of every opportunity.  We are learning all the time, and we have to value the process that gets us from one point to the next, and hopefully with reflection we grow and learn.

We all age and get old it is a universal occurrence, just make sure you use the truths that come from this journey wisely and continue to step out what ever stage of life you are!

Want to be motivated each and every week, Quote Wednesday will be moving to my inspiration quote blog from next week. 

Realityarts Quotes!

My quote blog will have a wide variety of images and quotes for you to feast your eyes on!  I hope that you will go away each week feeling inspired and encouraged.

Word for the Week - Psalm 23:4

Welcome to the word for the week, this weeks word comes from Psalm 23:4 and reads:

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

Life can be filled with many bumps in the road, not every thing will go smoothly.  When I look back on my life and see the many changes that have taken place, the losses of those close to me, times when I thought I couldn't take another breath because the pain of loosing those loved ones seemed so great.

Word for the Week

I came through, I lived another day, I breathed again.  I truly believe that the experiences we go through have gems of wisdom within them.  We have to face them head on at some point in time and look at how we can use these times to impact on the lives of others.

Word for the Week

I feel in my situation that sharing my journey has helped others, talking about the days I wanted to run away as I dealt with the dementia my mother lives with speaks to others who are going through it themselves, we are to share our stories and bless someone else, for we are not alone.

Word for the Week - Photograph and scripture

As we share our stories we grow, others grow, others see that they are not alone - that we are all connected.  

Open your heart, for your story is the lifeline to another, just as you are blessed by the quotes, scriptures or writings of others.  Let your voice be heard and shine your light into the hearts and minds of those who need to hear you around the world

Have a blessed week, I have lots to share this coming week, with some of the events and activities that I have been involved with so do come back, stay blessed and be a blessing.

Word for the Week - John 1:14

Welcome to today's scripture which is from John 1:14 and reads;

 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and Truth

You seek answers, explanations and reasons and signs, the proof is there but you ask the wrong questions.  Everything has been illuminated - a light shining in the darkness, do you really want to know, for the answers may not appear as we think they should....then what will you do?

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 - 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?

Word for the Week - Ephesians 5:19

Thank you for joining me for the word for the week, taken from Ephesians 5:19 and reads:

I will speak to others in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  I will sing and make music in my heart to the Lord and always give thanks to God the father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

We know that words have power, power to totally crush another persons self esteem, or build them up.  While we are making an effort to talk and treat others respectfully we also have to check how we are speaking to and about ourselves.  Take some time today to see how much positive or negative chatter you actually speak over your own life.

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 - Isaiah 54:10

Welcome to the Word for today which reads from Isaiah 54:10:

The Mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my loving kindness will not be removed from you...

While everything around us can be going 'South' we can often forget to be calm and remember that we are never alone.  We have a hope, and we have to hold onto that hope that never fails, that never fails to surprise, step in at the last moment, show up unexpected or just is.  We are loved more than we can ever imagine.

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 5:15

Welcome to today's scripture which is taken from Ephesians 5:15 and reads:

I will be very careful how I live, not as the unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because these days are evil.  I will not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is....

We are already practically at the end of January and it can seem that time is moving at a faster pace, well, it is!  Each and every day we have that opportunity to live our lives to the best of our abilities, and make each moment count.  If today was your last and you looked back over your accomplishments what would you wish you did more of.  Don't let those moments, those opportunities pass you by, use what you have been given and be a blessing in the life of someone else.

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 - Isaiah 40:31

Welcome to today's Scripture, which is taken from 

Isaiah 40:31 and reads:

No matter what you feel you are going through, or where you feel you have ended up, you are just at the beginning. We can feel sometimes that there is no hope when we look at a situation and we want to move on impulse, but when you take a different view you will see things in an entirely different light, and you will be better placed to take the necessary steps.  Don't rush your decisions, wait!  Don''t beat yourself up, wait! 

Seek clarity, understanding and most of all wisdom.

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?