Ten for Creativity. Day.24 Sure, we’re dreamers, but do we think we’re the only ones?

Yesterday, I wrote about nurturing our own dreams.  I could dedicate this entire blog to that subject, there’s just so much to say.  Dreams are vital to our lives.   People who support our dreams are invaluable.

Today, my mind is full of thoughts regarding how we support the dreams of those closest to us.  I think the sad reality is that often, dreamers can get so caught up in their own lives that we fail to acknowledge that other people are dreamers, too.  I think if we are not careful, we can get frustrated that others are not supporting OUR dreams, and we begin to tread down the dangerous road of becoming a victim.

Once you become a victim, no one can convince you otherwise.  That is what you are.  There is nothing worse.  Being a victim is not conducive to living a life of fulfilled dreams.

I also think that we tend to become the worst critics of our friends and their dreams.  We filter their dreams through our own eyes or question their judgment.  Yet, we hope that those we love will wholeheartedly support our dreams, simply because we believe in them, simply because they are ours.

I’m not an expert on this subject, but I am a dreamer.  I have many friends who are dreamers.  I don’t want to get lost in my dreams, so that I lose the ability to support others.  I want to be someone who is known for being a dream supporter, just as much as I want to be known as a dreamer.  What good is one without the other? 

The other day, I felt a little down.  For a moment, I wondered what the point was of writing these blogs, of  pouring into the details of my shop, and sharing my art with others.  Note: I did not question the very point of creating art, just the idea of sharing it with the world. 

I almost willingly ventured down the lonely, dangerous trail of asking, what are other people doing to support MY dreams.  Yikes.  Luckily, I stopped the whining introspection.

In that second, I wondered how many other people were sitting at their desks, at that very time, thinking the very same thing.

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Today, let’s become dream supporters with as much vigor and passion as we are dreamers.  Take some time to ponder these ideas.  Open your journals, type away on your keyboard, call a friend to chat over coffee. 

Oh, and listen to this phenomenal song.

You are not alone in this world.

 

-Olivia

P.S.  Have an entirely lovely, fantastic weekend.

5 things Fridays.

5 things Friday is something new.  Part treasure hunt. Part random bits of goodness.  100% fun.

Happy Friday.
Friday of a long weekend.
Those are the very best kind.

Today, I want to share some great finds from a few of the shops of my team members, with TeamCAC on Etsy,  (Christian Artists and Craftsmen).  Be sure to shop by their shops and keep them in mind for future shopping needs. 

{All Occasion Smile Card from RightBrainy}

Some of my favorite colors.

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{I can fly Clock from MechelleDesigns}

Mechelle turned a set of bird paintings into clever little clocks.

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{Deep Purple Organza Hair Clip from GreenviewLane}

I just love this, I have a thing for feathers lately.

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{Zippered Pouch in Linen from CreekBedThreads}

I also have a thing for linen.  I love. it.

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{Wood burned Peacock Wedding Signature Mat from InspiredbyMarie}

What a beautiful, unique idea for a wedding!

Hope you enjoyed these five things.

When was the last time you took a treasure hunt?

-Olivia

Ten for Creativity Day.23 Dreams

I haven’t really worked out all these thoughts in my head yet, but some times that is exactly when blogging is best.

Today, I’m thinking about dreams.  We all have them, some more than others.  Rather, some realize their dreams more than others.  Some people fight  and work hard to achieve these dreams for years and years.  Some people sit around waiting for dreams to happen.

For example, I’m hoping for the entire Anthropologie store to end up in my closet, kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom.  However, I don’t spend time each day trying to make that happen.   A girl can dream.

But, I don’t sit around each day wishing and hoping to become a successful artist.   I have to put in the time, dedication, energy, and emotion, daily, because this is a dream worth fighting for.  Yes, I’m already an artist.  Yes, I’m a wife and mother.  Yes, I have an impressive collection of coffee mugs.  I’m already living these dreams and they take a lifetime of commitment.   If I

I can’t measure success by the popularity or high demand for my work.  I can’t measure it by the dollars earned.  Success is the daily act of realizing and pursuing the dream.  It’s showing up everyday, especially when, you’d rather take a nap.  It’s surrounding yourself with inspiration and turning off the outside voices that distract you.  It’s being satisfied and pleased with your work, but knowing you can do more.  It’s setting up your life, your schedule, and your mind to allow for inspiration and creativity.

Creativity won’t happen unless you take time for yourself.  It won’t happen if you say yes to everything that everyone wants you to do.  It won’t happen if you don’t restructure your life towards it.  I mean, your house isn’t going to clean itself, just like creativity isn’t just going to happen.

We water plants to make them grow.  We educate our minds.  We clothe and feed and nurture our families.  We eat healthy and strengthen our bodies.

What are you doing for your creativity?  Are you waiting for it to strike?  Or are you aligning your life to work in sync with your creative dreams?  Are you making time to write in your journal, to walk through rose gardens, to glean wisdom from brilliant writers? 

Today’s activity is simple and not so simple.

Show up.  Nurture your creativity.  Soak up the inspiration all around you.  Take another step towards realizing your dreams.

I promise, it will be worth it.

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.

  -Georgia O'Keeffe

-Olivia