Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 100
July 25, 2016
Tranquility du Jour #375: Celebrating Mookie + Belle Starr
Celebrating Mookie + Belle Starr with Tim Mooney. We talk Mookie’s first year, the adoption of another pug, veterinary social work, and life at the moment.
Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #375: Celebrating Mookie + Belle Starr
Share with me where you’re listening from and what you’re doing while listening. Laundry, commuting, gardening, running? Thank you for being part of Tranquility du Jour!
I don’t remember how I first discovered your podcast, but I’m sooooooo very glad I did. What I do remember is you were and continue to be my walking companion. At that time I was trying to get back to a daily habit of walking for exercise and you and your guests helped me get there. I loved it! It was so motivating for me. I believe when I started listening you had been recording for at least a year if not more, so it was really fun to start at episode 1 and then proceed from there. I couldn’t wait to walk the next day so I could listen to the next episode and it’s still that way to this day. Now my favorite thing to do is ride my bike while listening. The longer the episode, the longer the bike ride. So relaxing. Of course, I have to stop and take notes quite often, ha!! I absolutely love your podcast. It is by far my favorite. Thank you so very much for what you do. Through you and your guests I have learned and grown so much in my life in the most positive way. – Cindy, Texas
You are my ear buddy on runs. It makes it go by so fast. You were my first (and best) podcast. Loved how authentic you were on the Lisa Sonora Beam podcast sharing your own struggles. Just adore you! – Lara, Washington
Upcoming Events
Fall TDJ Live: September 22
Writing in the Woods: October 28-30 {6 spots left}
Hip Tranquil Chick 10-Year Online Celebration: November TBA
New Year’s Eve Mini Retreat: December 31
Yoga, Creativity + Mindfulness in Costa Rica: February 18-25
Tranquility du Jour Guest
Moi and Tim:
Tim Mooney serves as General Counsel and Director of Operations for Tranquil Space, Hip Tranquil Ventures and TranquiliT. He also serves as a board member of Tranquil Space Foundation.
Tim maintains a solo law practice focusing on a small number of nonprofit clients. He is also the founder of Nineball Media, an independent podcast and social media production outfit based in Washington, DC.
Tim has taught the laws of lobbying and campaign finance throughout the country. Tim also went to the microphone to share helpful hints on the popular Nonprofit Law Podcast, which was a fixture in the top 20 of iTunes’ nonprofit podcast directory.
Most recently, Tim has discovered the joys of bike touring and has launched an online community devoted to bike touring lifestyle at Pedalshift. He was also one half of the 2013 book tour -slash- 11,000 mile North American RV adventure that was Tranquility Tour.
Tim received a B.S. from Syracuse University/SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry and a J.D. from Pace University School of Law. He splits time between the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC and his cabin retreat in Berkeley County, West Virginia with his multi-talented girlfriend Kimberly Wilson and their pugs, Mookie and Belle Starr.
Savvy Sources
Instagram: Belle Starr, Mookie, Tim
Tim-Mooney.com
Weekly Doga videos with us on WooFDriver’s Facebook page
I was interviewed on Squam’s Morning On the Dock Podcast
Summer’s TDJ Live Webinar Replay
My eye candy on Instagram
Pin along with me on Pinterest
Let’s connect on Facebook
Follow moi on Twitter
My 5 Books
Sign up for Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs
More Tranquility
Tranquility University E-courses.
Shop my locally-sewn, eco-friendly TranquiliT clothing line.
Read along on Goodreads.
Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android.
Read about my passion for animals.
Pen a review on iTunes or your other social media outlets, s‘il vous plaît.
Techy
To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast “automagically” on iOS or Android.
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July 22, 2016
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Week in Review
I’m sitting at my desk surrounded by paperwork, markers, my Daybook, a cup of black rose tea, social work study guides, and a rose-scented candle while a cat naps on my lap and two pugs snore nearby. Tim’s at the cabin getting it pretty for this weekend’s Tranquil Space teacher retreat, so I’m solo with these critters. After last night’s first solo walk with the two of them {final pic above}, I craved an adult beverage . . . but settled on a hot bath and cold Lavender Melon Kombucha.
We survived Monday’s three-hour flight back to DC with two pugs and headed straight to Petsmart to get Belle a sparkly name tag, pink collar, and pink leash. Unfortunately no pink dresses fit her as pug body types are anything but standard. I’ll keep looking!
First thing Tuesday we took her to the vet who seemed surprised to see us again so soon. We were just in for Mookie’s annual where he shook the whole time and got his Prozac refilled. She knows how much work he is, so to show up with another one probably didn’t seem to make rational sense. I clearly went with emotional reasoning in this decision-making process. After the exam we got some not-so-great news, so there are X-rays and possible surgery next week.
Belle’s obsessed with Tim. She follows him everywhere, is always circling his feet, and gawks at him with the sweetest eyes. Me, well let’s just say she’s not as enamored. Since he left yesterday afternoon she won’t come out of her crate unless coerced and runs the other way when I approach her. When kissed on the forehead, her faint growl has quieted a notch so I call that progress!
This is my first full weekend in town since mid-April without a conference or full-day event to host. The spaciousness is almost paralyzing as I ponder what project to tackle first. I’m tempted to curl up on the couch with a pile of books, or to clean out my closet and bookshelves, or to write. Or how about just breathing, petting my furry friends, and looking out the window? That sounds fairly appealing, too!
The constant travel has been discombobulating, yet balanced with great adventures {Shenandoah, Grand Canyon, Vegas, Oklahoma, Paris, Ojai, Santa Fe, Smokies, Pittsburg, West Virginia}. Being on-the-go has allowed me to avoid diving into some deeper questions and projects. Once that gold suitcase was unpacked, it was left empty by the door ready to be repacked for the next journey a few days later.
That’s a great metaphor for life, isn’t it? Once we unpack an issue, we’re often eager to repack rather than sit with the discomfort that arises from the emptiness that remains.
This week was filled with welcoming sweet Belle Starr into the family (named by Homeward Bound Pug Rescue after this Oklahoma outlaw), collaborating with clients, teaching doga, flying from OKC to DC, interviewing Donald Altman for an upcoming podcast, joining University of Tennessee’s Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program, and hosting a corporate mindfulness workshop.
Monday’s Tranquility du Jour podcast will be with me and Tim chatting Mookie’s first year, adopting Belle, veterinary social work, and life at the moment. Hope you can join us in celebration of these silly 4-legged beings and new adventures!
Wishing you a beautiful, sacred weekend ahead. Bisous. x
Pics in Review
Family shot in Oklahoma
At the airport gearing up for the flight home
First night in DC
Doga video shoot for new weekly series on WooFDriver Facebook page
Couch time
My first walk with both of them {oh my!}
Savvy Sources
A Mindfulness Practice to Try to Let Go of Perfection
Hemingway’s Advice to Aspiring Writers
A Mega Reading List from TED Speakers
Joni Mitchell on Therapy and the Creative Mind
How to Pack Like a Minimalist Traveler
14 Books Every Writer Needs On Her Shelf
8 Ways to Stay Active If You Sit at Your Desk All Day
How Introverts Can Create Quiet Places at Home
Is Technology Ruining Our Lives?
Weekend Wish List
Read
Tea with a friend
Brunch with a friend
Yoga
Family walks and playtime
Daybook 5.0 prep
Digital day off
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July 17, 2016
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Week in Review
Greetings from Oklahoma. After Mookie was kicked out by his sitter in Philly Thursday night (yep, 15 minutes before we were to leave for the Guns N’ Roses concert), we had heightened concerns about his first flight the next day.
We picked Mookie up a few hours after we’d dropped him with the sitter (sigh) and headed over to the outdoor stadium hoping to hear Axl spill over the walls. After some back and forth, Tim encouraged me to go inside so at least one of us could see the concert while he sat outside with Mookie and a fully-charged iPhone. We texted photos and updates throughout the show. Him of Mookie listening outside, me of Axl and Slash on stage.
Friday we took Mookie to a dog beach to wear him out before our three-hour flight to OKC. I’d been anxious for days leading up to this considering his unpredictable “spirit.” Would there be a barking fit? Would he fight being confined for a few hours? Would the engine roar set off his anxiety? My mother and I both had nightmares that we were all removed from the plane.
We were pleasantly surprised that he not only survived, he thrived. Well, thrived for Mookie. Other than his need to be entertained with a bone and his bulging eyes as the plane took off, he was a gentleman. We’re still in shock. Tomorrow’s the true test as we’ll be toting him AND Ms. Belle Starr—the newest addition to our family.
She’s been fostered for the past eight months by the same couple who fostered Mookie. I’ve watched her evolution on Instagram from a rescued 7-year-old puppy mill mama who wouldn’t come out of her crate—the only world she knew—to a shy, but sweet and almost social, girl.
After much prodding and spamming Tim with photos of pugs in tutus, he agreed to meet her. Needless to say, she won us over this weekend. And Mookie was well-behaved with her, so we’ll be toting her home in a pink bag tomorrow.
Please send good thoughts for the transport of two rescue pugs and her transition to DC living. It’s going to be a long journey for her. Truthfully, I can’t wait to get her a pink and sparkly wardrobe! Tim’s begging me to let her adjust first and mom’s excited that she finally got a granddaughter. Of sorts.
This week was filled with excitement about traveling to Oklahoma and seeing Axl (one of my high school crushes), collaborating with clients, doing yoga, teaching mindfulness, penning thank you notes, writing and submitting articles to magazines, starting to study for my social work licensing exam, mourning the worldwide violence, meeting and adopting Belle Starr, spending time with my parents, eating the Oklahoma way (banana splits for dinner, cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and homemade limeade in between), releasing the Post-Retreat Guidebook to the Virtual Retreaters, sharing Cameron’s podcast, and penning Pen to Paper.
Life continues to unfold in unpredictable ways. I’m doing my best to savor its’ roller coaster ride. Wishing you a tranquil transition into a brand new week. Thank you for being here. Bisous. x
Pics in Review
Morning practice in Oklahoma
Tranquil Space Arlington’s garden
Mookie at the Longport dog beach in NJ
Mookie’s first flight
Mookie checking out Belle Starr
Mookie’s gotchaversary party
Mookie and Belle Starr co-existing
Tim and Belle Starr
Me and the pugs
Savvy Sources
18 Powerful Things To Do Before Bed
How to Create More Mindfulness In Your Life
The Science of Stress
8 Habits That Can Improve Your Life
How to Care for a New Dog Rescued From Neglect
7 Ways Introverts Can Stand in the Spotlight
Carla Coulson on Shooting In the Rain
Unstuck App
Weekend Wish List
Safe travels to Oklahoma. Check.
Survive Mookie’s first flight. Check.
Assess Belle Starr and Mookie. Check.
Adopt Belle Starr from Homeward Bound Pug Rescue. Check.
Return safely {+ sanely} to DC with two rescue pugs in tow
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July 12, 2016
Pen to Paper
For years I’ve found the process of putting pen to paper therapeutic. Whether it was writing about my grade school crush, high school woes, college flubs, or entrepreneurial struggles, the practice rarely disappoints. I’ve been able to recognize patterns, feel heard without concern of it being shared, and process confusing emotions.
And I only need two tools: pen and paper.
I’m rarely found without both and often tote more—various pens, an ideas book, Daybook, and, occasionally, an art journal. This might help explain the big, heavy bag that’s carried on my right shoulder over a repaired rotator cuff. Hmmmm.
Studies show that writing can strengthen immune cells, clarify thoughts and feelings, increase self-awareness, reduce stress, decrease PTSD symptoms, and help with problem solving. Or serve as an outlet for confessing your eight-year-old self’s crush which is how my writing launched. I believe it was Ralph Macchio of The Karate Kid.
Years ago I came across an article stating how a notebook could serve as an inexpensive therapist and encouraging a regular practice. While I don’t recommend substituting a notebook for therapy, I do believe writing can serve as a helpful tool in between sessions, in session, or even if you’re not seeing a therapist.
Capturing triggers (what was it that sent me spiraling?), observing thoughts (I notice I’m complaining about that same thing . . . again), and venting in a notebook provides a safe space to explore what is happening in our lives. My favorite prompt when I sit down to write is “I am feeling . . . “. It’s always different and often gets to the core.
While I’m not touting it as a cure-all, I do believe writing is a powerful tool for better self-understanding, creative expression, and healing. Some start their days with Morning Pages (Julia Cameron’s suggested three longhand pages), others end their days with reflection, and many turn to the page, as needed.
There’s no right way. It only matters that we carve out a few minutes regularly to notice what’s percolating beneath the surface and ready to be heard. It’s like peeling the layers off an onion. A process. Sometimes tear-filled. And often rewarding. Happy writing. Bisous. x
P. S. Do you have a favorite prompt that gets your hand moving? If so, please share it in the comments below.
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July 11, 2016
Tranquility du Jour #374: Animals as Individuals
Animals as Individuals with Cameron O’Steen. We talk life on the road in his RV, ways he shares animals’ stories, why pigs roll in the mud, compassion fatigue, and more.
Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #374: Animals as Individuals
Share with me where you’re listening from and what you’re doing while listening. Laundry, commuting, gardening, running? Thank you for being part of Tranquility du Jour!
Tami in Michigan is usually cleaning & organizing her home while listening.
Jacki in PA listens in the shower.
Kim in PA listens on her way to work.
Upcoming Events
Fall TDJ Live: September 22
Writing in the Woods: October 28-30 {6 spots left}
Hip Tranquil Chick 10-Year Online Celebration: November TBA
New Year’s Eve Mini Retreat: December 31
Yoga, Creativity + Mindfulness in Costa Rica: February 18-25
Tranquility du Jour Guest
Cameron O’Steen is a photographer, yoga teacher, and animal caregiver currently on a cross country RV road trip photographing at farm animal sanctuaries. He worked at a farm animal sanctuary for more than five years providing direct care for hundreds of non-human animals, but also conducting tours and regaling human visitors with the residents’ stories. Cameron delights in being a storyteller, whether via his portraits of non-human animals in the Yoga Animalia Project, or through his yoga guidance and photography as Yogatography.
Save 30% in his Etsy store with code TRANQUILITYDUJOUR30 now through August 31.
my sweet pig canvas from cameron mentioned in the show
Savvy Sources
I was interviewed on Squam’s Morning On the Dock Podcast
Summer’s TDJ Live Webinar Replay
My eye candy on Instagram
Pin along with me on Pinterest
Let’s connect on Facebook
Follow moi on Twitter
My 5 Books
Sign up for Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs
More Tranquility
Tranquility University E-courses.
Shop my locally-sewn, eco-friendly TranquiliT clothing line.
Read along on Goodreads.
Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android.
Read about my passion for animals.
Pen a review on iTunes or your other social media outlets, s‘il vous plaît.
Techy
To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast “automagically” on iOS or Android.
Save
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Save
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The post Tranquility du Jour #374: Animals as Individuals appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
July 10, 2016
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Week in Review
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.—Charles Dickens
This week has been tumultuous and emotional across the United States. No one is immune to what’s happening around us and it’s targeting raw emotions. Watching it unfold, I’ve been sitting with “what can I do to promote peace, justice, love?”
During yesterday’s Virtual Retreat, I shared the practice of tonglen which is something I’m drawn to during times like this. It’s a compassion practice that can be done anywhere and for anyone. A basic how-to from Cauldrons and Cupcakes, a guided practice by Tara Brach, and another piece written by Pema Chodren. Try it, I’m hopeful you, too, may find it helpful.
Spreading love starts from within. Know that you can make a difference. A kind word, a gentle spirit, a thoughtful gesture, a warm embrace, a recognition of the divinity in all. While these aren’t the full picture, it’s a place to start.
Tim and I survived the double Garth show Sunday night/Monday morning in Vegas. The country music legend sang until 2am and I was horizontal by 2:30am—exhausted from singing and dancing for five hours. Easy four-hour flight home the next day and the birthday excursion was a wrap. Filled with time in nature, pig-petting, Garth-singing, and traveling, the journey into my 44th year feels promising.
Last week I collaborated with clients, practiced yoga, participated in meetings, finalized the guidebooks and hosted Saturday’s six-hour Virtual Retreat, was the Morning on the Dock podcast interviewee, submitted my application to the University of Tennessee’s Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program, took Mookie to the vet for his annual check up, ate lots of chia seed pudding, facilitated a corporate mindfulness workshop, and cherished a much-needed deep tissue massage.
As I savor this first weekend day in town without being at a conference in months, I feel myself melting. Melting into an expansive sense of space and time. Although I have lots I want (and need) to accomplish today, I plan to head out into the sunshine with Mookie and Tim for lunch alfresco. I plan to curl up with a book and read. I plan to fill my body with nutritious plant-based food. I plan to nap, as needed. Those projects will be here waiting when I’m ready to return, that I know. Bisous. x
Pics in Review
Easy like Sunday morning in Vegas
First Garth show of our two-concert night
Art journal video set up for Virtual Retreat
Mookie after shaking through his vet checkup
Mookie geared up for the Virtual Retreat
My set up for the Virtual Retreat
A behind-the-scenes peek at the Virtual Retreat
Savvy Sources
When You Have Unpublished Writing in Boxes
A Thinker In a World of Talkers
11 Ways To Tap Into The Beautiful World Around You
There Is a War Over Race in America (but it’s not whites vs. blacks)
My Interview on Morning on the Dock Podcast
15 Protein-Packed Vegan Recipes
Multitasking Drains the Energy Reserves of Your Brain
Summer Reading List For a Curious Mind
Non-Caffeinated Ways to Wake Up
How Animal Advocates Are Taking On the Meat Lobby
Weekend Wish List
Offer love through Virtual Retreat. Check.
Write two essays for magazine submission.
Pen thank you notes.
Prep for upcoming week.
Read.
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July 8, 2016
24 hours until . . .
Tomorrow I’m offering the final Virtual Retreat of 2016. Imagine six hours of writing prompts and tips, yoga and meditation practices, playtime in your art journal, and connecting live throughout the entire experience.
Here’s a video peek into TOMORROW’S retreat.
The day is a sampling of the full-fledged retreat experience I offer in Paris, West Virginia, and beyond, but from the comfort of your own home and on your own terms. Spend time reflecting and rejuvenating without booking flights or sitters.
Open to all levels, no experience needed. And, if you’re away July 9 or can’t join us the entire time, no problem. You’ll have lifetime access to retreat over and over again on your own terms.
The Day Includes:
• An opening and closing live video gathering
• Midway live video check-in
• Recipe suggestions
• Guided multimedia how-tos on writing, yoga, meditation, and art journaling
• 3 PDF Guidebooks
• A private Facebook group
• Lifetime access
• TranquiliT discount code
• Savvy Sources for continuing the experience
• Chat box for connecting with others and me throughout the day
• Tech support
• A peek into my tranquility practices
Hit the pause button, learn new skills or deepen current ones, and connect with like-hearted ladies. Look forward to playing on Saturday!
Here’s what others shared about their experience:
I absolutely loved the retreat today. It was such a great way to spend a Saturday. Participating has reminded me how good it feels to slow down and give myself the time to recharge. Feeling a new spark of creativity. Loved connecting with all of you and look forward to more.
Just looked in the mirror and I think I look younger than I did this morning! I’m so relaxed!!!! What a fabulous morning.
I’d forgotten how much fun art journaling can be – especially not having to stay within the lines, cut with a scissors, or make something perfect. The last time I wrote in my art journal was January 2015. So much has changed since then, and this exercise helped me to shift my perspective to embracing change and discerning what I need in my life to spark joy.
I’ve been to local day long yoga workshops and enjoyed being with a group. But I have to say, being the introvert that I am and loving my quiet time, this was something I would do again and again. Being in my own familiar space, relaxed but at the same time connected with everyone by your video and the Facebook Group. You thought of everything!
The Virtual Retreat is exactly what I needed during this busy time of the year for me. As an introvert with an extroverted job and tendencies, it was wonderful to give myself the opportunity to “check out” for the day while still being in my own space. I lit candles and incense, put on soothing jazz, and spent the whole day in my comfiest clothes virtually connecting with my favorite yoga and mindfulness guru.
I LOVED attending my very first virtual retreat! Kimberly was the perfect host interacting with us through a live feed at the beginning of the retreat as well as through the Facebook group. I felt so connected to the other women that attended even though we were from all over the world. This was truly a one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended.
I can’t thank you enough for such a clearly thought out virtual retreat. It was such a blessing not to need to get dressed, drive to an airport, not have to put on make-up, and to be comfortable in my own home without distraction (except for my two fur babies).
The hallmark of an enlightening retreat, presentation, email, or post are the moments a heart is touched, a thought is planted, or a direction changed. And, how all this continues to impact. It’s a week later (I like to wait a while and let things process.) and I realize that the virtual retreat was more powerful than I thought it would be. In fact, it’s helping me to change direction, well, actually, to reconnect to my core being.
I highly recommend her Virtual Retreat. It didn’t feel virtual at all. No distractions from others in attendance, or traveling, or needing to be presentable. Just following along with a smile, my coffee, computer and toys of choice. It was a meaningful day, one, it turns out, I deeply needed.
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July 3, 2016
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Week in Review
Greetings from the city of overwhelm, Las Vegas. The bright lights, constant sound of slots, hoards of people, smell of smoke, and encouraged early morning drinking is where I chose to celebrate my birthday. Not an environment conducive to my nervous system, but when Tim announced that Garth Brooks was playing here, tickets were booked. To balance out the stimulation, we reserved a tiny A-frame cabin near Flagstaff to serve as a respite close to the Grand Canyon. A perfect yin and yang.
As we landed in Vegas at 10:30pm Thursday night, Tim’s phone blew up with text messages from AirBnB and the AirBnB host. Unfortunately the cabin had bed bugs and we needed to find another place to stay. On a holiday weekend. Stat. Although we were disappointed—I dream of living in an A-frame in the woods surrounded by pigs—we did what one must do in a situation like this, we went to Paris. Well, Vegas’ version of Paris and thank goodness we were stranded in a city filled with hotel rooms.
Eager to escape the chaos, the next morning we got online and finally found a vacant spot in Flagstaff to book for two nights. We savored the drive there—stopping at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Hoover Dam. The temperature soared to 101, so we mostly saw the views from our air-conditioned rental car while singing along to Garth. Okay, so mainly I sang, Tim listened.
Saturday we headed to the Grand Canyon intent on renting bikes and tooling around the rim. Dressed in her usual gray, pink and brown hues, the majestic Canyon never disappoints. This is my fifth time to visit and each time it’s equally jaw-dropping. Truly a wonder of the world!
After getting a proper pink helmet from the little girl’s bin and a six-speed teal cruiser, we doused ourselves in sunscreen, hydrated, and biked for four hours—a total of 15 miles at 7,000 feet in 80 degrees. The views were stunning and the crowds were spare in the numerous outlooks.
Tonight we’re seeing two Garth shows. The 7pm show is a birthday gift from Tim. When we arrived to Vegas and I saw Garth had TWO shows tonight, I decided to gift Tim and me (much to his chagrin) the 10pm show. Cheap seats, back of the stage, near the top. I can still see and hear, so it works for me. Although I may need a disco nap to pull this off.
Being on west coast time twice within a week has been an interesting shift to my natural rhythms. After last weekend’s Ojai writing retreat, I was scheduled to arrive back to DC at 12:30am Monday. Due to a delayed flight, missed connection, and a rebook on a red eye, I arrived at 6am with a full day of meetings ahead. Thanks to a nap and green smoothie, I made it through.
Since I had five unexpected hours at LAX, I checked my carry on, swapped clogs for flip-flops, and hopped in an Uber with a request to “take me to the nearest beach town.” The driver dropped me at Manhattan Beach and I watched seagulls, surfers, and people with laptops working with their toes in the sand as the sun set Sunday night.
My few days in DC were filled with weekly staples—clients, supervision, dinner with a friend, podcast release, teaching, and yoga. One highlight included a stop at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary en route to the airport where I got in some birthday pig petting (once they were lured out of their pig houses by food). After hosting the Yoga + the Animals event mid-June, I forgot to grab my yoga mats as we left. I joked with the owner, Lisa, that I may start leaving things regularly so that I can stop by to see the pigs. She laughed, although I think she may have secretly been thinking, “uh oh.” #pigstalker
Oh, and Friday night I announced the giveaway winner of the FREE Virtual Retreat, the lovely Jackie Flood from Michigan. Kudos! And a BIG thanks to all who contributed. {Giveaway was announced in last week’s Love Note, fyi}
For those stateside, wishing you and yours a celebratory 4th. May you enjoy a much-deserved routine shake up filled with fresh fruit popsicles, bubbly beverages, and sparkly fireworks. Bisous. x
Pics in Review
Last session in Ojai
Final stop at Bart’s Books and found Pops’ first book
Manhattan Beach detour
Feeling incognito at Manhattan Beach
Birthday breakfast of homemade chia seed pudding
Birthday pig petting at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary
Lake Mead in background
All smiles at Lake Mead Visitor Center
Biking the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Musing
July Dreams
Savvy Sources
Julia Cameron on “Enough” Time
How Can We Still the Noise Within?
10 Small Things You Can Do Every Day to Get Smarter
Anne Lamott on Priorities and How We Keep Ourselves Small
Illustrated Fable of What Happens When We Deny Difficult Emotions
Tips for Keeping Pets Safe During 4th of July Celebrations
10 of the Best Lines from Pride and Prejudice and What They Can Teach Us
Tools for Capturing Your Ideas in Writing
Weekend Wish List
Pen July dreams into Daybook. Check.
Savor TWO Garth shows
Bike Grand Canyon. Check.
Birthday reflection exercise
Safe travels back to DC
Read. Check.
Write. Check.
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June 28, 2016
Mon Anniversaire
Thursday marks another year around this crazy planet. The big 43. Not a very sexy, round number, but I’ll take it. To honor the momentous occasion, I’ll be doing what anyone would do to celebrate their special day—flying to Vegas to see Garth Brooks!
When Tim shared Garth’s Vegas show announcement that coincided with my birthday (for some reason Tim’s on Garth’s mailing list and not me), I could tell he was hoping I’d surely had enough. But no, instead I had him booking tickets immediately.
With visions of unending pots of tea, a journal, and a pile of books, we’ll be cozying up in an A-frame near Flagstaff and tooling around the Grand Canyon on bikes most of the weekend.
Each birthday I like to do an assessment of the past year and pen dreams for the future year. I need at least one to two hours to settle in with my journal, Daybook, and a few markers. Quiet space, lit candle, and no one else around.
I begin by listing my experiences since June 30, 2015 such as adopting Mookie, going to Italy, planting bulbs, releasing the 52 Weeks of Tranquility Journal, and do si doing at the Farm Sanctuary Hoe Down. I let the experiences—good and challenging—flow. Then I’ll pull out my Daybook to capture any that I missed.
Next I consider what I’d like to experience by June 30, 2017 such as submitting a memoir book proposal, being a licensed therapist, attending University of Tennessee’s Veterinary Social Work program, and adopting another rescue (here’s the girl we’re going to meet mid-July, Belle Star—she’s toward the bottom).
This mid-year review brings a sense of gratitude for the year’s various experiences and offers the opportunity to intentionally consider what I’d like to manifest.
Ideally they’ll be some flowers for the cabin, a celebratory glass of bubbly, and dessert topped with tons of icing to make the experience complete.
Do you have a birthday ritual? A favorite way to celebrate?
Even if your birthday isn’t this month or next, consider sitting down over this holiday weekend with your journal to review how things are feeling mid-year. Share what unfolds with us in the comments below. I’ll share my process via Instagram.
Sending love, celebration, and deep breaths your way. Bisous.
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Tranquility du Jour #373: The Creative Practice
The Creative Practice with Lisa Sonora Beam. We talk writing, dealing with creative cycles, and the inspiration behind writing her memoir, Sketchbooks: My Personal Creative Practice.
Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #373: The Creative Practice
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Tranquility du Jour Guest
Lisa Sonora is an American artist and creative entrepreneur living in Mexico, who wants to live in a world where following your heart’s desire is considered practical, and making a living from your gifts is a no-brainer.
Her first book, The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Guidebook to Making Business Ideas Real (Quarry, 2008) won two independent publisher awards and launched a movement that has helped thousands to make their creative business ideas real. The Creative Entrepreneur is used as a textbook in many business, entrepreneurship, and arts programs, including University of Madison School of Business.
As an artist and creativity and business consultant, Lisa’s work has been featured in Business Week, Entrepreneur Magazine, ABC News, San Francisco Chronicle, and in dozens of online venues.
In 2002, she founded a boutique marketing agency focused exclusively on green business initiatives and social justice in San Francisco. She’s designed and taught green and social marketing, and creativity and business curriculum for graduate business, and arts administration programs.
Lisa is a graduate of DePaul University’s School of Music, and has professional degrees in Music Therapy and an MBA from New College of California in Sustainable Enterprise.
A sought after facilitator, she’s led international creativity workshops on five continents for the past 20 years: at schools in Africa, inside tech companies, coach training programs, churches and zendos, and at retreat centers and universities. She trains others to lead creativity workshops in her Creative Journey Facilitator Training, and has a Creative Entrepreneur School in the works.
Her 30 Day Journal Project brings together a global audience twice a year to celebrate the power and magic of creative journaling.
When she’s not consulting or in the studio making stuff, you can find her journeying to foreign lands in search of textiles, trying to take better photos, and adding to her visual journal sketchbooks in cafes around the world.
Lisa lives in Oaxaca, Mexico with her partner Alex, where they host artist retreats and residencies. She blogs about her adventures as an expat artist at lisasonora.com. Lisa’s memoir, Sketchbooks: My Personal Creative Practice, is comprised of journals she kept during her move to Mexico.
Savvy Sources
Lisa’s website
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The post Tranquility du Jour #373: The Creative Practice appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
