Nikki Starcat Shields's Blog, page 17
February 27, 2019
How to Be a Thriving Artist
Last week we took a look at our culture’s myth of the struggling artist. It’s caused many of us to put our creative aspirations on the back burner, or even in the back of the freezer.
Yep, I’m talking to you. Is there a creative pursuit – or maybe even two or three – that calls to your soul? Have you set your art aside?
There are many reasons you might offer for putting your creative dreams on hold: you don’t have time, your day job takes all of your energy, you don’t have the resources, you...
February 23, 2019
Starcat’s Favorites: Kitty Snuggles
As you probably know if you’re a regular reader of this blog, late winter is NOT my favorite. I keep getting emails and seeing memes on social media with messages like “it’s almost spring!” I delete them immediately, as in Maine…it’s not even close.
Our monthly family potluck was supposed to be this Sunday, with a tropical theme to get us through the tail end of winter. Um, yeah. We had to postpone it because we’ll be having sleet, slush, freezing rain, and other forms of precipitation that n...
February 21, 2019
Why All the Struggling? (A Rant)
When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a writer. I was drawn to the magick of stories almost as soon as I arrived on the planet. I started reading at age four, and became a voracious bookworm. I took a notebook and pen everywhere I went. I loved to study and learn.
It’s pretty clear, from my current vantage point, that this was (and is) my calling.
And yet…
As I grew, I was told by well-meaning adults that “writer” was not a valid career path. “You can’t make a living at it,” I heard many ti...
February 19, 2019
Water Priestess in Winter
First let me say that I love living in Maine. I adore the summer, the beaches, the lakes, the forests, the autumn, the mountains, cool people, spring flowers, and yes, even the snow. Mostly.
As a Pagan priestess and a hippie chick, Earth-based spirituality is the way I live. I enjoy the turn of the seasons, the phases of the moon, and living in harmony with those energy tides.
Until late February, when I start to hear and read “spring is coming!” Um, no. Not here. Not yet.
We’ve had Spring Eq...
February 13, 2019
3 Tips for Loving What You Do
One of the best gifts I’ve given myself in my adult life is to do what I love, and love what I do. I’m not exaggerating when I say it has completely changed my life, in so many positive ways.
It’s especially vital for creative types, and those drawn to spiritual matters – yeah, I’m talking to you! It’s time to destroy the stereotype of the Starving Artist (I have a whole rant on that topic, which I’ll save for another post) once and for all. Now is the perfect time to expand into doing what...
January 30, 2019
Starcat’s Ten Best Books of 2018
Hey there, bibliophiles! Before January is over (how did this month fly by so fast?!), it’s time to share my ten favorite reads from last year. In preparing this post, I noticed that I apparently didn’t create a “best books” post last January. Huh. I know I read some great books in 2017. Maybe I should go back through my journals and see if there are any gems I just have to suggest.
Meanwhile, onward and upward with my recommendations for great reads from 2018. As always, please note that the...
January 26, 2019
Starcat’s Favorites: Transformation
We’re already almost finished with the first month of 2019, but I’m finding that I’m still processing 2018. Can you relate?
It was a hugely transformational year for me and my family.
We became empty-nesters. Quester broke his ankle, badly, and had to have (not one but two) surgeries. BlackLion got a new job outside the home. I’ve been up-leveling my business, my prosperity, and my writing in expansive new ways. I traveled to Denver and New York City for vacations. I’ve been the recipient of...
January 3, 2019
An EASE-Filled 2019
This year’s word of the year was an easy choice – yeah, I confess, that’s a pun, but an incidental one.
You see, my word for 2019 is EASE. If you’re a regular reader here, you’ll know that I’ve been working with the concept of ease & connection for several months now.
In a July post, I promised to let you know how it’s going. I’m delighted to report that my practice of ease & connection has been rocking my world! I’ve been letting go of old beliefs around money, work, and self-worth. Those be...
October 28, 2018
I Am Hiding In My Tower
I Am Hiding In My Tower: A Prose Poem (for my Shadow)
I’m really good at being unseen.
I can walk down the street in broad daylight and not be noticed, if I want to.
I can slip through a crowd with barely a ripple.
I am the observer, and I see all that goes on, but I don’t make any waves.
I don’t make a sound.
If they don’t see me, they can’t hurt me.
They can’t bully me or pick on me.
I’m just another middle-aged hippie in a state of live-and-let-live, down to Earth people.
I don’t have to p...
October 20, 2018
Fun With Fitness
Writing, as I’ve mentioned before, is a pretty sedentary career. I know, because I’ve gained some weight over the past few years, as I focus more on my writing and book midwife work.
So for my birthday in September, I told my son I was interested in getting a fitness tracker, and he gifted me one. You know, the watch-like devices you see people wearing on their wrists?
I’m enjoying it so far. Especially while I was on vacation.
While we were in Colorado visiting ElvenTiger, we did a LOT of w...
