Nikki Starcat Shields's Blog, page 38

Say Yes to Self-Approval!

I’ve been on this self-love journey for a few years now, and I’m finding that there is always more to learn. What I’ve been unfolding lately is the complex subject of approval-seeking. One of my self-love affirmations is “I love and approve of myself.” The “approve” part is coming into focus.

During a recent discussion with a friend, I found myself offering some advice that pointed to how my experience of approval and validation has shifted. He was looking to be more mindful in his eating habi...

Fun With Busking

This afternoon BlackLion, ElvenTiger and I did some busking in Portland (Maine). If you’re not sure what busking means, essentially it’s a street performance done for donations. In this case, we were there to help out some friends who are doing some fundraising.

Three teams from our homeschool co-op recently won top slots in the state Odyssey of the Mind competition. Hurray for creative thinking and problem-solving! Now they’re headed to the world finals, and that’s what the fundraising is abo...

We’re the Sane Ones?

“Chaston wrote that men and fairies both contain within them a faculty of reason and a faculty of magic. In men reason is strong and magic is weak. With fairies it is the other way round: magic comes very naturally to them, but by human standards they are barely sane.” – Susanna Clarke, in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel

5 Tips for Inspiring Your Imagination

I’ve been noticing over the past few years, as I’ve focused more on my writing career, the wide variety of ways I feed my creativity. I’m blessed with lots of ideas, so I rarely have to struggle with “what to write about.” Nearly everything I experience can lead to a new tangent of thought that in turn becomes something I just have to write about. I think it’s a matter of being open and leaving time in my schedule for pondering.

Even though I’ve primarily written non-fiction thus far, my creat...

Starcat’s Favorites: In the Garden

Happy weekend! We’re having some April showers here today, but they’re helping the gardens, so I’m not complaining. BlackLion has been in big-time green thumb mode, creating new beds in our garden as well as tending to his seedlings. Things are starting to bloom around here after some milder weather. Here’s a picture he took this week of our lovely daffodils.

My creativity has been flourishing with the flowers, and supported by the nourishing energies of my revived daily practice of yoga and m...

Triggers Are Mirrors

I am blessed to have a really awesome extended family. They are supportive, loving, kind, and funny (sometimes hilarious). Despite all the “weird” things about me – vegetarianism, unschooling, polyamory, and other unconventional choices – they not only accept me but seem to genuinely enjoy spending time with me.

This morning my Mom spontaneously invited me for a short road trip – or as she put it, “want to go to lunch today with a bunch of old people?” – and I jumped on board. Most of the time...

An Earth Day Tradition

A couple years ago I started a new personal tradition for Earth Day. As a Pagan who walks an earth-based spiritual path, I’m aware of the pollution that modern living is causing. I’m also sure that, collectively, we can reduce it. Each person taking individual action is important. So I decided to implement something new in my life each Earth Day, increasing my efforts to be more environmentally friendly, or “green.”

The first year I gave up straws. I used to buy plastic drinking straws to use...

Further Musings on Friendship

It’s been almost a year since I was last musing about friendships and how mine are changing. This week I’ve been noticing what I really enjoy in my friendships, and what isn’t so healthy for me. I’ve talked with others who, like me, have challenges with the traditional format of female friendships, so I thought it might help to share these thoughts.

First of all, know that you are perfectly able and deserving of choosing the types of friendships you prefer. Loving yourself means spending time...

Mindfulness & Creating a Fulfilling Life

“Mindful awareness creates a kind of work space, a place in the mind where we can see and deal with our automatic habits. It’s like a private, cozy room where we can read and reflect on the most personal passages in our diary.” – Tara Bennett-Goleman

One of the things I’m doing this spring is re-focusing on my practice of mindfulness. As a longtime journal keeper, I absolutely love this quote. Creating a space like this in your mind is so very key to living a fulfilling life. It reminds me of...

Mindfulness and Creating a Fulfilling Life

“Mindful awareness creates a kind of work space, a place in the mind where we can see and deal with our automatic habits. It’s like a private, cozy room where we can read and reflect on the most personal passages in our diary.” – Tara Bennett-Goleman

One of the things I’m doing this spring is re-focusing on my practice of mindfulness. As a longtime journal keeper, I absolutely love this quote. Creating a space like this in your mind is so very key to living a fulfilling life. It reminds me of...