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Embrace the shake

The last few days have uncovered many stories of brokenness. I have a lot of different dialogues currently with a group of different people, in all different ways are experiencing intense difficulty.

Then I found this video that one of my dearest friends recommended to me.

We all have a shake in our life.

Something that destabilises us. A hurting place that attempts to undo our creative imaginations.

Embracing our limitations and getting on with our purpose.

If you are struggling at the moment. Don’t worry so am I.

Embrace the shake.

All my creative love

Amanda

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eunoia

eunoiaEunioa;

It’s a noun.

It’s the shortest english word with all five main vowels.

Its greek definition is;

A well mind or commonly translated as ‘Beautiful thinking’.

There have been many days in my past where my mind could not be described with the word eunioa.

Worry, jealousy, bitterness and regret have plagued me and therefore my imaginations for a better day have been seriously impacted.

We often struggled to dream of better days for the future because our minds are not subject to beautiful thinking.

Ways that I have learnt to change the things I dwell to much upon.

1) Stop myself.
2) Fill my mind with thoughts about productive things.
3) Write down my thoughts and try to find perspective.
4) Talk over thoughts that bombard me with a friend or counsellor to seek perspective.
5) Find a one sentence scripture or thought that is life giving and think on that over and over.

These are just a few short opportunities of how we can rearrange our thinking but one of the main ones I have found, is reteaching my mind with good new thoughts.

Most eastern religions would tell us to empty our minds.

I don’t know about you, but no matter how much I meditate, unless I’m meditating on something worthwhile I fail. The very thing I am trying not to think about comes back and hounds me down. Each time I have tried to empty my mind it is full with other thoughts. I think our brain was disigned to think about good things, not nothing.

My son is a perfect example, as he learns more about the world around him, if I tell him he cant do something, it is a perfect storm where he wants it more than ever. As a mum the only way I can draw him to good and safe things to play with is by distracting him. If I just tell him no. He wants what is bad for him more and more.

We are the same. Our minds were designed to be consumed with something.

The question is, are our imaginations profitable or devastating.

Till we meet again.

Amanda

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the power of imagination

Most mornings at the crack of dawn, I hear a sound coming from my sons bedroom. Some days it is emotion filled, others it is inquisitive, some days it’s ‘come and get me now’ and the next it is explorative and adventure packed.

My favourite part of our morning routine, is when I lift him out of his cot and he smiles expectantly at his toys and runs towards them. Most days he will pick up anything, a remote, a toy, a mobile, a brick and straight away lift it to his head and start to talk as if it is a telephone. We never taught him this, he has watched and discovered that when we lift something to our ears we can talk to someone in a far away place.

Although this may be an indication of how much mummy is on the phone, it also shows me the power of imagination. From a young age we have the capacity to model and imagine that something is possible even if it is not present. Imagination is powerful.

The more I slow my heart and head down to a more manageable pace and I accept the season I am in, the more I am awakened to the potential of the present.

We can so easily be stuck in the past and that power that pulls us into retrospection can inhibit our possibilities for the now and future.

Are you stuck in a backward glance?

Are you re-reading what could have been?

Are you forever drawn to regret and why?

Are you stuck creatively in the past?

I believe that every day is a new day. Every day holds the possible potential for something new. There is an innovative, prophetic calling to something fresh and honest, something that is authentic and true to who you are.

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night.
Edgar Allan Poe

Creativity and imagination has a power that is potent with possibility.

You are more than your past.

You are more than what people have labeled you to be.

You are more than the box that someone has closed the lid upon.

Somedays it is the potential of something new, it is the power of imagination that can take us to a new land.

A land of fresh possibility, innovation and new.

Don’t waste your potential and imagination on what could have been?

Lean towards what can be?

For the month of July I am going to write everyday about the power of our imagination.

Adventure is awaiting discovery.

Come on a pilgrimage with me.

Amanda

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capture consulting

I have of late been asked to do more and more consulting in the creative fields, so I thought I would refine this as a part of my capture business.

On the tabs above I have detailed what type of work I am now focussing on;

or click this link;

http://amandaviviers.com/amanda-facebook/

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of creativity to change a nation. When creative people are released to dream, create, inspire, relate, cities become alive.

A dark and dreary city, with no colour, creativity and innovation is a dreary landscape.

Michelle Obama said it so powerfully;

creativity

If you would like to explore creativity and innovation with me, get in touch and book an appointment today.

Creatively

Amanda Viviers

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the art of worship

In the next few months I have lots of creative projects I am working on. From Conferences, to speaking engagements, to workshops, to producing a short film, running a fundraising concert for women in Africa and more.

In the midst of it all, I am most excited about creating opportunities for people to encounter inspiration in many different ways. In essence to experience a creative God, through beauty and glory that promotes Him.

I am the creative director for an upcoming conference that is all about encouraging and inspiring people in the creative industries to live out their dreams.

Its called SPARC; HAND MADE for faith and culture.
http://www.sparc.org.au

SPARC-Conf2-640px

There are many parts of this conference that I am really excited about. I am producing a short film about the life of Phil Baker, the author and artist. Sheryn Hack from http://www.sherynfilms.com is a part of the project and Bryce Green former journalist from the ABC and current Program Director for 98.5fm is directing and helping produce the short film.

Another part of the conference that I am so looking forward to is hearing via live link from Mako Fujimura http://www.makotofujimura.com/

Mako is an artist, writer, and speaker who is recognised worldwide as a cultural shaper.

I think our understanding of what worship is in contemporary culture must change. The quote below really challenged me this week. I believe creativity and culture has the capacity to be deeply affected by christians who are walking out their faith with depth and light. Worship is a lot more than music.

In fact there are very limited references to music being a form of worship in the new testament.
What is in your hand?

A paintbrush?
A pen?
A video recorder?
A computer?
A thought?
A song?
A poem?
A smile?
Use that to shine light. Use that to change and impact culture.

writings for winter

Interesting days.
Amanda