Category: Creativity

I found this quote this morning and although I don’t believe everything this writer professes, I wholeheartedly believe that the arts does make our souls grow.

Each time I draw, even though I’m not amazing at it, I feel something inside me change.

Every time I try something creative that I have never done before, my heart feels lighter.

When was the last time you wrote a poem? School?

There is something about writing in a different style that brings out new perspective and innovation.

When was the last time you turned the music up in your lounge room and danced? Feel silly? Feel insecure? It could be the exact thing you need to break out of that funk you find yourself in.

Create something today

Love Amanda

A couple of weeks ago on a sunny Monday morning I joined thousands of people around Australia on a 12 week challenge.

Week one was brilliant. I stuck to the routine, I shopped excitedly, I exercised my pregnant body carefully.

Week two started valiantly but ended terribly. Add in some social occasions, Valentines day, some Pringles and a magnum and I was ready to admit defeat.

This morning I woke determined deciding to get back on the horse and start again. I went for a walk, then some stretches and I went for a swim at the beach. As I stood in the ocean I reflected on the weak points of my two week journey.

My weak spots are; snacks, exercise and water. As I stood there with the wind gently blowing, I realized I needed to face my weaknesses head on.

I needed to admit them to my husband, I needed to acknowledge their sabotage in my health journey and bring change gently into my daily routine.

The whole shopping healthily as well is something I hate. The details, the expense…I faced this problem head on today again and did a decent shop filling our house with goodness.

I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at spending 50 dollars on a curry takeaway dinner from our local haunt, but spending 200 on 7 or 8 healthy meals makes me froth.

Why am I so quick to spend big on the immediate?

But so slow to fill my fridge with healthy stock that helps my family thrive?

Because they are my weak spots. They are my crutches. They are my stumbling blocks on the road towards my goal which is health and well being.

What are your weak spots?

What are your stumbling blocks?

What sabotages your goals?

Write them down, acknowledge them to a loved one and work slowly at breaking their hold.

Raw day today, I am very aware of my weakness, but at least I’m facing that which is holding me back.

Being real with our issues is a hard reality to face.

Worse however is living a life in denial pretending everything is totally fine when you are constantly disappointed in yourself.

Facing my weakness and growing stronger in it’s light.

A

22nd of November 1988, I was in year six at ‘Star of the Sea’ primary school, Rockingham. My Sister, Brother, Mother, Father and I lived 5 mins from my school and I was obsessed with dancing.

My mum still lives in the same house and received a letter a few weeks ago, from the local council, to say a time capsule had been found from our family planted in the council archives 26 years ago, November 1988.

Here are some of the items found in the Powell family archive.

The cutest part of the time capsule was a letter I wrote to myself back then. My dad was on our local council, I loved school and I was obsessed with dancing. It is so amazing to see 25 years later a letter written by a ‘not yet in highschool’ little creative, how much my life 25 years later looks like what I imagined.

Here is the letter…

I may not be a kindgarten teacher or a dance teacher (although somedays it feels like it as max and I create our own little grooves). I am however a teacher. Not formally, but someone who lives to love and help people.

My friends were important and dear enough to make it to my letter.

I loved my family, my sister, my brother, my life.

I’m soon to be the mum to two little people and the last line just melts my heart.

In the future I just want peace and caring but mostly I want everyone to love God.

That indeed is still my heart.

Spoken from the mouth of babes.

Maybe you should make a time capsule with your children. It’s a fascinating way as an adult to look back into the heart of your childlike innocence.

Speak tomorrow.

Inspired.