“Before I sent my sketchbook to the Art House Coop Traveling Sketchbook exhibit I felt compelled to document the contents since I would not be getting it back. But inside was more than just the illustrations themselves, more than just ink and paper… spilled on each of the saddle-stitched pages is a metamorphosis of me.” Jojo Blondal

What a gorgeous way to capture your days. I’m celebrating Jojo’s gifts and her courage in putting them on the page and sharing them with the world. May she inspire you to do the same!

One of the joys of being a creative living coach is connecting with the luminous creative spirits and helping them find their way to shine. I love to feature their stories here to celebrate what it means to bring your gifts to light and to inspire every one of you to do the same. Artist and photographer Patricia Christakos is a delight and a wonder. I know her story will speak to your heart. And while you read this, if you know it’s time for you to shine too, email me about coaching.

Featured Coaching Client: Patricia Christakos

Blog: www.onehalfcenturymark.blogspot.com
Central New York Lodging: www.cedarcoveonthelake.com
Bahamas Lodging: www.blueskyabaco.com
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stakos
Twitter:@stakos

What are you creating in the world?

Photos. Lots of em’. I always have an art practice or two twirling around in my brain: I like to make stuff: create collages and greeting cards; write letters; research artists, living and dead; decorate paint brushes I find along the side of the road…creative projects have a way of finding me. Yet I had never considered myself an artist. Artistic, maybe, but not an artist. But something shifted one morning last fall November when I stepped onto a frozen athletic field to photograph a girls’ field hockey team. I totally stretched myself beyond my comfort zone and took zillions of photos. I watched and documented as the girls and their coaches won the school’s first state championship. My photographs were celebrated by the girls and their families. They made people smile, even cry. They appeared in the newspaper. I became a photographer that weekend.

How has working with Jamie helped?

I’m not sure I could have ventured onto that playing field if I hadn’t met and worked with Jamie Ridler. She offered me so much wisdom and confidence. I hope I will always remember her words.

Her voice is lovely and gentle yet she presents you with powerful tools to contemplate, employ or ditch. One of my favorite and most often used tool is my ‘spiritual compass.’ You know that feeling when the earth is aligned and you know intuitively which direction is the right one? Jamie has helped me to tap into my own deep feeling of knowingness.

Jamie also helped me to articulate my fears in a what’s the worst that could happen kind of way. After voicing a fear, we would gave him an outfit. My ‘judgmental, you are not enough’ voice became Mr. Man in Black Beret, a judgmental, snide, academically brilliant individual without humor or light.

So how does this all relate to my photography? Mr Man in Black Beret has not been spotted within miles of me or my dreams. As for my spiritual compass, all arrows are pointing upward. I still have miles of information to learn about my Nikon and all its technical might, but for now, we’re soaring and creating some magical images together.

What would you like to celebrate?

I’d like to acknowledge my photography mentors: Vivienne McMaster, Jim Austin, Expressive Photography, Madelyn Mulvaneyand Me Ra Koh.

Women and Teenage Girls. One of my goals with photography is to honor women and teenage girls, especially those who shy away from having their pictures taken. I so regret not taking pictures of my mother before she died. She was a beautiful woman yet never wanted to be photographed. I think it was the aging thing. For others, it’s the body thing. What if we all had photographs of ourselves that we adored? That helped us to get over our ‘things’. That we could look at and say, Wow, that’s Me. I’m fabulous. My spiritual compass tells me I headed onto another important playing field. Put me in coach; thanks to Jamie, I’m ready.

My word of the year and SOAR

I applied for the Soar Scholarship offered by Me Ra Koh. I didn’t win but I felt so honored to have been part of the process.

Nolwenn Petitbois

Celebration is one of my very favourite things to do. As we draw the year to a close, I love looking back and acknowledging the magnificence and the achievements of the women I’ve been blessed to work with. As registration has now opened for Circe’s Circle: Your Creative Dream Team, I want to share with you some of the truly magical experiences of the circle’s alumni.  Today I’m so happy to introduce you to the gifted Nolwenn Petitbois.

Blog: Inner Voices and in French (Nolwenn’s mother tongue)
Store: Nolwenn’s RedBubble page
Facebook : Inner Voices Page
Twitter : @NolwennP
YouTube channel : Nolwenn

What are you creating in the world ?

I am what my dear friend Connie Hozvicka once called me: « an emergent artist ». I am at the dawn of accepting my Artistic Me and of sharing my artwork with the world. I create mixed media pieces, usually representing powerful whimsical women who have a strong positive message to deliver to the Universe. I believe in the power of Positive Affirmations and of Gratitude, that both guide me all along in my creative process.

I am also currently writing a visual autobiographical book that, hopefully, will someday be published and people will maybe relate to in some way.

How has Circe’s Circle helped ?

First of all, Circe’s Circle helped me to clarify what my project really was, I ended unfolding a project I was putting on hold for months (if not more) : my book. This was the big « DUH » moment for me because I wasn’t expected it at all when we started, I thought my project was more oriented on getting my artwork noticed and selling it eventually.

Having weekly calls for ten weeks can seem long, but it is not and it is what help us to keep going. We check with everyone, telling what we did regarding our goal(s), celebrating our achievements small and huge, supporting each other with love and non-judgement. It’s amazing how having to tell someone else « during this week, here is what I have accomplished » is a booster to actually do something, even a tiny step. And when we didn’t, it’s okay because Jamie always finds a way to turn it into something positive, with fresh eyes. « Circle » is not just there to be pretty, it’s a big part of the coaching and what helped me.

What did you learn about yourself ?

During Circe’s Circle, I learned that I can achieve any goal I set to myself as long as it goes along with my values. It’s like I needed a confirmation « yes, you can do it, it’s not too big for you, too crazy » or whatever negative thought you can have when you have this dream burning inside of you and fear sticks to your skin.

I also have the confirmation that I shouldn’t be affraid to shine from this bright colourful light I know is inside of me. And that this is this light that guides my hands when I paint and create something to release to the World.

I also learned that I am a Magnificent being and that it is not a bad thing, or a pretentious saying as I also see the magnificence in everyone.

Is there anything else you would like to add ?

I’d love you, who reads these words, to know that it can be intimidating to sign-up for Circe’s Circle. Talking on the phone with people you don’t know yet, not knowing exactly what will happen during the 10week coaching etc. But it is part of the Magic. Because Magic DOES happen during Circe’s Circle. And strong bonds are created with wonderful women.
Jamie is amazing, she knows exactly the question to ask to help you to go deeper and further without pressuring ; she is kind, her heart is huge and her soul is bright. You won’t regret investing time and money in your dream with her.

What would you like to celebrate ?

Celebration is not something I am really used to. I’d like to celebrate the positive vibes that were flowing during each calls, and continue to be felt.

I’d like to celebrate the big and small accomplishements of my Sisters.

I’d like to celebrate the end of the year and the new year that is coming soon, it will be special, you’ll see:)

Registration for Circe’s Circle is now open. You can find out more here. Let’s make 2011 a year of dreams come true!

Featured Client: Allison Tarr, hoopdance instructor

Website: www.positivespinhoops.com
Blog: www.positivespinhoops.wordpress.com

What are you creating in the world?

I am creating a space for adults to take the time to play. A place where they can express themselves creatively & comfortably. As a result of playing with hoops, laughter is a huge byproduct that I love being a part of.

How did taking the Authentic Professionalism workshop with Jamie help?

It helped me guide me past the preconceived notions I had about what it meant to be a “professional”, when none of those things meshed well with my own path. This guidance eventually led me to constructing my own (comfortable & wonderful) ideals about how I present myself as a professional hoopdancer on a daily basis.

What did you learn about yourself?

That I am a professional with hoop in hand, ready to rock out. & just because my business involves having fun doesn’t make me any less professional than someone who wears a suit.

What would you like to celebrate?

(Wait a minute, let me put my party hat on!) Things are always so lovely in sets of three.

1. I would like to celebrate that it hasn’t always been like this (but that I am SO grateful it is now).
2. I want to celebrate all my students who express themselves & move their bodies in a way that makes them proud.
3. A huge celebration for being self-employed in something that I find fulfilling & life shifting.

From Jamie:

Every year I host the Starshyne Virtual Dance Party. On May 1st I invite the world to dance for 15 minutes. I just had to share this gorgeous video of how Allison took part!

Featured Client: Sabine Hikel Ph.D, consultant and blogger

Websites:
www.leavingacademia.com
www.confabulous.ca
www.sabinehikel.com

What are you creating in the world?

I create many different things: I’m a writer, blogger, podcaster, editor and consultant. What I create in the world is ideas and energy for social change. I do this primarily through two streams. One is a website called Confabulous, which is a group blog aimed at smart, sassy women who are interested in both politics and pop culture. The other is a project called Leaving Academia, which is for grad students and faculty who are interested in exploring post-academic careers.

How did a Visioning session with Jamie help?

Working with Jamie was enormously helpful. At the beginning of our visioning session, Jamie laid out to me what exactly her process was, which I really liked. Then she took me through the steps of clarifying what it is that I want to offer the world. It was a great blend of thinking through practical aspects of doing business (money, resources, time) and the crazy, “Wow, what if I did THIS?” kind of stuff. Jamie makes it very safe to look at just how much capability you have within yourself. She makes it safe to answer that call that so many of us feel inside–the longing to be useful, the longing to make a difference. One thing that I got from Jamie that has had one of the longest-term effects was a focus on identifying and knowing who my allies are. That was very revealing!

What did you learn?

I learned that my two websites are far more connected than I originally thought. Jamie helped me to see that the underlying impulse beneath both of them is a desire to create positive social change, though in two completely different realms.

What would you like to celebrate?

I would like to celebrate the human spirit, which seldom knows when to quit.

Featured Client: Annabel Fitzsimmons, writer, yoga/Pilates teacher, marathon runner, wife, mom of two, and founder of ClearSpace Online, the online resource to help people live their balance.

Website: www.clearspaceonline.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/clearspacegal

What are you creating in the world?

I’m creating ClearSpace, a company that brings you the tools and resources to live an inspired and balanced life – www.clearspaceonline.com. I believe that you can change your life in 20 minutes a day!

How has working with Jamie helped?

Jamie knows exactly when to ask the right questions. As a creative entrepreneur herself, she is attuned to the ups and downs I experience when running my own business. She is supportive but she also challenges me to grow my thinking. Jamie is so committed and passionate about her work that it inspires commitment and passion in those she works with.

What have you learned about yourself?

I have learned that there are many things that I can do, but what I choose to do is where I need to put my energy. I have learned that it’s okay to make mistakes, that holding back on projects until they are perfect means they will never be launched (in other words, just go for it!), and to celebrate milestones along the way (whether big or small).

What would you like to celebrate?

I’d like to celebrate everyone’s unique and personal idea of balance.

Featured Client: Romana Mirza, Founder & Principal of Studio Pinpoint TM

Website: studiopinpoint.com
Blog: romanamirza.com
Video: Studio Pinpoint Brand Strategy

What are you creating in the world?

I’m creating a space where two spheres intersect. I have a long, strong and successful background in business. At the same time I am grounded, spiritually and emotionally in the world of holistic healers and tarot card readers.

These two worlds (or spheres), the steely determination of Bay street and Wall street – the left brain hard thinking analytical world moves me and motivates me as does the right brain creative world where you are tuned into the senses and emotions. I work, both personally and professionally in a space where these two spheres influence each other.

I introduce what I know from the business constructive side into the holistic healing world. And I take the grace and beauty that I learn and live by from the holistic healing world into the constructive, determined and laser focused world of business. I have been doing this for over 20 years. It was only earlier this year, on Friday February 13, in 2009 that I came to know this consciously and completely as a result of my visioning session with Jamie – which opened my eyes to what I do and my purpose here.

How has having Jamie as a coach helped?

Because of Jamie I am resolved. I resolve internal conflict, personal conflict, relationship conflict, mental conflict, self conflict. There is always so much working to try and beat us down – people, attitudes, societal expectation, and the worst, our expectations of ourselves. My work with Jamie helps me to be resolved. In a positive way or a neutral way, both are OK. See, that’s the point, no matter where you are, it’s OK to be negative, to be overly optimistic or to be neutral to be hum drum.

Jamie has taught me that life is full of all these wonderful things. My work with Jamie helps me to keep the resolve – or perhaps balance is a better understood word. But I like resolve that feels right to me and that’s the word I’m sticking to – that’s what I get from my work with her.

What have you learned about yourself?

What I’ve learned about myself is that if I’m feeling bad about it, I can change it. That has been the most liberating experience. I grew up being accused of being bossy and insensitive and my work with Jamie showed me where that came from and affirmed that it came from love and not selfishness and is showed me why people were receiving it the way they were. It wasn’t because I intended it that way, it was because of this strange combination of strengths that I have. Now that I know I balance my approach and what was negative is the most beautiful thing about me. Now that’s learning something about yourself.

The other major breakthrough was when we did a visioning session – the result, mentioned above, was so remarkable. I never knew that I could know so clearly so succinctly my purpose here on Earth. Wow, now that’s a result!

What would you like to celebrate?

Life. Life in all its forms. And I like celebrating life because even after this Earth-life there is another life, that’s what I know, and that means you can celebrate life indefinitely. How’s that for a celebration?

Would you like to be coached by Jamie?
Are you in Toronto and interested in Visioning?