Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Aug/Sept 2016 Aspire Mag Full Issue | Page 78

myself into the ground. When I was with my husband or kids I would be checking emails. I barely painted anymore unless I was teaching. My wake up call was a hospital stay where the doctor said I was lucky to be alive. That time reminded me of my Mom’s stay in the hospital when I was 13. Only Mom didn’t make it. I vowed I wouldn’t let history repeat. I wanted to be there for my boys. I decided to do things differently. Life was too short not to live the way I wanted. I went back to basics, to things I wanted to do. What was my way? I sorted through what I had learned from my mentors and teachers and decided what was best for me. I saw the immense amount of wisdom and available support. I saw where I needed support and reconnected with my creative AND my business community. I no longer cut off parts of myself to be successful. I learned how to do both. When I recognized my lineage of teachings and opened myself up, I had access to immense amounts of energy and support. I could be independent me and still didn’t have to do it on my own. Ready to tap into your unique energy and support? ENERGY GATHERING: AN INTENTIONAL CREATIVITY™ PRACTICE Grab a piece of paper, pencil, some markers/crayons/colored pencils and let’s go… 78 1 Set your intention to gather your energy and find the support you need. Right now, is there some area you need help/support? Write it down with pencil on your paper. 2 Creativity: On top of your intention, with color, draw a tree trunk with branches. Draw giant leaves and for each leaf, write the name of someone who has been a teacher or support for you, someone you learned a lesson from. Write what you learned from them. Use colors that feel good for you. Include family, teachers from school, courses, friends, sports, coaches, books, etc. Anything that has radically shifted the way you show up in life. 3 Gratitude: Look at your Tree of Support and really feel the support you have. Teachers, friends, family, seen and unseen support. Feel the gratitude that they shared the wisdom that came from someone else handed to them, handed to you. Gratitude you didn’t have to learn it all on your own. 4 Inspired action: What do you feel called to do? Reach out to thank someone? Support www.AspireMAG.net | August / September 2016