The beginning of my imagined future

The other night I actually did it! I did something I'd been thinking about doing for quite a few years. It wasn't perfect but I learnt lots and it was heaps of fun! 

Want to know what happened?

I'd been curious about exploring ways that I could merge my arts education and coaching skills, to consciously put them together and find the sweet spot where they made sense together, where they had more clarity and purpose.

I wanted to give people a powerful and meaningful experience. To begin to feel what it was to take a step in a new direction in their lives and reconnect with their futures. A place where I believe in their innate creative energy and they learn to believe in it too. To be able to grab hold of something in their future that will draw them towards it and help them shine.

The pilot session of 'Imagined Futures- discoveries in vision jewellery' was launched into the world on Monday 28th May.

so many possibilites, which will you choose?

A group of 5 of my lovely friends, intrigued by the email I'd sent giving a mini idea of what I’d been thinking about, gathered together in a small education room. I'd laid out all the resources and materials I thought we'd need and taken a bit of time to tidy my brain so I could focus on what was about to emerge. 

I was willing to try and so were they.

We chatted and got comfortable, I said a little more about why I'd invited them and before long I was asking them to close their eyes, so we could begin a visualisation of a moment in their 'Imagined Future'.

getting started can be the hardest part

Once everyone opened their eyes there was a flurry of frantic scribbling of all of the detail they had seen inside. It was fascinating to watch, the unfolding, it looked like they were capturing something that they didn't want to get away from them. 

It made me smile!

We each had our vision and we set out to transform that vision into something tangible, something that represented what we saw for ourselves. A piece of jewellery that when we see it we could feel whether we were creating aspects of it in our lives...or not.

what can you do to capture the spirit of the vision?

Capturing something abstract, something with energy and approaching it differently than you might do otherwise.

a messy life can be a beautiful life

Creating something that embraces the fact that life won't always be plain sailing, or turn out the way you imagine it will, but focusing on seeing the bright moments, the flashes of colour and the moments of happiness. It all ties together.

 

capturing the details of your senses

These 2 pieces - both brooches- represent a vision of being by the sea, the textures, colours and tiny details that capture the feeling of all the freedom and energy of being there in that moment.

 'Like an island'

 

Movement, flow and energy,

 like a 'blissed out' jelly fish!

a garden called home

 A future memory of being in a garden, one day having her own garden, of being in her mum’s garden, somewhere she feels happy and creative.

I loved the variety and the subtlety of metaphors that came out, especially from those who felt uncertain to begin with, those who didn't believe they were very creative. 

I understand so much more about what drives me in this now, what people value about this kind of approach and the possibilities for where it could take me and others if we're brave enough to take the next step.

I know I am!

Shining right where it's needed

I’m always saying in my descriptions of my portfolio career that I’m creating something that is nurturing all of me. Yesterday I found out that perhaps that wasn’t 100% true yet because I’d been forgetting about some of the parts of me or some of the parts of me had forgotten that they needed any attention at all.  

The 30 day challenge asked a very useful question the other day- 'what are your strengths?' and after answering relatively easily and (sometimes feeling that I was giving answers that assumed that what I do now is what I’m good at) I didn't know if I was looking deeply enough. But once I was done and I’d updated the 30dc community, I was not getting the direct feedback I wanted, impatience set in and I wondered maybe something about me is missing that chance to be noticed. Wealth Dynamics came into the conversation and after hearing descriptions of each type I wondered – am I a Star in Creator's clothing?!

After deliberating- but not for long- I took the test and discovered I was indeed a STAR + creator+ supporter! Ha! Surprise!! Good surprise? Hmmm, not 100% sure yet, but it’s definitely a great chance to discover what it means to be a Star in this context. I know it’s not necessarily the same as all-signing, all dancing stars that hog all the limelight.

Last night, I had a chance literally thrust upon me to learn more about what it means for me …I innocently went along to a family gathering with older relatives that I hadn’t seen in a long time… with a glass of wine in one hand and laughter in the room I watched as a fiddle and bow was lowered and balanced on my lap.

The room fell still as a group of expectant eyes watched my reaction…’come on then!?’ they questioned silently and then out loud. Nerves washed over me and I started to shake a little at the thought of performing in front even this small and familiar audience. I noticed though that I was happy to have a fiddle in my hands again after 2 ½ years of no practise.

Five minutes later I was playing along imperfectly with my dad and his cousin’s husband…with a huge smile, enjoying being in the ‘band’ and being with like-minded souls…2 hours later I was exhausted but itching to play more. 

Musical star Jaimie is very happy!

Bridging the divide to playfulness 

My goodness it's tricky thinking of names and slogans for something that's not yet fully formed. I’ve been asked to think of a slogan for my 'made curious' website but I feel like I’m naming and defining a child that will have to grow into its name, to know what it wants before it knows what the options are. At least I can change this one down the line if stops making sense as my business and interests evolve. I’m writing things down as they come to me. I’ll let them bubble away and brew into something just right for where I am now.

I'm realising how much a sense of meaning is important to me in what I do. Depth and thinking, despite getting me tangled in knots sometimes, draws me towards what I know in my heart if I listen. When it tangles me, I want to learn in that moment to let it go and allow my heart to tell me what to do. To take charge. To let my playfulness out and to push aside the endless thinking and second guessing that has hemmed me. That’s why I’m here, doing the 30dc.

Will it really mean the same to all the people who read it? The short answer is, NO probably not. I guess it'll be the same as my work in jewellery. I create something meaningful to me. I spread my message to those who are interested and trust that the meaning with which it was intended is understood, even in some small way. If not, a new meaning will take shape in its place. If the meaning, the message, doesn't speak directly to their hearts then it's not for them, not in this moment in time anyway. Not everyone will understand and that's ok.

Keep the meaning, rediscover and embrace the playful moments and my heart will soar.

30 day challenge- somewhere to see it all unfold

So, on the 1st of May I started the Screw Work Let's Play 30 day challenge.

I wanted to create a place where i can reflect on all this for now and then I remembered I'd created a page on here years ago and never used it! oops! finally it has a new purpose!

4 days in and I'm loving it and using this blog is a breakthrough for me. I can't wait to see what comes out of my head and in to reality! :)