Alone She Waits by More Heart member Pamela Cisneros
Happy summer.
As the days are getting longer and summer settles into itself, we hope you are making time just for you, Yes, it's ok to do that! Life is way too short and too awesome to rush through these magnificent months in default mode. Try to be present each day. Forget what you know about July and try living it through the eyes of a 14-year-old on summer break. Do fun things. Put on those shorts and go jump in a lake. Strike up conversations with strangers. Be happy. Watch it spread. Life is short. Live it up.
Here are some things we thought you might like this month:
- We highly encourage finding your own special blend of creativity. For some folks that's drawing or painting. For some it's dance. Whatever it is for you, do it. And do it with gusto. Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic is the best manifesto we've ever read about the importance of sharing our creative gifts with the world.
- Creativity happens every day, even when we don't recognize it. We often forget that the act of cooking can one of life's most rewarding creative endeavors.
- A wonderful TED talk by Julie Burstein (4 Lessons in Creativity) is worth 20 minutes if your time— even if you don't consider yourself an artist. It's less about being creative and more about letting go of perfectionism, connecting with others through stories, and embracing our imperfections. We think you'll like it.
- Brené Brown has written many words about the connection between creativity and embracing imperfections. Like this: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” from The Gifts of Imperfection.
- But can creativity and self-doubt co-exist? Oh yes. But the process of creativity will be way more fun if you have a roadmap for letting go of self-doubt.
- And because this newsletter is all about inspiring you to be your healthiest, happiest self, we'll leave you with a few quick tips you may find useful. (More Heart members might recognize a few of these principles.)
Wishing you a fun and creative July.
Grateful for each of you.
