What I felt was: incredibly honored. I was lifted away from my everyday world of phone texts and appointments and chores. I lived in a beautiful house overlooking majestic firs, where I spread a crateful of journals and books before me and typed or read, or stretched, or researched. I was fed delicious, nourishing, organic meals and charged to create what I had designed, planned, and sketched. I disappeared from social media and stopped answering email. I wrote seven chapters of my new book. I hiked to waterfalls, along lakes, and in high snow-laced forests.

I've never felt it more profoundly: when I'm honoring my inward drive, and doing what I love best, and being the person who comes naturally, I'm enlivening others just by my presence.  Even more deeply and fervently, I can remind others to make space and time to go after their dreams.
 

I don't have to get away and go off grid to continue in this energy. Since returning, I've treasured my photos, but have posted zero on social media. I've taken even longer to respond to email. I've asked myself every day: "How can I stay in my best, most creative, most enjoyable energy?" This is where I will ultimately have the best life and offer the finest of my gifts to the world. 

These elements of a joyous creative life are paramount. Solitude. A block of interrupted time. Saying no to distraction. Safety and beauty. Community.

Only you can give yourself permission to enjoy and create – when you trust it’s right to do.

I’d like to invite you to focus on you this spring, and into the summer, establishing a habit that could profoundly change your days to come.

I want to help you create your own creative-resident experience, over and over. Here's my first immediate opportunity to do that for you.

For women only, Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18: “Sweet Pause in the Gorge,” an intimate retreat of journaling, yoga, creativity, sharing, solitude, healing, rest and space. We will recharge your creative batteries and remind you how much you are worth in a nourishing, beautiful getaway.

Two spaces have just opened up! Please keep in mind that the community and solitude are delicately balanced, and so you and I can chat about whether this environment is the right fit. But I don't want to hoard all this goodness, either. Info here.

I’m seeking to inspire others to heights of healing, places of connection, deep creativity and fulfillment. I believe that we can experience deep joy and wonder and creativity and love in our lives. We can experience our true creative, essential nature.

Whatever you're up to this season, let's talk about how you and I can support your most rewarding creative experiences ever.