Creative Brainstorming: A Local Project

My Current Mantra

Today my creative energy is on o v e r l o a d. 

It's verging on being uncomfortable to be honest. 

I haven't practiced yoga for over a week now (my studio unexpectedly closed last week) and I think this lack of movement is contributing to my cluttered state of mind. On one hand, I love the overflow of ideas - they feel exciting and full of potential - but on the other hand, I feel like I need to go for a long, sweaty run while screaming and waving my arms like a bird in order to purge this built up energy. 

I'm completely buzzing with creative ideas.

My Morning Brainstorming Session From Bed

I've been working on a creative project. My kindred soul friend Meaghan and I (and throw some Leanna in there, too) have been brainstorming the building blocks of a local creative business focused on bringing people together to connect with like-minded souls and workshop creatively. It's about leading experiences for people. It's about nurturing those parts of our lives that get pushed aside in order to pay the bills and work the 9-5. 

This kind of offering is not new or unheard of. People are leading these types of workshops and retreats all over the place. The problem I have run into is that I cannot find this type of experience offered locally or even within the province of Ontario or within Canada!

So, why not start it on my own? 

If I build it, will people come? 

I don't know. 

If I don't try, I will certainly never know.

If I Could Be A Flower, I'd Like To Be This Very One

I spend so much of my time surrounded by amazing people - the ones who feed my soul, who nurture my artist self, who encourage me. I have to remind myself, I didn't always have these people in my life. Had I been offered a spot in a creative community, I would have welcomed it with open arms. This type of experience did not exist for me. 

Now that I feel pretty darn good about my tribes and my creative community, I can't help but want to share it on a local level.

Finding The Beauty In The Everyday

The bits and pieces are coming together. I'm trying to make the thoughts real by writing them down. I need to start a blog for this project and I'm looking at templates. Unfortunately, I'm not savvy enough to really create the look I would ideally desire. Part of the goal is to keep things relatively simple in the beginning and let the project grow at it's own pace. As an all-or-nothing minded person, I struggle with the middle grey areas. I'm learning there's a lot of magic in those tones of grey. I need to sit with them and stop indulging the voice in me that keeps telling me to push this project aside, give up on it, let the details bog me down, call it a failure before it even begins.

What I NEED to do is begin. Begin, begin, begin.

Trust my gut. Feel for the answers. 

Cultivate, grow, expand.
  

The Honey In My Tea: Lindsay

I've always been a believer that tea fixes anything that feels broken. It's a catch all for me. If it doesn't happen to fix the emotional wound I'm enduring, it certainly helps the healing process. Tea offers the comfort of a warm companion, aromas and tastes to satisfy our senses and a ritual of self care and comfort. My tea kettle whistles every single day, at least once a day. 

I remember a day several years ago when I forgot about my boiling tea kettle and found it, hot red, burnt to a crisp. I was devastated and had to find myself the perfect replacement immediately. I did not know how to exist without it in my day-to-day. 

My Custom Blend

When Lindsay from Whole Body Alchemy introduced her line of Danmala teas, I was in awe. It's one thing to look at them on a computer screen, through her stunning photos, and it is another to actually receive them in the mail and experience them in real time and space.

Tea Of The Month - Initial Package

After winning the Ayurvedic Tea Consultation (and I must say, there is no more perfect thing for me to win) I kept re-ordering my custom tea blend and then adding an extra tea or two. When Lindsay introduced her Agony of Tea Leaves Tea of the Month, I was grinning from ear to ear, knowing this was a fit for me. I hesitated, though, because I knew I wanted to purchased the year long option, but didn't feel I had the funds to pay it all in one chunk. Lindsay immediately emailed me and offered a payment plan. Guess what? She's offering it to you, too! All you have to do is choose the payment plan option on her website. 

Tea Of The Month

I have always felt like I am getting much more than my money's worth, to the point that I feel I'm actually not paying her enough. The care and love and energy put into this soul work is phenomenal. I feel blessed and moved every time I receive one of her care packages. 

3, 2oz Blends

 It's not very often I come across true-blue, genuine, kind, giving people online. Once in a while I really feel their positive, radiant energy through their online work and I just know they are someone I want in my circle, my tribe, my support system. Lindsay is one of these people. 

She is the honey in my tea. 
 

And A Handsome Pottery Mug

Lindsay can be emailed when you're in an emotional pinch and looking for just the right blend.

She's the one who is looking for honest feedback so she can craft the perfect blends. 

She's willing to pour her soul into your self-care package. 

Woodstock Blend Iced Tea

She'll also share her tea secrets, like how to make a stunningly beautiful & refreshing iced tea. 

Woodstock Blend Iced Tea

Lindsay: Thank you for being you and diving into your passion. I'm lucky to know you.


And, guess what? Lindsay is currently crafting a line of "Written in the Stars" astrological teas! Honestly, she keeps blowing my mind with all her creative, soul-full ideas. I can't wait to try the Aries tea. 


*Yes, I have been drinking tea while writing this post. Pu'erh Vanilla Mint by Rishi served at my local awesome coffee shop.*

Happy Wednesday,

Amy

three feathers

yesterday i walked to the lake
even though i felt tired & lazy
i made a plan
to walk to the lake in my yoga gear
sit in the sunshine
feel the rhythm of nature
eat my apple and drink my green iced tea
and then walk to my yoga studio for a 5:30 class

 and i saw little teenage geese following their mama
with papa trailing behind

i found three feathers

one in the morning, a medium sized, flawless goose feather
one in the afternoon, a huge, weathered raven feather
and another little puffy feather, likely from one of the many baby geese

i also found an inukshuk

and couldn't help but leave my own little trail
beach glass on a rock
collected and arranged

while soaking up the last bits of sun as it moved across the sky
and this is the perfection of the space i'm in
this season
and this time

this is what i need
and it's all i need


Bless you,

Amy

And The Winner Is...

Yesterday, I received happy mail from Whole Body Alchemy. When I saw my blend with Surrender stamped onto it in my favourite colour, I couldn't help but feel a bit emotional at how fitting it is for me right now. (The other blend I received is the Grounding blend and I find it really interesting to imagine the feeling of being grounded and also surrendering at the same time. There's something very safe, yet freeing about the mix of the two.)

My experiences with Lindsay have been more than lovely. She truly is a genius at her craft. I'm so happy to be sharing this experience with one lucky winner today.

During last night's full moon, I added all of the entries to to this bowl and I lit my abundance candle and asked who needed this tea consultation the most.

And the universe spoke.

Leanna said:

"I am a die-hard tea lover already, and I am really into Ayurveda. I would love the opportunity to merge those two loves together."

Congratulations!!! I'm thrilled for you! Send me an email and I will connect you with Lindsay so you can begin your consultation.


Thank you all for entering. I really do hope you will treat yourself to a Tea Consultation with Lindsay. She is wonderful and you are deserving of this self care ritual in your life. 


Happy Weekend, 

Amy

Last Day to Enter: Ayurvedic Tea Consultation

A friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last day to enter the Ayurvedic Tea Consultation Giveaway! The draw will be held under the super moon tomorrow night.

Are you the lucky winner?