I've always been an artist. In past seasons, my creativity has been expressed through performance art and  storytelling. One might also say that my creativity is reflected in the many ways I intentionally curate spaces of beauty in my life.

Recently, I've been making a lot of watercolor art. It began as an impulse - an inner instinct that I needed to make art. Since that moment, I've been intuitively allowing that creative impulse to move through my body. It has been one of the most delightful and life-giving things in my life recently.

I'm fascinated by the intriguing ways the water and pigment flow on paper, and love the movement of my body as I paint. I have a small art studio space in our house where I paint almost daily. I've filled several sketchbooks with small paintings, and have gradually moved to making larger pieces.

Some of my art is simply for me, tucked in sketchbooks and portfolios. But I think I'm ready to share some of my art more publicly. I made a few changes to my website, and created an online gallery of my recent work. Each piece has a story and meaning for me as the creator, and I invite you as the observer to make your own meaning with the art. 

I am also making one of my paintings, "Banyan Tree," available for purchase as a print in my new online shop. Each print is professionally printed on O'ahu, Hawai'i on high-quality textured watercolor paper, signed by me, and comes with an option of matting.

This painting is very special to me, as it was inspired by the banyan trees that surround us in Hawai'i. I love our banyan tree elders, and have experienced so much gentle wisdom and nurturing from them. If you purchase a print, I hope my painting offers you nurturing as well. 

I am so grateful for creativity and art in my life.

P.S. If you want some creative inspiration, I highly recommend the book The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. The audio version is fantastic.

In this busy life filled with distractions, we can often live fractured lives. Our world is full of noise, clutter, tasks, and all sorts of things competing for our attention. Is it any wonder then that many of us go through our day with feelings of stress and anxiety? Sometimes it can seem like we are a bit disconnected from our bodies, minds, and souls. If you experience this, you're not alone.

There are moments throughout the day when I feel "off" and need to recalibrate. Maybe it's triggered by something that didn't go according to my expectations. Or maybe I get overwhelmed because I am trying to tend to several things at once. Whatever the catalyst, I know that I need to pause, recenter, and check in with myself. 

I've been doing this short 5-minute check-in with myself, and it's become a little oasis for me. It is a simple centering practice that allows me to pay attention to my body and my needs, and acknowledge how I'm feeling. I can do it anywhere - at my desk, while I'm driving, as I'm laying in bed before I fall asleep. Every time I do this self check-in, I recalibrate and feel more grounded. I call the practice "Breathe and Center."

I figured others might be helped by this too, so I'm sharing it with you here. You are welcome to use this practice to do a 5-minute check-in with yourself. Please let me know if you use it, and share about your experiences. 

You can find the audio version on my Resources page.

Here is the written version:

Breathe and Center

Welcome. This is a space for you to pause and check in with yourself. We’ll take a few deep breaths, center ourselves, and then reflect on a few questions.

We begin with focusing on our breathing. 

Take a moment to notice your breath. Simply notice how it feels in your body as you breathe in and out. Gradually allow your breathing to go deeper. Take a deep, slow breath in through your nose. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Continue to focus on your breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Mindfully release the tension in your body. Continue to breathe slowly and deeply, while scanning your body for feelings of tension. Begin with your toes, and work your way up your body. Pay attention to each area of your body as you go. Relax any muscles that feel tense by clenching them and then releasing them. 

Next, we focus on our center. 

Locate your physical center - this is about two inches below your navel. Place a hand on your center. Once you’ve found it, breathe in and out deeply. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Continue to concentrate on your center. Become familiar with where it is and what it feels like. Feel the sensation of being stabilized and grounded. As you focus on your center, allow your mind, body, and soul be present here in this place. When you feel anxiety or stress, turn your attention back to your center. Find your center, focus on your center, and breathe in and out deeply.

As we continue breathing and living from our center, we check in with ourselves.

​Let’s reflect on a few questions. As we go through each question, there will be a brief pause for you to reflect. 

How is my body feeling?

How is my heart feeling? 

How is my soul feeling? 

What are my needs?

How can I get my needs met?

Finally, we come back to our center. We breathe in and out deeply. We move through the day knowing that we can always return to our breath and our center.   ​