123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999
(123) 555-6789
email@address.com
You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab.
Link to read me page with more information.
as you open your heart to all that is to come,
may you always remember that beauty is waiting inside this moment
may your mind rest in the space you create with each breath
may you trust compassion when facing uncertainty
may your spirit feel the lightness of truth and love
yes
yes
yes
Today's Nine interview is with Kristen Perman. From her self-portraits to her NYC fire escapes to the Los Angeles street art she captures on her photo walks, oh how this woman can use a camera! The simple truth is that the way Kristen captures the world through her lens deeply moves me. She was one of my first friends here in blog world and then we became friends "in the real world," and I am so grateful for the way she shows up. I am also so honored that she is one of the contibutors in my book Inner Excavation.
Come along today and peek into Kristen's story as she answers the Nine questions.
*****
Question 1: Who are you?
Question 2: In this moment, where are you?
Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?
Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?
Question 5: How do you seek joy?
Question 6: What nourishes you?
Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?
Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?
Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?
(all photos copyright kristen perman)
*****
Kristen Perman is a Los Angeles based photographer who is continually inspired by the urban suburban sprawl of her surroundings.
A tea-loving bookworm, a girl who chases light and shadows; always exploring, always a camera in hand.
You can visit Kristen on the web at Exquisite Corpse Collective and her Flickr stream, and find her Etsy shop here.
*****
Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to the interview questions in photographs (or video). You can scroll through all the interviews here.
A quick peek into a few of the new necklaces listed in the shop this week. Several new pieces in the "for layering" section, along with new beaded locket necklaces in a wide variety of colors.
I am also begining to add items to the new customizable section! So excited to try out this new way for customers to easily order lockets with their personal soul mantras inside.
Today I let go of how I thought things would unfold and tried to just stay present amidst the grumps of a one year old.
Today I woke up almost choking on grief and missing after a dream about a house in South Carolina.
Today I called a friend just to hear her voice and I was gently held across the miles.
Today I wished for sparkly purple eyeshadow but settled for the dark blue with a few sparkles I found in the drawer even though it made me look more tired.
Today I ate two meals while standing in the kitchen.
Today I watched my daughter point to the birds in the trees when I said, "Do you see the chickadees?"
Today I watched the eighth Harry Potter movie twice (during nap time and after everyone else was in bed).
Today I dusted off the altar in the family room and rearranged it and gave it a new focus as I burned the Earth candle all afternoon.
Today I received some truly beautiful emails from my Create Space students that reminded me that this work is what I feel called to do.
Today I stood outside under the blue sky and remembered to breathe.
Today I took photos of necklaces layered on Betty and began to upload a few to the shop.
Today I stained my fingers with frozen blueberries as Ellie and I shared a bowl to help the grumps.
Today I gave myself the gift of several mugs of tea.
Today I lived in big and small ways and somehow found my way to keep my heart open to all of it.
I am delighted to announce that registration for three of the 2012 Be Present Retreats began today!
Teachers: Susan Wooldridge, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: March 14-18
Location: Frog Creek Lodge in Lakebay, Washington
Find out more details here.
Teachers: Jenna McGuiggan, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: May 2-6
Location: Culver, Indiana
Find out more details here.
Teachers: Ali Edwards, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: June 20-24
Location: Lodge at Little Beach in Gearhart, Oregon
Find out more details here.
(This retreat is already just about half full!)
The site also has a new About page. And there are a few exciting details that will be a part of all retreats moving forward, including:
A kit for all the mixed-media workshops that will include everything you need to get messy with Kelly (she is coming up with quite a juicy list!)
AND
A take home self-care kit designed by me that will support you in continuing to create space for creativity and self-care when you return home. This kit will become a companion for you during the sometimes challenging re-entry experience after time away from your daily life.
(There will be a fourth retreat, Unearth, in the Fall of 2012 with Mindy Lacefield, Kelly Barton, and me. More details will be on the website early next year.)
*****
I am over the moon thrilled that Kelly Barton has signed on as my "Chief Grounding Officer" starting this Fall. After she taught at and helped me with several retreats, it became clear to me that all the retreat participants moving forward need to encounter her special combination of joyful, real, sparkling magic as part of their experience. It also became clear to me that I needed this kindred spirit with me on the journey as she simply and truly invites me to stay grounded. I am delighted to share that Kelly will be teaching mixed-media workshops at each retreat in 2012. And she will be bringing joyful laughter with her. There is just something about her spirit that invites others to feel comfortable inviting in joy. (Thank you my friend.)
dear girl,
i want to remind you that living your dreams into reality is big work. and you are doing it. even as the laundry piles and the dust settles in and leftover takeout food waits in the kitchen. even as you sometimes say the last thing you meant to say. even as you let the tears fall. even as the beauty of it all surrounds you like a blanket. even as you wonder how you arrived at this moment, you know you are just where you need to be.
remember to be gentle with yourself. you can only do so much each day.
be gentle with yourself. you must remember to rest.
be gentle with yourself. steep learning curves sometimes require time away from the expectations of others.
be gentle with yourself. joy can be your companion.
be gentle with yourself. trust what you know.
be gentle with yourself. just be right here.
with big love,
me
