Friday, January 9, 2009

Secret #1: Acknowledging Your Creative Self

And so we begin!

Let's start by celebrating that simply by being here, by signing up and putting your name on the blogroll, you have acknowledged your creative self! You have stepped up and stepped in and said, yes, to your creativity. What a great way to start 2009!

In chapter 1, I was struck by Gail's statement, "Claiming my artistic self as a woman became the path to healing and recreating my life." So many of us are on that journey. Some of us are just starting to whisper out loud that maybe, just maybe, we are creative. Some of us are dipping our tender toes into sharing our art, maybe selling something made from our own gifts. Some are discovering that our creativity has nothing whatsoever to do with art but has everything to do with life, cooking, the garden, something unexpected. And some have been on this journey a while and have tales of triumph and challenge to share.

We all have stories to tell. I'm looking forward to reading yours. This week is a great time to post about where you are on the journey to your creative self. And I'm thrilled to share with you thoughts and stories from 12 highly creative bloggers as we go through our 12 weeks together. These audio interviews will be posted each Friday and stay up for the week. I hope you find inspiration in them and in each other.

Our First Highly Creative Blogger Interview: Jennifer Lee

I am so excited to share with you a creative conversation with life coach, artist and yogini, Jennifer Lee. Listen to the interview here.

Wherever you are on the journey, you are in the right place. We are sharing this chapter together. May it spark your creative unfolding.

Note: Just a reminder that these links are intended as a direct connection to your post about today's secret. Other links will be removed. If you just make a mistake, feel free to add the direct link. We want to hear from you :)

96 comments:

Secret Wish Jar said...

Yay, the journey has begun!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to joining you on your journey...

Kathryn Costa said...

Thank you again for all that you are doing to make this a wonderful and creative journey!

claireylove said...

Good luck all ~ I look forward to meeting you :-)

meghan said...

I'm SO looking forward to this journey!! (I'm going to be away for the next two chapters, but I'll be back and raring to go after that!!)

jennifer lee said...

Thanks Jamie for creating this magical forum for us to acknowledge our creative selves and support each other on our creative journeys!

Genie Sea said...

YAY! The lovely, exciting ride begins anew! :)

Carol said...

I just found this via Kelly Rae, so happy she pointed us in your direction. Can't wait to see all the inspiration and thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the wisdom and energy generated by so many women focusing on what's important to them!

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for opening up your secrets to the online community.

Mjfontaine said...

its it me? I can't find the links to some of your posts??? I will check back later.

Welcome to any ride Thanks Jamie...

Lisa PN said...

How wonderful to be in the presence of so many wonderful women! Thanks Jamie for facilitating this journey! Looking forward to it!

Anonymous said...

Awesome Jamie!
And thank you for leading us on this fabulous creative journey!
I'm here, I'm showing up for myself, but sadly, my book hasn't come yet. I've ordered it - let's hope tomorrow!
In the meantime, I'm working on my full moon collage, as well as another that says I'm showing up to nurture my creative self!!
Good luck everyone!!!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Jamie, I'm curious about this journey. I look forward to expanding my creativity in new directions. I fond this through GroggyFroggy. I'll do my best to keep up :) Janet

Mjfontaine said...

I have finally posted and will comment on everybody's post later phew I will have to rotate my comments thank god its weekly.....:)

Miss Kim said...

And now to spend some wonderful time reading everyone's blogs about this chapter!
http://kimssoulcollagecards.blogspot.com

Tracy said...

A new chapter is just waiting to be written....

Anonymous said...

Just look at all these beautiful, creative women! Can't wait to get to know everyone, looking forward to the journey.

Parul Singh said...

I am excited to meet everyone here, and take this journey (individually and together!)

Jen said...

This journey is what I have looked for and I am excited to see where it takes me~

Anonymous said...

I look forward to participating and reading other's posts.

Ananda said...

Hi Creative Ladies! I just learned about the group today while reading Jenn Lee's blog and listening to Jamie's interview with Jenn. WOW is all I can say. I decided to join you in this incredible journey. I look forward to learning and growing with you all. Peace and Creativity, Ananda

Lucky Star Designs said...

Thank you for commenting on my blog and directing me here. I am interested in joining your journey as well.

Lisa said...

Jamie thanks again. You put so much into these and I hope you get half out of it that I do! You rock!

Hey other creatrixes. Let's go!

ina said...

thank you, jamie!

and thanks for reminding folks to paste a direct link to the specific post instead of to their blog homepage. i'm thinking that maybe some folks aren't doing that because they don't know how...

anyway, here we go!

wheeee!!!

Stacey said...

Thank you for this - I am very excited to see where this takes me - and all of us. Just posting today helped me a lot to SEE things clearly. Good luck to us all. I hope my book gets here soon!!

Jenn said...

Yay! I'm excited to have begun! Can't wait to read everyone's thoughts on the beginning of the journey.

Anonymous said...

Ok I actually got the first prompt finished and the chapter read yeah! I am looking forward to this group. :)

enchantedartist said...

Thank you so much for doing this. I don't have my copy of the book yet either, but I'm going to jump on board anyway...:)

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm reading everyone's posts but haven't gotten the time to reply individually. I love what everyone is saying and I'm finding that we all are finding the same quotes hit us.

chai said...

yeah!! i am super excited!

lisa said...

hello. I'm very excited about what you've got here. I impulsively added my name to the list before realizing that having and reading the book would be a really good first step. so I'll spend the weekend happily playing catch-up.

Anonymous said...

Just starting feels grand! My bags are pack and I'm treading along a beautiful sunny path to freedom!

Anonymous said...

I am so excited to share this journey with others! I bought this book awhile ago, and read it. Although I enjoyed it, I really just forgot about what I read after I closed it for the last time. I want to actually APPLY what I read to my life, take notes, listen to your interviews, whatever I need to do to get the most from this book-I'm so glad to be here:)
I'm re-reading the 1st chapter again right now, so I will post something later this evening or tomorrow evening after work-wish everyone the best on this journey!!

Lil said...

*whispers* that was hard...and it was only the first freaking chapter!

not backing out, not backing out, not backing out...

Lil

Love2paint said...

I went with the instinctual urge to explore color, line, shapes and so on since I was a little child of three. Everyday, each new year I feel another metamorphosis about to uncurl. It feels good to be alive and utilize the creative soul, it starts with the moment you breathe everyday!

Snap said...

Thank you, Jamie. Another exciting voyage for us all!

Rowena said...

I just jumped in after finding this today and not even having the book (ordered it, though) and I had fun looking at the links so far.

Looks like a great group.

Karley Ziegler Mott said...

This is so wonderful. I am excited to continue this journey!

Olivia said...

Thank you, Jamie, I am SO GLAD to be here right now!

Sandra said...

wowee.. what a line-up of creative bloggers to look forward to! It's fun to be back.

C said...

I'm excited to share this journey with all of you! Looking forward to meeting you all~

Nadya said...

Thanks Jamie! Great to *see everyone* & be on the journey - blessings!

Sequoia said...

Thank you for letting me share with all of you. Namaste!

Anonymous said...

An awesome start already and such an great group. I can't wait to read what everyone else thought of the first chapter! Jamie you are healing the world day by day, little by little through all of your creative energy!

Anonymous said...

It was fortuitous that I found your site a few days ago, and already had Gail McMeekin's 12 Secrets book. This journey is going to be wonderful and I'm looking forward to it!

Lisa PN said...

oops! didn't know that about the direct link, so i just added a new direct link! Sorry for the confusion!

Anonymous said...

I've been eagerly awaiting this. I'm so glad it's started!

Beth said...

I have been so encouraged reading all the posts. You are a bunch of amazing women. I look forward to more conversation and inspiration!

Anonymous said...

oh yay yay yay!!! i am SO happy to be a part of this with you jamie!!! you are sooooo the hostess with the mostess of so many fabulous things!!! thank YOU!!!

feewwww my linked post is actually a catch up post for the week, i hope that's ok!!!

peace out
xox

Anonymous said...

oh yay yay yay!!! i am SO happy to be a part of this with you jamie!!! you are sooooo the hostess with the mostess of so many fabulous things!!! thank YOU!!!

feewwww my linked post is actually a catch up post for the week, i hope that's ok!!!

peace out
xox

Connie Carpenter Macko said...

So excited about this. Can't wait to see how others are thinking and how they will use the information we find here!

Merry Thyme Fairy said...

So far I am succeeding at this wonderful world of blogging!! Yay, thank you Jamie for this bold new adventure and giving me the chance to open up new channels in my brain! :)

Sheila said...

So happy to be 'along for the ride' and learning so much already!

Merry Thyme Fairy said...

Jamie I have a question:
Is it at all possible to post a written version of each interview? Our computer does not have sound and I am unable to hear the interview with jennifer lee.
Just thought I'd ask; no pressure.
Thanks!

L'Adelaide said...

I am thrilled to be in the company of so many exciting and creative women...may we all be blessed in our journey together!

flapjac said...

is there a time frame for posting our response to the question?

Jamie Ridler said...

I thought I'd answer Jacky's question here.

There’s no hard and fast rule about when to post. Next Friday, I’ll put up a post about Secret 2 and there will be a new link box. And the Friday following, it will be Secret 3 and so on. You’ll probably want to have your post up for the current secret before we move onto the next one.

For me, I’m reading the chapter a bit ahead. I read Chapter 1 last week and posted on Friday. On the weekend, I planned to read people’s posts. In the new week I’ll read the next chapter, and by Friday I’ll be ready to post about it.

Now, that’s just what works for me. I’m sure everyone will find a slightly different rhythm. It would be great if people would share how they are working with the schedule.

Anonymous said...

Wow--I'm in awe to be in your company! I'm looking forward to this journey.
Cheers,
Jane-of-the-herbs

Kathie said...

Hi Everyone, Wow, we are in for a Creative Ride!

Cynthia said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

This blog book club is going to prove to be such a joy in my life! I will be thinking about this first "secre" and pondering it all week long and hopefully not forgeting it for the rest of my life!

Have a great hair day! Becci

Michele said...

Jumping in a bit late here but am so looking forward to this journey!

Dagboekdingen said...

Wow, so many creative women.... It's much work reading all your logs... but I'm going to do it.

m said...

Hi everybody slowly working through everybody's posts ! very interesting - please lets all acknowlege our creative side ! So many hestiant women- BON COURAGE MY FRIENDS !

mary
www.creativevoyage.co.uk

Julie Zaccone Stiller said...

So excited to be with all of you on this journey. I'll look forward to reading your thoughts on all the secrets. We've sure got an enthusiastic group!

Tanaya said...

So looking forward to sharing this with all of you!

Kate Robertson said...

Just posted my entry on my journey so far. I am glad to be part of this great group.

Kate

Heather, paperfollies.typepad.com said...

And she's off...glad to be a part of this journey!

christina(apronstrings) said...

I am glad I stumbled onto this blog/list. i miss being creative. It occurred to me yesterday that being pregnant and then caring for an infant cut a year out of my creative life. I still did some things-but no more big projects. Man, am I glad to be back.

Sara Moriarty said...

I am delighted to share this experience with you all. I expect it to be profound. Thank you for all of your support and thank you for hosting, Jamie.

D said...

I am so excited about this site. Can't wait to be a part of this amazing community of people.

patti said...

Hi all - I've joined up!

My book is still on it's way across the waves, so i decided to begin anyway.

Thanks for this opportunity. Let's get creative!

spread your wings said...

I am so excited to join in the book blog - looking forward to the journey

Anonymous said...

I'm down!

Anonymous said...

Hooray! Already, epiphanies abound ~ and in just the first chapter!

Anonymous said...

We're so excited. A little late out of the gate, but that might be our style.

risa said...

I'm so excited to be underway! Just completed my first post...a little about my journey. Look forward to meeting others.

Miss Robyn said...

I am very late, having been away until yesterday.. but I have posted: (http://inglewoodjournal.blogspot.com/2009/01/starting-again-more-self-discovery.html) - the linking is down

DS Borror said...

I just got the book yesterday so I was happy to get the 1st chapter under the wire! I am enjoying this journey and am thankful to have found out about it in time to begin.

Unknown said...

You have an award!

http://loverawfood.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/yeah-an-award-2/

Kate Robertson said...

I realized I left a big part off my post for the first secret so I have an additional post on the subject.

Kate

Anonymous said...

chillin' with the girls!!

Melinda said...

finally got my first week posted!

deb did it said...

Let my journey begin! Thanks for having me.

esk said...

A week later, but I finished the first chapter! Looking forward to reading more...

Kristine said...

I'm a week behind, but I should be on target by week 2/3. :)

TesoriTrovati said...

What happened to the Mister Linky?

I had such fun reading the first posts, and I finally got my book.

Here is the link to my post for Secret #1:
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2009/01/secret-1-acknowledging-your-creative.html

Enjoy the day!
Erin

Unknown said...

What a fun project! I look forward to seeing it unfold.

DIANE said...

I am so glad that I found The Next Chapter - 12 Secrets! Even happier that I found it before I was too behind in the book to consider joining. Can't wait to read everyone's posts.

Jules said...

My first post is up! I'm really looking forward to reading as many posts as I can and learning new things every week.

Cindy Jones Lantier said...

I've recently joined the book discussion. I've caught up with reading the book, and am now working on my posts. I just put up my response to the 1st secret. It got a little personal, but apparently, that's what I needed to say. As Jai Pausch says, "It is what it is".

Leacayoungart said...

I finally have the book and just finished the first chapter. Yay! Thank you for starting this.

Anonymous said...

Finally got my book and I've posted my response to Secret #1 (on my blog and in the list on this post)! I'm going to play catch up this weekend and do Secrets 2, 3, and 4. :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Gang!

Well, I may be over a month late on getting started, but I made it!

It feels so good to be a part of such an exciting journey. Will try to maybe post two chapters a week till I catch up with the rest of you. Then again, I may take it one day at a time and see what happens.

Peace & Love & Rock'n'Roll
Mudd a.k.a. Happy Lazy Oza :-)
xoxo

Fannie said...

I had a late start, but my first post and response to Secret 1 is live. I've got a lot of catching up to do. Glad to be here.

Thanks, Jamie. Thanks for the book, Gail. And thanks, Jacq, for directing me to this site in the first place.

Fannie