"I have always been able to see what others were unable to see; and what they did, I did not see."

- Salvador Dali

Several years ago while in New York I stumbled on a book that was to change my life - "Psychic living: tap into your psychic potential" by Andrei Ridgeway.

"In this technological day and age filled with busywork, " he writes, "many of us neglect our psychic potential. Our instincts are repressed and our inner voices buried...."

"...For many, the word "psychic" is so big, so titanic, they can't accept it. They don't realize it is a normal state of being, that as a lover, and a friend, we use this part of ourselves all the time."

Today as I continued to feel my way toward my preferred future, my true path with heart, and needing a boost I decided to try one of the exercises in the book - evoking the seer.

"For an artist, whatever, he is looking at has meaning. He doesn't need to use the word "clairvoyant, " because the whole universe is holy. Whether it be a spirit that appears out of thin air, or a piece of fruit on the table, it has soul," he writes. Then he encourages us to see the world as an artist and expand our vision to see into other times and places. "It is a wake up exercise, like a cup of coffee for the eyes."

Seeing exercise

Try Andrei's exercise - I just did and it was extra-ordinary! (I've posted my experience at the end of this entry)


Step one Go to a bookstore, library, art gallery or museum and visit the art section. You can make it a filed trip with a friend or lover. Give yourself time. Pretend you are living in the Renaissance, before the invention of People Magazine, when art mattered. Go through the books as if you have never seen any of those painters before, and be especially open to painters whose work you have never seen before. If you have not been in the painting world for a while and feel the need for a starting point, try one of these artists: Salvador Dali,Alex Grey (especially his book Soul Mirrors), Georgia O'keefe, or Claude Monet.

The books that you are drawn to will contain images and colours that resonate with your soul. Go through the pages/view the paintings at a leisurely speed. When you find a painting that really moves you, that stirs your optic cells, sit there and stare at it for a while. Let the light and the colour fill you up.


Step two Write a paragraph about your favourite painting, why it touched you, what is was about it that awakened your soul, Write stream of consciousness (IE just free write without "thinking") I liked the painting because it made me think of god and being a little kid and no end to wonder with yellow warmth and excitement in my belly. Let your pen go wild. No censorship.


Step three When you enter back into reality - your home, office, or the coffee shop next door - see if you can perceive in the objects and people around you the same level of beauty you saw in the painting. Rarely do painters create strictly from the unconscious. Most of them combine their hidden selves with the world around them, blending spirit with matter int heir own masterful way. See what it feels like to perceive life through this double lens, to bring your soul vision into the mundane, to see in the face of a stranger the same wonder and intensity that lived in the painting.

If the painting you chose was famous, buy yourself a print and put it somewhere in your home. It will act as a reminder of how your soul sees the world, keeping your eyes attuned to beauty as you pass through the day."

(excerpt from "Psychic living: tap into your psychic potential" by Andrei Ridgeway, pg 43)

Seeing Cass


Leap Away Girl 1969, Ian Scott

Today I went to Te Papa and after wandering around the many walls of art this painting "Leap Away Girl" by Ian Scott immediately called to me.

Here's what I wrote:

"Fresh yellow greens, clear blue sky and white puffy clouds - the colours call to me as does the name of the painting - Leap Away Girl. "go follow your dreams" the painting called, "look to the horizons and keep following your dreams, allow the fresh, invigorating colours of nature to guide and inspire you - the red energy of passion and goals, of motivation; green the energy of pastures news, of the heart chakra , of feeling energetic and alive, connected to nature, of following the seasons; blue the colour of peace and calm of warm days and summer skies of mother earth and the heavens that envelope her; white the colour of purity, marriage, union, partnership and marriage - contracts of love."

The energy and vitality of the painting arrests me, stops me in my tracks, draws me deeper still - it's joyful, hopeful, sensual,epxectant . The curvy shapes of the clouds in the sky and of the hills - dancing, playful, irregular, creative, uniform - heralding surprises, defying expectations.

"Let go. Let live. Follow your dreams," it challenges and encourages me. Allow the green of the heart - of courage and positive emotion, growth and renewal to nurture you; the blue of the horizon and sea to guide you - to flow like their currents to distant shores and new memories awaiting. The white of the clouds to soften your fears to life you higher still."


Now that I am back at the office the painting lives inside me still, whispering to and challenging my soul. I have printed out a copy of the painting and placed it on my inspiration wall, saved it as my screen saver, and pasted it in my inspiration journal. I see myself in the image of the girl - colourful, jubilant, happy beyond belief. It reminds me of my dream "I dream I am on vacation, it's the perfect career for me" - taken from a song by the Eagles. And of my morphing back toward art, writing, photography and photo journalism - and there on my business card for all to see is a reminder:
Cassandra Gaisford - Artist, life coach, author, photojournalist"


"Art washed from the soul the dust of everyday life." Pablo Picasso


Try this exercise yourself - I'd love to hear how awakening the seer within transforms your life.

Labels: Colour, Cultivating Creativity, happiness, intuition, Life coaching, Motivation, Spirituality in art, Thecolourgirl.com

I can't believe that a year has passed since I won the Wai Art Awards. I still remember receiving the call telling me that not only had I won the Supreme Prize but that I also picked up $3000 in the process. The timing couldn't have been better - I used the money to travel to Hawaii and attend a Sumi ink workshop with Max Gimblett on the island of Maui.

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

Think and grow positive
Coming up with fresh and innovative ideas requires positive, proactive and inspired thinking. Get rid of negative thinking and boost your creative powers. hear an excerpt from The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale to help you think and grow positive

Learn to value creativity
What will the world of work look like in 2030? This is when kids starting school now will graduate! We don't even know what the world of work will look like in 2 years let alone 21 years. The future of work requires creative thinkers about to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Are school educating kids out of their creativity? Hear UK author and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

Last night while suffering from a bout of insomnia I logged on to my computer and picked up the email below:

On 18/10/2008, at 3:46 AM, Monika wrote:

Cass

Just wanted to say ....I just LOVE those two pieces you did. They are truly awesome!!!
Really really good!!
Great news about the galleries and the book launch. You are doing so well.
You will always land on your feet Cass.



Tonight I'm restless again and thought while I'm up I should check out a new friend's blog. It's great! Innovation and positive ideas are Rumi's passions. While enjoying a great read and filling up on new ideas I found this quote:"In everyone's life, at some point of time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the human spirit" - Albert Schweitzer

...this excellent quote sums up the power of positive feedback perfectly! Read my reply and see how Monika's feedback helped rejuvenate my weary soul - my new friend Rumi would say that she's an angel. I'd have to agree!

"Hi Monika - thanks for your gorgeous feedback - as you can see I am up and about at 3am ..a bit on my mind..so your encouraging words are a real tonic - I will but that in my feedback journal:) You are a great tonic for the soul....thank you sooo much:)


Mind feeling more at peace now...going to wander back to bed

Hugs

Cass"



RSVP TO LAUNCH:
Don't forget to put a bright orange circle around the 28th of
November 5:30 - 7:30, at Exhibitions Gallery, Featherston Street,
Wellington. Secure you place of happiness by RSVPing to
cassandra@cassandragaisford.com.
It promises to be a great night!

Labels: Motivation

posted by Cassandra  # 07:11  0 Comments

Here's a photo of the quick 10 minute sketch I did while waiting for my daughter to have her hair done..

can you quess who it is? Quick hint on the quick sketch...taken from a shot in a celebrity magazine...

Max Gimblett's view on this quick sketch - of which he is a pro!
"Good instincts,

"10 mins is about gesture, only gesture, 50 years ago it was named
contour.

Strictly suggestive, open and all encompassing, attempting to entice
spirit"


Now the next thing I have to do quickly is raise $74,000 so I can publish 4,000 copies of "Happy@work: Job Hunting for Mid-lifer's +"

Just checked in with my astrology guru Susan Miller:
"Even better news is due October 28 when the new moon arrives in the same part of your chart ruling earned income. Be sure to ask for that raise, or, if you like, negotiate elsewhere. The two weeks that follow this powerful and highly friendly new moon - one of the best of the year - will set the tone for the whole year to come. This is not "any old day" or point in the year. It's special, so take this date seriously and take any step you can think of toward finding your extra money. It may take weeks or months, but that doesn't matter - what does is that you begin in the days that closely follow this new moon, October 28."

Can you help?
So do I need to wait until the 28th or can you help me now.....pre-order "Happy@work: Job Hunting for Mid-lifer's +"

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

Creativity in any form often benefits from collective energy and enthusiasm. So often the creative process can feel like such a solitary affair. Sometimes this can make it challenging to stay the distance and make it through to the finish line. But it doesn't have to be this way.

I love collaborating and sharing my enthusiasm with like minded people. This helps boost my creativity no end. While working on the final edits of "Happy@work: job hunting for mid-lifers" I was stuck on finding an image to illustrate the chapter "Employ yourself." I was also stuck on where and how to have the book launch.

Inspiration struck in the middle of the night : "Artists experience the realities of self employment every day...why not have a photo of someone or something artistic,' my intuition gently asked. But "who and what", my rational mind wondered.

The next day while visiting my friend Ron Epskamp, passionate owner of Exhibitions Gallery" I summoned up the courage to ask him if he would consider holding my book launch there. " With pleasure," he said and promptly whipped out his calender. "Why not on the 28th of November to coincide with our Christmas exhibtion of artists." I was thrilled!

"Perhaps you would consider profiling one of my artists - Mark Olsen."

And suddenly, miraculously, there was the answer to my "problem" re who to use to illustrate my book!

"Working out the 'how'" as Mark Olsen, one of New Zealand's most successful artist's says:" is as simple as focusing on what you want - end of story, the "how" finds you."


From IT worker to Best-Selling Artist - Mark Olsen to Speak at Happy@work Book launch
Mark and I share a passion for self-development and an awareness of the power of the mind to transform reality. Something also shared by the creators of the DVD's "The Secret" and "What the bleep do we know" Joy turned to elation when he agreed to present his own personal story re moving from IT sales person to accomplished, best selling artist.

Here's the brief I gave Mark:
"Essentially the focus is to inspire people to follow their passion ...to have the courage, hope, perserverance and resilience to believe dreams really can come true.....I think your own personal story re how you made your dreams come true and using relevant learnings that anyone looking to make a move to fulfillment could apply...bricklayer, return to work mum, solo parent, disillusioned office worker..many who may not know that they want, or if they do, how it could be possible - your "what I have learned" musings bill perfectly!."

...and his reply:

"I enjoy not only speaking on the mind set tools that I have employed, but being able to state how I applied them and what the results have been. This way I have the example that folk can click with opposed to just telling them how to live their live. I also believe that our only gift is that of our own example as words do not teach"

Mark will have returned from the US the week before The Happy@Work Book launch" which will be providing the next chapter in his story. This will be compelling listening so mark off the 28th of November 5:30 - 7:30 in your diary now. Spaces are strictly limited so please RSVP by dropping me a line

Pre-order you copy now!
A limited stock of first edition, signed copies of "Happy@work:job hunting for mid-lifers+" will be available prior to and during the launch.

Avoid disappointment - find out more and pre-order now

Mark's feedback also gave me a boost to surge through the final edits and helped curb any doubts I was having about the whole project:

"Good on you for doing this project - it will take people's attention off what is and place it upon what they would like - doing so you have given them a helping hand - how very cool" - Mark Olsen


Thanks Mark and Ron- and everyone else who inspires and supports me. I couldn't do this without you.

You can read more about Mark's inspiring career makeover in "Happy@Work: Job hunting for mid-lifers +"

RSVP TO LAUNCH:
Don't forget to put a bright orange circle around the 28th of November 5:30 - 7:30, at Exhibitions Gallery, Featherston Street, Wellingtonby RSVPing to cassandra@cassandragaisford.com.

Look forward to seeing you there:)

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation

"Inspiration exists but has to find us working" - Pablo Picasso

This quote has inspired me to action! After weeks of staring at a blank canvas in my studio I found myself ready to create. Once I'd started I soon got into the flow, the painting was finished within hours and the client who had commissioned it came over and loved it imediately. Actually I had invited her to see the draft as I was unsure it it was finished enough. I loved it as it was but wasn;t sure if she would feel the same way. Which reminds me of a quote from French artist Henril Matisse: "All my life I have been mistaken in measuring the signifiance of any work by the struggles that went into it."

I spent a lot of time seeking to understand and clarify my clients needs. Not only were important spacial things like where was the painting going important, but also seeking to understand her personality, her hope and dreams and importantly, when she looked at the painting how did she want to feel.


And here it is in situ!



The funny thing was that part way through the comission, just as I was about to call her to say, "I have finally started! Come and see." she phoned me to say they'd had a change of heart and decided they wanted one for the lounge instead. Now the lounge is a completely different kettle of fish - no calm greens, but ht firey orange, earthy terracottas and strong masculine blacks.

I took a depth breadth, said "no problem" and began to go to work.

As it turned out she loved the first one more, and her husband the second. So they took both!

Here is his - quite a different style altogether!



Would you like a unique piece of art created just for you?
contact me for a no obligation assessment and creation
cassandra@worklifesolutions.co.nz

Labels: Motivation

I'm feeling very inspired today....and yesterday and the day before as well! That takes me right back to Friday! What was so special about that day? I was sooooo, soooo excited because I finally got to hold my new wee baby in my hands....not a real baby ...but the pre-publication draft of my book: "Happy@work: job hunting for mid-lifers." It felt so incredibly exciting to finally see it all printed out. It's not quite the same looking at it page by page on the laptop screen!

People I showed it to were excited as well - they loved the layout so much they kept flicking through the pages....proof that sticking to my intuitive knowing that powerful visual communication is an important element. I really appreciated the extra effort that Blair at PrintStop went to, "I like making things look beautiful" he said. So he took the time to trim the pages so that they were exactly the size of the finished book. It's great to see such a positive response to the black and white draft - wait till people see it in colour!

It was exciting today as well to work through one of the chapters "Challenge Your Fears" with one of my coaching clients. She is about to embark on a huge career change and go back to school! It's not easy going back to be a university student at 35. It was fantastic to see how much courage, comfort and inspiration she gained from the chapter. She loved the photo I'd chosen for the introduction....it helped her kept her thoughts on a higher energy plane instead of getting bogged down in lower level fear chatter.

So finally the dream I have had for so many years is coming true. For ten years now I have began the year with a new dream/goal journal. In it I create the year I want to have - my commitments and intentions, dreams and desires. The ones I haven't completed yet I carry forward to the new year. This way they stay alive. 8 years ago I wrote about my dream to write a series of books that would help people be happier at work and in life. It didn't happen over night but it is about to happen! Proof that dreams do come true if you want them badly enough.

Next month I will be running some powerful creativity dream workshops around New Zealand to help people who are stuck create their dreams too. Drop me an email if you would like to come along. Feel free to invite a friend or anyone else you think would love to join in too.

Labels: Cultivating Creativity, Motivation