The first workshop of 2016 – NEW YEARS WORKSHOP WITH VISION BOARD -is now open for registration. All info is in Danish as it takes place here in DK. It´s all about listening deep and manifesting your innermost dreams in 2016. Read all about it HERE or head straight to SIGNUP.
So much is happening in the big world and also in my small world. I this is what it feels like to be growing from a smaller wannabe business to a well, real one who can actually walk by it´s own. I am not completely there but I enjoy the journey fully and at the same time I am not always sure how long my limbs are and how to use them. One sign: I don´t get around to create blogposts at the moment. Another sign: this happened and filled me with joy! So, if you miss hearing what´s happening, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter HERE. Also, when you sign up you receive a 20 % coupon code for the webshop to use until the end of the year – enjoy! Or, connect on Facebook or Instagram if you also like to find and share inspiration there!
Wishing you a december with moments to be as still as nature invites us to right now,
….Yes, I love it when we honor our sincere wish to make life count, and when we use creativity as a tool to make that happen.
That is why I, in the beginning of every year, work with my visions in words and pictures. That is why I create Vision boards. And that´s why I love teaching Workshops using that and other creative tools.
This year, however, it seemed like an uphill process. At least at first; no inspiration, no joy. No feelings of anticipation when trying to catch my visions for 2015.
That´s when a group of ladies asked me to make a workshop and help them create their vision boards for 2015. “Oh no”, I thought, “I haven´t even created my own yet, and I honestly feel a bit stuck”. But that is the trick with these or any process. They DO work, but only if we DO them! And I had been stalling in “no action land”, which is exactly what so easily happens when what we need the most is to simply begin. And keep going with small steps. We humans can help each other so much, and sometimes asking someone for help might be the very thing that will help that person too. Good to remember!
So, inspired by the request I gave it a go with my own visions. It helped. I found out several things that I had not seen, that explained the resistance I felt. I saw that I needed to give myself permission to search for new ways – with business and with other areas of life – to really ask again from scratch what route it I wanted to take, and to be willing to make some changes. To say more boldly NO to things that no longer fits, even if it looks like it will generate an immediate income. To insist on working from a core of joy and service, rather than pushing myself into areas that clearly steals my energy. To dare not meeting expectations, my own and others. To dare listen, every day, to my intuition, which has proven over and over again to be a most trustworthy tool.
Slowly but steadily the fog lifted, and I began feeling that childish anticipation again. If I can, I know you can too! You can read more about creating a vision board RIGHT HERE.
Or, if you live nearby (Sjælland, Danmark), you can join my New years Vision workshop on saturday the 24th of january. A FULL day of diving into you own visions, using some wonderful creative tools like writing, movement and “Vision Boarding”. Sounds good, right? So, if you live in Denmark, this might be for you, I would love to meet you there:
“Butterfly friends” mixed media on deep edge canvas, 60 x 60 cm, 4.800 kr.
May 2014 be a year where we find peace to cocoon with things fine and important so that we can fly, when ready, and inspire ourselves and each other to live a life centered and connected in things of real value. May 2014 be a year where we meet “butterfly friends” who help us transform to the ones we are when we shine with our true light and speak with our honest voice. May 2014 spin its silky thread for protection and help us celebrate many true transformations. That is my butterfly-wish, today!
The Creative quickie above reads:
“They transform
We transform
Everything here is changing all the time
At night while I sleep the harvest of my day is being transformed
I am a fan. Of creating visionmaps. Or making drawings of our visions. Of writing thank you notes for things yet to happen. Or speaking our innermost unbelievable dreams out to a trusted friend or admitting it in a journal. I´ll get to why I am a fan…
For those of you who always wondered what those visionmaps are all about, or maybe just love to sneak peak, here´s how I create a visionmap, step by step:
1. Choose a theme for your visionmap
Find something you´d love to have more of in your life. I use journaling time for the choosing and finding out. You can choose to make a map of anything you want: A visionmap for attracting a loving partner, for a fulfilling worklife, a specific dream, for more sense of quiet in your life, more energy, or, like I do every year, a visionmap for what you wish for the coming year. Basically you can make a visionmap about anything you want to strengthen in your life.
2. Spend 45 minutes browsing (not reading!) through magazines, cutting out images for your map.
You cut out any image that rings with your vision. Be greedy, just cut, so you have lots of images to choose from later!
The important thing here is to go for images that for some reason appeal to you. If you for example want a lifestyle with more healthy food, and are making a map for that, you don´t need a ton of pictures with green salads or herbal tea. Find some (and if you don´t have any, browse the net and print one or two out), then go on collecting pictures that associates with the feeling you get from eating healthy food. Perhaps pictures of children playing, a sunset, birds flying. Friends laughing. Choose pictures that give you a happy uplifted feeling, that will support your vision! Get the picture?
3. Spend the next 45 min´s laying out and gluing your cut out pictures to your piece of cartboard.
Have fun with it, and if you wish, leave some space for wtiring small messages or confirmations on the map. If you like, Add some details like a coloured frame or small drawings, glitter, or other decor. Totally optional. I also recommend adding a bright picture of yourself somewhere.
This year I went a bit bananas and actually photoshopped a painting by me onto a magazine front-page and printed it out. It looks totally real. I am actually curling my toes right now with embarrasment!!! But still, it makes me believe that of course those magazines (or similar ones) would feature my art this coming year, thereby making it more known to people. Something very valuable if you want to sell art. You dont´t have to go this far at all, it takes some time of course, but it does put a big smile on my face every time I walk past it!
(Finished Visionmap)
4. Hang your map!
You can hang it wherever you choose. In your bedroom, the living room, or on the inside of a closet so you see it everytime you get dressed. I personally love to have my map hanging close to where I work in my studio. But do make sure to hang it in an honorable place where you see it often, every day if possible.
I love this process for several reasons. It´s easy and playful and anyone can do it, with or without great creative skills. It combines logic with intuition. But mostly: it strengthens our belief in our dreams, thereby attracting those things in our lives. I have seen and felt how it works, over and over, in my life and in other people´s lives. I have taught it in workshops and seen the glow on people´s cheeks as the process works it´s wonders. It´s so simple, you just have to do it.
It´s not like a quick-fix wishing list. It´s a tool that assist you in the sometimes impossible task of finding and acting on your innermost whispers of what it is you are meant to be doing, eating, working with, dancing with, living with, in this life.
Of course it´s not the map itself that has magic pixie-powers to make your dreams come true. It´s you! By first creating (spending prescious time, energy, focus) and then watching your visionmap daily over a period, you tune yourself in a powerful way to those visions. Creating a visionmap is a powerful help to keep believing that things far beyond your current situation are actually possible. Yes, they truly are, for each single one of us, and for you too!
Down to basics:
What you need:
*Stack of magazines
* scissors, pens and glue (I prefere a stick)
* Piece of cartboard or thick paper
* 2 hours for yourself (or 2 x 1 hour, or whatever you can manage), good music and your favourite drink
Hope you´ll have a go, and if you do, I wish you a wonderfully playful process. I mean, it doesn´t hurt to try and you may just be surprised at the outcome!
2012 you surprised me. You showed me for real how to actively make dreams come true. Over and over you told me the story of the power of many small steps in one intended direction. You made me feel humble and sometimes not able to contain it all, and at other times so impatient that it almost hurt.
Some favourite moments with you:
THE SONG
One evening, after seing the art of Kelly Rae Roberts I was totally inspired and wrote a song. When Kelly Rae so openheartedly recieved the song, and in response posted THIS on her blog, it made my heart sing. Her post send many kind people to my blog, and also generated my first US painting sale. Like a circle dance of goodness and smiles, truly enjoyable.
EXHIBITIONS
From the exhibition in the shop/ vintage inspired café Emely and Elliot, one of my fav places to have a cup of coffee and a writing hour on my own
About 2 years ago I was unsure whether I would ever find the courage to have an exhibition on my own. With good help from an artist-friend who urged me to do this, I ended up having 5 painting exhibitions this year. One in a church, 3 in art galleries and one in a beautiful clothe shop/café. The paintings have been touring non stop, and I truly enjoyed the whole experience.
MULTIPLE ARTS COMING TOGETHER
As part of one of the exhibition-openings, a piano-player and I made a small concert. Later in the evening I told about my painting journey. Loved that evening so much. I have always wanted multiple expressions; the paintings, the songs, the stories. And here I was allowed to share it all in one go. I felt so grateful for that opportunity.
LETTING GO, AND FINDING SOFTNESS
(“Old friends”, original available, just e-mail me)
20012, You have shown me that I sometimes need to let go of situations or relations that for some reason are keeping me back. Even when there is nothing wrong with situation, or the people, or with me. Simply because – for reasons that I may not fully understand at the time – it is no longer a win-win situation. You taught me about trusting and following my “gut” in this, also when my brain don´t understand the full picture. You also showed me that the true part of friendships will rest safe guarded in my heart, even in times of low tide. You made me firm so I could be more true in my softness.
ASKING FOR HELP
(“Just knock”. Original sold. Print available here)
You urged me to dare ask for the help I needed, and you amazed me with the outcome of that simple act, many times. You surprised me when help arrived in often totally unexpected ways. You totally charmed me with that!
PAINT, PAINT, PAINT….
(“Match made in heaven” in process, original sold, print available here)
I found so much joy during days of painting. Those hours opened up a connection to places and things beyond me. This was exactly where I found the strength to keep pursuing the dreams for my business and my life. Being in a creative mood or not, that was not important. It just mattered that I showed up, willingly, week after week. And then it would sneak up on me, the inspiration. How come it took me so long to learn this for real I don´t know. But I know that this wisdom is now deeply engraved as experience in my heart and soul.
PRODUCING LISE MEIJER POSTCARDS AND POSTERS
2012 was the year where I began selling cards and posters for real. Researching printing options and choosing a wonderful company to print my work. It also involved reaching out to shops I wanted to sell my products. 8 shops in Denmark and 2 in Holland now carry the Lise Meijer products. A fun, and for me completely new process. I am proud of this birth. It makes me curious how things may unfold in 2013.
FIRST WEB SHOP
(Dancing with life, original painting available, or print available here)
Yes, yes, yes, I finally did it! Opened my very first webshop on Etsy. I love my little shop and you (you!) sweet customers from around the globe, who have been buying prints and postcards for yourself or a loved one. Thank you so much for your support!
CREATING A HOME
2012, you became the year where me and my family could finally move into our loooong anticipated new house. (We lived in a caravan-home for 4,5 yrs.). And once we moved, you threw in an extra challenge we did not see coming: For 7 long weeks we were ill in turn, all 4 of us, and unable to create a home. A big test for me; I felt sick in my soul by not being able to unpack, make order, grow roots. So much bigger the joy when christmas arrived, and we finally got our strength and vitality back.
(“Home is where the heart is”, original sold, print available here)
What a blessing a home can be. Our new home includes a wonderful working space for me. Thepic above was taken before we moved in. Right now it´s still filled with boxes, but not for long. I can´t wait to begin create in it!
ENJOYING FAMILY LIFE
This year I had many joy-filled moments with my family. I think I like being a mom of growing up children more than the challenging years when they were toddlers. Of course I loved my children endlessly since they arrived. I just enjoy life as a family more now they have grown a bit. Celeste is now 9, and Vincent 6. Less awaken nights (we had 7 years of them due to skin-allergies). Less hard work. More spending enjoyable and relaxed time together. More laughs. Rune and I also celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this year. I think that´s worth a toast!
KINDNESS
(“Sharing a moment”. I think this is my own favourite painting from this year. Original available)
This year, I have recieved help and presents that seemed to arrive on my doorstep from out of the blue. A friend gifted me money, and it wasn´t even my birthday, a sheer act of kindness. Another person I only knew via facebook offered to help sell my cards. She did so succesfully in her home country, Holland. One of my friends went on a trip to sell cards for me here in Denmark and landed my biggest order yet. And so many more stories of kindness and help. It all made me feel grateful and humble. I am very aware that no one can do it all alone, I definately can´t. I believe that true success in life is when the outcome is not personal, but spreads its benefits to many people. I found myself smiling at life, saying: thank you, sincerely, for being part of such rich a circle of goodness.
lisemeijer 
