Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.
(Dr. Wayne Dyer)

Do you believe in the power of your dreams? Do you live your life with intention?

It takes confidence, courage and chutzpah to pursue new heights, to go after promotions, to travel abroad, to speak to strangers, to jump from a plane, to share an honest blog post, to go after what you want… to pursue a life full of financial abundance, bountiful creativity and joyful relationships. Daring to dream of an extraordinary life requires trust and faith in matters beyond our immediate sight.

Fortunately, we are surrounded by proof that the universe is remarkable. It also helps that we’re part of a loving, kind and supportive community here on the blogosphere. If you’re reading this, consider yourself a member of the gang.

There’s an undercurrent of energy that influences all of our lives—and we have the unique capacity to tap into that power. By connecting to the creative force that resides within, we can start living the life of our dreams.

I have experienced the power of thought and intention in tiny circumstances and monumental moments throughout my life. Like anything, it’s a practice. Vision boards, journaling, connecting with soul sisters, this blog, even the pursuit of making every day an extraordinary adventure, are pieces of the puzzle.

Take a look around and think about what you can do to encourage abundance and invite joy into your life. How can you share your sparkle and creativity with the world?

image credit: via moi

PS. This post was inspired by @kellyraeroberts’s musings on abundance. If you haven’t already, be sure to check it out.

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy,
even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.
(E.B. White)

It’s a gorgeous Saturday morning and I’m grateful the weekend has arrived! An action-packed week has me craving some solo creative time, so the mister is whooping it up with his buds at the pool. With nearly 1/2 of 2010 behind me, it only seems appropriate to sneak in a little intention-setting and creative dreaming.

The following collection of creative to-do’s are intended to inspire extraordinarily joyful weekends. Consider this a friendly tap—or slight tug—towards exploring creative shenanigans of your own desires. I invite you to join in!

evaluate the last 6 months & dream about the next 6

package up a little snail mail treat for a friend

take pictures & become a better photographer

organize closet, do laundry & set aside old items for goodwill

pay bills & assess finances with a smile

do something on this summer must-do list

schedule a massage, pedicure or tarrot card reading

compliment a stranger and see what happens

enjoy a new book while soaking in a bubble-filled tub

order customized energy bars

put together a garageband mix of yoga & tunes

image credit: seanmcgrath

I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
(Audrey Hepburn)

Do take time to examine your beliefs closely? Do you consider how your life’s experiences impact the lens from which you view the world?

A recent conversation has caused me to question if my day to day priorities accurately represent my beliefs. In most respects, they do. I usually live with intention. I act with integrity, most of the time. Many people would say that I’m a hard worker.

I’ll readily admit that there are areas of my life in need of renovation—an excavation of out-dated beliefs and construction of new ones.

There are times when I catch myself believing that some day I’ll get back into shape, sort out my finances and become an adult. Of course, I know deep down that today is the only day that counts.

I also find myself believing that people who I consider successful are different from me. That somehow, they possess something I lack. In the dark silence of truth, I know that those experts were once as clueless as I am.

What beliefs do you grasp tightly? Which beliefs are represented by your priorities? Where can you find room for improvement?

Merriam-Webster defines belief as, “a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing.” Eleanor Roosevelt famously stated that, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Perhaps then, the future belongs to those who have sound habits of mind and confidence in themselves.

image credit: midweekpost

You will find as you look back upon your life
that the moments when you have truly lived
are the moments when you have
done things in the spirit of love.
(Henry Drummond)

Summer has arrived and creative weekend to-do lists are back! This past week has been filled with inspiring moments. Most notably was connecting with one of my biggest web heroines, the lovely and talented Gwen Bell.

Remember earlier this year when Kimberly Wilson interviewed me for her podcast ? Well, video chatting with Gwen was a very similar experience in that I was super nervous, thrilled and honored to be discussing sparkle and super powers with a woman who I completely admire.

Gwen and I first connected when I tweeted a link to my post about finding a mentor. Her insightful comments were helpful, but she blew my mind when she went a step further and offered to test out mentoring me remotely. Wednesday was our first chat, and I have been buzzing with ideas since.

I’m excited to carry the momentum into the weekend ahead. Here are a few of my creative to-do’s, I hope they inspire you to do something fun. As always, I’d love to hear what you’re up to these next few days.

think of 10 things I would do if I were truly brave

finish reading this and mail it back to her

cut inspiring images out of july magazines

find a few summery accessories, like these

explore a new coffee shop, with macbook in tow

sip tea quietly before heading to bed

jam out to this song & create a new summer play list

make it to the mat… twice

mail a letter to a friend in a hand-made envelope

spend time journaling, set intentions for next week

image credit: visualpanic

Every day is an opportunity to be creative – the canvas is your mind,
the brushes and colours are your thoughts and feelings,
the panorama is your story,
the complete picture is a work of art called, ‘my life’.
Be careful what you put on the canvas of your mind today – it matters.
(Innerspace)

I came across this quote and found it to be a lovely reminder that we choose the lives we live. We pick the colors of paint that suit our mood and we influence the weight of the brushstrokes. We have no idea how the work of art will turn out, but we see glimpses of how it could be.

Take a moment to consider how complete or empty your canvas is today. Is there something that you can do to create more white space? Do you want to add some big, bold colors? What is your heart telling you?

I’ve been trying to listen to my heart lately, but I feel like I’m receiving mixed messages. Sometimes I feel the passion to write, be creative and get more involved in the beautiful webby community we live in. Other times I find myself wondering if I will ever catch up on all the ‘things’ I have and want to do. Then, there are other times when I decide that the ‘things’ I have to do are so immaterial and useless, and I should just live in the moment.

For now I am trying to hold still and listen. I know there is wisdom in patience and understanding in space. I hope you are well & loving your creative lives. I miss you & will be back in full force soon.

image credit: via weheartit

If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’
then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
(Vincent van Gogh)

Do you sit down and set goals or intentions for the month ahead? Do you contemplate where you’d like to go and all you’d like to accomplish?

I find that when I sit down to plan ahead, things go my way much more often than when I go wherever the wind takes me. There is excitement and pleasure in both approaches, but it is wonderful to know that I can influence my life when I set out on a certain path.

This May, I am setting out on a journey to find the perfect day—one that combines the essential elements to my happiness in a seemingly effortless way. I should preface this by saying that I’m not in search of a magical and unrealistic set of 24 hours, but rather one that encompasses all that is wonderfully possible within my given circumstance.

Key ingredients for an ordinarily extraordinary day might include:

LOVE
sharing a kiss from my mister, receiving a letter from a dear friend, making a call to a family member, recognizing the light in a stranger’s soul

PEACE
writing in my journal, meditating, practicing yoga, reading an inspirational book, connecting with nature

HEALTH
getting a good night’s rest, sweating for 20 minutes, stretching my legs, exercising my mind, eating a nourishing meal, going for a run, embracing carefree indulgence

SELF-CARE
lotion after a shower, soft sheets in bed, chic work clothes, fine accessories, positive self-talk, affirmations, smiling from my soul, listening to podcasts, enjoying my own company

DELIGHT
discovering a new blog, watching a bird play in the wind, making a personal connection, succeeding at work, sharing a laugh, breathing deep, living in the moment

ABUNDANCE
finding a $100 bill, coming across an unexpected check in the mail, receiving an unsolicited guest blogging invitation, opening a care package from a friendly acquaintance

SPARKLE
wearing lip gloss, enjoying a mani/pedi, making a stranger smile, singing loudly in the car, shopping for a new pair of shoes, putting glitter on a creative project

These loosely tied ingredients embody the essence of my ideal day. Like most, I wake up and go to work. I get home with less hours of free-time than I’d like. While these may be truths in my immediate day-to-day, I am seeking an adventure far more rewarding that going through the motions. This month, I am on a journey to discover my ordinarily extraordinary day.

image credit: john-morgan

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:

That the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no one could have dreamt would have come their way.

I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets, ‘Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!’

(W.H. Murray)

Hello lovelies! I hope you’re having a wonderful week filled with productivity and happiness. Things have been going really well in my part of the universe. My new job is great—I’m feeling less like a novice and am settling into a groove that feels right. I’m also getting more energized about blogging, tweeting and keeping up with all you creatively gorgeous souls.

This weekend I am planning on catching up on my google reader, responding to emails and dreaming up some goals for the future. It’s time to revisit my intentions for the site and reconnect to the essence of why I love blogging.

When I started this blog last September, I explained it as a journey, “…a venture through creative forests and inspirational waters. A space for us to share our insights and musings on everything from yogic breath to pink toe nails… an opportunity to spread my limbs, to travel through time, to discover my inner artist, to pursue a more authentic life.”

I feel the same way I did 7 months ago when I launched the site, and I’m looking forward to what the future will bring.  I am excited to continue my pursuit to make each day a bit more extraordinary than the last, and I hope you will happily join me!

image credit: vinothchandar(away)

quote via: the goethe society of north america

There are so many ways to invoke creativity and inspire brilliance in your day to day life. If you look closely, there is magic and beauty everywhere.

Seek to find a remarkable, yet completely ordinary, moment each day and I promise that you will make astounding discoveries.

In the meantime, check out a few treasures I’ve uncovered recently…

Happy phrases that sparkle and shine, via Cup of Jo.

Sex in the City 2 and Eat Pray Love, trailers for two movies I must see this summer.

Curiously cute Red Velvet Cake Balls, recipe by Bakerella.

Justified and Treme, my love for these two new shows is surprising.

Micaela’s delightful giveaway, join in to celebrate Dolce Vita’s 300 followers!

A woman and her passion for photographing animals, video via Etsy.

“Good for you” food bars with ingredients I can pronounce.

Women Food and God, an interesting read that I’ve found difficult to put down.

Thanks to all of you who extended kind words of encouragement in response to my confessions. I love being part of this amazing blog/tweet/webbie community and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of regular posting soon!

image credit: via banter banner

We don’t see things as they are,
we see them as we are.
(Anaïs Nin)

Do you ever find yourself in need of a fresh perspective?

Do you seek wisdom from mentors or pursue truth in solitude? Do you reorganize, make lists, categorize and work from the bottom up? Do you walk away for a breath of fresh air? Do you make yourself a cup of tea? Do you bounce ideas off of a friend? Do you write in your journal or paint in your notebook?

It seems that sometimes a new perspective is all we need to unlock creativity, solve a mystery, or answer a puzzling question. Yet I find myself slowly realizing that a step back is the remedy to my challenges. During the last few months, I’ve shared moments in my struggle to establish priorities and intentions, I have been upfront about the pace life has set for me lately, and clearly I have been in need of a new perspective.

From the start of this new year, I have cursed my busy to-do lists and overflowing inbox. I have cringed at my mismanagement of time and my eager desire to do more than is necessary. Somehow though my bellyaching and complaining, I stopped reading other blogs, connecting with my readers and finding gratitude in the small, quiet moments that make life so beautiful.

This month my goal is to seek a fresh perspective in my everyday life.

To rediscover my inner artist, adventurer and sparklista. To stop making excuses and to begin with doing what I can. To shed a new light on my creativity and curiosity. To connect, inspire, nurture and grow.

image credit: modern girl’s manifesta via wordle

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Dreams come true;
without that possibility,
nature would not incite us to have them.
(John Updike)

Thanks to all of you who sent birthday wishes my way! It was such a treat to see shout outs here and there. My day was full of love, laughter and a delightful surprise from my mister. Head on over to my guest post on Tranquility du Jour to read more about it.

Speaking of Kimberly Wilson’s fabulous empire of inspiration and sparkle, do you remember when I told you about one of my dreams that was about to come true?

Well, my interview on the Tranquility du Jour podcast went live today! You can download it from iTunes or listen to it here. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

I am sending hugs, love and gratitude to all of you. I feel so blessed to be a part of this gorgeous community of creative bloggers, silent (but sassy) readers, and talkative twitterers. Thanks for being you and including me in your circle.

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