Month: January 2014

Happy Creativity Thursday: Opening Your Creative Heart & Coaching Discount

Posted by on in Creativity Coaching, Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Happy Creativity Thursday!

I believe we are all filled with the energy of creativity. It is such a powerful force that allows us to share amazing gifts. Click here to listen to today’s podcast that features a recording of my poem, “Creativity” (published in my book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery – available on Amazon).

Photo Credit: http://blog.ali-comunicazione.com/?cat=3
Photo Credit: http://blog.ali-comunicazione.com/?cat=3

Sometimes my creativity is blocked by fears. When I allow my fears to suffocate my creative courage, my creative heart closes. In 2011, I allowed my fears to close my creative heart. During the first week of 2012, I made a commitment to re-open my heart. My commitment turned into a full-fledge creative heart journey that began with a series of breathing and journaling exercises (it continues today).

Photo Credit: www.freeapplewallpapers.com/2547-creative-button-heart/
Photo Credit: http://www.freeapplewallpapers.com/2547-creative-button-heart/

I think opening your creative heart is a journey worth taking in 2014. It begins with an intention to come into the present moment. When you breathe intentionally and deeply, you invite yourself into the present moment. You also create space to discover and witness what’s happening in your creative heart.  So let’s get started.

Breathing and Journaling Exercises:

Join me in taking 10 deep breaths. Get ready to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Feel free to make sounds like “hah” as you exhale.  You can get loud too!

  •  Take a deep breath and inhale self-love. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you experiencing it.
  • Inhale self-care. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you experiencing it.
  • Inhale self-expression. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you experiencing it.
  • Inhale self-discovery. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you experiencing it.
  • Inhale vulnerability. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you tapping into it.
  • Inhale intuition. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you tapping into it.
  • Inhale imagination. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you tapping into it.
  • Inhale inspiration. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you tapping into it.
  • Inhale creativity. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you tapping into it.
  • Inhale gratitude. Exhale anything that gets in the way of you expressing it.

In this sacred place, find a pen, a piece of paper, or a journal to write your responses to the questions below. If you prefer your digital devices, use your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to answer the questions.

  • What does your creative heart look like?
  • How does it feel?
  • Is it open to new opportunities for growth? What are they?
  • Does your creative heart energy need to be recharged or renewed? How so?
  • Share one to three things you can do in February to open and nurture your creative heart.
Photo Credit: www.pinterest.com/pin/201043570836961672/
Photo Credit: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201043570836961672/

Opening Your Creative Heart Coaching Special Discount:

From February 1 to March 31, I am offering a special discount package on my creativity coaching services. See details below.

My Creativity Coaching Practice: Click here to read more about my approach and background as a creativity coach.

Discount Period: The creativity coaching packages must be purchased via PayPal by March 31, 2014. They must be used by July 31, 2014.

Fees and Services:

1) 1 one-hour session with 2 email follow ups – $99.95 (original price – $139.95)

2) 3 one-hour sessions with 4 email follow ups – $359.95 (original price – $389.95)

3) 6 one-hour sessions with 7 email follow ups – $769.95 (original price – $799.95)

4) 9 one-hour sessions with 10 email follow ups – $1,169.99 (original price – $1,199.99)

5) 12 one-hour sessions with 13 email follow ups – $1,569.95 (original price – $1599.95)

Contact Information: If you are interested in one or more of the packages, please send me an email at kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call (available via telephone, Skype, and Google Hangout).

My White House Tour with #SOTUSocial Social Media Leaders

Posted by on in Digital Citizenship, State of the Union Social2 Comments

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Greetings from the White House!

This morning, I joined my fellow State of the Union Social attendees for a White House tour. Each of us applied to participate in the State of the Union Social (#SOTUSocial) a few weeks ago. The White House selected us to serve as digital citizens and to use our online presence to develop and curate content, utilize the content to engage online communities, and live tweet at the #SOTUSocial (including the #SOTUChat panel discussion with White House officials and U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez after President Obama’s address).

Guess what? Over 6,000 applicants applied to participate in the #SOTUSocial. Only 60 social media leaders were chosen to visit the White House and attend the #SOTUSocial. What an honor to demonstrate our digital citizenship through serving our country and communities with our digital presence!

Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov
Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

During the tour, we had a chance to get to know each other. I discovered we are a diverse group of fun, friendly, passionate, and smart social media influencers and professionals, college students, public policy professionals, and teachers. We represented cities like Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; Greensboro, North Carolina; Madison, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Seattle, Washington; and Washington,  D.C. Together, we looked and sounded like the America I love.

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After the tour and many photos, we walked to Starbucks for an impromptu meet up. I am so glad we spent more time connecting, sharing our experiences, and discussing what we hoped President Obama would highlight in his address.

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PS: I developed three digital resources (one Pinterest board and two Twitter lists) to prepare for President Obama’s State of the Union address. Click here to read more about them.

Since it was cold in DC today, I decided to wear what I call a “femme chic” winter warm outfit that came straight from my closet by way of Macy’s Petites (Alfani knit jacket, blouse, and pants).

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Happy Internet Geek Tuesday: My Digital Resources for President Obama’s State of the Union Address

Posted by on in Internet Geek Tuesday, State of the Union SocialLeave a comment

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Happy Internet Geek Tuesday and 2014 State of the Union Address (in the United States)!

Today, I am headed to the White House to participate in the State of the Union Social (#SOTUSocial) with a talented group of social media influencers, leaders, and professionals. We will watch President Obama’s State of the Union (#SOTU) address together and live tweet our comments. After the President’s address, we’ll attend a panel discussion featuring White House officials. During the panel, we will be able to ask questions. So please send me your questions via Twitter @anandaleeke.

To prepare for the State of the Union, I created three digital resources.

  • Pinterest State of the Union Social Board featuring articles, blogs, photos, videos, and other information related to President Obama’s 2014 #SOTU address
  • State of the Union Social Twitter List featuring my fellow #SOTUSocial attendees
  • White House State of the Union Twitter List featuring newspapers, political news sources, journalists, organizations that serve women and people of color, and Congressional representatives that I admire and respect

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Are you preparing for the #SOTU?

How?

What digital resources are you using?

PS: Be sure to follow my #SOTUSocial adventures on Instagram!

Happy Yoga Monday: My Final Visit to the Smithsonian’s Yoga: Art of Transformation Exhibition

Posted by on in Yoga, Yoga MondaysLeave a comment

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Happy Yoga Monday!

During the weekend, I made one last visit to the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery’s “Yoga: The Art of Transformation” exhibition. My first visit was in October. “Yoga: The Art of Transformation” represents the world’s first exhibition of yogic art. It includes more than 120 works, from the 3rd century to the early 20th century, that celebrate the essence of yoga and its diverse history through temple sculptures, devotional icons, illustrated manuscripts, court paintings, photographs, books, and films borrowed from twenty-five museums and private collections  in India, Europe, and the United States.

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When I walked through the Sackler Gallery’s doors, I was greeted by two yoga practitioners who were practicing yoga on their mats and sharing their yoga wisdom and insights with visitors.

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I love this pose. It reminds me of the Balasana squat pose, one of my favorites.

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I was in total awe of this yogi’s ability to focus in the midst of a large crowd.

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Right before I left the exhibition, I posed for a photo and signed up for a free raffle of a bag of yoga goodies from Whole Foods. Today, I received an email indicating that I won the bag of goodies. Hooray! I will pick it up this week and share a photo of it on next week’s blog.

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I spent a lot of time checking out sculptures of yoginis. See photos above and below.

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One of the highlights of my museum visit was meeting the exhibition’s chief curator,  Debra Diamond. I told her how much I enjoyed seeing the yogini sculptures and paintings.

FYI: The exhibition closed on Sunday, January 26.

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Happy Creativity Thursday: Intentionally Living A Creative Life

Posted by on in Creativity Coaching, Creativity coaching clients, Creativity Thursday3 Comments

Happy Creativity Thursday!

The topic of intentionally living a creative life came up during a recent creativity coaching session with a client. I shared how I have developed an intention to have creative moments in my life on a weekly basis and their impact on my artwork, writing, books, creativity coaching services, and work as an artist-in-residence for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. These moments energize me and allow me to explore new ideas. They excite and leave me in a state of awe. They teach me. They often push my edge. Sometimes they console my sadness and help me face fears and doubts. They are medicine for my creative spirit.
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Listening to music in the morning is one of my favorite creative moments. It awakens my spirit and opens my heart. This morning, I began my day with London-based Omar’s new CD, “The Man.”
See photo above. To learn more about him, visit http://www.omarmusic.co.uk.

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Guess what? Omar’s music is featured in my debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One. It will also be included in my upcoming novel, Love’s Troubadours – Symon: Book Two.

How does music inspire or impact you?

What music are you currently listening to?

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday: Live Tweeting at White House on 1/28 & Using Uber for Transportation

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Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov
Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Guess where I will be next week on Internet Geek Tuesday, January 28? Live tweeting at the State of the Union White House Social. Yes I said the White House. And I’ll be using my smartphone to access the Uber app to arrange my transportation home from the event.

Photo Credit: Uber.com
Photo Credit: Uber.com

Have you heard of Uber?

Uber is a digital lifesaver for urban dwellers that was launched in 2009. Uber connects riders to drivers through its smartphone apps in over 50 cities in the United States and around the world.

Click here to sign up for Uber and download the app to your smartphone by 12 noon on Wednesday, January 22. Use my code when you sign up: BAL975455.

Happy Yoga Monday: Grace, Yoga & Service

Posted by on in Yoga MondaysLeave a comment

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Happy Yoga Monday and Dr. King Day of Service!

I started my day with gentle yoga and Snatam Kaur’s “Grace” CD. My yoga practice and Kaur’s music opened my heart and reminded me of Dr. King’s wisdom on service. He taught us that we are all great because we can serve.

martin-luther-king-jr

Today, I am spending the day in service with friends. We are cleaning up a local park. I am grateful for the opportunity to join with others in community and service.

How are you honoring Dr. King’s legacy?

Happy Creativity Thursday: Defining Creativity

Posted by on in Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

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Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, I had a chance to chat with a good friend about my definition of creativity. For me, creativity is a gift I give to myself and the universe when I surrender and allow the divine flow of energy that dwells in my spirit to express itself. Painting is one medium I use to share my gift of creativity.  See my painting entitled “Karma: Aham Prema” above.

What is your definition of creativity?

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday: Celebrating Get Real On the Internet Week

Posted by on in Internet Geek TuesdayLeave a comment
Photo Credit: www.realsimple.com
Photo Credit: http://www.realsimple.com

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

This week, I am celebrating “Get Real On the Internet Week” created by Real Simple magazine. I am using this week and several articles from Real Simple‘s January issue to explore how I am going to express my Flowista spirit by incorporating more digital wellness moments into my life this year. The first article I read, “Finding Balance in A Wired World,” asked me if I was addicted to my digital devices.  I was close to saying YES because the month of December was super busy due to Digital Sisterhood Month and then I reminded myself that I did slow down at the end of the month. I used two yoga workshops to slow down and recharge. They helped me settle into reflection mode where I was able to enter a period of stillness that opened the door to some juicy journaling sessions. Looking back, I can honestly say I was close to being addicted to my digital devices. Now that’s not something I want to get close to in 2014.

Would you describe yourself as addicted to your digital devices?

Photo Credit: RealSimple.com
Photo Credit: RealSimple.com

Today, I pulled out a Flowista collage I made while writing my book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online. Flowista is a Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetype I identified and have used to remind myself to unplug from my digital devices and online activities.

Photo Credit: Ananda's Flowista collage
Photo Credit: Ananda’s Flowista collage

The words and phrases on my Flowista collage are powerful reminders of my intention to be real on the Internet with self-care practices and regular unplugging moments.

Photo Credit: RealSimple.com
Photo Credit: RealSimple.com

Are you celebrating “Get Real On the Internet Week”? How?

9781491706398_COVER_FQA.inddTo learn more about Digital Sisterhood, visit Amazon.com. The book is available for Kindle and as a paperback or hardback book.