Author: Ananda Leeke

Thriving Mindfully Coach + Author + Artist + Human Design Doula

Ananda’s video adventures at the Social Media Club DC’s Breakfast on April 12 at Busboys and Poets

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My Monday morning started with a bang! I attended the April breakfast meeting sponsored by the Social Media Club DC at Busboys and Poets.  I had a great time and learned many things from the speakers Jill Foster, Jong Lee, and Frank Gruber.  I interviewed two social media mavens Candace Tyler and Amy Melrose.   I also had a chance to chat with my social media buddies Alex Priest and Loryn Wilson.

Guess what? I was inspired to join Social Media Club Education Connection, a really cool social networking site that Jong Lee mentioned during his talk. Click here to view my new page on the site.

My Creative Vado flip camera also had a fun time videotaping my update, segments of the speakers’ talks, and interviews with two social media mavens. See below.

30 Days of Poetry, Jazz, and Earth Day Awareness – Celebrating abolitionist & poet Frances Harper

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Francis Ellen Watkins Harper

Click on the Cinchcast audio blog below to hear me read abolitionist and poet Frances E. W. Harper’s poem “Slave Auction.”  I also read my poem “Ask the Troubadours Who Have Come from Those Who Loved” published in my debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One.

Do you have a six-word memoir for today? Mine is: poetry.jazz.earth. beauty creates peace.

Enjoy!

Day 12 of 30 Days of Poetry, Jazz, and Earth Day Awareness – Celebrating Langston Hughes

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Langston Hughes

Listen to me share Langston Hughes’ poem “In Time of Silver Rain” on April 12. I also read my poem “Wake Up Call #24” from That Which Awakens Me.

Today’s six-word memoir is:  poetry. jazz. earth.divine wakeup calls.

Share yours in the comment section.  Enjoy!

Day 11 of 30 Days of Poetry, Jazz, and Earth Day Awareness – Celebrating Lucille Clifton

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Lucille Clifton

Listen to me share Lucille Clifton’s poem “Generations” on April 11. I also shared my poem “wake up call #9” from That Which Awakens Me.

My Sunday six-word memoir was: poetry.jazz. earth. weaving creativity’s oneness.

Did you have one?

Enjoy!

Day 10 of 30 Days of Poetry, Jazz, and Earth Day Awareness – Celebrating Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Ralph Waldo Emerson - from Wikipedia

Click on the Cinchcast button below to hear me share Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Berrying.” I also share my poem “All Souls” from my book That Which Awakens Me.

Read my six-word memoir for Saturday: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Reflect. Rejoice. Reconnect.

If you have one, share it in the comment section. Enjoy!

Check out Ananda’s Examiner.com’s article about National Poetry Month & social media

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Greetings,

Today I returned to writing my DC Social Media Examiner Column. Click on the link to read my article about National Poetry Month and social media:  http://tinyurl.com/y796bun.  Let me know what you think.

Enjoy your weekend!

Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for poetry and social media,

Ananda

Day 9 of 30 Days of Poetry, Jazz & Earth Day Awareness: Celebrating Sufi poet Rumi

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Greetings,

It’s day 9 0f my 30 Days!  So today I started my morning with yoga, meditation, and poetry by Sufi poet Rumi.  Click on the Cinchcast audio blog to hear me read one of Rumi’s poetry about love and art. I also read my poem “Loving You” from my new book That Which Awakens Me.   

Do you have a six-word memoir for today?  Here’s mine: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Listen. Dance. Heal.

Enjoy your weekend!

Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for Rumi’s love of poetry,

Ananda

Great News! Ananda’s poetry and yoga interview are featured on The Pearls Book Blub Blog during National Poetry Month

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Members of the Pearls Book Club

Greetings,

A few weeks ago, Felisha Fowlkes, the founder of Pearls Book Club, contacted me via email to request an interview about yoga for her club’s web site and blog.  When I visited the sites, I was amazed to learn about their mission and commitment to “motivate, inspire, and encourage one another” as they travel through their lives together.  These women are dynamic divas. I also had the pleasure of chatting with Felisha via phone too. She is a woman with a true vision and commitment to service.

Yesterday, Felisha posted my yoga-inspired poem and interview on the Pearls Book Club blog. What an honor! Click on the links below to read the poem and interview.

Many thanks to Felisha and the members of the Pearls Book Club!

Enjoy your day!

Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for book clubs, poetry, and yoga,

Ananda

Day 8 of 30 Days of Poetry, Jazz & Earth Day Awareness: Celebrating Poetry as a natural medicine

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Photo Credit: http://njculibrary.wordpress.com/2008/04/page/2/

Greetings,

It’s day 8 0f my online campaign “30 Days of Poetry, Jazz, and Earth Day Awareness.”  It’s turning into quite a journey. I am falling back in love with many of my favorite poets, jazz singers and musicians, and green living tips.  I am also using this 30 day process to deepen my yoga and physical fitness practice.

What are you doing this month?

Anything fun planned?

Any new projects?

What about travel plans?

This morning I got up early to prepare for my author talk about “Poetry as a natural medicine for the soul” on Ananda Leeke Live via UStream.tv at 9:00 p.m. (EST) tonight.  John Fox’s amazing book Poetic Medicine kept me company.   Fox is the founder of the Institute of Poetic Medicine. I discovered his book and work during the 15th Annual Society for the Arts in Healthcare Conference held in 2006 at Northwestern University’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  Both have mentored me as an artist-in-residence at Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts over the past four years.  Last year, Fox visited Smith Farm and facilitated a poetry healing workshop for the artists-in-residence. It was so powerful.  That experience convinced me to include a section on the power of poetry in my new book That Which Awakens Me.

After I ate breakfast this morning, I recorded an audio blog featuring an excerpt from Poetic Medicine.  I also read a Navaho blessing poem and my poem “Poetry Thursday” from That Which Awakens Me.  Click on the Cinchcast button below to listen to my blog.

Do you think poetry is a natural medicine for the soul?

Here’s my six-word memoir for today: Poetry. Jazz. Earth. Phrases dance naturally.  Please share yours in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your day!

Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for the healing power of poetry,

Ananda

Spring is in the air … The Obamas, my favorite fabulous Spring couple in DC

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Photo Credit: Whitehouse.gov

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama laugh during a taping for the television show “American Idol” in Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House , April 7, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)


Greetings All,

I thought it would be great to share a photo that expresses the fabulous Spring energy in Washington, DC.  What do you think?

What are some of your favorite Spring images?

Enjoy your day!

Peace, Creativity, Compassion, and Gratitude for Springtime and the Obamas,

Ananda, an Obama fan