Tag: JaeSage

  • Z Is For… A Zen‑Like Wrap‑Up!

    Z Is For… A Zen‑Like Wrap‑Up!

    As April comes to a close, we find ourselves at the final letter of the A to Z Challenge — Z, the soft landing at the end of a month‑long creative journey. This year’s theme, The A to Z of Creative Practice, invited our community to explore the many ways we make, imagine, reflect, and grow as artists and writers.

    And what a month it has been.

    Each day brought a new voice, a new perspective, and a new facet of creative life. From Attention to Practice to Yes!, our members shared insights, stories, tools, and encouragement — a collective reminder that creativity is not a solitary act, but a shared ecosystem.

    A Month of Many Voices

    This year, we were fortunate to feature nine guest authors, each bringing their own lens on creative practice:

    • Tina Holland — Bravo, Education, and Travel
    • Rachel Wilder — Characters and Signs
    • Laura Rios — Demos and Discussions, Initiative, and Preparation
    • JaeSage — Gregarious Gusto, Journaling, Liberation, and Resilience
    • Nicole — Observation and Quest
    • Annette Grantham — Friction!
    • Alexandra Sissulak — Unusual Approaches
    • Carol Baxter — V Words for Writers and Xanthippes
    • Evey — Yes!

    And woven among them were posts from our in‑house contributors, including reflections on Attention to Practice, Kindness, and Noon & Wilder.

    Every post added a thread to the tapestry. Every voice shaped the month.

    What We Created Together

    Across April, we explored:

    • craft and craftiness
    • momentum and pause
    • friction and flow
    • signs, symbols, and stories
    • the ways travel, observation, and unusual approaches enrich our work
    • the power of community, curiosity, and kindness

    The A to Z Challenge is always a marathon, but it’s also a celebration — a chance to show up, share, and witness each other’s creativity in motion.

    A Moment of Gratitude

    Thank you to every contributor who wrote, drafted, revised, and hit “publish.” Thank you to every reader who followed along. Thank you to everyone who showed up in whatever way they could this month.

    Creative practice is built on small, steady acts. This April, we made them together.

    Z Is for… Zen

    As we close the month, Z invites us into a moment of quiet appreciation — a breath, a pause, a settling. The work continues, of course, but today we honor the journey we’ve taken.

    And if you’d like to keep the momentum going, remember: Writer Zen Garden sends out a community newsletter on the first of every month. It’s a gentle way to stay connected, catch upcoming events, and keep your creative practice nourished all year long. Click here to subscribe.

    Here’s to the stories we told, the ideas we sparked, and the community that held it all.

    Happy Z‑Day, friends.

  • R is for Roads, Ridges, and Resilience

    R is for Roads, Ridges, and Resilience

    By JaeSage (Trauma and grief specialist by day, creative polymath by night)

    Image of a sketch by the author of a road or path leading through winter trees with grass on either side.
    Image Copyright 2026 by JaeSage, All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.

    The Ridge and the Reach

    My creative process begins not at the easel or the keyboard, but on the gravel and dirt of the rural paths near my suburban prairie home. There is a specific kind of magic in the Iowa landscape; it is a quiet, rolling expanse that demands effort to traverse. As I set out for a walk, the climb up the ridges offers a physical mirror to the creative struggle. My lungs might burn and my legs may grow heavy, but the exertion acts as a key, unlocking the “flow” that I need for the day’s work. On these walks, the wind rattling through the dried stalks of last autumn’s uncut corn or fresh sharp tallgrass isn’t just noise—it’s the rustle of a new story, and the way a road disappears over a steep hill becomes the first stroke of a future painting.

    Rendering the Sketch

    When I finally return to the quiet of my home, the transition from the physical path of the prairie to the artistic one is a shift that is hardly ever seamless or immediate. I find that I must prepare for the inception of a new painting and the development of a fresh chapter in much the same way: I begin to sketch. Sometimes these initial sketches consist of raw charcoal or colored pencil lines, intently capturing the skeletal structure and curving geometry of a winding road lined with scraggly, leafless trees; other times, they take the form of “word sketches”—brief, evocative fragments of dialogue or sensory descriptions of a powerful woman’s intense, determined gaze.

    Frequently, this stage is defined by the internal struggle of my own lingering self-doubt, especially when a physical line on the paper fails to accurately portray the vivid image held in my mind, or when a character’s spoken words ring frustratingly false and wooden. This early phase is entirely about the slow process of discovery rather than the pursuit of technical precision. I am essentially feeling out the emotional terrain of the character’s heart and the sweeping perspective of the distant horizon simultaneously.

    By carefully mapping out these initial, fleeting impressions, I gain a grounded sense of the “who” and the “where” long before the first heavy layer of paint is applied or the first formal paragraph of prose is even dry on the page. It is a deeply personal process of reclaiming the narrative and honoring the various rites of passage that may never reach the specific destination the viewer or the reader dreams for, but which feels so inherently right for the painting and the resilient women who walk the rugged paths in my stories.

    Image of a two page spread of the author's journal with handwriting on the left and a hand-drawn image of the sun on the right.
    Image Copyright 2026 by JaeSage, All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.

    The Journey of the Resilient

    In both my visual art and my narrative fiction, the final destination is often entirely secondary to the quiet, steady endurance required simply to travel the distance. We may not always be able to surmise exactly where a particular path is going, but there is a profound, rugged beauty found in the “Rough Road” itself. My own road through survival of more than I can recount in this limited space resonates deeply within my art and my writing.

    My paintings of winding paths are intentional invitations for the viewer to explore that uncertainty alongside me, while my fictional characters—powerful, complex women—are the ones brave enough to walk them without hesitation. My own inner strength and resolve is retold in hopefully relatable ways so that I can share what I have learned along the way with those who engage with my work. These women possess fierce personalities forged in the heat of conflict and personal goals that are every bit as difficult as a steep, exhausting ridge climb in the humidity of mid-July.

    Ultimately, my collective work is a living tribute to that quiet resilience: the essential strength to keep moving forward, whether through a dark storm on the canvas or a sudden crisis in a character’s life, trusting completely that the road will eventually reveal its secrets to those who persevere.

  • L Is For… Liberation!

    L Is For… Liberation!

    By JaeSage (Trauma and grief specialist by day, creative polymath by night)

    According to the classic “biographical novel” The Agony and the Ecstasy (Irving Stone, 1961), Michelangelo was claimed to have said that he freed the prisoners trapped in the marble when he sculpted his masterworks. He didn’t see himself as an inventor of forms, but rather as a deliverer. To him, the statue already existed within the stone; his chisel was merely the tool of emancipation. This perspective shifts the act of creation from one of “making” to one of “finding,” and it is a sentiment that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt the pull of a creative spark.

    When I create something, it feels to me as if I am liberating elements of the stories from a twilight existence that they occupy in my mind’s eye. There is a specific, ethereal space where ideas dwell—a sort of waiting room for the imagination. These concepts aren’t quite ghosts, but they aren’t yet real, either. They are half-formed silhouettes, flickering in the periphery of my consciousness, waiting for the invitation to step forward into the world of substance.

    Image of the artist's workspace with tools and a partially-completed canvas, with the artist's hand holding a light blue pencil, drawing sky and clouds.
    Image Copyright 2026, JaeSage. All rights reserved. Used with Permission.

    The Emergence of Form

    My hobby dabbling is nothing as grandiose as the Renaissance creator’s, of course; however, the operating principle is the same. I may not be carving David out of Carrara marble, but the inner weight of an unexpressed idea feels remarkably similar to a block of stone. It is heavy, silent, and full of potential. Whether I am painting a landscape or crafting a character or place, I can feel them emerge from that realm of ideas.

    The process is often more of a discovery than a construction. I can see the formation of the trees along a woodland path, or hear my characters speak as they walk into the light. It is as if they are whispering their own details to me, telling me which branch should curve toward the sun or which word a character would use to express their hidden fears. As the brush moves or the keyboard clicks, the fog in my mind clears. No longer imprisoned by my imagination, they arise, fully formed, into the life on the canvas or the page.

    I have never questioned the process; I have merely lived it. Since I could hold a pencil or paintbrush, the freeing of a subject from that place of shadow existence has been like a flow from mind to hand to surface. It is a fundamental part of my rhythm. In my childhood, it was the simple liberation of a doodle from a blank margin; today, it is the more complex release of a narrative or a vista. This “flow state” is where time becomes irrelevant and the boundary between the internal and external worlds thins.

    Image of a two-page spread of the author's artist's journal with the word "Validate!" in fancy script in the center surrounded by other smaller words and coloring.
    Image copyright 2026 by JaeSage, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

    The Reciprocal Act of Freeing

    As I solve the puzzles of how to apply the better tone or color or phrase, there emerges my own liberation, my growth and confidence. Every creative act requires us to confront a series of micro-challenges. How do I capture the exact hue of a post-storm sky? How do I structure a sentence so it carries the weight of an awkward silence? In the act of answering these questions, I am not just refining a piece of art; I am refining myself. Each successful stroke of the brush or turn of a phrase acts as a key, unlocking a little more of my own potential and self-assurance.

    There is a profound therapeutic quality to this release. As I free my mind from tension and worry, I experience a kind of awe of what I was able to create. The stressors of the day—the emails, the intensive meetings, the lingering anxieties—are often the very “marble” that needs to be chipped away. When I focus entirely on the act of liberation, those worries lose their grip. They are replaced by a sense of wonder that something new now exists where there was once only a void or a blur.

    In the end, the act of creation is a reciprocal relationship. I lean in, and I liberate, and I learn. I liberate the idea from its shadowy prison, and in doing so, the process liberates me. It reminds me that I have the agency to bring light to dark places and form to the formless. Through this quiet, persistent act of freeing the “prisoners” of my imagination, I find my own freedom, one stroke and one word at a time.

    Image of painting by the author, with a walking path on the right, yellow grass on the left and a lake in the middle with sky above.
    Image copyright 2026 by JaeSage, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
  • J is for Journaling to Join the Dots: Idea Generation and Fruition

    J is for Journaling to Join the Dots: Idea Generation and Fruition

    Image of author's recent pages visited with words like "reinvigorate," "More story ideas," and "Artsy CARD greetings."
    Image provided by author, used with permission.

    By JaeSage (Trauma and grief specialist by day, creative polymath by night)

    Let me introduce my creative self. I have a full, satisfying career that is at times high pressure, dazzlingly busy, and both emotionally and intellectually challenging. I work long days that would suck the life out of me if I didn’t love it so much. I belong there. However, a job like mine requires that caring for the self is paramount to being able to continue the work. To hold space for the trauma and grief of others, I must ensure my own internal reservoir is replenished.

    My self-care mostly consists of nature walks, sipping lattes in crowded college coffee shops, writing novels, and painting landscapes. These activities are not merely hobbies; they are the essential counterweights to the weight of my professional life. They allow me to transition from the intensity of the clinic to the expansive freedom of the studio.

     

     

    Jubilant ideas

    Where do I start when the page is blank or the canvas is bare?

    I have been frequently confused whenever folks tell me they struggle with searching for at least one idea of something to create. They share that they are so often stumped, paralyzed by the vast whiteness of an empty sheet. My purely ego-centric puzzlement stems from my lifelong practice of having a heavily loaded journal of places, faces, conversations, landscapes, cityscapes, and so much more just waiting to be mined and formed into the parts of a project.

    For me, the journal is the ultimate safety net against creative block. My idea generation comes from sketches, word lists, written observations, and endless lists of character names and descriptions. I am constantly harvesting the world around me. When I am in those crowded coffee shops, I am not just drinking caffeine; I am recording the rhythm of a stranger’s gait or the specific shade of a winter sky. Often I have so many ideas in the journal that it’s like trying to pick an outfit for the day from a full walk-in closet. The challenge is never “what to make,” but rather “which of these many seeds shall I plant today?”

    The Jumping Off Point

    Getting started with a project, for me, is like peeling the ideas from the journal and laying out what seems like a jigsaw puzzle. It is an act of curation and assembly. I look at a sketch of a gnarled oak tree from three years ago and pair it with a sentence I wrote last week about the feeling of resilience. Suddenly, I have a theme.

    The greatest joy for me is the intricacy of putting it all together in a way that makes sense. It is the puzzle-solving nature of art that keeps me engaged after a long, taxing day of work. A path through a meadow begins to form on the canvas, appearing brushstroke by brushstroke as I reference my written notes on light and shadow. A path taken by a person who wants to preserve life in a chaotic environment walks across the manuscript page, their voice echoing the character descriptions I’ve tucked away in my margins.

    The joy comes from the process of completing the project and knowing the next project is already forming a shape within those well-worn pages. My journal is a bridge between my two worlds—the specialist who witnesses the human struggle and the polymath who finds beauty and order in it. This is the journey that my journaling of ideas takes me on. This is my place of fulfillment and peace.

    By keeping these records, I am never truly alone in the creative process; I am always accompanied by my past observations. I hope, dear fellow creatives, that your idea generators, however they appear to you, help you bring forth projects that give you the fulfillment you seek. May your own “closets” be full of inspiration, and may you find the same peace in the joining of your dots.

    Image of artist's painting of a barn in the middle of a gold agricultural field, with green plants growing in the foreground and blue, cloud-filled sky above.
    Image Copyright 2026 by JaeSage, All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.
  • G Is For… Gregarious Gusto!

    G Is For… Gregarious Gusto!

    (Grab your Google; there are going to be some vocabulary challenges here.)

    By JaeSage (Trauma and grief specialist by day, creative polymath by night)

    If I were to write my autobiography, it would probably start something like this: Bubbling over with delight at having survived over seven decades of extreme weather, parental shenanigans that would nowadays be considered child abuse, a half-century (so far) marriage to a challenging personality, a severely crippling childhood auto accident, and the vagaries of extremist religion and politics, I realized survival was all due to my creatively gregarious way of living life with gusto.

    I wholly believe nature had a hand in this; however, it was nurture—mainly through keen observation and precocious participation in living—that moved me through what life was throwing at me.

    “Overly positivistic!” you may say.

    “Healthily optimistic,” I say. After all, according to Martin Seligman, Michael Scheier, and Charles Carver, “Optimism is often dismissed as just ‘thinking happy thoughts,’ but it is more accurately described as a cognitive framework for interpreting the world. At its core, it is the persistent expectation that favorable outcomes are likely to occur and the belief that setbacks are temporary, specific, and manageable.”

    The glass is not half full of water, but entirely full! After all, air is as elemental as water. When life hands you a quandary, make lavender lemonade.

    In his book Peace Is Every Breath, Thich Nhat Hanh said that we can wake up and declare to ourselves that we have “twenty-four brand-new hours” to live our life afresh each day.

    Future Focus

    So much to look forward to! So much to dread, too! The optimistic creator notices that however horrendous a day may be, there is always something to actively engage in or to be thankful for. Did you get out of bed today? Did you observe someone’s smile? Did that coffee or tea smell fragrant? Was it a beautiful day to take a walk and maybe make some sketches? Was it a lousy weather day that was perfect for staying in and writing in your journal, or composing a poem or a story?

    Action Plan

    How can you bring a little creative, gregarious gusto into your life? Here are but a few suggestions:

    1. Help someone learn to read or draw.
    2. Notice something truly awesome. (I just looked up from writing this and saw buds popping out on a bare little tree.) Find something awe-inspiring just for the sake of feeling awe.
    3. Find an art buddy. Locate someone to whom you can send photos of your art or samples of your writing for mutual support.

    There you have it. You may find that you are creating more often than you think when you start sharing, noticing, and doing. Remember, though, that being without productivity can be as creative as doing. Enjoy!

     

  • V Is For… Verdant!

    #AtoZChallenge 2025 letter V

    Contributed by JaeSage

    The Verdant Embrace of Spring: A Fresh Revival

    “V is for Verdant, Verdant is for Green, Green is for Growing.” This simple yet profound progression encapsulates the very essence of springtime, a season of vibrant renewal that I have witnessed countless times throughout my life here in the heartland of the Midwestern United States. Living amidst the rolling fields and ever-changing skies, I’ve come to appreciate the unique character of a Midwestern Spring – a dynamic period that mirrors the unpredictable yet ultimately hopeful journey of life itself.

    A Microcosm of Life: The Unpredictable Dance of Spring

    Midwestern weather in the spring is a fascinating study in contrasts, a microcosm of life’s own fluctuating nature. Just when you think you’ve settled into a pattern of gentle warmth, the skies can turn dark, unleashing torrential rains, followed perhaps by a sudden burst of intense sunshine, or even a surprising late-season dusting of snow. High winds whip through the landscape, and the distant rumble of thunder sometimes hints at the raw power of tornadoes. This inherent unpredictability, this constant shifting between extremes, somehow prepares us for the ebb and flow of life, teaching us resilience and the ability to adapt to change.

    The Triumphant Arrival of Verdant Life

    And then, as if by magic, after the tumultuous weather has run its course, the green arrives. Verdant. Alive. Bursting forth with irrepressible energy. It’s a visual symphony of newness, a palpable sense of freshness and rebirth that washes over the landscape. The once-bare branches of trees begin to swell with the promise of delicate buds, and the fields transform into a tapestry of emerald hues. Even the humble dandelion pushes through the soil, its bright yellow flowers a cheerful counterpoint to the dominant green.

    Preparing for Growth: A Season of Action

    This verdant transformation inspires a parallel awakening within us. Garden plots are diligently prepared, the rich earth turned and readied for the miracle of seeding. Yard tools, long dormant in the shed, are brought out, oiled, and sharpened, ready to assist in nurturing the burgeoning life around us. We become active participants in this season of growth, eager to cultivate and tend to the potential that surrounds us.

    The Gentle Stirring of New Life

    The verdant growth is accompanied by the subtle yet enchanting appearance of new life. Tiny baby birdies chirp tentatively from their nests, their calls a fragile melody in the spring air. Small, fluffy bunnies cautiously emerge from their burrows, their movements a delicate dance in the newly greening grass. These tender signs of new beginnings serve as gentle reminders of the cyclical nature of life and the preciousness of each new generation.

    Embracing the Elements: Puddle Jumping and Preparedness

    With the spring rains comes the inevitable allure of puddles. Out from the back of the coat closet reappear the trusty raincoats, colorful umbrellas, and well-worn galoshes, ready to equip us for the simple joy of puddle jumping. These practical items become symbols of our willingness to embrace the elements, to find delight even in the wetness, and to navigate the sometimes-muddy paths of life with a sense of playful resilience.

    A Call to Mindful Awareness and Grace

    The verdant growth all around us serves as a powerful reminder to cultivate mindful awareness. To truly see the delicate unfolding of leaves, to hear the vibrant chorus of birdsong, and to feel the gentle warmth of the sun on our skin. This season invites us to extend grace, both to ourselves as we navigate our own growth and to others as they navigate theirs.

    The Gifts of Gratitude, Empathy, and Connection

    Springtime fosters a sense of gratitude for the beauty and renewal that surrounds us. The vibrant green serves as a constant visual reminder of the life force that permeates everything. This sense of gratitude naturally extends to empathy, as we witness the vulnerability of new life and the efforts required for growth. It encourages us to connect with others, to share in the joy of the season, and to care for both ourselves and those around us.

    Hail Springtime! A Celebration of Life

    Therefore, let us wholeheartedly hail springtime! Let us embrace the verdant energy that surrounds us, the promise of growth, and the inherent beauty of this season of rebirth. Let us celebrate life in all its unpredictable glory, finding joy in the simple act of witnessing the world awaken around us. For in the verdant embrace of spring, we find a renewed sense of hope and a vibrant affirmation of the enduring power of life itself.

    Be your own joy!

    JaeSage

  • M is for Maturing: A Natural Progression or a Forced Act?

    #AtoZChallenge 2025 letter M

    Contributed by Jae Sage.

    M is for Maturing: A Natural Progression or a Forced Act?

    We often hear the term “adulting” tossed around, sometimes with a hint of sarcasm or even dread, as if becoming a mature adult is an unnatural hurdle we must consciously force ourselves to overcome. But isn’t growth, in its essence, an inherent part of the human experience? If not, we might very well still be dwelling in caves, as the old adage suggests. So, why the apparent struggle in recent years to embrace maturing as a natural and ordinary developmental process?

    Beyond simply inviting your thoughts and opinions on this matter, I’d like to offer a few perspectives on why the journey to adulthood might feel more challenging today. Perhaps the reality lies not just in actual shifts in the landscape of growth, but also in our perception of these shifts. Furthermore, does growth and maturity inherently equate to prosperity? And how do we even define prosperity in this context? Is it solely about financial security, or does it encompass a sense of meaningful purpose, spiritual fulfillment, or simply the accumulation of material possessions? Let’s consider a few points:

    Shifting Sands of Career Growth

    The notion of linear career progression, the kind our parents or grandparents might have experienced, seems increasingly like a relic of the past. Is it that career growth isn’t what it used to be, with the rise of the gig economy and rapidly evolving industries? Or is it simply that our perception of career growth has changed, with a greater emphasis on flexibility, purpose, and continuous learning rather than a steady climb up a single corporate ladder?

    The Evolving Economics of Adulthood

    The sentiment that money is harder to earn and doesn’t stretch as far as it once did resonates with many. Is this an objective reality, considering factors like inflation and wage stagnation for some sectors? Or is it a shift in our expectations and the cost of living in a more interconnected and consumer-driven world? Perhaps both realities contribute to this feeling of financial strain.

    Generational Shifts in Parenting

    Are parents truly parenting differently than in previous generations? Certainly, access to information and evolving societal norms have influenced parenting styles. Are these changes making the transition to adulthood easier or more challenging for the younger generation? Or is it simply a matter of perspective, with each generation facing its own unique set of parental influences and expectations?

    The Landscape of Social Justice and Equity

    The assertion that supportive commonality toward social justice and equity is at an all-time low is a powerful one. But is it accurate? While divisions and conflicts certainly exist, arguably, there is also a heightened awareness and vocal advocacy for social justice and equity in many parts of the world. Perhaps the nature of this support and the platforms through which it is expressed have evolved, leading to a different perception.

    If maturing is indeed a fundamental biological process, where does that leave the concept of taking adult responsibility? How does it influence our choices to take ownership of our lives, to forge our own meaning and purpose? Does it empower us to advocate for ourselves and others, and are we open to receiving support and advocacy in return?

    Finally, let’s remember that maturing doesn’t necessitate abandoning the joys of life. In fact, a healthy form of maturity embraces a sense of wonder, playfulness, and spontaneity. As the old song goes, “Live, love, laugh, and be happy.”

    What are your thoughts on these ideas? What else might contribute to our perception and experience of maturing in the modern world?

    Best to all,

    Jae

  • F is for Flourishing!!

    #AtoZChallenge 2025 letter F

    Contributed by JaeSage

    F is for Flourishing: Beyond Surviving to Truly Thriving 

    Life, in its intricate tapestry, inevitably weaves in threads of change and loss. While these experiences can be profoundly sad and even devastating, they are an undeniable part of the journey we are fortunate to undertake. Navigating these turbulent waters requires more than simply enduring; it calls for a conscious shift from surviving to truly flourishing. 

    Embracing Growth After Change and Loss

    The immediate aftermath of a significant change or loss often necessitates time for processing and healing. Allow yourself the space and compassion to navigate the complex emotions that arise. Once the initial waves begin to subside, consider embarking on a personal journey toward a growth mindset. As the revered Thich Nhat Hahn wisely said, “Every morning when you wake, notice you are breathing, and smile. Here you are ready to start another day.” This simple yet profound practice reminds us of the present moment and the potential for renewal inherent in each new dawn. 

    During this transformative period, remember the vital importance of seeking support. Lean on the strength and understanding of your loved ones, trusted friends, and even supportive acquaintances. Consider reaching out to professionals such as therapists or spiritual advisors who can offer guidance and perspective. Embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and assimilate new ideas. Ultimately, the goal is to integrate these experiences and discover your own unique path toward flourishing. 

    Cultivating Loving-Kindness and Self-Compassion

    A cornerstone of flourishing is the practice of loving-kindness, both for ourselves and for others. Remember, you are inherently enough. Embrace the understanding that you possess the capacity for growth and can embody a state of true flourishing. Self-care and self-compassion are not luxuries but essential pillars in this journey. Be patient with yourself, acknowledge your progress, and consistently take steps forward, no matter how small. 

    Developing a SMART Action Plan

    To actively cultivate flourishing, consider developing an action plan grounded in SMART goals. This framework provides a clear and structured approach to moving forward: 

    • Specific: Define your goals with clarity and detail. Instead of a vague aspiration, think in concrete terms.
    • Measurable: Establish tangible ways to track your progress. How will you know when you have achieved your goal?
    • Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic and attainable within your current circumstances.
    • Relevant: Align your goals with your core values and what truly brings meaning to your life.
    • Timebound: Set a realistic timeframe for achieving your goals, creating a sense of direction and accountability.

    By thoughtfully crafting and pursuing SMART goals, you can actively shape a life that is more aligned with your deepest values and aspirations, paving the way for genuine flourishing. 

    Springing into a Flourishing Future

    Once you have allowed yourself the necessary time for healing, cultivated self-compassion, and developed a clear action plan, you can begin to allow yourself the space to spring into action. Embrace the opportunities for growth and renewal that lie ahead.  

    May your Spring, and indeed your life, be one of continuous flourishing! 

    As always, 

    JaeSage

    For further reading:

    • Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh
    • The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer

     

  • Y Is For… Yearning!

    Contributed by JaeSage

    I want to tell you about a dream I had the other night.  I want to ask you your opinion on what the heck it was trying to t tell me.  I have been yearning, yearning for change of some kind but it has been a bit of the “lady or the tiger” kind of yearning.

    A dream… it begins with optimistic anticipation… a heavy backpack… going somewhere… two faceless companions accompany me. There seem to be other people in the near distance, shadowy figures, some benign and some menacingly dangerous. I can feel it.

    There are three ways forward presented to the dreamer (me)… hard, icy cold, silvery metal elevator doors to a deep mysterious unknown:

    Next there are dark, dank steep and slippery stairs back down to the level surface of vague familiarity.

    And finally the third, a brightly sunlit, jutting promontory over a lush tropical ocean scene.

    Which one to take? Which one to avoid?

    First, choosing the lure of the clearly visible, yet unattainably far, turquoise ocean bay. Vivid memory of moving toward the promontory point. The sudden shock and terror of a relentlessly heavy, sharp wind and of being nearly swept over into the sea a thousand feet below. Ignored by the shadow others who accompanied me to this point of indecision.

    Desperately begging the companions to help, trying to get them to realize the danger in their laissez-faire demeanor. Urgency! Save me! The backpack, grab it. It’s dragging me over. Help me stop. Help me make a better (safer?) choice. …… and then….. and then silence.       Sudden relief when I was no longer in danger of an imminent terrifying plummet into open space, anticipating a body rending landing on flesh-ripping bone-crushing rocks.

    Where did the sudden quiet stillness come from? It’s a dreamscape … some foggy some sharp visions creep into my memory …

    Wondering… Did someone grab my backpack thus relieving me of the burden that was also a sail being caught by the force of the seaward wind?

    And then…another thought drifts into my mind… Did I perhaps, by myself, crawl along the surface toward a heretofore unseen door leading to one of the other difficult, scary, less visibly desirable, but perhaps, more serviceable choices forward? What was the dream trying to tell me?

    What scene was just outside my vision? Could there also have been a smooth mostly level landscape, green and pleasant, albeit a bit of a misty fog hanging over it, obscuring the path? Has the optimistic anticipation of the dream’s beginning returned? Was that a memory of an actual element of the dream or is my waking mind embellishing the story of the dream with a fourth choice?

    Again, what was the dream telling me? What was I, the figure in the dream yearning to do, to be, to choose?

    Okay, looking back on that post, it was a bit David Lynch.

    Now I am having an afterthought: Y is for Jungian*?

    *Pronounced yoong- e- uhn, Carl Jung was a Swiss personality scientist whose research often involved dreamscapes.

    Anyway, thanks for letting me in. Suggestions of what that all meant are welcome. Hope your dreams are lovely or at least interesting even if you can’t figure them out.

    By JaeSage
    Iowa Druid and Dream Maker
    2023

  • K Is For… Kinetic Kindness!

    Speaking of movement.  I was fortunate to be assigned to the letter K. Hmm, so, Kinetic Kindness—I googled these two words together and found oodles of optimistic blogs, websites, teacher resources and more about movement and kindness (not always at the same time). Here’s my take on Kinetic Kindness:

    What and who is Kinetic Kindness?

    Kinetic refers to non-verbal emotional communication through movement and facial expressions. Kindness is generous, friendly consideration.

    Think of kinetic kindness as a combination of non-verbal expression of movement and being of a positive giving nature (which paradoxically will often contain verbal communication). Then I suppose we are getting into the realm of Kinesthesia. Anyway, let’s have some fun with that concept.

    Think of an encounter you have had while briskly walking, running, or bicycling on the trail with the person coming toward you. What has been your experience? Someone could offer a kinetic kindness with something as simple as a nod or a bright wave “hello.” A kinetic kindness could be your delightful pet bringing you a dirty sock and dropping it at your feet while staring lovingly up into your eyes (not sure if I’m anthropomorphizing here or not; but doesn’t that feel like kindness?).

    Why Kinetic Kindness?

    Why not? Supposing that kindness as a noun can be a stationary state; how does one offer kindness without movement? Food for thought and for another essay sometime in the future (or not).

    Ways to live in Kinetic Kindness:

    I wonder if you could offer kinetic kindness by purchasing or painting a happy painting that shows something, or someone, in motion or draw a drawing (with the intention of giving it as a gift or hanging it in a place that can be kindly shared with others) that has many bright colors and “motion.” Here’s a hint: it can be a realistic or abstract painting like this one from Wassily Kandinsky:

    or it can be a flower waving in the breeze or a bird or animal in motion like this little squirrel I sketched:

    Whatever your skill level or whatever your media or subject matter, make it m> o> v> e>_>_> across the surface of the painting or drawing then share it.  Get how that combo of concepts works?

    Another way to practice kinetic, well, uhm, kinesthetic, kindness is through sound. Not everyone can see a painting or a wave. Could you call out a friendly hello? Could you invite someone to sit next to you on the train with both words and a physical gesture such as a hand movement toward the empty seat (that covers auditory and visual movement)? Could you share a kindness by playing or creating or singing a song that illustrates movement. What comes to mind for you? Do you have any tunes like this on your current playlists? Jeramiah was a Bullfrog comes to mind. What are some songs that you can share that depict movement and kindness?

    What are some of your ideas to live in kinetic kindness?

    BTW I totally made up this goofy fun concept, kind of works though, doesn’t it?

    By JaeSage
    Iowa Druid and Kinetic Kindness Practitioner
    2023