"Scheduling Time for Creative Work"
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Hello friends! It’s been a while since I have written, and even longer since I posted a long video…
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One is coming soon, I promise!
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Don’t think for a moment, however, that “the bun” (i.e. Ms. D) and I aren’t thinking about y’all and sending you many blessings every day of the week!
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We have been on the road now for a little over a month. After piddling around SoCal for a few days –visiting with a dear aunt and uncle and running errands (why does that list of random things to take care of never seem to end?)—we finally hit the open (albeit trafficky) road and headed north.
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Truth be told, I absolutely LOVE all points along the Cali coast north of LA: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Carpentaria, SLO county and Morro Bay, and further up to Santa Cruz and even more north into the Redwoods…ahhh…
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As you may know from my videos a few months back, I grew up during my junior high and high school years in inland areas around San Luis Obispo county. It was “wild country” back then, not the hip and happenin’ “go to” destination for wine tours and weddings it is now.
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Morro Bay this time around was amazing. It was chilly and breezy and I got to get out all of my cool weather stuff, including that cruddy old vest I basically wore out last winter but is still my favorite thing in the whole world.
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I also got a lot of stuff “done” while at Morro Bay. Not the “cross it off the list” errand-y stuff but meaningful stuff, like video and writing projects I have been wanting to get to for a long time. With the day-to-day grind of sweeping Timothy hay out of the rig, meeting deadlines for article writing (or at least trying to meet them), and plugging away at video editing for clients, over time these projects began to represent sad little parts of me that were abandoned and alone.
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During the four days I was by the beach at Morro and continuing throughout the three weeks that I have been staying in Santa Cruz (with a very gracious friend who doesn’t mind Timothy hay in her driveway), I have brushed off the dust and have worked towards actually finishing those projects I had once abandoned.
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One project is a series of videosused for a health coaching curriculum that Adena Hodges asked me to do (like months ago) for her program which helps those healing from complex trauma. You can learn all about that HERE.
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I was quite honored when she first asked me to do it, and I dove in at the time! That was back in March. Then, sigh, life happened. More deadlines, more health issues, more, more, more and …. This time I am in full swing with this project and loving it!
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Still…sigh…I reflect…
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How many times do I have to remind myself (or ask God to remind me) that unless I make room in my life and actually SCHEDULE TIME for the things that are meaningful to me, they will just not get done? They will remain in the locked drawers and musty cabinets of Winnie the Pugh and of my own consciousness...
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Live and learn! In Morro Bay, I woke up!
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“The health coaching curriculum!,” I heard loud and clear that first morning by the beach. I knew that it was God reminding me. Suddenly the recollection of all those scripts I wrote, all the B roll I took, and all the ideas I had for movement, nutrition, and health insight last spring came flooding back. It was all still there, waiting for me to “dive in.”
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(This is how good the True Family of God is! I imagine them holding on to all those creative impulses for me until just the right time. Then, as I groggily awaken from my slumber on the “appointed day,” True Holy Spirit whispers in my ear and calls to me, saying, “It's time!” )
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This time, I heeded the call! Even though it was too darn cold (or maybe I’m too much of a chicken) to actually dive into the foamy ocean waters around Morro Rock, I definitely dove into the waters of my creative juiciness over the last month. I managed to get a significant amount done with that health coaching curriculum.
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It was (and is) not always a pleasant ride since sometimes in the curriculum I talk about trauma and how it affects physical health… but, wow, is it rewarding! The candle has been lit and it hasn’t gone out yet! Thank you Jesus! My prayer is that the curriculum will eventually be able to help many to lead healthier lives in the process.
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So far, I have filmed an entire segment, with much more to come over the next few months. You can access my health coaching vids separately (for free for the time being, since I only have a few of them up there at the moment) HERE. You can also access an amazing grouping of creativity lessons called Doodle Dives from my good friend, artist Muriel Wiedman (also on the Transformations.community platform) HERE.
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And, if you want to dive into the whole shebang, you can access the entire Transformations course (where you get my stuff, Muriel’s stuff, and Adena’s stuff, access to weekly zoom groups plus even more bonuses) HERE!
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Finaly, if you ever want to join us for free via Zoom on any given Saturday for worship, ponderings over Scripture, and engagement in lively conversation with a group of people that are passionate about God’s love, about healing trauma, and about stepping into wholeness with the True Family of God, you can check out the Transformations Commmunity Connection HERE!​
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Stepping in to creativity can be so rewarding, and joining with others in a vibrant, creative life can be even more so! Join us when you get a chance!
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​ Love and blessings…and see you on the road!
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Nikki P (and Ms. D)
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Now You Try It...
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Do you have a creative project, hobby, painting, book, or just a creative “inkling” that is calling to you but you have been putting it off in the midst of the business of life? If so, then here is a challenge for you: Get out that planner, wall calendar, or scheduling app and plug in at least an hour to “dive in.”
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If you are ready to get those “creative juices” flowing again, then this is the first step. Let yourself swim and see what you can create! And, of course, I would love to hear about your experiences, questions, or anything. Be sure to drop me a line at nikki@thegentletraveler.com and tell me all about it!
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DISCLAIMER: The videos, articles, and blogs created by Nikki Lyn Pugh, MFA, INHC (aka The Gentle Healthy Traveler) are for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. Please see your regular physician or natural health professional.
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