I SS U E T HR EE | N O VEM B ER 2 01 6
Color Your Soul:
"It's not joy that makes us grateful; it's gratitude that makes us joyful." DAVID STEINDL-RAST
N OV E M B E R 20 16
Color Your Soul a note from the editor -- 2
INSP IRATION - - 1 2
november mood board -- 14 color your soul sketchbook -- 18 more gratitude links -- 26
INSTRUCTION - - 2 8
november class -- 30
INSIGH T -- 32
stories from soulful creatives -- 34 the gallery -- 44 #mvcoloryoursoul daily challenge -- 50 soul studies -- 52
Just two short years ago, I hit financial rock bottom. I’ll never forget waking up in Fort Lauderdale
I never worry about over-drafting or borrowing
at my friend’s apartment to celebrate her
money from friends. My debt is gone. I live in
26th birthday, and realizing I was accidentally
a light, airy modern apartment, waking up to
overdrawn on my checking account and
natural light and ocean views. I have a real
maxed out on my only credit card. I was
savings account for the first time in my life.
literally BROKE.
Even as I type this now and reflect on the difference between today and two years ago, I
I had to swallow my pride and ask my friend --
have to pinch myself.
the birthday girl -- to spot me the cash to pay C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
02
for my meal aka HER OWN birthday brunch.
But, despite those big changes and immense positive
I felt humiliated. And trapped. And anxious all the time because money was so tight. Coming home from that trip, I remember sitting with my partner Jason and saying "I’m tired of feeling this way. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to create a different life for us." Armed with nothing but desperation, we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps, worked our TAILS off, made changes to our businesses, and step by tiny step, both of our businesses started to grow and our debt started to disappear.
Fast forward just two short years later and now my life looks completely different.
improvements
to
my
financial
situation, I’d be lying if I said I FEEL as grateful and joyful as I know my circumstances should reflect every day. I’m not immune to the stress of business and stupid inconveniences that pop up. I still have moments when I freak out about money, despite being miles away from that broke place I was. And it’s all too easy to forget just how beautiful and satisfying my surroundings truly are.
Why is that?, I wondered. Why
do
we
adapt
so
quickly
to
our
circumstances and why is it so hard to FEEL grateful for what we have? Why do we always focus on wanting MORE?
And HOW can we bypass this instinct we have to focus on what’s lacking, in order to bring more attention to what’s good in our lives? These are the questions I wanted to focus on in this issue.
S O , T H I S MONTH I’M GOING TO A SK YO U T O C OLOR YOUR S OUL WITH GR ATITUD E. November
is
a
natural
time
to
start
thinking about what we’re grateful for with Thanksgiving just around the corner here in the US, but I wanted to try and use this time to uncover real insights we can all use to cultivate more gratitude all year long -- not just this time of year. I’ve poured over gratitude research through articles and books and videos trying to pluck out some very practical ways for us all to use gratitude as a tool to boost our energy, our attitude, and our overall feeling of happiness. (I’ve even started my own gratitude practice to see if the effects of daily gratitude are really all they’re cracked up to be.) Through all my research, the three themes that seemed to pop up over and over again were: PRESENCE, PERSPECTIVE, and ACTION.
03
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
04
* GRATITUDE IS PRESENCE In order to find gratitude in what’s around you, you first have to bring your attention to the present moment. We spend so much time focusing on what we want the future to hold, or harboring guilt and longing for what has already happened in the past, that we often neglect what is right under our noses: the present moment. The present is hard to stay in because, by comparison, it lacks the idealism of the future and the safety/certainty of the past. However, all we TRULY have in each moment IS the present, so we need to learn how to connect our consciousness to it. Gratitude
through
presence is about
taking a moment out of our sprint toward the future to slow down and SIT inside what’s real. To look around for awhile and see what beauty we may have been moving too fast to appreciate. I love this quote that I came across in my gratitude inspiration: "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." WHAT WE HAVE is the present and that is where the journey of gratitude begins.
*
GRATITUDE IS PERSPECTIVE In
psychology,
there’s
a
term
called
hedonic adaptation, which is the "observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive life changes." In other words, we’re literally programmed to get used to the good stuff that happens in our lives (which helps explain why I don’t wake up ELATED every morning based on the story I shared with you above.) It’s not until we take that time to slow down and remind ourselves how our present compares to other times in our lives or even the lives of other people who may not have what we have that we can really SEE the great strides we’ve made and fully acknowledge the journey we’ve been on. Gratitude
through
perspective
is
all
about appreciating what you have by reminding yourself how it compares to other circumstances. It’s about using contrast to bring greater attention to the beautiful things right in front of you.
07
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
08
*
GRATITUDE IS ACTION Okay, here’s the doozy. The ONE connective thread through every bit of research and insight I came across on gratitude is this: gratitude is not just a feeling; it’s an action. In order to use this powerful tool effectively, we can’t just think about what we’re grateful for and expect to suddenly feel happier; it has to be an active practice. It must be IMPLEMENTED. As Dr. Brené Brown shares in this video: "It’s not just about an ‘attitude of gratitude’; it’s a PRACTICE." It’s about engaging in a deliberate activity that can bring gratitude into focus. She also shared the amazing quote by Brother David Steindl-Rast that you see above and in this issue’s sketchbook pieces: "It’s not joy that makes us grateful; it’s gratitude that makes us joyful." Gratitude
through
action
is
about
recognizing that in order for us to use gratitude to make an impact on our overall levels of happiness and joy, we have to put it in motion. We have to take steps to intentionally bring it to our attention on a consistent basis, and that’s when the magic can be felt.
09
Throughout this issue, I’ll share with you some of my research on gratitude along with some real, tangible ways you can introduce gratitude as an ACTION into your life. It is scientifically proven that gratitude is a powerful force to bring positivity into our lives, if we’re willing to deploy the effort to use it.
C OL OR YOUR SOU L | I S S U E THR E E
|
10
I have two new contributors to share with you their stories about gratitude, plus our first daily challenge collaboration with Dani of PositivelyPresent.com, whom we’ll be joining for her annual gratitude photo challenge on Instagram. I’ll be the first to admit that as I stop and look around, I have TONS to be grateful for in my life, but I want to actually feel that on a regular basis. I think the key to making that a reality is making the commitment to bring this whole ‘gratitude thing’ into my daily life, and I hope you guys will join me on that journey.
I’ll be using the Five Minute Journal (look for it in the inspiration links section) to write down my daily gratitude, so if you want to join me in that practice, I encourage you to pick up a copy and do the same! Listen, I know it’s tempting to keep our focus fixated on the future. We’ll be happy WHEN we finally make X money. We’ll be happy WHEN we finally get that book deal. We’ll be happy WHEN we can move to that new city. But why not be happy NOW? Why not find joy in what is here in the present for us to love. I believe our path to peace in the present is gratitude, and I’m excited to see what insights arise as we stay mindful of this theme all month long. And, lastly, I just want to say: I’m so grateful to have connected with people out there in the world who share similar values with me and appreciate the work and heart I pour into Color Your Soul.
In other words... I’m grateful for YOU. (Wow, they’re right. That felt really good! This gratitude thing is kind of awesome!) Enjoy the issue!
PART ONE
Inspiration
INS P IR ATION IS ABO UT SPA RKING YOUR CREATIVITY & S TOK ING YOUR INN ER MUSE. IT BEGINS WITH A VIS UAL INS P IR ATION BOA RD THAT SCULPTED MY V ISION FOR TH IS IS S UE, BUT IT A LSO EXTEN DS TO MY OWN SK ETC H BOOK WH ER E I HOPE YOU’LL FIN D PIECES OF A RT TH AT S P EAK TO TH E BIG, JUICY TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE.
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
14
The energy of gratitude to me is equal parts satisfaction and positivity, so I was inspired by the peaceful softness of pastel lilac and dusty pink, coupled with the hopeful energy of golden and yellow hues. There’s also something beautifully grounding about it in pulling you back to the present moment, which is why you’ll see elements of nature and the darker tones of amethyst and muted turquoise.
15
rich, textured interior / abstract art / cheery palms / agate / pinwheel flowers / dreamy clouds / sea glass / purple chairs
EXPLORE THE
#MVColorYourSoul Sketchbook These original art pieces were created through the lens of this month’s theme. My hope is that each piece serves as both a visual cue and a thought-stirring catalyst for self-discovery.
COLO R YO UR S O U L | I S S U E T HR E E
|
20
SO METIM ES WE FOR GET TO TA KE A STEP BA CK A ND AP P R EC IATE H OW FAR WE’V E COME. THIS PIECE IS A R E M IND ER TO P ULL BAC K FROM LOOKING A HEA D A N D SI T W ITH TH E GR ATITUD E OF A LL YOU’VE A CCOMPLISHED AL R EADY !
T HO U GH IT M IGH T S EEM A LITTLE OVERLY PHILOSOPHICA L, THIS P H R ASE HELP S M E R EM EM BER THAT THE PRESEN T IS A CTUA LLY THE O N LY T HI N G TH AT IS R EAL IN EVERY MOMEN T. THE PA ST IS GONE (N O U SE T R Y I N G TO C H ANGE IT) ; THE FUTURE IS NOT YET HERE (N O USE TRY I N G T O P RED IC T IT) ; BUT TH E PRESEN T IS UPON US A N D WHEN WE P U L L O U R S ELVES BAC K TO TH E PRESEN T, THAT’S WHEN WE SEE A LL TH E BEA UTY THAT’S A LREA DY A ROUND US.
21
COLO R YO UR S O U L | I S S U E T HR E E
|
22
I T H INK GR ATITUD E IS ALSO A BOUT SEEIN G THE GOOD IN WHAT’S AR O UND YOU. R ATH ER THA N FOCUSING ON WHAT’S LA CKING OR W H AT’S NOT ID EAL, IT’S A BOUT FINDIN G PEA CE A N D COMFORT I N WH AT IS WOR K ING. THAT’S WHAT THIS PIECE REMINDS ME TO D O -- LOOK FOR TH E LIGHT IN A LL SITUATION S. (COLLA GE PHOTO C O UR TESY OF D AR LING MA GA ZIN E)
I WAS R EALLY IN SPIRED BY THE SEA GLA SS/SEA S TONES IN TH E INSPIRATION PHOTOS. THE WEIGHT OF TH EM WAS A VISUA L REMINDER TO SLOW DOWN A ND S INK INTO TH E PRESEN T MORE, A ND THE BEA UTIFUL, S OFT C OLORS REMIN D ME TO FIN D PEA CE THERE.
23
COLO R YO UR S O U L | I S S U E T HR E E
|
24
I
G R ATITUD E H AS TH E P OW ER TO TA KE US FROM A SCA RCITY M I ND S ET TO AN ABUND A N CE MINDSET. BY FOCUSIN G ON WHAT W E D O HAVE, WE’R E ABLE TO FEEL SATISFIED A N D CON TEN T, RATHER T HAN TO C ONS TANTLY BE REMINDIN G OURSELVES OF A LL WE LA CK .
T HI S QUOTE ENC OM PAS S ES THE HEA RT OF GRATITUDE FOR ME. I T I S A REM IND ER TH AT WE HAV E TO MA KE GRATITUDE A N A CTIV E P R AC T IC E - - AND TH AT JOY THEN STEMS FROM THAT PRA CTICE. W E C AN ’ T EXP EC T FOR TH E FEELING OF GRATITUDE OR THA NKS TO A R R I V E , W E M US T C ONJUR E IT; THEREIN LIES THE POSITIVE EFFECT TH AT GRATITUDE CA N HAVE ON OUR LIVES.
25
1 MORE
Gratitude Inspiration Over the past year, I’ve had a few friends who recommend The Five-Minute Journal, but I have to admit it never really caught my interest. Okay, here’s ONE MORE THING that’s promising to revolutionize my life, I thought. But, honestly, after using it for just one
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
26
week, I’m in love. I keep it by my bed and it’s the first
2
thing I do in the morning and last thing I do at night, and in just that short time it really has impacted how I feel about my day. So far it’s the only gratitude practice I’ve stuck with EVER. Click here to grab yours.
3 Effortless
Inspiration
Series
by
Dani DiPirro
I LOVE this super simple AND super practical tip from Marie Forleo on how to make your gratitude practice even more impactful by making each thing you’re grateful for HIGHLY specific. I’ve implemented this in my own practice and it actually has made a huge difference for me, because the more granular you allow yourself to be in the things you’re grateful for, the more you start to see the sheer multitude of things there are to be grateful for.
Gratitude in ACTION! This video beautifully illustrates the powerful difference between thinking of someone you’re grateful for and actually turning that gratitude into action. Watch as these people write a letter about someone they’re grateful for and then take that one step further and actually read that letter to the recipient. I have to admit I found myself a little misty eyed at certain parts. Click here to watch.
4 5 TED.com Gratitude Playlist
The thing I love about everything Brené Brown says is that it is rooted in actual research. Her theories are tested and they emerge through the work she does with real people. So when she says that the real positive effects of gratitude occur when you turn it into a practice, I believe her! I also love that she shares the simple ways her family has integrated gratitude into their evening ritual, and the impact that has made on their lives as a whole. Click here to watch.
6
27
PART TWO
Instruction
I NS TR UC TION IS ABOUT MOVING BEYOND THE CREATIV E S PAR K AND TAK ING A CTION . IT’S WHERE I’M A BLE TO S H AR E WITH YOU A NEW PRA CTICA L SKILL OR FR AM EWOR K TH AT APPLIES TO CREATIVITY, A UTHEN TIC BUS INES S OR PERSONA L GROWTH.
FEED YOUR CURIOSITY WITH THE NEWEST
November Class!
31
IN THIS CLASS, I’M TEAMING UP WITH JASON ZOOK (MY LIFE PARTNER AND CREATIVE MASTERMIND BEHIND JASONDOESSTUFF.COM) TO SHARE THE OVER 30 DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE HAVE MADE MONEY USING OUR CREATIVE TALENTS AND SKILLS.
IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS, WE’VE USED THE PROFITS IN OUR BUSINESSES TO PAY OFF OVER $100,000 IN DEBT AND CREATE FINANCIAL FREEDOM FOR OURSELVES, AND WE WANT TO HELP OTHER SOULFUL CREATIVES BALANCE PURPOSE WITH PROFITS TO SUSTAIN A LIVING MAKING THE THINGS THEY LOVE TO MAKE.
THERE’S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY FROM THIS HALF-DAY FULL OF IDEAS AND PRACTICAL WAYS TO APPROACH MAKING MONEY THROUGH YOUR CREATIVITY LIVE ON NOVEMBER 17th / 10AM PT - 1PM PT Replay to follow if you can’t make it live. You’ll be emailed a free signup link soon!
PART THREE
Insight
A FTER ENJOY ING TH E CREATIV E SPA RK OF INSPIRATION AND TH E C ONFID ENC E THAT COMES WITH IN STRUCTION, WE FINALLY AR R IVE AT THE LA ST PA RT OF THE COLOR YOUR S OUL EQUATION: IN SIGHT. INSIGHT IS A BOUT D IVING D EEP ER INTO YOUR OWN IDENTITY A N D D IS C OVERING REVELATIONS IN YOUR OWN LIFE.
Through "Soul Studies" -- an exclusive weekly email series -- I’ll challenge you to investigate your own values as a means of understanding yourself better. You can visit "The Gallery" to download exclusive art and resources to surround yourself with visual reminders of our monthly theme. And finally, I’ll offer up fun prompts and exercises so you can live out the monthly theme on a daily basis with the #MVColorYourSoul Challenge!
GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVE THROUGH
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
34
Stories From Soulful Creatives
Dani DiPirro and I have been internet pals for what feels like years. We’ve supported each other’s work from afar, and when I decided on the theme of this issue, I knew I immediately wanted to ask Dani to be a contributor. As the blogger behind PositivelyPresent.com, Dani writes about topics like gratitude and presence and personal growth all the time (she’s even written books on it!) I love Dani’s practical and joyful approach to everything she does. I hope you’ll find her article actionable and personal, and I hope you’ll join Dani and I in the daily gratitude photo challenge this month! (More on that below.) 35
I first found Angie Coates through Instagram, and her gorgeous digital collages coupled with her fun and funky style had me hooked on her vibe from the start. I quickly noticed that this word "gratitude" started showing up regularly in her posts when she’d share short lists of things she was grateful for (like her adorable rescue pup Meatball!) Not only do I love Angie’s creativity and aesthetic, but I also love that she’s super honest about the fact that life isn’t all rainbows and puppies -- but that’s why we NEED gratitude. To lift us up even when we’re not feeling our best. Check out her piece below and read about how practicing gratitude has impacted her life.
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
36
Gratitude
PRACTICING
Written by Angie Coates
Some people wake up in the morning, and
with day after day, growing into a habit over
their default setting is to be happy and
the years.
positive people. With gratitude, much like training a muscle, I always found that puzzling and even
practice is everything! Gratitude feels good,
irritating. ‘They must have a perfect life’, I
the more I do it. But the most profound and
used to think. That was the only possible
impactful changes come after practicing
explanation I could think of. My natural
over a consistent period of time. Likewise,
default was certainly not happy and positive.
the benefits start to diminish when I stop.
Depending on the day, I would waver from low level grumpy to flat out disillusioned, or even depressed.
But don’t worry. Practicing gratitude doesn’t require us to do it perfectly. It only requires us to do it often.
Over the years I’ve done a lot of work to correct that, including therapy. My life has changed immensely and I have learned many things.
My short and sweet version of gratitude is to do a list of a few things that are making me happy, or I am thankful for that day. The key for me is to focus on the little things in
First, I am not the only one who doesn’t wake
life, not just the obvious big things. Even
up feeling like sunshine and rainbows by
on really bad days, if I pay attention, I can
default. Second, living a positive and happy
always find at least a few things (if not
life is a trainable skill that has very little
more!) I can give thanks for.
do with circumstance and a lot to do with mindset.
I often like sharing my list of gratitude with friends, and I have friends who share theirs
One of the most effective tools I’ve learned
with me. It keeps me accountable and it
to fight the blues and fend off the grumpies
encourages me to notice things that I may
is to develop a daily habit of gratitude. It
not always pay attention to.
also happens to be the easiest. Perhaps that’s why it’s my favourite. Part of its power lies in its simplicity, making it easy to stick
In that spirit, here is a list of a few things I am grateful for today:
37
+ + Morning coffee and blueberry bagels
Being grateful may not necessarily turn
+ + Fall weather and the colour of Fall
our lives around. But it will certainly make
leaves
us happier humans, and when we hit the
+ + Waking up to a snoring cuddly pup every single morning
occasional slump or feel discouraged, it can help us re-focus and carry on.
+ + Sleeping in! + + Creative evenings and weekends with my husband and best friend + + Meaningful time with family + + A healthy body and mind
If you haven’t tried it, I cannot encourage you enough to try! The worst thing that can happen...is that nothing happens. Or even worse, maybe, just maybe, you will end up becoming one of those irritating humans
There really are no rules to practice, and the list can be as short or as long as you want C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
38
it to be. That is one of the best things about
who wakes up feeling like everything is sunshine and rainbows - at least on some days!
it. Whatever works for you is the best way to do it. After many years of practice, I’ve discovered that it is practically impossible to be grateful and unhappy at the same time. But you don’t need to take my word for it; studies show that gratitude not only make us happier, but it also does wonders for our health.
Angie Coates is a freelance designer and creative entrepreneur living in Vancouver, Canada. She is a passionate dog lover (especially of the rescue breed), a relentless maker, and an advocate for gratitude + positivity. Most of her free time is spent with her husband, Geoff and rescue dog, Meatball in their little Chinatown studio making things and watching Gilmore Girls reruns on Netflix! Lately, she’s been focusing on living by these two mantras: we become what we seek and what we focus on, grows.
With gratitude, much like training a muscle, practice is everything! Gratitude feels good, the more I do it. But the most profound and impactful changes come after practicing over a consistent period of time.
39
Have A Grateful Day! USING GRATITUDE TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
Written by Dani DiPirro
As the woman behind the counter handed
note, expressing gratitude for a kind deed,
me my grocery-filled bag, she smiled and
or reflecting on our good fortune when
said, "Have a grateful day!"
seated at the Thanksgiving Day table, but sometimes we forget the many additional
Taking hold of the bag, I paused, both surprised and delighted to hear the word
ways gratitude can be of use to us every single day.
grateful in place of great. "You too!" I said, beaming at her from the other side of the
Here are a few of the many ways you can
counter.
use gratitude to connect with yourself, augment
If you’re reading this, you’re probably the type
your
relationships
with
others, and make your life more vibrant!
of person who is well-aware that gratitude is
valuable,
important,
and
essential.
It’s been shown to positively impact our
USE GRATITUDE TO CEN TER
relationships (both with ourselves and with
YOURSELF.
others), to enhance our careers, and even to improve physical health! Even if you can
One of the greatest moments to channel
list the benefits of gratitude (of which there
gratitude is when you’re feeling upset, angry,
are many!), actually making good use of
frustrated, or worried. In that moment, ask
gratitude isn’t always so straightforward.
yourself, "What is working right now? What
Around this time of year, you’ll see more and more articles about gratitude popping up, but gratitude isn’t apple picking or pumpkin decorating; it shouldn’t be considered a seasonal activity. Many
understand
one thing can I be thankful for?" Simply by identifying one thank-worthy thing, you’ll create a sense of internal calm that will help you while tackling tough emotions. Gratitude doesn’t make the hard stuff disappear, but it makes it much easier to cope with.
the
good
vibes
that
come along with sending a thank you
U SE G R AT ITUD E TO BE M OR E
USE GRATITUDE TO MOTIVATE
MINDFUL.
YOURSELF.
When struggling to live in the moment (as
Ever have those days when it seems like
many of us often are!), gratitude can be a go-
nothing gets crossed off your to-do list?
to resource for bringing your attention back
You’re not alone. But you can combat
to the now. If you find yourself getting caught
unmotivated
up thinking about the past or worrying
Rather than focusing on what you’ve yet to
about the future, turn your attention to
do, write a list of all the things you’re grateful
what’s happening in the present moment
to have accomplished. Doing so will remind
and be grateful for what you’re currently
you that you are capable of things and that
experiencing. Even if you don’t love it, you
can be the boost you need to get going!
moments
with
gratitude.
are here, and that in itself is pretty amazing.
U SE G R AT ITUD E TO ENH ANC E
USE GRATITUDE TO OVERCOME
R E L AT I O N SH IP S .
OBSTA CLES.
Nothing makes a relationship better than
Life is really tough times, but when you
when you are truly grateful for the other
direct your energy and attention to what
person. All relationships -- with friends,
you have (rather than what you lack),
partners, colleagues, family, etc. -- have ups
the trials you’re facing appear less like
and downs, but when turn your focus toward
insurmountable mountains and more like
gratitude, you’ll be much more likely to focus
manageable molehills. Gratitude provides
on the positive aspects of the relationship.
perspective, which is what you need most
This will help make the challenging times more
when you’re struggling to keep climbing.
manageable and the good times even better.
U SE G R AT ITUD E TO IM P R OVE YOUR
Your mind is an incredibly powerful tool.
H E ALT H.
You can use it to focus your attention on anything you want to home in on. If what you psychological
focus on is up to you, why not make good
benefits, but it can also improve your
use of that brilliant mind of yours and focus
physical health, too. So much of stress is
on gratitude? Gratitude won’t always be the
caused by thinking about what we want (or
easiest choice, but keep this in mind: you’ve
think we should want). Lower stress levels
probably never heard anyone say, "Man, I
by taking note of what you already possess
wish I hadn’t been so grateful! What a waste
-- your unique abilities, your relationships
of time!" There’s a reason for that.
Gratitude
has
a
ton
of
with loved ones, your favorite book. This will help lower stress, which will greatly improve your overall health.
Gratitude
is
powerful,
productive,
and
positive, and the more you have of it in your life, the better your life will become.
Gratitude is powerful, productive, and positive, and the more you have of it in your life, the better your life will become.
Dani DiPirro is an author, blogger, and designer living in a suburb of Washington, DC. In 2009, she launched PositivelyPresent.com as a way to share her personal experiences and insights on positivity, awareness, and self-love — things that didn’t always come easy to her! Dani is the author of Stay Positive, The Positively Present Guide to Life, the Effortless Inspiration series, and a variety of e-books. She is also the founder of Twenty3, a design studio focused on positive products and inspired illustration.
GET YOUR FREE ART FROM
The Gallery Get your exclusive printable art and wallpapers just for Color Your Soul Subscribers! Download each mindfulness mantra or sketchbook page as a desktop wallpaper, phone background OR a printable monthly calendar! Use each piece of art as a way to let these messages sink into your psyche as you go about your month! Just click the thumbnail of the download you want!
COLO R YO UR S O U L | I S S U E T HR E E
|
Printable Calendars
46
Phone Backgrounds
47
Desktop Wallpapers
FEEL GRATITUDE IN ACTION WITH THE
#MVColorYourSoul Daily Challenge C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
50
This month I’m teaming up with the amazing Dani of PositivelyPresent.com to join her SIXTH annual Gratitude Photo Challenge! Every day of November, use the prompt list to get inspired and take a photo of something for which you’re grateful. Interpret each prompt however you like or come up with your own! The idea is just to take a moment out of your day to see gratitude in ACTION. For details on how to win an incredible prize pack, check out Dani’s blog post with details on the challenge!
51
CHECK O U T TH E D ETAILS NOW
REFLECT ON GRATITUDE IN YOUR LIFE WITH
C OL OR Y OU R SO UL | I S S U E T HR E E |
52
Soul Studies Journal Prompts Bust out those writing journals, we’re about to get DEEP! Look out for my Sunday emails with prompts and questions to help you interpret this month’s theme in your life, your business and your creativity.
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
E M B R AC ING TH E NOW
A PPRECIATIN G YOUR PROGRESS
READ I T NO W
RE AD IT NOW 53
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
D E V E L O P ING A P R AC TIC E
MA KING A PLA N
READ I T NO W
RE AD IT NOW