Time to Dream in Toronto: Sunday June 7

Do you keep wanting to create a dreamboard

but just never get around to doing it?

Would you love to spend a Sunday afternoon with pictures, scissors, glue and good company?

On Sunday, June 7th, the next full moon, I will be hosting some time for dreaming in Toronto. This will be a relaxed afternoon with minimal structure, designed simply to create a friendly, inviting space for you to create a dreamboard. I will provide basic supplies - bristol board (1 per person), gluesticks and scissors - and invite you to bring magazines and images that spark your imagination.

Take some time for you. Spend a fun and relaxed afternoon in community, cutting, pasting and chatting about your dreams.

Date: Sunday June 7th, the full strawberry moon

Time: 2:00-5:00 pm

Location: Broadview & Danforth neighbourhood - RSVP for details

Cost: $10 - Bring a friend for just an additional $5.00

RSVP: jamie@openthedoor.ca

If you're not in Toronto or can't make it this day, participate online with Full Moon Dreamboards. Click here for more information.

Authentic Professionalism (TM)

photo by Danette

What would it be like if you could still be yourself while being a professional? Do you think it's possible? What images are conjured by the word "professional"? Anything you want to be?

These are questions I explored when creating Authentic Professionalism (TM) in response to a request from the wonderful Danette Relic. Danette is a part of a rocking group of woman, including hoopdance instructor Allison Tarr and massage therapist Michelle Yee, who refer to themselves as a Power Pod. These women are vibrant, creative, loving and full of kick. They regularly meet and support each other in pursuit of their dreams. Danette asked me if I would talk to them about professionalism, a topic that kept coming up at their meetings.

The more I thought about it, the more inspired I became. I wanted to create something that would help these women and other creative independents define themselves as professionals in a way that they could really get behind. Instead of a boring definition full of "shoulds," what would it be like to create an authentic professional code that represented who you are and what you want to bring to your work? What would it be like to have an authentic professional code that would serve both as inspiration and also as a guidance system en route to your dreams?

There is an oppressive myth out there that in order to be taken seriously, to be successful, to make money, to be professional, (feel free to add your own words), you must fit a particular mould, do things a certain way. And if you're an independent spirit, a creative being inspired to start your own business, build your own practice, share your own creations, I know one thing -- you didn't choose that path because you wanted to do things just like everyone else. The beautiful thing is that each part of the process can be a part of your self-discovery and self-expression.

When I worked through the Authentic Professionalism (TM) process, I was surprised to find that one of my professional standards is "style." Seeing that helped me define my priorities and understand how deeply committed I am to my business being a work of creative self-expression. If you were to create your own unique set of professional standards, what would they be? What can you get behind?

101 Things in 1001 Days #51 ~ Run a Collage Workshop

I'm thrilled to say that this weekend I launched the pilot for my new workshop, Picture This! It's an interactive collage workshop designed to get you in touch with your self and what you're yearning for. We spent the morning with images, scissors, glue and good company exploring and sharing our inner landscapes.

The feedback has been great and I'm so proud to have finally put out into the world something I've been envisioning for years! Now, I'm just going to do a little tweaking, offer another beta test and then I'm off and running, seeing where this vision will take me and all of those who participate!