On being determined

It's been a while since I've written a post here on my blog and I can't even begin to imagine how this year has been for you so far. I hope that you've been able to find moments to be creative and have some small adventures, even if these have been imaginary and in or close to home.

When I created these Goat of Determination Magical Animal postcards, little did I know how much determination, encouragement and support we'd need to get through the past 6+ months. I sent out some as gifts at the start of the year and they've been pinned to notice boards and stuck to fridges and [so I've been told] have helped and brought a smile when it's been needed. They've been a visual reminder that little by little, small step by small step, we can keep going. 

I've just discovered that I've still got some Goat of Determination postcards and so I've listed them on my Folksy shop at a reduced price [3 postcards for £2.50 plus p+p], as I'd really love for Sandy to go and to hopefully spread a bit of 'doormat' joy!  

Link to Folksy Shop:  Goat of Determination

I hope I can tempt you to purchase a few Sandys to send to your friends and family. Send to raise a smile and a hug by post.  ;-D

Keep Going, don't stop believing - YOU CAN DO IT!!

Morwhenna
xx

PS Please do share with anyone else you think might like to buy some. Thank you! 

The Joy of a Mini Adventure...and where it might lead you

When was the last time you went on a Mini Adventure?

Adventures come in all shapes and sizes and after being away in Thailand earlier this year on a BIG adventure, since returning home I’m been even more interested in adventures on my own doorstep. 

You can find adventure everywhere – if you seek it out. 

This week I went on a mini-adventure to Clevedon, my nearest seaside town. After reading about the 2 minute beach clean initiative set up by Martin Dorey, I wanted to do one myself, So Monday morning I set off to do just that...

There were a few other people on the beach enjoying the sunshine when I arrived. I took out the bag I’d brought with me, the surgical latex glove (!) who knows what I'd find? set a timer on my phone for 2 minutes and set to work...

I’m pleased to say I didn't actually find that much rubbish to pick up, could be a different story after a storm. What I did find was 99% plastic; lolly-pop sticks; straws and bottle tops. All things that if swept back to sea would cause no end of problems for the marine life. 

In no time at all the alarm buzzed and that was it. 2 minutes up. OK this might not beyour idea of what an adventure looks like, to me Mini-Adventures mean exploring, experimenting and doing new stuff! Stuff that might tease you just a little bit out of your comfort zone...

It was Fast, It was Fun, and most of all it was satisfying!

I tied up my bag of collected rubbish and put it in the bin. 

Now time to explore.  I wandered along the beach front and a sign saying ‘To The Book Shop’ caught my eye. I went to investigate. 

The Clevedon Community Bookshop is set just one street back from the seafront and is a pretty fab place. The lady on the desk told me it became a community bookshop about two years ago and is run by volunteers. It was packed full of books that have mostly been donated and it was rather busy! 

I do love books and even though I’d promised myself I wasn't going to buy any more....can you guess what's coming?..... Yep...two books caught my eye. One aboutliving on Herm Island – and the other – well a Famous Five book by Enid Blyton! I used to LOVE reading these when I was growing up, and I can’t remember the last time I’d read one. Pleased with my purchases I skipped out the door in search of lashings of ginger beer....

Sharing my excitement I posted a pic to Instagram and was surprised anddelighted to discover that in fact the Famous Five book was actually the ‘Favourite book in the whole world’ of Martin Dorey the 2 minute beach clean founder.  Sadly he lost his copy when he was about 9, so once I’ve read it, I’m sending him this copy...This made me smile!!

We are always part of someone else’s Adventure whether we realise it or not. ;-)

What mini adventure can you go on today? And where will it lead you?

For August I’m going to continue my exploring and seeking of new places and experiences – with a twist. I’m going to focus on places within a 5 mile radius of where I live. To work this out I've use the free app on www.freemaptools.com. Pop in your postcode and as quick as a flash it works out what’s in that radius. Handy eh?!

What’s on your doorstep waiting to be discovered? Is there a place you've driven past a hundred times but never stopped to take a look? Has a new cafe opened in your area? Have you checked out the local paper/website?

Why not join me and go on your own mini adventures in August? 

In fact Psychologies Magazine are currently running a #30daysofadventure challenge...

LOVE to see and hear what you get up to in August!

Morwhenna
xx

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You'll get a copy of the *Dream Car Visualisation Podcast and a bonus email with a Facing your Fears video! Cool eh?

All I need from you is your beautiful name & email address! It will all be emailed to you within the hour. Enjoy! *required

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How can having a Dream Car help YOU?

What's YOUR Dream Car for your Journey? +BONUS Podcast

If you could have ANY car in the world, what would you choose?

(You can play this game even if you don’t drive – stick with me and read on…)

Over the weekend I went to a classic & super car show at Sherborne Castle in Dorset. I actually really enjoyed it! I wasn't sure if I would, but it was a lot of fun ;-). My fella is a bit of a car buff you see.

I started off seeing one car I liked and by the end of the day had a list of FIVE!

Looking at my choices I realised they had a few things in common....

• They were convertibles  
• Were either a bright colour – or classic Cream (with red leather interior! Nice)
• They looked FUN
• Had beautiful organic curvy shapes
• All had personality
• They were unique (limited runs etc)
• Were ridiculously expensive!

Even though I thought these cars were beautiful and I could totally see myself driving them along a coastal road somewhere glamorous wearing a headscarf just like Grace Kelly, I actually had no desire to actually own one!

Talking to a few of the owners they don’t actually drive them much or go on long road trips along coastal roads as I’d been busy fantasizing about – as they are SO expensive they had a fear of them getting damaged.

Hmmm I thought. That actually made me feel rather sad, surely you’d want to ENJOY the full experience of these beautiful cars? Not just LOOK at them?

Mulling on this I hit on an idea. Ah-Ha! I can totally have these cars but as vehicles I can use during visualisations!  How fun would it be to be able to call upon one of those cars to help take me on a journey??

PLUS For these visualisations the added benefit would be the car would drive itself - I don’t actually like driving that much – so I can watch the scenery and see what I notice.

So I've created a Dream Car Journey Visualisation for you and you can download it at the bottom of this post. I hope you enjoy it and it helps you wherever you are on your journey.

And when (positive thinking) the opportunity presents itself to borrow one of these cars, I wouldn't turn that down!! I’ve always quite fancied travelling around Scotland in an old Mercedes convertible you know…

So if you could choose ANY CAR at all in the world – what would you choose?? And what do you think that car says about you?

Here's to Creative Adventures!

Love Morwhenna xx

Here’s my list of Dream Cars from that show

Bright Yellow Ginetta G33 (I’d never come across this make before)

Cream Austin Healy with red leather interior!

Cream / Blue Cobra

Cream E-Type Jag

Millennium Falcon (ok not strictly a car – but heck how cool would that be!! I even found a Haynes manual for it...;-0

DREAM CAR VISUALISATION

To get hold of your free Dream Car Visualisation Podcast please enter your name and email address below and it will be emailed to you within the hour. Enjoy! *required

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First Name*

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p.s you'll also get a bonus email with a Facing your Fears video! Cool eh?

What would Dolly do?

Sometimes you just gotta channel your inner Dolly Parton...!

Since getting back from my six week trip to Thailand I’ve found it hard to get back into the swing of things. Not really surprising as I’d immersed myself in another culture and worked with a whole host of different people during that time.  It was an amazing experience and to think it took me three years to actually go and do it!

So what does Dolly have to do with this? And Dolly Parton in particular?

Let me explain…

I watched her Glastonbury set on TV and was blown away by her energy and her kindness of heart. She’s was also a lot of fun and as I've discovered a pretty hard working and smart business woman. PLUS she looks pretty darn amazing for 68, doesn't take herself too seriously and always stays true to herself.

I think she’s pretty cool.

So this got me thinking.

Dolly’s pretty smart and a no nonsense kinda gal so maybe Dolly can help if we’re feeling a bit, you know, stuck?  

I’m not suggesting avoiding making your own decision or ‘but Dolly Told me to do it’ kinda thing so not taking responsibility - nah that’s a bit crazy. Rather use this as a game to get your mind to free up a bit and get playful!  Right on Partner!

PS you don’t have to have a blond wig to hand or a rhinestone jumpsuit either…Unless you fancy that of course…And guys – this works for you too!

So want to give it a try? Here goes:

• Have a think about one issue you are facing at the moment
• Grab a piece of paper and write down your issue
• Ask yourself – What would Dolly Do?
• Stick on some Dolly Parton music (One of my faves is 9-5!)
• Move about (if you are called to do so!) FEELS GOOD!
• As words/ images start to flow jot/draw these on your sheet of paper. Don’t think too much about what comes to mind – just get it down. Go crazy! Like Dolly’s outfits. No limits!
• At the end of the song stop and take a few moments to settle yourself.
• Want to carry on? Pick another track and keep going. Stop when you feel you've got everything out of your head (we're tapping into your sub-conscious mind you see)
• Then take a look at your sheet of paper.
• Does anything jump out at you?

Use this as your starting point to find creative ways to help you with your current issue.

You can re-do this exercise as many times as you want to really drill down on your ideas for ways to face your current challenge.

Then create your own action plan with small steps to help you move forward. YES! 

Then - TAKE ACTION! *important bit

Let me know how you get on - either reply to this email or share your experience over in The Creative Adventurers Playground!* How did it work for you?

Here's to Creative Adventures & THANK YOU Dolly! 

Love

Morwhenna xxx

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*ps once you're signed up - you'll also get access to my exclusive Creative Adventurers Playground!

THANK YOU!

So my 4 weeks with Art Relief International have come to an end and what an adventure it has been. I hope you've enjoyed following all the ups and down via my weekly playletter, Facebook and twitter posts. There was just not enough time to update everything - so the blog (for now) suffered. 

So RIGHT now I want to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me to be here. Keep an eye out for up coming posts once I've actually got some time to write them and to share what I've learnt as a result. 

Even though my 4 weeks with ARI are over - it's not the end of the relationship. And if you would still like to help me - you can! Skip on over to my Go Fund me to make a donation. Thank you xx