Courageous. I don’t feel it.

By Andrea Schroeder / April 18, 2013

On May 3rd we’re doing something special in the Creative Dream Circle… we’re going to invite the Goddess of Courage to join us in the Circle of Miracles (AKA Tele-Playdate), and see what kind of treasures she brings us.

Even though I’m the one who planned this event, I am afraid of this.

I’m noticing that I often do things that I would define as courageous, but still I don’t feel courageous.

I imagine that a person who is courageous does brave things and never feels afraid.

Which is ridiculous! ?I know that the only people who are never afraid are the people who never do courageous things.

And yet – it’s how I feel.

I don’t feel courageous.

And I want to feel courageous.

Well, part of me wants to feel courageous. ?Most of me is scared!

Given the fact that I have done all sorts of courageous things even though I don’t feel courageous – what kinds of crazy risks would I take if I did feel courageous?

That is the fear.

It’s pretty ridiculous, I mean embracing courage and building a healthy relationship with her would probably only help with the work I’ve been doing in developing my Department of Internal Steadiness.

So I am really looking forward to inviting the Goddess of Courage into our Circle of Miracles.

It feels like she can help me.

I imagine, with the Goddess of Courage on my side, that I could:

deal with my inner critics even more effectively and quickly than I do now
feel more confident in deciding to do things that I know are right, even though they scare me
more forward faster with new ideas + plans

Which will help me:

be happier and more creative
have more energy because it’s not all tied up in making those decisions
make more money, faster

Wow, seeing it broken down and written out like this has already shifted something inside.

My fear about befriending courage is a grumpy little old man peeking out from under his hat and looking at this and is almost-actually-interested-but-totally-not-willing-to-admit-it. ?He is saying “Hmmmmm courage may be helpful after all…” ?

I’m going to leave this right there, if I try to push him, he’ll fight back. ?If I give him some space, I think he’s going to come around…

ps: The May Courage Event is for Creative Dream Circle members, which you are welcome to join right here. ?I’d love to have your courageous (or not-so courageous) self be a part of it!

Courageous. I don’t feel it. Read More »

Creative With MONEY

By Andrea Schroeder / April 17, 2013 / money

I am so happy to share that my new program, Creative With Money, is now available!

Money wants to be your friend and your ally in bringing your dreams to life.

This self-guided program leads you through the process where you can start to create that kind of helpful and supportive relationship with money.

Participants say that this process has helped them heal and evolve their relationships with money and bring spaciousness and ease into how they handle money.

More than one person has called it “life-changing”.

>>> CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT.

Creative With MONEY Read More »

[note to self] The bigger your dreams are, the more steady your foundation needs to be.

By Andrea Schroeder / April 10, 2013 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life

I have declared April, May + June 2013 to be a Creative Cocoon.? I am working on a new project and wanted to create this cocoon that is filled with all of the qualities it needs to grow into all that it cam be: spaciousness, trust, wonder, magic, creativity and structure.

What is really cool + different about how I am approaching this project is that I am creating it IN in the Creative Dream Circle.? So my fellow creative dreamers get to watch how I bring it to life – they get to see the magic unfold.

And, of course, they get to see my every stumble along the way.

What I really want to share with them is that you don’t just have an idea and then *pouf* make it real and it’s done.? You enter into the creative process with your vision, but the creative process itself changes your vision and it even changes you.

It’s basically walking through fire with your dream.

Dreams only stay perfect when you leave them on the shelf.

The path, the creative process, changes everything.? And it is so disorienting!? Some days I don’t even know what I’m doing or why I’m doing it.

This is hard/scary enough to do in the comfort and safety of my Dream Loft, but holycrapterrifying to do it with my fellow creative dreamers watching.

So I keep coming back to steadiness.

How I need to focus less on whatever is happening in my creative process and focus more on developing and maintaining internal steadiness.

This morning I am scared, scattered and confused.

I can’t connect to the deeper purpose of why I am doing this and so I can’t tell what direction to go in.? My internal compass is spinning around wildly.

My inner critics, fears, doubts, unhelpful patterns and limiting beliefs are trying to throw me off path.? To get me back safety into the center of my comfort zone.

My inner wisdom, spirit, purpose and infinite creative potential are holding onto the vision for me.? To call me forward along the next steps of my path.

So I am doing the work of creating internal steadiness.

Meditation. Energy work. Extreme Self-Care. Journaling. Creative Journaling. All the stuff in the Creative Dream Incubator – to access the courage I need to be able to see my next steps clearly.

You don’t always need to figure out what to do about the obstacles.

If you focus instead on developing internal steadiness sometimes you can hit them, and bounce over them without falling over.

I guess that is my assignment for today.

I started writing this because I couldn’t work on the thing I was supposed to be working on this morning.? So I am changing course and going to work on steadiness.

I’m going to create a Department of Internal Steadiness for this new project.

Oh!? That’s it – I’ve found my zing, my internal compass has stopped spinning and is now set on “GO!”

Yay!

PS: Yes my internal compass is a real thing.? And I taught a class on how to access your internal compass, you get it with the Creative Dream Incubator Kit.

[note to self] The bigger your dreams are, the more steady your foundation needs to be. Read More »

Permission to change.

By Andrea Schroeder / April 4, 2013 / creative entrepreneur

My creative journal kit has been in overdrive lately as I’ve been mapping out new plans.

I am taking 2 classes starting in April, 2 transformational classes that I am both super excited about and totally ready for.? They are providing me with the structure and support I need to make some really big changes in my life and my business.

And there is this part of me that is all geeeeeeeez, again?? You just changed everything, not that long ago.

Yup, I did.? And yup, I am doing it again.

Actually, that change led to this change.? Every change leads you to the next change.

There is this insane idea in our culture, that we’re supposed to do something once, and it’s done.

This is not how anything actually works, though.

And this idea actually makes it harder to start, because while it’s telling you that you have to get it right the first time it’s activating your inner perfectionist.

Perfectionism kills creativity.

Plus – how can you know the right way to do it if you’ve never done it before?

That’s IMPOSSIBLE.

Creativity is flow and joy and trying things in an atmosphere of delight and letting your work, and your self, evolve.

Learning as you go.? Building as you go.? Growing as you go.

It takes the pressure off right now and it makes much bigger dreams possible, because each new thing builds on the last.

With each new thing you’ve got a stronger connection to your vast internal resources, so your possibilities become larger.

Change is the best!? Change is magic!? Change is INEVITABLE, it’s the only thing in our world that actually stays the same.

And yet, here I am, writing this post to myself to convince myself that it’s ok to change.

Reminding myself that the “what will people think?” voice is not a voice that knows how to lead me to where I want to be.
Reminding myself that the “holy CRAP this is so awesome!” voice has always led me to somewhere really amazing.
Reminding myself that I am ready for this next step.? If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here, at the starting point of this new journey.

Deep breath.

One of the crazy/beautiful things about my work is that I am always in this container of transformation with my clients.? As I do the work of supporting their dreams in coming to life my dreams are supported in the process.

Taking classes and working with mentors creates this gorgeous smooth supportive space where you can get what you need, to create what you want in your life.

Teaching classes and being a mentor speeds that process up.? They say you should teach what you need to learn.? What I love is teaching what I want to learn.? Helping others grow in the exact same ways that I want to grow.? There is so much beauty in that.? And as long as I am actively engaged in this kind of work, my dreams will be actively growing

Any place where I fight change stunts that growth and that is actually more uncomfortable than the uncomfortable parts of change.

So in conclusion,

Change: Bring it on!

Consider this your permission slip to change anything and everything you want to change.? If you want to share your thoughts on change, join the conversation on the Creative Dream Incubator Facebook.

Permission to change. Read More »

Hello week: TKO

By Andrea Schroeder / April 1, 2013

I just woke up from a delicious dream… there was a cartoon marching band, making playful music (it’s still floating around in my head) and bopping around.? Each band member was a different kind of being, all shapes and sizes and types of instruments.? It felt like they were each playing their own song, but they came together beautifully.

It was sooooooo happy!

It feels like how I feel about the Creative Dream Circle – everyone’s playing their own song and then when those songs come together it’s beautiful music – all in tune with each other because we’re all playing from the same energy and intention: we’re here to make our dreams real.

We trust (more some days than other, but still) in the importance, beauty and magic of our purpose and are willing to do to the work of bringing it to life.? I am so grateful to be a member of this community and honoured to be the leader of it.

It’s Monday morning and I’m sitting here with three different journals open, looking over Friday’s Creative Genius Explore, Play + Plan Session.

Inviting in the qualities that I want in my week.

Looking over my schedule to see if it still fits my energy.

Looking at my plans to see if they still feel delicious.

Feeling my way into how I want to create this week.

This week I am opening up to a new layer of who-I-really-am.

We’re doing the Playdate with Authenticity on Wednesday. (You’re invited, of course)

Playdates always knock me out with the intensity of re-connecting with parts of my soul I’ve disconnected from.

This time, I’m giving myself lots of time to ease into the playdate, and then lots of post-playdate integration time.

So, I am basically playdating my whole week.

Wheeeeeeeeee!

Hello week: TKO Read More »

Reminder:

By Andrea Schroeder / March 25, 2013

For part of a new project I am working on, I am gathering all of the things that support genius and success and keeping them close to me, structured in such a way that I can always find the thing I need most, right when I need it.

I added this reminder on Friday:

Which is a great big deep sigh of relief every time I remember.

PS: Join me tomorrow! I’m doing an open call: Creative Spiritual Business Q+A. Click here for deets + to sign up.

Reminder: Read More »

Creative Spiritual Business Q+A Call

By Andrea Schroeder / March 22, 2013 / creative entrepreneur

This is an open call to ask me anything you want to ask about turning your Creative Dream into your business and explore the process of how to bring your business dream to life.

The bliss of working from home in my creative studio.

Creative Business Q+A Call

March 26 at 11am Central.

Click here to find out what time this is in your time zone.

Registration is $23, includes access to the live call plus the recording.? If you can’t be there live, you can send me your questions and I’ll answer them on the call.

Of course, I am not a business expert!

But I am happily 100% self employed with my own creative spiritual business and have learned a lot along the way.

When I first started doing my creativity workshops seven years ago, I’d sometimes put workshops on (I did all of my workshops/courses/healing circles/coaching in person back then) that had ZERO attendees(!)

I’d set everything up, and sit there and wait and nothing would happen.? I thought I’d have to keep my day job forever.

Happily, I was wrong.? These days, I support myself doing the things I love most and that day job is a distant memory.

And I would love to help you do the same.

[I do have an entire Creative Business Incubator in the Creative Dream Circle, with hours and hours of videos about every aspect of growing a creative spiritual business. This call cannot replace all of that – it’s just a simple Q+A.? If there is anything you want to ask me about making money doing what you love – this is your chance.]

Registration is closed.? To get the recording, and a TON of other amazingly helpful dream-growing stuff, join the Creative Dream Circle.

Creative Spiritual Business Q+A Call Read More »

My notes on authenticity

By Andrea Schroeder / March 19, 2013

Authenticity is the place you access you superpowers.

When you’re not being true to yourself you cut yourself off from accessing your superpowers.

Authenticity holds your dreams.

No matter how far away they start to seem, or how lost you get, they’re always safely held, right there.

… ditto for your magic, infinite creative potential, joy and light.

Authenticity makes things so simple.

When you’re being true to yourself it’s easy to know what to yes to and what to say no to.

But authenticity is not a destination.

You’re not either there or not there, it’s about the degree of connection in the moment.

Authenticity can be buried by many layers of patterns, masks and the roles we play.? But it can’t be diminished or harmed in any way.

Even when you are far away from it, it is very close and accessible to you.

Today, as I explore in my creative journal, my authentic self feels like deep bright coloured leaves and freshness and openess and grounding and a shimmering golden light holding it all.

This morning I asked my True Self about my business and how she would run it differently.? Instead she drew me a map of how she sees my business which gave me a totally new perspective of, and love for, how I am doing things now.

She also explained that changes that I am thinking of making in terms of her map and showed how the changes are not “changes” as much as “natural evolution” and how, even with those things changed, the flow stays the same and I can relax into and trust that flow.

Advice from your True Self feels different than any other kind of advice.

There is something nourishing and colourful in it.? And it feels, well, true, right deep down in your soul. There is a steadiness and a grounding in receiving that kind of advice that is just not present when you seek advice from other sources.

Because there are so many layers to everything, most of the [internal and external] advice we receive is not good advice.

It’s easy to believe you are listening to your heart but really that’s a familiar old pattern speaking to you and the familiarity feels like comfort which feels like truth, but it’s not.? It’s aim is to hold you in that pattern often while making it look like it is helping you move towards what you really want.

That’s why it seems so difficult to create a life that is filled with all the things you really want.

I am so grateful that I took some time to draw myself into alignment to be able to receive that advice this morning.

Because it’s so different from what seems like the “logical right thing to do” and it’s not something I could have come to any way but through deep connection to my true self.

I think the thing that surprises me most about true self is how little we are connected to it, most of the time.? And then how much everything changes with a little mindful connection.

I’m exploring Authenticity today because it’s our theme for the April PLAYDATE.

How authenticity can help us bring our dreams to life with more ease (and fun!).

You are invited.

I do a monthly playdate in the Creative Dream Circle.? And for April you can join even if you’re not in the Circle!

Playdates are also known as How To Fill Your Life With So Much Magic It Actually Sparkles.

It’s an amazing process that allows you to plug into your creative genius so you can get whatever inspiration, intuitive wisdom and creative dream superfuel you need right now.

Words cannot convey how amazing these Playdates are. I?ve actually been sitting here trying to find the right words to describe the magic of the Playdate to you, and I can?t.

I can tell you that I have been running them monthly in my Creative Dream Circle since September and very month they deliver:

magic
miracles
life-changing shifts in perspective

Ready? Let’s play.

Registration: $37 (US)

We shall Playdate On April 3, starting at 11am Central (Click here to find out what time this is for you.).? It will be 3 hours long and include 4 phone calls, with breaks in between for playdating on your own.

It?s amazing if you can be there live, but people do report having just as much success working with the recordings.? You?ll still love this, even if you can?t be there live.

Registration includes:

access to the live calls and recordings of the calls
four Playdate ~~workbooks~~ playbooks

You?ll leave the Playdate with:

a new understanding of what Authenticity? means to you
a deeper connection to your True Self
unique + effective ideas for how to stay more connected to your True Self
which adds up to increased access to your SUPERPOWERS and ability to create your world

?What you need:

phone line and computer to access the calls, hear the recordings and download the playbooks
journal and whatever art supplies feel fun for you
three uninterrupted hours (or you can break it up into segments and playdate over a couple of days or weeks)

Looking forward to playdating with you.

PS: If you want access to regular Playdates and Teleclasses at a lower price, (plus a ton of extra stuff like my Creative Business Incubator and Advanced Creative Badassery Resource Library and an ongoing private forum) you are welcome to join the Creative Dream Circle.

If you are already a member of the Creative Dream Circle don?t register for this playdate! You get it all free in the Circle, of course.

My notes on authenticity Read More »

What is a Creative Dream, and how many can I have?

By Andrea Schroeder / March 18, 2013 / Manifest Your Dream Life

A Creative Dream is anything you want to create in your world.

It can be big like creating a thriving business.

It can be small like creating time every week to do something fun.

It can be an internal thing like learning how to be calmer and happier.

Or an external thing like learning how to speak French or fly a plane.

Also: figuring out what your dreams are is a perfectly legitimate dream.? People seem to think they can’t start making their dream real until they know what it is.? That’s not true.

Some dreams contain other dreams within them.

My business, for example.? The business itself is a dream.? Since it is my source of income, my dreams for material goods and a comfortable, supportive lifestyle are a part of it.? Also my dreams for traveling and having a flexible work schedule and making exquisite self-care a part of each day.? Each product I create begins as a dream of a thing I want to create.? Etc, etc, etc.

My biggest dream, of living my purpose, is the whole reason for my business.

It’s like the neverending matryoshka dolls of dreams.

Some days the dream I want to focus on is simply being who I am and radiating that out into the world.

Some days it’s much more concrete.

There isn’t a wrong way to do this.

If you have never made a dream real then I do suggest picking one, just one, to start with.? Pop it into the Incubator and make it REAL.

People tend to not be able to choose just one which only serves to put all their dreams on the shelf.?? It does not matter which one you choose, it only matters that you choose one or else you could spend the rest of your life trying to decide and and up with nothing.

Once you have learned how to make one dream real then you learn how to work on multiple dreams at a time.

At this point, I am juggling so many dreams I can’t even tell you how many there are of them.

And that is why I am writing this.

To remind myself that every dream is legitimate and important and beautiful.? And every dream needs space and it’s own unique nurturing practices.? Juggling them disrespects all of this.

What I am working on right now in my business is creating a new tool to help you (and me!) manage living with multiple dreams while growing other dreams.? “Manage” with play, creativity, spirit and fun.

So I am exploring, with a magnifying glass, the ways that I do live with multiple dreams while bringing others to life, looking for ways that I can do this that are more supportive, fun, creative and effective.

Today I am exploring each and every dream, opening up each nested doll to find the treasures inside.? Filling journals up with my dreams and all the things that each dream needs to grow and thrive.

ps: If you’re feeling stuck with your dreams: please get in touch! I have perfected the art of the QUICK UN-STICK. In a fifteen minute phone call I can get you happily grooving along the path to your dreams.

>>> Click here to read more + set up a call with me.

What is a Creative Dream, and how many can I have? Read More »

Monday Morning Superpower Practice:

By Andrea Schroeder / March 18, 2013

You activate ALL superpowers by remembering why you do what you do.

What is your mission and why is it important?

Breathe into the magic of that and you’ll be able to access any superpower you need.

My mission is to help people activate their infinite creative potential and power to create their lives. This is important because people who are plugged into their creativity, purpose + power make the world a better place for everyone.

(share your response on the facebook page!)

Monday Morning Superpower Practice: Read More »

Is there something you want me to help you with?

By Andrea Schroeder / March 13, 2013

I am happy to help!? Book a short (15 minute!) phone call and we’ll un-stick the stuck and get you happily grooving along the path to your dream.

The beauty of a MINI session is that you narrow in on one thing, the one thing that’s super stuck right now, and you get it un-stuck.

This works because even though your dream is this big expansive thing, you can only actually do one thing at a time.

Focusing in on one thing you can shift right now is the most effective way to move yourself and your whole life in the direction of your dreams.

“Between my personal and business life, I had a lot on my plate. I was truly stuck with Time Management Skills.? My thought process at the time was to have a perfect schedule/itinerary. You helped me to realize that Time Management is more of being *effective* with your work within that time frame.

I was very overwhelmed and frustrated.? All the time I did have, I would just sit there in total frustration due to perfectionism.

After our session, I had to ponder. I had to reflect. Take it all in – then I got it!

Now I am getting everything done!? If I only work for One hour – that time is highly effective. I have jumped full throttle into my creativity.

Now, nothing stands in my way.”

Teresa Brouwer, Willow Creek Studio, www.teresabrouwer.com

Yes, all that from a 15 minute phone call!

You can read what others have to say about me and my work here.

A Mini Session is perfect for when:

You know you have a dream, you just don’t know what it is.
You know what your dream is, but you don’t know how to move towards it.
Or you know what your dream is but you don’t have enough time/money/support to be working towards it right now.
You’re working on it but keep running into this one thing that stops/terrifies/confuses you.
You just want a dose of magic, sparkles and I CAN DO IT positive energy.

In 15 minutes you’ll get sparkling crystal clarity about what steps to take right now? to get things moving.

You’ll leave the call with:

An answer to whatever question you had.
Clarity about what will support you the most right now.
An enhanced sense of possibility.

We can?t make your shining big dream real is 15 minutes (that?s what the Incubator is for) but we can clear what?s in your way right now and get you moving towards it in a smoother, more ease-filled way.

“You are sooo inspiring dear Andrea.? The mini session was very powerful and revealing and has opened up a new door marked potential.”

Heidi Jones, Alchemy of the Arts, alchemyofthearts.blogspot.co.uk

You’ll also get:

A recording of our call (I’ll send you a download link to access your recording within 48 business hours, the link will be accessible for 7 days)
My notes and recommendations for the easiest way to implement what we talked about (to keep the magic flowing beyond our 15 minutes together, also sent to you within 48 business hours)

“Very helpful consult!? Thinking about my project in a whole nother way.”

Max Daniels, Weight Loss and Money Coach at www.maxdaniels.com

You’ll LOVE this if:

You are both creative and spiritual, but in your own unique way.
You think of yourself as a dreamer.
You’re open minded and ready to try something new and kind of silly.
You understand that it’s the inner work that gets outer results.
You wouldn’t mind working on your stuff in a way that’s fun and creative.

This is definitely NOT for you if:

You’re uncomfortable being creative/imaginative/silly (in order to be effective, the call is going to get weird).
You’d rather not face your fears or feelings.
Deep down inside, you don’t actually want to change anything.

How it Works:

In these super-short sessions we don’t have time to dive into your story, which is actually part of why they are so surprisingly effective.

We’re going to step out of your story and into your inner world where we can transform and dissolve the stuck at its core.

We’ll begin with a questionnaire.? A lot of people report that they feel less stuck just after filling in the questionnaire.

The combination of questionnaire (aka spending some time getting clear on what’s going on) and the commitment to transformation (aka you don’t book a session with me unless you’re ready to Make Your Dream REAL) is super magical.

After you send your questionnaire, you’ll be ushered over to my online scheduler to book your session.? Our session will happen either on a conference line (it’s a US number even though I’m Canadian) or on Skype (audio only).

Do not worry about not knowing what to say!? Thanks to the questionnaire, I’ll already know what’s going on and I’ll lead you in diving right into the magic of how to get what you want.? In the process, I’ll ask you some strange questions, I’ll have you visualize really silly things, we’ll giggle a lot, and there may be tears.

There will also be: relief, a-hah moments and the magic of connecting with your infinite creative potential.

And the cost?? It’s MINI too!

The introductory price for Mini Creative Dream Coaching Sessions is ~~$37.~~

Let’s do this: You, me, your dream + fifteen minutes of magic.

I’M SORRY, MINI COACHING SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE.

If you want to find out how I can help you grow your dreams, send me a message.

Helping you get what you WANT is my life?s work?and play.

I help CreativeSpiritual people create success on their own terms.

I?ve studied the spiritual art of DREAM-FULFILLMENT for eighteen years, and have counseled & coached people into jobs they adore?homes they treasure?relationships that light them aglow?and creative adventures (large & small) that color their lives with joy.

Everyone suspects that their dream is impossible, too far-fetched, too big. Happily, everyone is wrong.

I have the tools to help you get what you want. And I?m literally wiggle-dancing with excitement to share them with you.

The introductory price for Mini Creative Dream Coaching Sessions is $37.

Let’s do this: You, me, your dream + fifteen minutes of magic.

Policies for Mini Creative Dream Coaching Sessions:

Creative Dream Mini Coaching Sessions happen on my Conference Call Line.? We’ll both call in and meet there.? Even though I’m Canadian, it’s an American phone number.? I can also meet you on Skype (audio only) if you prefer – just email me after you’ve booked your session with your Skype ID.

Creative Dream Mini Coaching Sessions happen during the day (North American Central Time Zone) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.? If you absolutely must book your session outside of this, email me before signing up to see if I can accommodate you (you can use the contact form on this page)

Your session is good for 8 weeks from date of purchase, and then it expires.? There are no refunds for expired sessions.

Your session can be rescheduled with 48 hours notice (just send me an email).? Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice cannot be rescheduled or refunded.

If you haven’t called within 5 minutes of the start time, your session is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled or refunded.

If you call in a few minutes late our session be a few minutes short.? It’s best to call into the conference line a few minutes early to be ready to go on time.

This session does not include follow-up support.? You are free to book another session, or join my Creative Dream Circle, if you want ongoing Creative Dream Support.

Is there something you want me to help you with? Read More »

My Vision

By Andrea Schroeder / March 12, 2013 / Manifest Your Dream Life

This is how it feels:

A glowing pink heart with golden wings.

In a circle of wide, open sky.

Held by a ring of love.

With light rays shooting out beyond it.

So magic and amazing it glows.

This is my vision for my Creative Dream Circle and this is how it feels for me to hold the vision.

My vision: 200 Dreamers in the Circle.

200 dreamers who have all the tools they need for SUCCESSFUL Creative Dream Incubation.

200 dreamers who have all the SUPPORT they need for successful Creative Dream Incubation.

200 dreamers staying engaged in the process of activating their MAGIC.

200 dreamers DELIGHTING in the POWER of their creativity, spirit and purpose.

200 dreamers making a HUGE difference in the world as they are held in the magic in the circle.

I breathe this energy in and let it light the way.

In reading this post and meditating on the essence of my dream every morning I trust the path to unfold in front of me.

I trust the love I have for this vision to light the way for these 200 dreamers to find me.

I trust the passion I have for this vision to fuel the process of bringing it to life in perfect timing.

ps: If you are one of the 200 I’m looking for (yay!) you can join right here.

My Vision Read More »

Hello, Money.

By Andrea Schroeder / March 7, 2013 / creative entrepreneur, healing, money

As part of my post-Creative With Money Playdate Assignments (fyi I am working on a kit version of the Playdate!) I have a monthly meeting with money.? Not like, spreadsheets and budgets, I look at the financial stuff in my business all the time. ?These meetings are different, this is where I meet with money, soul to soul.

Right now the Soul of Money appears to me as a peacock that lays golden eggs.

The backstory: It started out as a dam that first just confused me and then allowed me to profit from flow, and has since morphed into a few other stories and has been the peacock since last fall.? As I did my best to do what the peacock was asking me to to, in the winter it started laying golden eggs to show me possibility but I didn’t have a way to turn the eggs into anything useful.

When I tried to pick up the golden eggs, the gold peeled off and turned to dust.? Abundance was right there but I couldn’t pick it up.? But I kept working with the peacock and then this amazing golden art deco carriage showed up right behind the peacock that turned the eggs into coins.

And now, this month, there is a lot more gold sparkling in the air than last month, like the peacock has this permanent gold glitter backdrop.

But the peacock looks tired, and a little annoyed.

And so we begin (peacock’s words are in italic):

Honey, you’re not picking up all the coins!

What? I’m supposed to pick them all up?? How?

[We both sit in silence. I’m imagining running around exhausting myself trying to pick up the coins. The peacock is looking at all the coins strewn about on the ground and feeling sad about them going to waste.]

The carriage needs an accessory that gathers and holds the coins.

No, that’s your job.? Seriously!? I am laying the freaking golden eggs plus got this amazing cart that turns them into coins!? All you have to do is pick them up!? You won’t even gather the gold coins I have brought to you?

It’s not that I won’t.? I just don’t know how. Or… I guess I didn’t know that I was supposed to.

Honey, you have to receive me.

I thought I already did.

Well, you do.? But more is coming your way so you have to beef up your receiving.

How?

You know how.? Those thoughts in your head right now… act on them.

OK, I can do that.

Remember: Don’t worry about how to do it, just do it.? The how will work itself out like it always does as long as you do what feels right and don’t do what feels wrong and LOTS of creative journaling BEFORE acting.

I should go buy some new art supplies.

YES! Get that stuff you need that makes creative journaling more fun.? Also: drink lots of tea, listen to music and fill the fridge with delicious and nourishing things.? Create the perfect container to bring all of this to life.? Picking up the coins is not the chore you’ve been making it out to be!? It’s a party, sweetie.

I see that now.? OK! I want to go shopping and then get journaling.? Thank you for this.

Clear Direction!? What a gift.

And I started to paint….

And it turned into a money compass.? Excited to see where it goes.

Hello, Money. Read More »

How Meeting your FEARS with CREATIVITY and LOVE Means you’ll Never Have to Stay STUCK

By Andrea Schroeder / March 5, 2013 / healing

Every time I talk to a client who is really stuck about something, once when we get a clear picture of what’s happening, the problem is? that they are listening to their inner critics.

There is no other cause of stuck.? It really is as simple as that.

I know it seems like it’s got to be more complicated than that, but it isn’t.? You can only do one thing at a time, and that one thing can either be what your infinite creative potential is suggesting or what your inner critics are suggesting.

What makes it seem more complicated is that most people’s infinite creative potential speaks to them in a whisper, while their inner critics are screaming.? Your infinite creative potential is actually much more powerful and much louder – but if you’ve spent your whole life tuning it out of course you’re not going to be able to hear it!? Meanwhile, if you’ve spent a lifetime of listening to your inner critic of course you’re going to hear it loud and clear!

This is the stuff I wish they taught in schools.

Learning how to tune into the voice of your infinite creative potential and turn down the volume on your inner critic is the secret to success.

Every minute you spend listening to your fears, doubts and inner critics is a minute in which you are NOT building your Empire of Creative Dreams.

You may be so used to listening to them that it feels so natural that you don’t even know you’re doing it.

You know you are listening to your inner critics if:

You see a LOT of obstacles in your way.
You’re waiting for things to change before you can go for your dream.
You’re pretty sure if you did go for it, you’d fall flat on your face.
You have a lot of other obligations right now and don’t have time to dream.
Your dream is a nice hobby but there’s no way it could be a Big Serious Thing.? Best to hold onto that day job.
You totally want to go after your dream, you just don’t have enough time/support/money.
You have no idea what to do about your dream.

Now wouldn’t it be nice to be listening to your infinite creative potential instead?? You know this is happening when:

You see the obstacles, and you see ways to work around them.
You’re passionately mapping out a way to get exactly what you want.
You’re willing to fail but deep down inside you believe in yourself and you believe in your dream.
You’re seeing ways to set up your life to make room for everything that’s important, including your dreams.
You sometimes surprise yourself with how BIG you’re dreaming, and you love it.
You are determined to find a way to make this work, you don’t need to wait until you have the time/money/support.
You are filled with inspiration and really amazing ideas for how to move forward.

Learning how to make this internal shift is the most important thing you can learn.

Read that second list again and imagine what your life would be like if all of these things were true for you.

Here’s the secret: you can’t do this by OBLITERATING your fear.

Or ignoring it or burying it or fakin’ it ’til you make it

Because your fear is a part of you too.

Your fear, doubts and even your meanest inner critics are actually just a freaked out inner child.

Meeting that child with love calms it down.
Meeting that child with creativity transforms the situation.

You give it a hug and say “Oh sweetie, I see you’re upset.? Let’s see what we can do to make you feel better” and you explore.

The beauty, magic and power in this approach is that in order to meet your fear in that way, you automatically align yourself with your infinite creative potential.?

When you’re plugged into creativity and love you’re plugged into your magic and you’re in that place where everything is possible.? This disengages the energy dynamic you’ve been in with your fears.

Meeting your fears, doubts and inner critics with creativity and love will transform the situation, every time.? It’s the fastest way to getting un-stuck.

With love and compassion you work with your fear to create a new possibility.

Deep down inside, your inner critics, fears and doubts (AKA frightened inner children) want the same things you do.?

When you enter into a loving and creative energy dynamic with them you can now work together to get those things.

Want to experiment and play with this?

This is the essence of what we do in the Un-Sticking Station in the Creative Dream Circle.

You even get a recording called: How Meeting Your Fears With Creativity + Love Means You Never Have to Stay Stuck, where we create a beautiful safe space for exploring fears, I talk about how this works and then lead a few volunteers through the process so you can see how it actually works.

This is so abstract, it’s kind of hard to explain.? But once you experience what it’s like to see people work through the process, you’ll totally see the magic.

What you’ll get:

A deeper understanding of how to handle fears/doubts/limiting beliefs/inner critics
A simple process you can use to gently and effectively disarm your fears whenever they strike
Deep down knowing that you are not alone in this, which makes it a gazillion times easier to deal with.

I believe we are always either listing to our fears or listening to our creative genius.? Fears are good at masquerading as a lot of other things, like logic and sensibleness, and the better you get at working with fear, the better you get at identifying it so that you can spend more of your life being guided by your genius, instead of by your fears.

In other words – meeting your fears with creativity and love is HOW YOU CREATE MAGIC.

The world needs your magic.

PS: That longer How Meeting Your Fears With Creativity + Love Means You’ll Never Have To Stay Stuck recording is in the Creative Dream Circle.

How Meeting your FEARS with CREATIVITY and LOVE Means you’ll Never Have to Stay STUCK Read More »

Creative Depletion + Filling The Well

By Andrea Schroeder / March 4, 2013

Me, wrapped up in my rainbow superhero blanket.

Monday morning is usually my favourite time of the week.? I love mornings, I love new beginnings.? I love what I’m doing with my work so it’s always exciting to dive into a new week.

This Monday is different.? This Monday I’m starting from a state of creative depletion.

The past five weeks I’ve undertaken what I have been calling The Mystery Project.? This is the biggest project I’ve ever done and I broke ALL of my own rules for creative nurturing and extreme self-care in order to do it as quickly as I did.

Sometimes you have to break the rules.

When it comes to creating my own courses and everything I do in my business, I have learned how to schedule and plan in tune with my creative needs and cycles.? I give everything what it needs to incubate FIRST.? When you give the creative dream incubation process what it needs FIRST, the creation process becomes so much easier – everything works like magic.

Speaking of magic -? this amazing opportunity came my way.? A once in a lifetime kind of opportunity.? The kind of opportunity that, if I hadn’t jumped on it and given it everything I had I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.

So I chose to work myself into a state of creative depletion knowing that depletion is temporary and I am skilled at filling the well.

There are schools of thought (and I used to agree with them) that say that balance is key and you have to focus on maintaining balance at all times.? I now think that’s horseshit.

Creativity is flashes of light and wild creative abandon and stillness and deep incubation.?? You don’t balance it, you dance with it.

Every part of the cycle is part of creativity.? Trying to stay in a state of balance can mean softening the edges of that natural cycle and dimming your light and dulling your results.

Success comes in being actively engaged in all parts of the dance.

And also seeing the beauty and joy in all parts of the dance.? Even though I actually feel better when I’m being actively creatively productive, remembering that the refilling times are just as important for productivity helps me relax into the decadence of exquisite self-care.

Right now, for me this means: naps, bubble baths, aromatherapy, journaling and lots and lots of tea. Oh! And some molasses cookies dipped in tea!? Mmmmmm.

PS: I’m doing TWO group coaching calls this month:

March 15: How Meeting Your Fears With Creativity + Love Means You Never Have To Stay Stuck

March 26: Creative Business Q+A Call

Click here to read more + sign up.

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