dreamer, artist, unconventional life coach, business strategist
You know how they say to celebrate progress?
I used to hate that.
I didn't know how to celebrate without involving money. And I felt like that needed to be worth it — only for real progress.
These days I love a sweet, small celebration like stopping what I'm doing to close my eyes or look out the window, and thinking about my moment of progress with intention, a deep breath, and a smile. It really works! A totally celebratory practice.
I've been thinking sooooo much about my business, my work, my future and the left-turn addition of art school last year. It's been calling for many little celebrations while taking all my might not to think it into something full of pressure and expectations.
But, I am me. I'm Jupiter-ruled with Mars conjunct my Sun and Aries in a prominent go-get-em location of my life. 🔥
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about how art could become a bigger factor in my life, work and business. Of course I think about it. I do wonder.
At the same time, I'm sitting with a self-imposed directive to go deeper, not wider.
I have this whole business with loads of intellectual property, two federal trademarks and a clear vision for what I want in the coming 2-5 years. I also have this whole art thing in the mix which wasn't a thing this time last year.
In February 2024 I sort of rhetorically asked Matt, "Should I go to art school?" and 6 months later I was in.
Now in my second semester, two of my artworks are in group shows which is just fucking crazy to me. Last year at this time, I wanted to learn how to see. I didn't even know how to draw.
So I'm celebrating some progress here out loud with you:
I had a somewhat random thought about doing something, decided to do it and actually did it. Yay!
I didn't know how to do a thing I wanted to know how to do, started learning alongside actual children, and quickly discovered that I not only know how to do it but can do it kind of well. Yayay!
I created some art that's been recognized by a jury of artists. Whatttt?! Yay!!
My intention for 2025 is "more yay". This alongside the spirit of going deeper not wider, I'm weaving two facets of myself into a new thing filled with yay that I can hardly waitfor:
Facet 1: I'm an extraordinary experience creator with hundreds of in person and virtual gatherings behind me since 2001. Under Mariposa Strategies, I've facilitated 96 sacred spaces, gatherings, retreats and workshops to date — not counting dozens of strategy retreats. In a former life, I worked in the very fine hospitality industry and was an event producer behind dozens of gatherings from celebrity weddings to concerts at the Bowery Ballroom to rooftop galas. I'm very good at creating memorable experiences.
Facet 2: I'm an emerging artist who can hardly think about anything else. Discovering an actual hidden talent over the past year, I swing between shock and sadness. Shock that I had this in me for 43 years and had no clue. Sadness that I had this in my for 43 years and had no clue. I could have kept on going about my life without a clue. Ugh, how sad that would have been.
That idea you have for a book (but I'm not a writer). Those songs you need to write (but I'm not a musician). The project you want to do the drawing for (but I'm not an artist).
This pool is calling your creative project by name. Come here.
This is for you.
Bring your creative project or idea to New Mexico, luxuriate for 3 nights, have your needs attended to with great care long before you arrive and throughout our time together.
We'll take nature walks together, and you can go solo.
Make meaningful progress on the creative project calling for your attention.
Spend time in nature.
Spend time in quiet contemplation.
Spend time building connections with an intimate group of people ready to accept their creative truth.
There's literally no better time than right now. The world needs and wants what is trying to come out of you. Trust me, I know.
p.s. I'm about to start on an art project with this playlist in my earbuds. It never fails when I need to get stuff done.
p.p.s. Thinking ahead 6 months, what do you want to be celebrating?
p.p.p.s. 6 months from today, I will be on this retreat. I hope you'll be there with me! ✨ ꩜
p.p.p.p.s I had a watch party this weekend for the film The M Factor (it's on PBS or you can buy the film). It's about everything no one tells us about menopause. No matter your age, if you have a uterus or love someone who does, watch it.
