Here’s some new work. I will begin uploading to Etsy next week. If you’d like to receive regular previews and special offers beforehand, join my mailing list. Gives you first choice. Always nice, as each one is handmade and one-of-a-kind. Just like you! xo

Word for May:  ABUNDANCE

Fact: There is $2,000 in their checking account.

Person 1: Wow!

Person 2: Ugh!

Person 3: Hmmm.

Person 4: Argh!

Abundance has nothing to do with the facts.
It has everything to do with the thoughts wrapped around the facts.

Since our thoughts influence our actions . . .
Zap us of energy . . . Or get our creative juices flowing.
Start listening.

Abundance is in the believing.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

To receive regular ceramic previews, sign up for UPWORD (upper right).

Word for May: ABUNDANCE

It’s the first of the month again, and we’ll be in ABUNDANCE. Sounds perfect! Here’s a bookmark to get us started.

Print on cardstock or copy paper. Treat yourself.

CLICK HERE to print.

Word for April:  DO

There once was a girl who had to do jury duty. At least that’s what she thought. And it felt awful.

She didn’t have time! At least that’s what she thought. And it felt awful.

She had too much to do. At least that’s what she thought. And it felt awful.

So awful, it produced migraines every morning. She felt trapped. Scared to be picked. How would she manage 14 days? Yet wanting to serve. Committed to do her part. To give back to the country that had given so much. That gave her freedom. SO many freedoms.

When these thoughts flowed, she felt gratitude. Peace. And she felt better.

She decided she wanted to feel more of this! And less of that. So she began to nurture more of the grateful thoughts. And noticed when the negative ones crept in, gratitude crept out. So did peace.

A lot to learn in 3 days. As with every circumstance you feel you can’t change. Then you find the loophole.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Here’s the Microsoft Word version of last week’s
50 Ways to Reconnect with Your Spirit
(click here to download .doc version)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

STUDIO OFFERS If you live in Southern California and would love to make peace with food, I have a few spots in the pilot: Fuel Your Dreams, Mastermind. We will be meeting June thru Aug (90 days), every Wednesday morning, from 11 to 12 noon. Group size: 6 to 8. Email for more info or to sign up. It’s FREE! (Lori@LORiKOOP.com)

ps. If you signed up for the CALL to CREATE pilot, it’s happening this Tuesday from 12 to 12:45pm PST. It’s specifically for those who know what they want to create but need help moving forward. If you’re interested, you can still register. Click here.

Word for April:  DO

“Your spirit” is YOU.
In a state of peace and love.

In a perfect world, we would live in this state all the time. But in fact, all kinds of thoughts get in the way. Thoughts that produce the opposite of peace and love. They’re loud. Even bossy. Our spirit is soft. Gentle. To experience it, we have to remove the noise.

To quiet the mind. Here’s some ideas… ways to use the body and the 5 senses to reconnect.

50 Ways to Reconnect with Your Spirit
(click to download)

Be aware it begins with resistance. Every time. The left brain doesn’t want to let go. It thinks it knows better. And it will say so, over and over again. But it doesn’t. Don’t listen! Press thru and continue to do. The mind WILL eventually drop the thoughts in exchange for right brain bliss. For peace and love.

Yes, it takes time. That’s part of the struggle. And why so many of us are exhausted. The spirit is where we rest. Where we drop our baggage and flop on the bed. Like a good vacation. We leave with a renewed sense of well-being and hope. A restored love for the world and ourselves. It’s how we were meant to live.

Enjoy a daily dose. And replenish.

Word for April: DO

How do you do imperfect?

Remember back to the last time you did something, and it wasn’t perfect. What happened next?

A thought. A thought that created a feeling. Probably a feeling of crappy. (sorry, the feeling is raw too)

Perfectionism is the leading cause of death. Death to your creativity. So, if you have the disease, dis-ease about imperfection, it’s costing you.

Last week was a perfect time to look for a remedy. When I realized I referenced the wrong quote in UPWORD, I was aghast. “OMG!” And the next thought, “what will they think?” (For many of us, that’s what comes next.) My stomach started to knot. And true, I felt like crap.

I tried to ease the pain with other thoughts, like… “everyone messes up.” “You tried your best.” “You can’t be perfect.” But they weren’t sticking.

Then I sat in the bath, alone and quiet. And I started to calm. Here, I could hear my spirit. And the wisdom under all the craziness. “I can’t control what others think.” Of course not! I knew that in my head. But here, I felt it true, in my being.

To cure the battering thoughts of perfectionism, find the truth. Seek the spirit. The vulnerable part of yourself, where you love. There, the truth speaks 24/7… the truth that sets you free!

(Next week, I’ll share 50 other ways to connect with the spirit. In case you don’t have a bathtub )

Word for April: DO

Last week, I used the phrase “do by not doing” on April’s bookmark. It had always been a bit confusing to me until I did a little research. In a nutshell…

“Do by doing.”

We identify a heart’s desire and decide on an outcome. We decide what should happen and exactly how it will happen and when. Then we drive ourselves to reach it. We take control. Sweat it out. The outcome is based on our effort. (or so it seems) And it determines our emotional state.

“Do by not doing.”

We identify a heart’s desire and then stand still. In the present moment, we listen for inspiration and guidance that only our spirit can hear. We ask “what do I want or need right now?” “What is here to do right now?” “What does my energy want to move toward right now?” The deep response guides our actions, in the now. There’s grace and ease. Flow and trust. Trust that a power greater than ourselves is involved, and actually in charge. There’s release. And peace.

When we listen, we do without all the wasted effort.

I know. It’s not hard to choose.

(Click HERE to print the bookmark.)

UPWORD for April:  DO

(Click bookmark to print)

Well it’s a new month and a new word. Like ORDER, DO is one that can be seen as an “UP”word or a DOWNword, depending. I find them especially interesting.

We begin with a bookmark, “Do by not doing.” It’s a popular saying amongst coaches, but it’s one that’s harder to understand. Especially when coaching is about getting things done! Next week I’ll offer insight.

This week, the bookmark. I’ve always suggested printing onto card stock. Last month, a friend told me she uses copy paper. I did a little redesign to make that easier. Here’s how: print the page on copy paper. Cut out 2 together, then fold in half and glue. Viola! A thicker, 2-sided result. One for you and one for a friend. Enjoy!

Word for March:  ORDER

We get “orders” all the time. Have you noticed?

“Spend time in the studio every day.”

The spirit is motivated by love. When it gives orders, they are for our good. Actually, they feel more like suggestions. They are filled with wisdom. To guide us with more surety and ease along our right path. When we hear them, we feel an agreement within. Even if they’re not easy, we know them to be true. Like a loving parent. Using loving language. We feel supported.

“You need to finish the website!”

The critic is motivated by duty. When it gives orders, its tone is much harsher. Like a drill sergeant. The concern is around what others will think. Looking like a failure. These orders make us feel rotten about ourselves, guilty and fearful. Ugh!! They reduce the activity to work. The joy comes out. These orders keep us judging ourselves and others. They might feel true, but they’re not. There’s no peace.

Both speak constantly. The spirit is more quiet. If you want its wisdom and strength, be still and listen within. Start with 5 minutes before you get out of bed in the morning.

And the critic? It’s hard to miss. And sometimes hard to stand against. But it’s your right… your right to feel good! “Choose wisely” I suggest.

Word for March :  ORDER

I drove 6 hrs last Wednesday to get to Phoenix for the Martha Beck Coaches Summit. I haven’t done a drive like that in too long. Things are learned with time alone.

We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly . . . spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.  Susan Taylor

Hope you can sneak away this week. To discover just one more interesting, fascinating thing about you.