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Creative Warriors

A Creative Warrior is someone who not only guards their creative vision, but lives it in each step and breath they take. 

Tim O'Donoghue
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Soul Creative Media's current creative warrior is Jackson, Wyoming local and sustainability expert, Tim O'Donoghue, sustainabledestination.org.  Tim is former Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.  Today, he is a consultant providing services for communities, destinations, and businesses in sustainability and sustainable tourism.  He founded The Riverwind Foundation and their mission is to unite efforts to minimize resident and visitor impacts on the Greater Yellowstone and other ecosystems now and for future generations.  Riverwind Foundation builds partnerships and initiatives to address climate change and visitor impacts on the environment, community, and economy.

 

Our greatest hurdle, according to Tim, is our willingness as a community to work together and listen to each other.  We all know that our town and country is filled with strong opinionated wills, myself included, and the ability to come to the table and make compromise for a goal we all want to achieve can sometimes be difficult.  Tim reminded me of something my dad always taught me when I would get on my holier than thou tree hugging soap box, compromise is not failure, it is actually what creates change.  My dad would say, "Leigh, it's compromise that actually gets things done.  You don't get anywhere without compromise."  

 

Tim's sincere integrity reminds me of my dad and his sentiments echoed my dad's teachings.  A sustainable future is agreeing on a lasting solution even if it's slightly different from our original way of seeing.  According to Tim, it's throwing ego aside and making an effort to work with other groups, NGO's, and individuals. 

During our interview, Tim shares the Riverwind Foundation's Destination Management Plan.  He talks about creating sustainable tourism, educating tourists before they arrive, improving public transportation, and implementing choices and habits in our daily lives in order to make a difference.  I left our interview feeling more hope for our town, our nation, and our planet.  Tim reminded me that feeling apathetic is not our problem, it is reaching across the aisle to listen, communicate versus soapbox, and compromise.  Once we all choose to come together, in spite of our differences, we can literally move mountains.  Ultimately, Tim believes Jackson, Wy. can be an example for other communities across the United States in how to be more sustainable and still manage to be thriving economically. 

Tim is a daily creative warrior, he thinks outside of the box and addresses challenges head on.  He reminds all of us that we all can be living examples of creative change.
  

Everyone is Creative

We all are creative, we just express it in different ways.  In order to cultivate more creativity in your life, you first need to BELIEVE that you are creative.

Many people block and deeply submerge their creativity into the recesses of their pysche for fear of being different, failing, disappointing others, and mostly because our own light, success, and creative power can feel overwhelming.  Most of us need to get out of our own way and allow our creative passions and dreams to emerge.

 

I'm sharing creativity tips because we all deserve to tap into our authentic creative essence and live our most joyful and fulfilling lives.  Create with me!

Creativity Tips

Learn ways to connect and tap into your creativity.  It is your birth right.  We all have an inner compass that guides us and this is our creative voice.  Trust your voice.

Creativity Tips
Get Out In Nature

One of the best ways to connect to your creativity is to get out in nature where you can hear your right brain and inner voice over the regular chatter constantly bombarding us.

Pay attention to what is all around you.  Quiet your mind and be in the present moment.  Take in what you see, hear, smell, and feel.  After about 15 minutes ask yourself what you want to create in your life.  Don't force an answer.  If nothing comes, trust that your creative intuition will come when the time is right.  Continue to practice being present in nature and asking yourself this question.

Take this time for yourself because you are worth it!

Creativity Tips
Journaling

Keep a creativity journal and write in it everyday at the same time.  If you repeat the same actions long enough eventually your brain will create an association that it's time to get in the zone.

If you don't know what to write at first, just free associate whatever pops into your mind.  A journal is a great way to develop ideas that can later serve as future inspiration.

When developing a new habit, on average, it takes 2-3 months for our brains to rewire and create new neural pathways.  Cultivating creativity takes patience and time for yourself.  Allow yourself the time to create!

Creativity Tips
Morning Ritual

A huge way to cultivate more creativity in your life is to commit to a daily morning ritual.

 

I have learned that what sets successful people apart is their discipline and commitment to their morning ritual.

We can design our mornings exactly how we want. It’s not about how bad ass you are as an early riser, it's about creating a sacred time for yourself with intention and clarity even if it’s just 5 minutes. Whether you are a night owl or morning person, learning to set time aside for yourself each morning can have a profound impact on how productive you are for the rest of the day.  What resonates for you and nourishes your mind, body and soul? Giving yourself this time and space will ultimately give you more vitality and creativity.

MY DAILY SUNSHINE RITUAL

 

  • 7 am wake up time, this for me is doable and my daughter wakes up at 7:30 am

  • DO NOT look at news or social media or texts on cell phone

  • 10-15 minute breath meditation

  • 5 minute “Ideal Me” visualization

  • Write a list of 5 things I am grateful for and tap into the deep feeling of gratitude

  • Drink my homemade electrolyte drink in a 1 liter stainless steel nalgene

  • Make myself a cup of tea

  • Ahh - I am now ready to conquer the day

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