The Year of the Vibrant Mama, Day 2: Joy

I found one of my book s that I haven’t read in a long time called, “All the Joy You Can Stand” by Debrena Jackson Gandy, I bought this book many years ago. As I embark of this experiment in vibrant living, I flipped through the pages and landed on the chapter, “Know what brings you joy.” I thought about that for a while and realized it had been too long since I had allowed myself to think about what brings me joy. I can go on and on about what I DON’T like or what gets on my nerves. But joy? I’m still contemplating it!

Today, my Vibrant Mama Practice is to create a joy list for myself, list of things that bring my joy.  These could be people who inspire to experience joy, experiences I’ve had or experiences I want to have. My “Joy list” will be there for me to reference when I am slipping into a joyless space. I invite you to do the same.

What brings you joy?

Postings

I will post my Vibrant Mama posting here about 3 times a week. So, check back here again on Saturday or subscribe to the blog and please leave comments!

The Year of The Vibrant Mama--day 1: Choice

Yesterday I declared this next year of my life, "The Year of The Vibrant Mama." I plan to transform my habits of being, doing and living one day at a time. I intend to up level my creativity, juiciness, and sense of adventure and possibility. Last year was about thinking planning, dreaming, visioning. This year is about doing, manifesting, birthing. Sharing with you my discoveries and insights long the way.

Today is day 1 of the Year of The Vibrant Mama. Today I have been contemplating the word "Choice." What am I choosing to think about? What inner seeds am I watering? What's blossoming in my life? In the morning I usually feel overwhelmed and tense by the monotony of our mornings. Sometimes I yell at the people in my family and I end up not having a good day. Today, I made a different choice. Yes, we were late getting out of the house, but I did not beat up on myself with negative self-talk. Sometimes things will not go the way I plan, but I can choose to continue to curse the situation or I can bless, laugh and move on. Today I am choosing to be light hearted and gentle with myself. What choices are you making that are adding VIBRANCE to your life?

Today's Vibrant Mama Practice: I spend time with a good friend listening to her talk about the brave and life affirming choices she's making in her life. Yay!

Who wants to come with me? Please feel free to leave ways that you are living vibrant and juicy lives in the comments.

My 33rd trip around the sun!

Today is my birthday. Yesterday, my sistah-friend came over to drop off a gift to me. The plan was that she would just drop off and go.  We ended up hanging out the entire day. We always end up having very deep and often life-changing conversations.  I shared with her my feelings of disconnection with my art and myself. I told her I thought that maybe I didn’t have the “right” vision. She told me, “Gabe, it’s not that you don’t have a vision, it’s that you’re not moving. You’re not taking much action.” I sat with that for a minute. She was right.

This past year, I have been in a very cerebral space when it comes to my art. Thinking, planning, thinking, planning and “doing” very little. Well, I’m a mama, so I’m always doing a lot for my family.  But creatively, I have been stuck in the planning phase of my creative process.  My energy and  care for my creative aspirations and myself has fallen to the wayside. My girl had just what I needed. She helped me to remember times in my life where I was more action oriented. Where I stood in my power and moved from that space. Lately, I feel as If I’ve been thinking so much, I think myself out of moving.

Yesterday was the new moon and the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. Talking with my girl helped me remember the part of myself that is juicy, creative, open, spontaneous and to remember that she is always there. It was a great conversation and a great way to enter my 33^rd year around the sun!

I brainstormed a short list of things to do when I am feeling disconnected and less than juicy.

10 ways to get back to YOU

1. Laugh with a friend.

      2. Sing

      3. Dance.

      4.  Remember a time when you felt in your power.  

      5.  Get out of your head and do something

      6.   Take a long, hot bubble bath

      7.   Share a meal with someone you love.

      8.  Give a hug

      9.   Feed your dream

      10. Eat a cookie!!!

With the exception of eating a cookie everyday (replace it with a succulent fruit—mango perhaps?), doing one or all of these everyday would make a HUGE difference in our lives. I intend to do at least one each day, starting with feeding my dreams.

Thank you so much for coming by on my birthday. If these words helped you in any way, please pass them on.

2012!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Wow 2012 is here! 2011 was a FULL year for my family and me. It was more full on the family end, than on the music and creative end, but all good nonetheless. In 2011, we:

o   Welcomed the newest member of our family, Sayida Mudrika Ballard-Thakore

o   I left my job to pursue my music and creative dreams full time.

o   My husband found an amazing job that he loves.

o   Our son completed a full year at his school.

o   I debuted my band, The Bloodline, in Boston

o   My husband was hospitalized for his back

o   The Urban Mamasong Project moved into our first space.

o   My husband and I launched Just Eats.

o   I started crocheting again

o   Our home started feeling like home

o   I played cajon publically for the first time (more of that coming soon)

o   I collaborated with an amazing musician

o   We said goodbye to our dog of 14 years.

As I enter 2012, I am entering with the intention of performing more; collaborating more and creating/co-creating unique ways of sharing my music with the world. I welcome your comments, ideas and feedback on how I/we as artists can best share what comes through us.

Some of my creative goals

o   Perform at open mics weekly

o   Write songs or beginning of songs weekly

o   House Concerts!!!

o   Blogging her more often

o   Release new music!!!

o   Perform in Canada

What are some of your creative goals for the new year?

November is Magic month!!!

I have been away from the blog for a while.  As we begin to feel the winter moving in, things have picked up in our household and in my creative life.  In September, our son started another year of school, my husband and I performed together as a featured act, for the first time and last month I will be debuted with my band, the Bloodline. We also debuted two of the smoothies from our forthcoming food catering and wellness company! Lots happening.

I am declaring November as Magic month! Last night I hosted my first webinar, "Mama-beliefs: Creating Empowering Beliefs to Transform Your Life." After much trepidation, I was able to breathe and move forward with it and I am so happy I did. Doing something new and outside of your comfort zone can be extremely intimidating, but once you've done it, you find that you can do it again and again.

I am looking forward to part 2 of Mama-beliefs coming in the next couple of weeks. In part 2 we will examine our self-talk and actions. These webinars are all in preparation for the launch of my e-book, the Urban Mamafesto, 12 Motivating Practices For Mamas Who Want To Live Their Creative Dreams, then the launch of my e-course at the beginning of the year.

If you are a mama, please take a few minutes to fill out this survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NJYS5FM

Thank you so much for your continued love and support.

I hope this finds you well.

Video clip from Saturday's show

As promised, I have uploaded a video clip of from Saturday night's show at Peña Rebelde. My husband, Maanav Thakore is on the cajon and played bass on some other songs as well. We hope to see you at the next show. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday