| | | | ARTELLAGRAM 12-11-2010:
"In the Studio"
An Interview with Jan Blount
(This interview is continued from the December 11 2010 Artellagram... )
Artella: What led you to become a Certified ARTbundance™ Coach?
Jan: When I first read about the details of this program I knew immediately this was “the right” next step for me to take. It felt like this program had been designed especially for me. The idea of it delighted me from the top of my head way down to the tips of my toes. I think I even squealed with delight as I shared the information with my husband and best friend. They both agreed…yep, “THAT's YOU to a T!!!!” Not that I didn't already know this!!! Plus, I knew there was so much I could learn from Marney; not only was she endlessly creative, but she was also immensely successful with the nuts and bolts business side as well.
Artella: In your mind, how are creativity and spirituality related?
Jan: I know in my DNA that these are both intimately connected. But I am kind of at a loss as to explain the “how.” I am sure I would end up contradicting myself in the process of trying to explain this profound mystery. It's bigger than my human brain can wrap itself around. I've tried, but the words always seem to fail me. I always come back to it with more questions. “Is this what I know?” “Is this what I think?” “What about this?” It is enough for me to simply experience spirit and creation dancing together whether as a participant in the dance or as an observer of the dance.
Artella: How is prosperity related to creativity and spirituality?
Jan: In my experience, it is when we feel disconnected to our creative and spiritual life that we are also susceptible to scarcity, lack, and victim thinking. This can happen when our inner critics get activated and attempt to hi-jack our creative energy, with thoughts of, “You're not good enough.” or “That idea is dumb.” I've found it particularly helpful to identify their energy and give them colorful names such as Bossy Bobbie, Judgment Judy, or Picky Pasty. After having a bit of a heart-to-heart conversation with the identified critic, I take one of two tactics. I either give them another more suitable job, e.g., I might ask Picky Pasty to weed the garden for me. Or if I can't think of a constructive job for them to do then I may just ask them to take a break. I might suggest they take a nap in the backyard hammock or go sit down and have lemonade on the front porch.
With the critic sent on an errand…Creative Genius, (I call mine Albert for Albert Einstein), has the opportunity to play full out. When you are playing “full out” you naturally experience a sense of prosperity and abundance. You aren’t blind to what gifts the universe is eager to shower on you.
Artella: ARTbundance™ Coaching is based on nine ARTbundance™ Principles. Do you have a favorite Principle, or one that you really enjoy activating in other people? Which one, and why?
Jan: This question reminds me of the question I always hate being asked, “What is your favorite color?” I'm a glutton ….I love them all. I probably would never wear yellow in any great quantity; especially not next to my face ‘cause it doesn't flatter my coloring. But who doesn't love a field full of yellow daffodils? The ARTbundance ™ principles are like that. They all have their shining moments. It never ceases to amaze me how they work together to illuminate the coaching process.
But I do have two that in a reverse, backwards sort of way are my present “favorites.” These would be the two I feel I need to most activate for myself, as they are the areas I am most challenged by. I love a challenge. I love to up level my game. These are the principles of Action and Connection. But what I find is that the other seven principles support me in activating these two. It’s been rather magical this past year playing with these and really making them more a part of my everyday life.
Artella: What does your future hold? What projects are you working on now?
Jan: I hesitate to say what my future holds. It keeps surprising me in exciting and delightful ways when I get out of my way and just take one or two baby steps forward, in the direction of my Big Dream; to live fully, express and nurture my creative genius, and to use this genius in service to the world, while inspiring and supporting others to do the same.
What I am working on right now is getting my website www.GratitudeAndCompany.com more fully developed. I am finalizing my design and edit for my book Gratitude's Nine Simple Gifts, so it can finally go to print. I have an essay coming out soon in the book The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude. I am creating a calendar featuring Gratitude and the ARTbundance™ Principles. And along with that I am designing a group-coaching program, with a working title CalenDare: Dare to Dream your Vision Alive . As I am presently envisioning this program, it will be a yearlong program, offered in quarterly segments. I hope to have the first phase ready to launch in January.
In learning to trust the universe, I am learning I don't need to have my vision all filled in with all the puzzle pieces. I am learning to let the universe take the lead in this dance. I am learning to trust my intuition. I am learning to follow the signposts along the way and say, “Yes!” to opportunity even when it scares me and thrills me at the same time. What my future holds, is the realization of my Big Dream.
Jan Blount lives life with gusto. She is the CEO (a.k.a. the Catalyst Energizing Others) at www.GratitudeAndCompany.com where she Brings Gratitude to Life ™ and inspires others to live life more fully. As an ARTbundance™ coach, SoulCollage ® facilitator, author, speaker, and artist Jan supports others to go for their dream, live gutsy lives, and express their unique gifts in the world. Her many passions include dancing barefoot in the rain; carrying her camera everywhere and using it daily; and playing with paint, paper, paste, pens, and pixels.
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