by Tina Games | May 1, 2024 | Authenticity, Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creativity, Healing, Insights, Poetry, Professional Growth, Reflection, Self-Discovery, Spiritual Growth, Storytelling, Writing
In a world that often seems chaotic and overwhelming, the internal journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding connection is more critical than ever. This is where the creation of a regular writing practice can help – where we can process emotions and find clarity in the midst of life’s challenges.
How can we connect with ourselves and others with more depth and honesty? How can we turn past wounds and emotional hurdles into opportunities for growth?
These are questions that poet, educator, and author, Meredith Heller explores in her new book, Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery – published by New World Library.
I’ve invited Meredith to join me on my blog today to talk about the concept of “writing by the heart” – and how creative people can use it as a path for healing and self-discovery.
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Tell us about your book Writing by Heart and what inspired you to write it.
Writing by Heart is about tuning into your heart and writing about what’s here, honesty, authentically, and with compassionate curiosity. The book is an invitation into deep self to discover your truth, your voice, your heart. Something magical happens when we put pen to paper– we engage in creative process and we can tap our own wisdom, our own medicine, to heal and free ourselves. This book is about poetic writing as practice of presence, noticing and being true to what’s bubbling up in you, whether it’s sadness, anger, fear, grieving, loss, joy, or beauty, making room for all of it and finding the words to explore and express it. This kind of writing is healing, liberating, empowering, and transformative. It opens the way for new insights to arise.
What does “writing by heart” mean to you?
When we know something by heart, it’s part of us; we know it all the way down to our bones. Writing by heart is about following what you know, your truth, and seeing where it takes you. It’s about trusting yourself and the writing process, and when we do that, the path opens, healing happens, life force returns. (more…)
by Tina Games | Jan 17, 2022 | Aliveness, Authenticity, Calling, Creative Expression, Creative Genius, Creative Voice, Creativity, Full Moon, Possibility, Potential
One of the gifts that the full moon gives us is an overwhelming desire to come alive. Whether that’s bringing a passion front and center or finally making the decision to take a giant leap forward in a new direction that is fully aligned with our creative calling.
Imagine driving through a fast food window and placing an order – only this time the menu lists the one thing that you’ve been contemplating for quite some time.
Perhaps it’s that life-changing book you’ve been working on for eons, but you keep finding yourself facing one creative block after another. Or maybe it’s that passion-filled business that you’ve been wanting to start, but you haven’t yet gotten the courage to just go for it. Or it could be the nonprofit organization you’ve been pondering, the one that’s destined to change the world.
Whatever it is – it’s on the menu right now. And the clerk (who happens to be representing the positive energies of the universe) says, “What can I get for you today?”
This is your moment! Will you order it? Will you tell the universe, “Yes, this is the right time for me. I’ll take it.”
And then the clerk says, “Would you like to super-size that?”
What would it take for you to say, “Heck yeah!”?
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by Tina Games | Aug 7, 2021 | Authenticity, Change, Confidence, Courage, Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creativity, Fun, Illuminate, Inner Child, Light, Magic, New Beginnings, New Moon, Playful, Sparkle, Summer
We’re moving into a new moon phase tomorrow – which might stir a strong desire for creative change or a new creative direction. It may even bring an awareness that NOW is the time to seed what might be necessary for a personal or professional transformation.
This particular new moon highlights the Leo qualities of self-expression, creativity, courage, confidence, and authentic visibility – while shining a light on certain life themes involving creative projects, fun and pleasure, children, and the inner child.
As we settle into the last full month of summer, you may feel a slight nudging toward something you might want to start in the fall – something that has a more joyful and playful energy to it.
It’s a good time now, in the playful season of summer, to begin to put the intention out there – to say to the universe, “Yes, I am ready for this change and I am open to approaching it from a more creative and playful direction!”
Where in your life do you desire a creative new start? Where in your life do you need more courage and confidence?
This Leo New Moon challenges you to “Ask for what you want – and be prepared to get it.”
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by Tina Games | Apr 19, 2021 | Authenticity, Connection, Creative Expression, Creative Voice, Creativity, Fulfillment, Legacy, Life Purpose, Magic, Possibility, The Ripple Effect, Uniqueness
There’s a quote by the legendary Wayne Dyer that brings to light the power of now – and the significance that courage plays into fully realizing one’s potential.
“Don’t die with your music still inside you.”
As a self-empowerment coach for highly-creative and spiritually-minded women who are here to express their life’s purpose through artistic endeavors, I’m fully aware of how much courage it takes to stand in front of an audience and share your unique gifts.
Many adults struggle with courage and end up “holding back” – for an entire lifetime – gifts and talents that could so easily be appreciated by others. (more…)
by Tina Games | Apr 5, 2021 | Authenticity, Calling, Courage, Creative Expression, Creative Genius, Dreams, Journal Writing, Life Journey, Life Lessons, Life Story, Possibility, Reflection, Transition, Uncertainty, Wisdom
Over the past year, as we’ve navigated through the pandemic, I’ve had many discussions with clients, colleagues, and friends who are at a major crossroad in their life, both personally and professionally, which is resulting in an intense period of reflection. They’re feeling stuck, confused, unmotivated, and unable to connect with what might be ahead of them on their life’s journey.
There’s a feeling of being “a late arrival” to their own life – to a degree that causes them to wonder if they’ve missed an opportunity.
Many are pondering an array of questions, such as:
- How did I get here – in this place of darkness, confusion, and wonder?
- I see nothing ahead of me, so is this it?
- What does this stuckness mean – and how do I sort through it?
- How do I make sense of my life and the journey I’ve traveled?
- What do I do with all the lessons I’ve learned and the gifts I’ve received – and what do I let go of?
- Where do I go from here?
For all of these individuals, the most interesting thing about this crossroad is what has brought them to it. In some way, shape, or form – they’re all facing a major life transition. And it has come to them at a time that many would call “middle age.”
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by Tina Games | Mar 24, 2021 | Acceptance, Authenticity, Healing, Journal Writing, Life Journey, Personal Growth, Self-Care
A year ago, as the mother of a high school senior – and as a certified journal writing facilitator, I found myself pulling out every personal writing tool I had in my repertoire. My daughter was struggling with what was quickly becoming an upsetting end to her 13 years in public school.
Since kindergarten, she had looked forward to her high school graduation and had already assembled her cheering section, consisting of close friends, teammates, family members, and mentors. In her mind’s eye, she already knew what graduation day would look like – until a global pandemic changed everything.
Even before the coronavirus hit, my daughter and her high school friends, along with other teens and young adults, were already facing intense mental health challenges like academic stress, relationship challenges, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression — just to name a few.
And when you add in tough pandemic realities like virtual learning, social distance from family and friends, and the loss of employment opportunities many are facing, it’s no wonder that many of today’s young people are feeling more isolated, afraid, and stressed than ever before.
The new book, “Be You, Only Better: Real-Life Self-Care for Young Adults (And Everyone Else)” – recently published by New World Library, introduces young people to simple, yet powerful day-to-day practices that promote mind and body wellness. With simple, straightforward tactics like journaling, mindfulness, healthy sleep, and sound nutrition, author Kristi Hugstad empowers young and old alike to take charge of their own wellness.
The book came to me at just the right time – and has now made its way to my daughter, who is in her first year at college, and is being circulated among her friends. It’s making an impact, so much so that I asked Kristi to join me on my blog today to touch on a few key topics addressed in the book.
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