Be an Artist. Life is Your Canvas.
By Kristin Mackey

Are you living in a way that resonates with your most authentic self? Are you expressing your passions everyday and in a way that feels good to you? If not, have you asked why? As you hold your life’s paintbrush, soaked with intentions and desires, are you clear about the landscape you are about to shape? Learning to master the balance between the messy and structured controlled and free is the path of the true artist – and life artist.

Such a dichotomy can both frighten and thrill us into creating our own masterpiece, if only we consistently believed. It is this internal journey (the true source of our creative power) that shapes our results. Although sometimes challenging, this process can be more easily adopted with a few essential habits ensuring the journey of creating a life you love feels more effortless.

EASE
The first step is to ease any resistance you have with the flow of your current reality. Each moment will whisper it’s wisdom. As willing observers, we can garner the profound insights necessary for greater clarity and purpose. Learning to let go and be in the present moment offers tremendous creative power because it affords you the ability to tap into inspiration beyond the limitations of your mind. It is the sort of habit you must master to create a consistent pipeline to your own genius, whenever you may need it.

CLARITY
Another essential habit is the ability to decide. The biggest challenge for most people is
in aligning multiple interests into something tangible and marketable. A simple way to begin this process is to explore any common denominators within your various passions. For example, my common denominator is teaching and coaching. As I master a new topic of interest, teaching remains my passion. I can teach in countless fun and interesting ways! What do you love doing?

QUALITY
Finally, all artists know that a quality piece of art is better created with quality materials. In this case, thoughts (the words you think and use) are your materials. Choose positive, inspiring and life-affirming thoughts and words and you will notice your canvas (life) and those around you, will immediately benefit.

As you begin to value effortlessness, clarify your vision and upgrade your thinking, remember the importance of sticking with it. We all know the excitement that comes with beginning anything. Starts are easy. The real challenge comes when we may have to shift our plans a little, get not-so-flattering feedback to improve something and have faith in our vision consistently. But your dreams are worth it. Paint.

Kristin Mackey is a professional speaker/writer/artist. She has been named by Training Magazine as “One to Watch” in 2010 for excellence in leadership, instruction and innovation. Kristin has successfully lead seminars for groups ranging from 8 to 500 including Lockheed Martin, Mercury Media, PriceWaterHouse Coopers and Tyco. She is invited to keynote large conferences as well as conduct executive leadership retreats. Kristin has been featured in Florida Today News, American Chronicle and The Courier Post as well as interviewed by 1300 WMEL and Turks and Caicos TV for her unique teaching methods. She recently spoke at the Next Gen Expo conference with Howard Bloom, author of The Genius and the Beast. She co-authored the custom e-book, I AM Worthy of Greatness to encourage transitioning youth to follow their dreams. Some of her published articles include True Inspiration, Personal Transformation in Three Easy Steps and Embrace Your Wingspan.

Find out more about Kristin Mackey on her website: http://www.kristinmackey.com