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JEANIE LINDERS WELCOMES YOU TO HEARING VOICES, LEAVING TRAILS

“That’s ME on stage!!!”

The most frequently heard comment…whispered or shouted…at Menopause The Musical® is the one that has inspired the success of our show. As we sing at the end, THIS IS YOUR DAY!

Why? Because MTM is a part of our story. It is the thread that binds us boomer women together and validates our joys and fears.

There are so many stories to be told, however, and we would like to give a Voice to the stories you want to share…stories that may inspire or comfort other women of our “certain age,” letting them know they are not alone, inspirational stories that may make them laugh or cry.

HEARING VOICES, LEAVING TRAILS is our newest venture that’s all about YOU. It’s a website, a book series, a You Tube video series, featured experts and recommended resources for caring and sharing.

If you are like the majority of “us girls,” you love to share stories…to illustrate a point, to make your best friend laugh, or perhaps to touch someone’s heart. We’re all storytellers of a sort, and we want to include your stories in the new Hearing Voices book series. Some of our selected topics include: mothers/daughters, girlfriendships, dating & sex after 45, listening to your private Voice, and spirituality/religion.

Just click on the “Share Your Story” button above and follow the easy steps to becoming a part of Hearing Voices, Leaving Trails.

Unlocking Your Creative Self

by Carole KatchenSHH_7471Final

Many of us women “of a certain age” have spent decades doing what other people expect us to do and being what other people expect us to be. Finally, we have time in our lives to be more creative, but how can we express our “self” when we don’t even know who that self is anymore?

Try these three simple steps to creativity:

  1. Be present
  2. Take action
  3. Choose happiness

STEP 1: Be present. What exactly does that mean? Being present means more than being in the same room. It is being alert and paying attention to yourself and everything around you.

Most women are actually pretty good at noticing what is going on with the people around them. The creative woman is a great caretaker of herself. She pays attention to how she feels and what she wants. In addition, she pays attention to the world around her.

Use your senses. One of the best ways to become more aware of the world around you is to change your location. Go to a place you’ve never been. Wander around an art supply store, a Middle Eastern deli or a botanical garden. Pay attention. What do you see, hear and smell? Take a notebook and jot down your observations.

STEP 2: Take action. We all have a million reasons why this is impossible. We don’t have the time, space or money to be more creative.

One thing that eats up huge amounts of our time is putting other people’s needs ahead of our own. “You don’t have time to pick up the laundry; I’ll do that” or “You don’t have time to call the doctor; I’ll do that. I’ll do my own painting, writing, dancing, gardening, sewing, later.”

It is time to start setting limits. Even if you only have 15 minutes a day for your own creativity, those 15 minutes are sacred. Nothing can get in the way of that time for you.

It is important to designate an actual space—even just a drawer—for your creative stuff. If you are a woman who has spent your whole life working at a job or in the home, filling drawers with all the other stuff of life, it is your turn to “claim a drawer.” Claiming your space helps you claim your right to be a creative person.

Nobody ever has enough money. With the mortgage and college for the kids and health insurance, how can you justify taking money out of the budget just for fun? A better question is how can you not? This is your life we’re talking about, and it’s passing by. If you cannot justify the money today for a gardening book or a pair of dance shoes, when will you? When you’re 70? 80? 90?

THE FEAR FACTOR

The biggest obstacle to becoming a more creative person is fear—often, the fear of the reactions of others. If you suddenly start acting more creative, more expressive, more adventurous, it will affect the balance of all the relationships around you. People may resent the loss of your complete attention or feel threatened that you are making new friends. Some people will just be nervous that things are changing. You also may fear not being talented enough. Don’t worry. Creativity is not about producing a perfect product; it is about the process of expressing yourself.

STEP 3: Choose happiness. You may have to make a conscious choice: Can I step out and express my inner me? Am I going to please other people, or am I going to please myself?

We are finding our Voices and expressing them more clearly than ever before—in words, dance, film, gardening, even in the kitchen. This is a marvelous time to be a woman if you are ready to have freedom and self-expression in your life.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Try this exercise to get back in touch with your hidden self and unlock your creativity. Complete these sentences; let your imagination run wild without thinking about your answers.

  • If I could dance with anyone, it would be ____________________________.
  • If I had all the money in the world, I would ___________________________.
  • If I could write a book about anything, it would be _____________________.
  • If I had plenty of time, I would _____________________________________.
  • If no one was watching, I would ____________________________________.

Go back and read your answers. Each time, close your eyes and visualize yourself doing what you’ve written. You have started your creative process. Keep going!

Award-winning artist CAROLE KATCHEN is known internationally for her whimsical paintings and sculptures of dancers, chefs, society people, musicians and dogs. She recently traveled to Asia as a guest lecturer at an international conference on public art and as Artist in Residence at a Taiwanese university.
Carole’s artwork has been exhibited on six continents and can be seen at galleries in Telluride, Colorado; Key West, Florida; and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her 14 art instruction books and three children’s books have sold more than a million copies. Her articles about the arts have appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Parents, and many art magazines. She also spent many years as a competitive ballroom dancer. Learn more about Carole at http://www.carolekatchen.com.