A Daily Dose of Wonder

I am privileged to have a circle of strong and creative women friends in my life. One of my dearest friends is also one of the most creative and inspirational in my sphere. Her name is Jill Badonsky and she is an artist, creativity consultant and author of two books on creativity.


Her second book The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder is a twist on the classic Farmer's Almanac and is a playful -- yet oh-so-practical -- guide to help readers nourish their creativity. This book is just so...well, it's just so Jill, full of her unique brand of humor, whimsical art and inspiration.

I frequently open this book at random and do the excercises I find. Today I'm sharing what I find on the May 12th page.

Jill's text is in black, my words are in red.

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Daily Soul Vitamin:
Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting . And you don’t do that by sitting around wondering about yourself. ~Katherine Hepburn. (...unless you are getting paid to write a blog!)

Toast of the Day:
Here’s to the parts of our jobs that we love:
My Independence. Helping others take control of their health, well-being and creativity. Being in control of my life: choosing what and when to teach, choosing when to massage and who to massage, choosing which aromatics to use and when. People are always happy to see me. I work long hours when I feel energetic or take the day off when I need to rest. It's empowering to change lives. Getting paid to nurture is awesome. I'm surrounded by beautiful smells. I am the keeper of deep secrets. I love my Independence. I can nap on my couch when I have a break. Feeling rewarded when the light bulb goes off in my student's head. Sharing my enthusiasm for aromatherapy, creativity, art and the human body. Having my passion and enthusiasm embraced by others. Practicing compassion. Independence. Working in the quiet gives me time to think and forces me to slow down. My beautiful space. I seem to be good at what I do. Have I mentioned independence?

Awe-servances: Happy Birthday to…
Edward Lear, 11812 artist, illustrator and writer known for his literary nonsense. I prefer Dr. Suess
Katharine Hepburn, 1907 Actress: Martin Short does a fabulous impression of her.
George Carlin, 1937 stand-up comic: Saw him on stage twice. Brilliant.
Steve Winwood, 1948 musician: Steve Winwood’s Manager was a client once. When she went to pay me, she reached into her sock and pulled out a huge wad of cash. It’s one of my strongest memories.
It’s also Nonsense Day. A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

Aha-phrodisacs: Write a poem or limerick about nonsense.
There once was fragrant muse
who dozed after too much good booze.
she awoke with a pain
then looked back with a strain
and saw on her ars new tattoos.

Dose of Mirth:
Frisbeetariansim is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck. ~ George Carlin

Journal Juju:
Write about your soul being stuck up on the roof.
In keeping with the frisbee on the rooftop metaphor...when my creativity is stuck on the roof and I make too much effort to get at it, it stays stuck there. But if just leave it alone, eventually a lovely breeze, a rainstorm, a critter or some other random outside force will release it for me.

Today I get to: Write, massage, walk my pug and eat thin mint girl scout cookies.