darling one,

today we are at the midpoint of our time together in this space. my hope is that stepping through this portal was just the beginning of your exploration into the vastness of your creative potential and all of the mysteries your heart is longing to pour forth.

let us meet in the painful and frustrating places of life, and open a little, soften a little, feel. bit by bit at first... and gradually increase our capacity to feel until it breaks us. you know how it goes: that's how the light gets in. and baby, that soft honey light will flood every crevice of your heart and pour out into exquisite beauty - in you life, in your art.

i am not here to solve problems based on information of your particular circumstances. my mission and my passion is to give little yet potent keys to unlocking the secrets of your own heart. your heart knows. i overcame old ingrained caretaker hand-holdy ways to be able to serve you in this way.

this story is about what we are able to do when faced with our doubts and fears, to overcome the script we were handed down from generations.

out of all the limiting beliefs that slow our evolution as people, as artists, one of the most insidious is the idea that we don't have enough time. we all know that time is relative. and we all know that some do a lot more living than others in the same amount of time.

yet we hold on to this lie that it is our particular circumstances that keep us from living the life we really want. we use it as a sort of pacifier, to keep us from full on meltdowns as we avoid diving deeply into the way of the heart. our hearts are constantly beckoning us to live more fully and express more freely, yet we keep stopping short as we bump into our fears. and underneath it all, the fear of greatness.

today, i want us to honor our hearts by cutting through the crafty excuses, and showing up with our whole self.

even five minutes can be powerful if met with presence and intention.

so what can you do with five minutes?

you could nurture a plant with fullness of love and care: water it while playing a good tune, and wipe the leaves of dust as you whisper to it your appreciation.

dance out your demons to two of your favorite songs.

have a cleansing cry.

listen to a loved one with complete openness and let them know they are truly seen.

write a thank you note to your mail person.

share the exact kiss the present moment calls for: passionate or compassionate, lingering, sweet, deeply connecting, transcendent.

breathe in. breathe out. give thanks for the life in your lungs.

clear out that corner of your desk that always gets piled up.

add a few marks to that art journal page, or a layer to the painting you almost gave up on.

change into an outfit that makes you feel like the most radiant version of yourself.

wake your whole being up with a cold shower.

read a poem by a favorite poet.

nothing. a needed pause in song of your day.

write down as many things as you can that you appreciate about yourself.

sharpen your pencils.

make a quick snack and really taste it.

i know you have a thousand more ideas. go drink deeply of life. set your timer (or hourglass!) for five minutes and bring your full intention to it.

in the video, i am sharing two five minutes sessions in the studio. i start each session by lighting incense. a little ceremony, a little ritual, and five minutes become an occasion, a heart centered event, a sacred space of creation.

enjoy!

love,
-anca.