How to Thrive in Uncertain Times

“It seemed to me that the people who were genuinely thriving in their lives were the ones who had made room for well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving.”
–Arianna Huffington, Thrive

Magical Martini is now available as a print in my Quarantini Collection. You can bring one home with you if you book your own Private Backyard Quarantini pARTy.

I know that some of what I used to do, to thrive, doesn’t seem available to me right now. I can’t hug my family, go out to see live music, or go to a life drawing group. I can’t host my twice yearly, themed live events in my studio, to present new work and perform with a live band. Everyone I talk to is craving a taste of their “old life.” When I stumbled upon Arianna Huffington’s quote, it inspired me to evaluate what I am doing now to thrive. 

When I’m:

• Focused on my well-being through meditation, daily walks, my gratitude practice, and eating nutritious meals, I feel healthy. 

• Tapped into wisdom through my creative processes of painting and songwriting, I feel wisdom flowing through me. 

• Appreciating joy and wonder through the beauty of nature, I feel grounded and peaceful.

• Able to give back by making donations, from the sales of my artwork, my work feels more meaningful. 

All of the above feel better when I have someone to share it with and Zoom isn’t always enough. I decided to host a series of mini events. Three times a week for three weeks, because three is the magic number. You can come to my backyard with a friend and we’ll have a magical evening. I’ll break out my guitar and we’ll create new memories and make room for some things that will help us to thrive. I encourage you to think about making room for things that help you to feel better and in turn, thrive. 

These watermelon cocktails are extra delicious when enjoyed in my beautiful backyard.

Private Backyard Quarantini pARTy

We are all craving some normalcy. This is your opportunity to make room for things to make you thrive. Have a lovely evening out with friends, cocktails, live music, add to your art collection and enjoy lively socially distant conversation. Here's how it will play out:

• Well-being: Join me among nature, in my beautiful backyard garden, enjoy a delicious Top Shelf Quarantini cocktail made with organic juices. Sit and nibble a snack at a comfortable and socially distant spot with a friend. 

• Wisdom: Take home one expertly crafted Limited Edition 12 x 12 inch Quarantini fine art Giclee print of your choice. 

• Wonder: A magical and fun two hour experience. I’ll preform a few of my new Quarantine inspired songs for you.

• Giving: $50.00 of the price of the experience will be donated to the Rent Party Pantry, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fighting hunger in my community. 

The cost for this magical evening, including all of the above, is $300.
There is limited availability. Book now so you don't miss out.
48 hour cancellation required to receive a full refund.
Within 48 hours you will be charged $125. and receive your Quarantini print.

Here I am with my pal, Jill Sobule, at one of my backyard house concerts.

I hope whatever your circumstances are you are staying healthy and hopeful. I encourage you to think about making room for things that will help you to feel better and in turn, thrive. We are going to get through this with flying colors! Can you imagine flying colors? I can! Stay safe and have some fun.

With tons of love,
Leslie

Strengthen Your Ability To Perceive More Joy

I realized this week that I have been publishing a blog twice a month for four years. I learned that you should start before you’re ready, practice makes better, and I don’t need any freaking AI! I’m republishing the entire first blog because it was pretty good right out of the gate. I still use the practice I explain below, and miracles happen when I’m consistent with it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will continue to follow me here because social media sucks.

“People who have the capacity to lean fully into joy have one variable in common: They practice gratitude.”
–Brené Brown, Ph.D.

I’m not saying that you need to drink to feel gratitude! I am grateful that this commission has led to a whole series of paintings, lots of positive responses, several more sales and now prints!

If you want to feel more joy in your daily life practicing gratitude can get you there. It is one of the most powerful practices I use to keep me feeling positive and happy. Even in the midst of tremendous challenges, gratitude can help you see the light. I started by keeping a small notebook by the side of my bed and writing about three things that went well that day. Even on a day that I didn’t feel very accomplished, I could find three things that went well. Like getting out of bed or having a conversation with a friend or washing the dishes. If you are new to practicing gratitude this is a great place to start.

I'm grateful for this commission from my beloved collector, Rosa Pellicer. She's a beautiful soul and I feel a deep connection to her. I'm happy to create artwork that inspires her and others to live with joy and wonder.r.

My practice has changed over time. Now I use May MacCarthy’s Gratitude formula. It has taken my practice to the next level. It helps me move through places when I feel stuck and it helps with manifesting things in my life that I desire. 

All you need is a dedicated notebook, something to write with, and your imagination. This is how you do it:

• Listen to or read something uplifting for 10 minutes

• Write a letter to whatever your higher power is for things in your life that you want to improve or manifest

• Hit all the major areas; relationships, finances, fun, health, connection to your higher power, and anything else you are looking to improve.

• Write about each one as if it is just the way you want it to be and you are grateful. Example: Dear Universe, I am so grateful that my relationships with my children are harmonious and joyful. We respect and support each other without judgment. We enjoy spending time together and have wonderful open conversations. I feel so much love for them and from them.

• When you are finished writing, read it out loud with a lot of emotion.

• Then spend 10 minutes meditating or imaging how wonderful it feels now that it is all as you want it to be

• During the day, look for guidance or follow your intuition when things pop up that will help you fulfill your desires.

• At the end of the day notice all the things that occurred to get you closer to your desired goals, feel gratitude for them, and thank your higher power for guiding you.

• Repeat daily.

I am grateful to Theresa Pettersen-Chu for purchasing this painting when I shifted from a graphic design business to fine art. She believed in me and started the ball rolling on my thriving new business.

If you are on the fence about this, I challenge you to try this method and just see what happens. You never know, you might just manifest the life of your dreams. If you give it a try, please let me know how it goes.

With love and gratitude,
Leslie