Blast O' Joy

Interview with a successful dreamer, Part II

Here's more on my interview with Sally Faith Coombs, a milliner who discovered and successfully leads a dream career. 

How have you managed to keep the faith?
When you have bills sitting there and the phone's not ringing, sometimes it's really hard to hold on to that magic. Recently I did a gallery opening, and I got burnt out doing a lot of hours of work for it. I made a joke that I'd sell my sewing machine in the yard for 2 bucks. But then I was looking at one of the styrofoam heads with blobs of fabric and ribbon pinned on it, and all of the sudden I went over to it and touched the fabric. And before I knew it, I was fiddling around with it, and I'd come up with three or four more designs. I'd gotten back in touch with that creative part. Just by looking at that styrofoam head sitting there.

That's why it's so important to keep creating. I reached out for the hat and there it was, like it was waiting for me.

How did you sell your first hats?
I don't even know what ever gave me the courage or possessed me to think I could walk into the finest gallery on Cape Cod and say, "Hi I've got some hats I'd like you to look at." The owner was totally captivated by the hats, we did a consignment deal, and the hats were sitting on these little pedestals. The actress Julie Harris then became a regular customer of the hats, and that was a big boost. Lots of places have shown them since, and lot of people have bought them.

How has your business grown?
In the second year, 98-99, I was up to double from what I did the first year. We cut the cleaning business in half. I follow any lead anyone anywhere gives me. What I find is there's a real relationship that comes with the hats -- store owners and gallery owners sell them and have fun with them, or they don't.  I really believe the hats will end up in the shops they're supposed to with the people who are supposed to sell them. Otherwise we're all wasting our time. Sometimes we have a hat party -- and that's a great event! There's something in these hats that just moves people. There's this energy to them, and it brings something out in people that they find really fun and enjoyable. They seem so surprised to see they have those feelings and energy, and it's so fun to watch it all spring forth.

Tags: Creativity, creative careers, career change, living your dreams, millinery

Interview with a Successful Dreamer

Sally Faith Coombs, 35, is a milliner who didn't start out that way. After spending several years cleaning houses, she got a Continuing Ed degree at Wellesley College in psychology and women's studies. Sally left Wellesley convinced her purpose was to empower women to move past the media's stereotypes about beauty and body image. Yet, it was while researching a possible documentary on the subject that she discovered making hats. Then Sally stumbled on an interesting truth: by making hats, she could use her creativity to fulfill her purpose -- that women don't have to be a perfect size 8 to feel beautiful in a great hat.

Not long after that, Sally started Maggie Mae Designs and began selling the hats, one at a time, to craft galleries. Now, several years later, her hats have been featured in Victoria Magazine and on Oxygen TV. This is how she's made it work.

How did you get started?
The name of the business hit me before I'd ever made a hat ... one night, I woke up at 2 AM and I saw the name, Maggie Mae Designs. My cat, Maggie Mae, was sitting on the bed with me.

Sometimes cats have this smug look on their face. She looked smug. I wasn't designing anything at that time, except a way to get out of cleaning toilets.

Then, a little later, my mother handed me this knitting pattern for a felted hat, which I took to humor her. So I knitted up this hat -- it was huge sack of woolen matter. I put it in my washer and let it boil, and in about fifteen minutes, it shrank into this really cool hat. I started rummaging through all the stuff I've collected all my life, and I started attaching things to my hat. And before I knew it, I'd made three or four of them and I was hooked.

How have you worked the money thing?
My boyfriend is a painter, and throughout the year our expenses are minimal. We live above my mom's house, our rent is really low and we clean houses for cash. As Tom puts it, it's life "on a shoestring but the shoestring broke a long time ago."

I often have the thought -- what was I thinking when I did this? I know nothing about business, or the world of retail. I don't even know how we do what we do. A hat order will come in... one... and will just pay for the bean and rice soup. We really do live very simply.

Yet, there is something magical about that work. The thing that keeps me going is the joy of it. When someone tells me what a hat I made meant to them... those are the moments I'm doing it for.
Also, I get to be part of an educational process, letting women know there are other options beside feeling you have to be a size four. I just encourage them to play, and they do! When I'm not sitting there groaning about rent and food, if I can just keep playing with the hats and all the reasons why I'm doing it, then I can keep going.

Tags: Creativity, creative careers, career change, living your dreams, millinery

Dealing with 'The Money Thing'

When it comes to living my dream, the biggest single stumbling block for me has been the 'Money Thing'. For eighteen years, while I dabbled in the arts, I made my living as a freelance copywriter, and almost the entire time I hated it. I can remember railing against my job, refusing to see it as what it was, my patron of the arts who afforded me flexibility, and financed my beloved music and writing.

Instead, I decided my 'bread gig' was the enemy -- that which kept me from doing what I truly loved. Furthermore, since thinking about money wasn't as much fun as creating, I decided it was irrelevant, even though money was the key to living my dream every day and sharing it with lots of people.

This is a fundamentally immature view that ignores an obvious fact of science: your dream is actually a business. I wanted to do mine full-time, and earn a living from it. Therefore my dream was something that needed building, nurturing, and quarterly reviews just like a new business.

Obviously, this takes time.

The first few years are rocky. You have to do things you don't want to do. You often have to keep an alternative income source going for a while to ease the transition. And if you want to make a living from your dream, you must organize your actions towards one, single-minded end -- running your new business so it turns a profit and stays viable.

Yet, I never quite did that. I wrote books, and hired agents, and submitted things here and there. But I never really looked at the bottom line in any practical way. Rather, my writing career was always this thing "I just had to do ... no matter what!" And I figured some day, magically, my ship would come in (and, of course, I'd be rich beyond my wildest dreams.) I figured it would all just "work out" one way or another.

I have since learned that dreams are slow-growing organisms that need a lot of care and feeding. And we need to nurture them just so, to help them thrive. I need to keep a business account, a spending plan, and maintain spreadsheets on my income and expenses. I need to develop 'new products' that diversify my income sources, and put energy into marketing. I need to let go of the need for fast, spectacular results, or huge clamoring crowds. And above all, I need to be patient and build the foundation.

Our dreams will show us exactly where to go, who to speak to and how to make them happen. What we bring to the table is not only faith, but the willingness to do what must be done ... and that includes handling the Money Thing.

Tags: Artist's life, financial management, money, making money at your dream

Victor's Green Energy Trick

Yesterday, I posted about my late friend Victor Philips (he died almost twenty years ago, amazingly.) Victor taught me his ultimate energy focusing tool, which I've reproduced here for you.

Pick a soul project you've been wanting to get to, and carve out some time to work on it. Then, when you're alone with your work, try this brief visualization technique. Unplug phones, keep the kids/spouse/neighbors at bay for a while, and close the door.

Stand in front of your work with your arms at your side. Give a small prayer of thanks for the presence of this work in your life, and ask God to help you clear yourself for the task. Close your eyes and imagine green light entering your body, sweeping it clean of all distracting thoughts and unnecessary concerns. Know that in this light is healing from all the stress of your everyday life. Let the light bathe you, sweeping you clean and free and ready to work.

Then, when you are ready, sit down to the task at hand, knowing you are fully present and ready to focus. Now, get to work and savor the joy!

Tags: Writing, publishing, the writer's life, creativity coaching

How to Hang On To Your Focus

For me, focus as often been an issue. Just when the wheels are rolling, results are happening, and my juices are flowing buckets, I'm inclined to pull back and distract myself with some assorted piece of trivia. I suspect I've done this not out of necessity -- for who really needs to dawdle in junk when you're in the creative flow? It's done out of fear of standing up for myself, and truly extending my power in the world.

I once had a friend, Victor Phillips, who taught me all about the value of focus. Victor was an interior designer and psychic healer who also had tremendous talent as a painter. So it came as something of a shock when we both attended an acting seminar in New York City one weekend, and I watched Victor stand up and perform a monologue.

Victor stood on the stage for several moments with his eyes closed in concentration. Then, when he opened his eyes and started to deliver his speech, he was a transformed person. He was his character, quite literally. People in the audience were crying at the end of his work -- and the most incredible part was that Victor had never acted in his life.

Naturally, on the next break I went straight to Victor and gushed about his talent. "But it wasn't talent," he said. "It was focus. I stood there for a moment centering myself. I pulled up every ounce of energy I had. And then I just did it."

"But you were incredible! You could be a great actor! Will you?" I asked.

Victor looked non-plussed. "Probably not," he said. "I was just seeing where my focus could take me."

Victor died of AIDS several years ago, but I will never forget the amazing lesson he taught me that day. Because what I saw was not that Victor, alone, was this supremely talented man. Instead, I realized how powerful our focus can be when we train its laser beam on what we want to create. And that goes for ALL of us. So we can truly achieve greatness, if we're willing to use the tremendous tool of focusing, and be the powerful force we were given to be in this life.

Tags: Focus, creativity, artist's life, working with energy, Spirit

Why Now Is the Very Best Time of All to Sign up for The Writer's Spa

The Writer's Spa single rooms are all gone … so now the real fun begins. Those who register from here on in will have twice as remarkable experience. (And I can say this based on 4 years of prior experience leading the Spa.) Here's why:

1. No one has EVER come to me requesting a roommate change.

2. Most who share their room with a relative stranger leave with a friend for life.

3. I personally match people with their roommates based on several factors: age, sleep habits, personal preferences and any quirks I know about, and whatever I can tell about people from their writing. This is actually my favorite part of getting ready for the spa … and how I know I'm probably best employed as a Cub Scout Den Mother or maybe a dorm RA

4. Having a roommate makes it possible for you to process your experience with someone else as you go through it … kind of an out-loud analysis that can be a help to some with the tougher pieces

5. You will probably laugh more. (Jennifer and I certainly do!)

6. You will probably stay in touch after the Spa, and so keep the Spa experience alive for yourself for years to come

That, I'm proud to say, is a typical experience at our Taos Writer's Spa - Join us July 29- August 4. It's been sold out for five years running - and it's heading that way this year, too. If you think you want to come, don't he.sitate. Jump in - ready or not! Registration ends May 15

Tags: Writing, publishing, the writer's life, creativity coaching

Create a Dream Binder for Someone You Love or Yourself, Part II

So … now are you ready to set up your own Dream Binder? (See yesterday's post to learn what that is.) It's easy and extremely fun - and it can be as elaborate as you want, or as simple as time will allow. Here's what you'll need:

You'll need a binder with a clear sleeve on the front for inserting cover art, dividers, 3-hole punched paper, loose leaf or filler paper, and access to the Internet.

Just to make it really easy for you, I've also put together a free download of Dream Binder workbook pages you can print out and use in your binders. They include exercises, questionnaires, and some helpful general articles on dream pursuit. (When you download it, you'll also get access to my free, award-winning ezine, The Joy Letter.)

Then print them out on 3-hole paper and pop them in the binder. The cover art I created is only a suggestion - feel fr.ee to make your own very personal image for the recipient.)

How to Make It:

When you sit down to make your Dream Binder, take a blank piece of paper and ask yourself just what your friend's dream should have in it. Let your mind wander deliciously, and capture all the inspirations that come up. Then get on the Web and start surfing - I promise you all the information you're looking for is out there.

You can make your Dream Binder as simple or as complicated as you like. Divide it up into sections that seem most useful for the recipient.

Include web sites, product or site reviews, free software URL's, and just about anything else you can think of. You can even give them gift certificates to helpful subscription services or retailers who sell dream-related products, if you want to add monetary value to this gift

Also look for
" Inspirational biographies
" Stories of others who've succeeded in the field your friend wishes to go into
" Helpful contacts
" Could be names/addresses/etc. from anyone you can find in their dream field who might serve as mentor, or even cold contacts you don't personally know.
" Notes or messages from supportive friends/family
" Free articles
" Great books/programs/tools

Are there helpful books that have good reviews that might somehow assist them? Think not only of technical books from experts in their field, but general dream books like my own, Living Your Joy.

Give the gift that really DOES keep on giving? Let someone you love (yes, that can include yourself) know that their dream matters and that you believe in them completely. You'll be so very glad you did.

Let the dreams begin!

Create a Dream Binder for Someone You Love or Yourself, Part I

Recently, I came up with a big idea: creating a binder of goodies that supports the dream of someone you love. I'm all for homemade gifts… and letting a friend or family member know their dream is supported is just about the best gift anyone can give. (Think Graduation, Mother's Day, birthday … or just make one for that other best friend - yourself!)

Here's an example.

My daughter Teal has a big dream of being a country singer. Teal has a great voice and has been performing pretty much non-stop since she was about 6. And she spends a considerable amount of time every day simply singing … sometimes for hours at a time. So for her 15th birthday, I made her a Dream Binder.

A Dream Binder is a great big book of support for any dream. Teal's Binder included photos of her favorite country singers and stories of how they got discovered. Plus I included information on contests, contacts at local radio stations, inspirational quotes for down days, helpful Web resources, and worksheets on things like keeping track of key contacts and planning next steps.

Her Dad, her brother, her godmother, her friends and I also added fun, mushy letters of support for her dream. And they also added more elements of their own, so the Dream Binder became a family effort.

What's really great about these Binders is that you only start them. The recipient then takes the binder and can keep on adding lots of support pieces as his or her dream builds steam. (Hence the need for loose leaf in the back.)

So who do you know whose dream needs a boost… beginning with you? I invite you to make lots of dream binders and share them with your fellow dreamers. They're easy and truly fun to make.

I'll post more tomorrow on just what the dream binder should include. If you'd like a template to work with, drop by my website and pick up your own copy of my Create Your Own Dream Binder kit. (You'll also get my excellent ezine, The Joy Letter, too.) It's all free … and it's all good.

Is Your Brain Helping Your Dream? Or Hindering It?

As I mention from time to time, the theme for me in 2006 is brain science. I made a commitment this year to really dig in and work on developing my brain to help me accomplish more with greater ease.

So I happily have delved into the world of neural reprogramming with Dr. Jill Ammon-Wexler who led a free teleclass on her brain work last month. It was an amazing call - her work is just superb.

(If you missed it, here's a link to the call with Dr. Jill on Brain Power.)

So now I'm involved in her beta program on Millionaire Mind Program, which she leads from her Quantum Self website. Here's some of the cool stuff we're doing.

Every day I reprogram my brain by tapping deeper into my gamma and alpha-theta brainwaves. These are the ones that millionaires and highly successful people have developed more fully. These brain waves lead them into greater abilities to manifest success by being more open, more creative, and (some believe) more accessible to the Universal Mind. They apparently have great access to the subconscious mind, and frequently experienced higher spiritual states.

Dr. Jill also says they have 'little or no stress.' The stress monster does tend to eat us alive, so that's my goal, too! Apparently some of these folks have these qualities awake in their brain naturally. But others have been able to learn this ability, which is what her program helps anyone achieve.

So how am I doing this? By using Dr. Jill's audio recordings to tap easily in and out of my alpha state (little 2 minute mini-meditations). Also there is this longer recording that sounds like the blades of a helicopter getting closer, then further, then closer again. I do that meditation every day, too. And as I do it, and my mind shifts brainwaves, I feel almost like I'm out of my body.

I emerge intensely calm, centered and ready to take on the world.

Are you a worrier?

I am. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher wrote on my report card: 'Worries entirely too much!'. But hey … I felt my worry was essential to getting the work of the world done. Just like my continuing urge to fly airplanes from my passenger seat - as if I can think the plane towards its destination and a safe landing.

I recently spoke to a reader named Doris, who wisely said, "If I don't worry, I don't feel like I'm getting my job done." Touche!

That's how we all feel when we're worriers, or 'thinkers' as in the case of my friend Trisha. And I often wonder if this is the domain of sensitive, creative people. Trisha, a photographer, feels she can better understand her world by thinking it out in elaborate detail. I, on the other hand, must worry it out in elaborate detail. That's my coping device.

SO what's all this worry get me? Not much beyond some occasional belly aches. None of my worry has been proven to affect a single outcome, no matter how hard I try.

And I do want to acknowledge that I'm much less of a worrier than I used to be. Somewhere around forty, I woke up one morning and decided all that worrying was just way too much work. But I still do enjoy a good worry once in a while - just to keep my hand in.

How about you?