Emma Holmes

Surfing with my coach. Talking story.

My coach Gary L Mahler creates in such a way that things unfold.

He frequently tells me “I have an idea that…” or “I had an idea that…” and proceeds to share stories of how he creates whatever he is creating in life.

During my time in Hawaii I have been playing with this. Surrendering to the moment and allowing things to come and unfold.

I find myself having ideas, as I have heard Gary describe, then I act on them. I follow the knowing. I do not have the whole picture and I do not know for certain anything. And I love that.

Gary had an idea that we would meet for in person coaching here on Oahu and then head out and drive around the island and have an experiential day of learning and growth. (Anyone that gets to spend time with Gary like this is the luckiest and as Gary says, I create my own luck through being who I am.)

I had an idea that I would rent a jeep because FUN. I had an idea of 2 places I could rent which would be logistically easy. I set out with no attachment, only an idea and what unfolded was so beautiful. The first place was super easy and they provisionally booked me with free cancellation. I would literally roll out of my hotel room, then into the jeep and head to Gary for the day.

I set off the second place I had an idea for. On the way I bumped in to Gary unexpectedly and got to talk story for a while. I got to ask if he could give us free parking for the jeep where he was staying (yes, easy) and things continued to unfold. Ease and flow.

After we parted ways I had an experience I won’t describe in detail here that would not have occurred if I had not followed the idea of walking to this second car rental place. It turns out they did not have a jeep and I realised the only reason I was meant to go there was to see something I would not have seen otherwise.
I started to understand this idea of having an idea and following it with an open heart.

In a similar vein, I find myself having ideas of who to connect with and then what work we will do together. There is an ease and flow, with things unfolding without me trying to control or force anything. I love it.

Our day together did not turn out as we imagined in the best way possible.

And that is another story.

I am Queen Emma. I am ocean.

Aloha nui loa 🌊💕

I love inspiration, being inspired, inspiring others and being an inspiration.

The word inspiration gets banded about quite a bit, so here is the definition:

• Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
• Create a feeling, especially a positive one in a person.
• (Inspire someone with) animate someone with a feeling.
• Give rise to.
• Breathe in (air); inhale.

Via en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/inspire

And I love the succinct definition my coach Karen gave me:

“Inspire is to breathe divine life into; to motivate action or a positive feeling in another person. Filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.”

That is what I live for; to inspire myself first (not always the case and I still often forget) and then others.

Image credit: Emma Paillex

Baby Groot’s body is tiny, yet he is fierce and his spirit is so much bigger than his physical form.

Whatever is going on with your body today remember your spirit is unlimited. How does it feel to breathe into that space for a moment. And relax.

Onward!

I recently purchased this hot foil print from my friend Belinda Love Lee:

It might usually be considered the type of item you would give to a significant other or loved one.

I chose to purchase this for myself.

Because what if we adored ourselves?

I don’t mean in a narcissistic way. I just mean, what if we could see ourselves through the eyes of those that really do adore us.

What if no one adores me? It doesn’t matter. Make it up.

Actually, your higher self adores you and is crying out for you to do the same.

What would someone who adored you think of you? What would they say about you? How would they view your so called “faults” or bad habits? What would they say about your struggles?

Can you reframe yourself in this way and move a step closer to adoring yourself?

I think adoring ourselves also means taking care of ourselves in the following ways:

– Physical care – being mindful about what you eat and drink and exercise.
– Getting enough rest.
– Creating space to do the things you love or that give your life meaning.
– Creating space to do things that restore you.
– Work on the projects that inspire and challenge us.
– Focusing.
– Saying no.
– Reading that book we said we would.
– Starting that project.

How do we treat those that we adore?

– With kindness
– With love
– With respect
– Listen to them
– Give them space
– Give them time
– Treat them
– Take them to places you know they like
– Get the little things you know they like
– Tell them all the good things about them
– Tell them when they did something great
– I love it when you x,y,z.

How can you step into adoring yourself?

It’s easy to adore someone else, how about turning that around and adoring yourself for a change.

The highest part of ourselves adores us, surely it’s time to respond and honour that.

Be well.

I feel that there is a really great opportunity in life and business at this present time to:

1. Make stuff
2. Share stuff
3. Help others do the same

Doing the above not only makes us feel great and gives us purpose, but there are also business opportunities in part 3 – getting paid to help others make and share stuff / learn new things, which I will explore a little below.

I have noticed lately that wherever people are creating great and inspiring work / art, people gather and ask questions. They want to learn how to do exactly what that person is doing or has done.

Some areas I have personally noticed this taking place include:

• hand lettering
• calligraphy
• war hammer figure painting / sculpting
• paint spraying bikes
• sewing
• quilting
• knitting
• DIY
• DJing
• fitness
• diet
• cooking

This applies to practically any field. Don’t believe me? Think of any subject, type it in google then add the words “how to” afterwards. How many results come up? How much information is out there? People are constantly searching for “how to” information.

In particular, I have noticed this quest for knowledge whilst learning and exploring the topic of “hand lettering” and “calligraphy” on instagram. There is a community of highly talented lettering / calligraphy artists that share their work for all to see. These are people who have spent time on their craft. Time after time, people ask the same questions over and over:

• How did you do that?
• What pen did you use?
• What is your process?
• I got stuck when I tried to do this, can you explain x?

Similarly, my experience of this is people asking me the same questions over and over on my YouTube Scratch DJ tutorial channel and website:

• What equipment do I need / can you recommend?
• I am stuck, can you give me pointers on x technique?
• What record do you use?
• What music are you using?
• Is this piece of gear any good?
• I’m having this problem with x, what should I do?
• How did you get started?
• How long does it take to get good?

More and more people are creating “toolbox” pages to answer such questions. More examples here and here.

I see more and more people reaching out and asking the people they look up to if they teach online classes. Or how they can learn.

People are definitely willing to pay to learn “how to”. I for one have paid and will continue to pay to learn from others.

Some popular paid learning sites that I have used and have gained from include:

• Lynda.com – monthly or yearly paid membership to a wide access of video tutorials
• Skillshare– classes start from $20.

So, if you are someone that makes and shares stuff, my question to you is:

What can you create that helps others learn how to do what you do? 

Some suggestions:

• An eBook
• Video Tutorials
• A membership site

Why not explore this further? You might be surprised what comes of it!

Please leave your thoughts and comments or share any experiences of how you are already doing this below.

– Emma

Today I caught myself saying “Life is too short” when justifying something that I wanted to do. Something good.

Words are powerful and so I think from now on, whenever I think that, I will instead use the phrase “Life is for living!”

I don’t want a short life, I want a long happy life filled with good things. I am sure you do too.

So, until next time, remember… life is for living, enjoy it!

Image by myself. Instagram: eemmaholmesart