Click to see what I make.

(Week 88)

Word for September:  DEEP

Deep connection is essential if we want peace. In the heart space, our spirit self gently leads our earthly self, the part of us that acts on the wisdom. Regular conversations between the two allow them to stay in sync. Keep them working together in harmony, moving forward.

Time together creates self intimacy, and self intimacy insures connection. I suggest a.m. appointments daily. It keeps the spirit doing what it was created to do, lead. And the earthly self doing what it was designed to do, follow.

Just imagine for a minute that your spirit lives in its own chamber, in the heart. And your earthly self lives on the earth. In order for the two to visit, the earthly self uses one of these modes of transportation to get to the cool pad and enter the heart…

Stillness: conscious breathing, meditation, sitting still + doing nothing
Hand movement: art making, knitting, hemming pants, baking, petting your pets, free play
Easy exercise: walking, running, swimming, dancing, biking
Repetitive action: driving, gardening, weeding
Honest talk: to another, to the page
Freeing the mind: fishing, listening to soft music
Steering the heart: singing sweet lyrics, reading Truth, seeing beautiful pics, watching a tender video

These vehicles (or one of your own choice) transport the earthly self so the two can meet. Enjoy their relationship. Discuss the plans. Since the spirit’s voice is still and soft, it requires a place of quiet.

At first, you’ll feel resistance. The earthly self is loud and will share all kinds of reasons not to go, why it’s too hard or not necessary. It can be a complainer. Don’t listen! Like any journey, effort is required. But reunion is inevitable if you stay the course. Remember the rewards and you will press thru to enter in. Into that deep sense of inner peace and knowing. Where “no worry”, “no lack” and “no reason to fear” also live. And return with you to earth.
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STUDIO CLASSES

If you are ready to find peace with food OR are ready to step into creativity without the slandering critic, there’s a class for you! Click here for more info.

Inside 2011

(Week 87)

Word for September:  DEEP

I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being. Confucius

That’s why we connect deep. Because all that we are, our essence, is there, deep at the core. Formed before we were born. It’s the part of us that is curious, fascinated, playful. It is our true personality, our unique gifts and our life’s purpose. The us that could have been placed in any body. The part of us that never dies. Our spirit.

Our “true self” lives away from the bustle of the world. Protected from its influences. Warmly cozy, within. It can not be changed by people or by our need for approval. It knows the way to our right life and contains all the navigational equipment needed to get there. It was born to lead. When it does, there is authentic peace.
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STUDIO ASSISTANCE

Coaching helps establish this connection. “It helped me connect to myself in a way that I hadn’t before. It made me feel less alone.” When we connect, we get clear. And move forward.

Learn HOW? Email for a free session: Lori@LORiKOOP.com

Click to download "deep" card..... (8 1/2 x 11" sheet)

(Week 86)

Word for September:  DEEP

If you look deep within, you will find a brilliant light. Too many, far too many, squint and turn away from the shine. Let your eyes adjust, and bathe in the radiance.
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STUDIO CLASSES . . . UPCOMING

Karen Presley and I will be doing 2 classes this fall to unblock creative flow. One will center around “the critic” and coaching tools that work to overcome. The other will help answer the question “what do I want to make work about?”, defining your subject matter. There will be one in Oct and one in Nov, each 4-weeks long. (Tuesdays at 10 am PST)

In Nov, Lissa Markwardt and I will be teaching a 6-week class called “Don’t Weight a Lifetime” to help end the food struggle. (Mondays at 5 pm PST)

In January, Karen and I will combine coaching and The Artist’s Way. A 12-week class to connect with your creative passion.

If you’re interested in a class, please email to get on the list. Classes are always first come, first serve, and spots are limited. More info to come. (All classes done via telephone or Skype.)

ps. The “Someday” video link went out yesterday. If you requested and didn’t receive, I’m sorry. Please reply to this email and request again. It’s ready now. Yeah!

(Week 85)

Word of the Month:  SHARE

Sharing is an art form, a medium of self expression. You get to create what it looks like in your life. With whom and how much. It can feel awesome!

Or it can feel awful. When it gets out of balance. Out of the place of “healthy”. I’m thinking of the times we give too much. And it feels others are taking advantage. The energy around giving sours, and we feel “yucky”.

Time to set boundaries. Time for self care.

It’s about taking care of our house and our yard. Within our fence line, we get to decide how things work, what feels good. In our yard, we decide the rules. Like pool rules posted at hotels. When people come to play, they abide by those stated. (In their yard, they decide the rules.)

A boundary is necessary when a rule is broken. It makes clear what is expected and what will occur if it doesn’t happen, how we will take care of ourself. It can sound like this:

“When you _______ (ie. arrive late), I feel _______(ie. frustrated). I would appreciate it if you would _______ (restate rule). But if you don’t, I will _______ (consequence – how you will take care of yourself).”

Set a boundary when you are calm. And when you’re able to accept the possible outcomes. You don’t have to state the consequence to them, but you have to DO IT if the request is not respected. It’s about caring for yourself. Being clear about how you want to be treated. That’s how we get back in balance.

Healthy boundaries. They can be tricky. But they allow us to be at home, in peace.
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STUDIO DISCOUNT

I just set up a 10% discount for all UPWoRD subscribers at my Etsy shop. Available any day. On any piece. To show my appreciation. For the discount, become an UPWoRD subscriber.

ps. “The Someday Sessions” video is coming this week! (to those who emailed.) This week’s lesson: video takes LOTS of practice.

(Week 84)

Word of the Month: SHARE

I love this poster. Great share, MJ! To purchase, click here.
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STUDIO One-on-Ones

In September, I will begin coaching The Someday Sessions, for those who are ready for “someday“. You know,
“Someday I’ll return to singing.”
“Someday I’ll lose this weight.”
“Someday I’ll do meaningful work.”
“Someday I’ll move to the coast.”
Just imagine for a minute, that’s right close your eyes, and imagine you’re actually doing it. Feel it. That’s what a coach can help you create. Someday in September.

This week, I’m making a video about what coaching actually is, how it works with me, even where I work. A behind the scenes look at what it would be like to work together. The things I would want to know if I were considering a coach.

If you want to see the video, reply to this email, and I’ll share when it’s ready. xo

ps. I have 8 spots open at pre-certification rates.

(Week 83)

Word for August:  SHARE

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. Benjamin Disraeli

Reminds me of the reason I got into coaching.

When I was 18, I had no idea what I wanted to become. I did well with numbers and math. I didn’t get easy A’s in English. So, the suggestion to become a bookkeeping/accountant sounded like a good one.

That summer, college orientation included a real soul searching exercise. What do you REALLY want to do with your life? And I realized if I could do anything, I would be a fashion designer. I imagined inventing. I saw every day as different. Filled with color, textures and play. I left with a new major. And high as a kite.

Until I got home.

So with a bit of resistance (but not enough!), I changed back to accounting. After all, I did like inventing new businesses and thinking of ways to market them (the creative parts). And I could see myself owning a business, many businesses, someday.

But the classes. Ugh!

Eventually I graduated Summa Cum Laude in accounting. (I’m a hard worker.) And was sought after by top firms. They must have liked that I was president of my sorority. That I was in just about every organization I could be in, because I LOVED learning new things. With part-time work, my days were packed!

I don’t remember many details after graduation, except how miserable I was. Virtually the same thing every day. I tried several companies and positions in hopes of finding one that fit. But invariably, after the newness and learning had stopped, the “OH MY GOSH!” feeling set it. And it was time to look again.

I remember the moment I made the decision to find MY work. Work that brought meaning and joy. To find the life I was meant to live. Good-bye to regular paychecks, weekend work, and benefits with retirement plans. I packed my knapsack and my determination, and set on down the road for gold.

That was around 1985. I taught aerobics, coached gymnastics, sold binders and glue (don’t ask). I traveled to Europe, went back to art school for 4 full-time years (I have the loans to prove it), got married and had a baby. Web designed, photographed and taught. Painted, collaged and clayed. There was no end. No seeming direction. If I was interested, I followed that path.

Then I met Martha Beck. And I sold my grandfather’s college graduation gift of stocks (which had now added up to exactly the tuition) to take her Life Coach Training Course.

This month is graduation. And I am preparing to do the work I have been looking for. I’ve been practicing all summer. I know. THIS IS IT. The interesting thing is when this journey began, Life Coaching didn’t even exist.

I wanted to tell you. To show you the passion. To explain the journey. So you would understand why it’s so important for me to help others find their right life. To give back hope.

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. Benjamin Disraeli
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STUDIO COACHING

Coming soon.

Click image to download.

(Week 82)

Word for August:  SHARE

Here is a graphic representation of the word SHARE. A card to print out. A visual way to keep the word in mind during the month.

Inside, share thoughts with yourself. Write a gratitude note. Set intentions or record “sightings”. Experiment. How can you use it to move upward?

Click to download the PDF, open, then print to a standard 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet of paper or card stock. To create a card, fold in half. For a postcard, cut in half.
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STUDIO GRAPHICS

Would love your feedback. A card was just one idea. Do you see others? Please share. Email me at: Lori@LORiKOOP.com.

Click to shop.

(Week 81)

Word of the Month:  BLOOM

So, I’m thinking about how to use the leftovers, the outtakes from last week’s video. I do the same thing with clay. Remnants are so beautiful! So magical. How can I use what’s left to create something new? I love to work this way. It’s like there’s no such thing as waste. Every bit has value. Like the bits of our lives.

When I start there, something original always happens. Something I never would have come up with on my own. They’re always my favorites. Maybe it’s the character that comes inherent in the makeover.

So, what to make?

Here’s the creation that came . . . (click to view)

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STUDIO SHOWing

I just signed up to participate in Southern California’s Handmade Marketplace happening in Old Towne Pasadena on September 18. Not sure of the details yet, but here’s the link: www.handmademarketplace.net. Looks fun! And I’m itching to get out. Puts a little fire under you, ya know?!!

One test tile at a time. (That's all it takes.)

(Week 80)

Word of the Month:  BLOOM

I thought about quitting, postponing. Then I decided to scale way back. To the essence of “success”. For me, that was simply getting in front of the camera. When I did that, it became inevitable. Thank goodness. Because now seriously, I’m so excited about video. And ideas are pouring in.

When you walk thru the fear, you enter a big, open space where new possibilities can find you.

My lil video debut… (click here to view)

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STUDIO STUFF

I’ve needed to make glaze test tiles for months now. It wasn’t until I decided to do just two tiles a day, that things started to happen. When I made it doable, I began to do it.

What project is sitting there for you? What can you reasonably get done in 15 minutes? Make it easy to succeed and you will! Remember, you make the rules.

Mixed media collage by Lori Koop

(Week 79)

Word of the Month:  BLOOM

You will bloom at the creative edge, not from your comfort zone. At that place where you know what you want to do, but you don’t know what will happen when you do it. Where the way seems clear, just not sure. When you’re asked to become the explorer and not the expert.

Life can be seen as a series of blooms, awakenings. Abstract painting was one for me. I had been classically trained as an artist, to represent what I saw. After a while, it felt like a straight jacket. And abstraction looked like freedom. It was my creative edge. And I had to go there.

No wonder kids don’t want to grow up. It’s SO fun to not care, just try stuff. Whatever I wanted. With no consequences, no rules or boundaries. No right or wrong. I was left with permission to PLAY. And it was the first time in my life.

It didn’t produce income. But it was most profitable. Nor was it easy. The inner critic was persistent. But I met a friend there, Freedom, that changed my life forever. And created an exquisite bloom.

What creative edge is calling to you? Where is your curious finger pointing… if only you had the courage? It doesn’t have to involve art. Creative edges are everywhere. In the work place, in relationships, in dreams. My encouragement, “go there!” Where buds sit. Waiting. Ready. Hoping.
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STUDIO VULNERABILITY

I keep hearing “come out of the shadows”, so today I am showing an abstract piece from that time. Next week, a video (fingers crossed).

Yup, I feel naked. But I’m still alive. That’s the thing with fear. We think it’ll kill us. But it won’t. It makes us stronger. The creative edge is like that.