(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.

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(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.

Lily Pond at Cal Tech

(Week 78)

Word of the Month:  BLOOM

I am fortunate enough to live in Southern California where it seems something is always in bloom. My camera loves the close up. I’m drawn to the intricate details. The “super” natural and its messages.

Exquisite color. Playful forms. Delicate structure designed for strength. Petals open like windows, to reveal its unique and tender core. Designed on purpose.

With variety. There is no “one perfect”. Every flower has character. Each one special. A story of abundance. Beauty. And creative infinity.

Instructions come in the seed. So it knows. What it was made to do. And how to do it.

The sun and the rain are provided. To awaken. For growth. And the soil grounds. How will it weather?

A bloom.

An expression of a journey,
its desire and its will,
to become.
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STUDIO GROWTH

Family vacations provide rich environments for growth. There is always beauty. Sometimes it takes a careful eye to see.

Houston 2011

(Word 77)

Word of the Month:  Bloom

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

- Anais Nin

It’s what makes the bloom so love-ly.
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(word 76)

Word of the Month:  REACH

If you could reach for anything, knowing you could not fail, what would you reach for?

Go to your bosom: Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know. William Shakespeare

Get quiet. It’s there. Could be small. Could be big. A wish or a hope, maybe. Something that brings the feeling of excited butterflies when you think of it.

When you have it, smile ;0) You’re on your way! With the “what”, you’ll see the “how”. Not the whole how, but the next itty bitty, totally doable action step. However small. It puts you onto the track, with forward motion. Remember, it wasn’t the fastest guy out of the gate that won. It was the one who took deliberate steps, placing one foot in front of the other, that crossed the finish line first. Because of his focus and determination. Because he didn’t give up. Because he took it one turtle step at a time. I bet you could do the same.

Sometimes we forget how lucky.
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(word 75)

Word this Month:  REACH

This week I set a goal. To eat healthy. Only when my body told me it was hungry. Great idea, poor execution.

When you want to reach a goal, be ready for things to come up. Things about yourself that are frustrating. Not unlike any relationship, there’s conflict. What you want vs. what you get.

The most fruitful solution I know… ask why?

And keep asking yourself why until you understand the resistance.

Understanding is the first step to finding a solution. It eliminates the guesswork and looks honestly at what’s going on. With clarity, you can see the solution.

I usually write it out. Why am I not eating good foods? “Control isn’t fun.” Hmmm, really? Why?? Keep asking until you get a clear picture… I want life to be fun. I want this to be fun. Then I asked how?

My inner wisdom always knows the answers, and so does yours. Ask the questions. And as with any relationship, you’ll reap the benefits.
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STUDIO STUFF

The great thing about this coaching thing is you get to deal with your own stuff. The mantra, “live it to give it!” Who likes cleaning house? But when it’s done, ahhhhhhhh.

Happy, Happy Father’s Day, dads!

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(Week 74)

Word of the Month:  REACH

This is a doozie. This week’s realization has shifted everything. And I must reach out, to see if it can help you.

It’s a way of understanding our power.

A way of freeing us from stress.

The stress we create. Aha!

Yes, we create the stress, because we write the stories. About everything in our life. Based on what we believe. Right or wrong, we do it naturally. We create the reasons why things are, what they should be, what they could be. To understand circumstances. To “make sense” of things. To bring meaning. We use stories.

If you want to find one of yours, look for the word “should”.
“He should do ______.”
“She shouldn’t have done  ________.”
When you hear that word, ask “why should _____?”
Your answer begins your “story”.

We make stories true. And we can make them untrue.
If a story doesn’t feel good, rewrite it. Begin by questioning. Is this story serving me? What would feel better? There is power in your pen.

Need help with editing? I have found “the Work” (and Loving What Is) of Byron Katie very helpful. Four simple questions and turnarounds. Who knew? And it’s free.

Just beware, honing your writing skills will change your life.
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STUDIO SHOULDS

Glazing a bit.

My next thought was “I should be glazing more.” Ouch. See? Time to question. “Really? Why??” Find relief from those blasted stories. Find the story that feels good, and it will be the truth. Promise. xo