Thread #1: Introduction!

Aaaallright - here we go!

This first thread is all about acknowledging who you are.  Let it all hang out here, and give your best.  Consider that your contribution to this thread IS your ticket to the world of the Affluent Artist, that the value of your ticket is completely, 100% dependent upon the value YOU create it to hold.

This is your opportunity to show up in boldface, with everything you've got, and let the world know your intention to BE the Affluent Artist you have always known yourself to be.

Here are some questions to use as a guide:

1. What's your name? 

2. What is your passion?  Are you now, or have you ever, done it professionally?  If you do not pursue your passion professionally now, what do you do to create income?  If you ARE a professional in your art or craft, what has helped you to be successful?

3. What does your current financial situation look like?  Is it good, bad, ugly, or indifferent?  BE REAL with yourself here.  You don't have to attach a spreadsheet to your post to share all the numbers - just be honest with yourself and be genuine in your representation to the group.

4. Fast-forward to 20 years from now; you have transformed your life completely such that no stone was left unturned, and your passion is being fully manifested in your life and financial abundance has been flowing naturally.  What does your life look like?  Where do you live?  What does your home look and feel like?  How do you spend your days?  What kind of car do you drive?  What kinds of projects are you involved in?

That's the basic idea.  Have fun with it; my intention is that your participation in this pod is truly transformational, and that our collaborative energy creates actual positive change in your life - for real.  The key to that is participating as if your life depends on it - because it does. : )

Much love,

Shawn

Re: Thread #1: Introduction

I suppose that since I started this thing,
it only makes sense that I go first:

My name is Shawn David Madden;
while I enjoy creating video, drawing, writing,
and trying just about anything once or twice,
my passion is music.  I am a singer-songwriter,
DJ, and event producer currently living in the Boston area,
planning to move to Maine in a few weeks, and then to California in the fall.

I have been performing professionally as a singer-songwriter since November of 2006;
I had been laid off from a management position, and determined that where I wanted to go
was fully into the music.  I scheduled a series of Living Room Concerts at my home,
and over the course of a month or so, with anywhere from four to 18 people in my living room, my professional career was born.  I had played in subways and public places before,
but the Living Room Concerts was a breakthrough in being straight about taking on
the life of a professional musician.

At the moment, my cash flow from music is more like a trickle; I was very excited the other day when I got an email from the online music platform that I use to sell my songs that someone had actually bought a copy of one of them!  I have marketed the website very little to this point.

My financial situation is actually worse than it has ever been; I have a six-figure debt to manage at the moment, over half of which is from credit cards, the remainder from my college education (I studied Professional Music at Berklee College in Boston).

I started this pod as a way to call myself forth; early this year I declared that 2007 is the year I break through the barriers that have kept my financial life small and constricted - and right now I am experiencing a significant breakdown.  How significant?  Let's put it this way: I've been living above my means for so long now that if I go another month without pulling off a miracle and begin manifesting some serious cash flow, my credit rating is in jeopardy.

The beautiful thing about the situation is this:  I am calm and certain about the direction I'm heading, I have no illusion that it is going to be easy, and I know I'm going to win.  I do not feel embarrassed or ashamed that I let it get this bad; I am clear that it is not a moral issue, nor it is an issue of whether or not I'm worthy of being wealthy - it is simply a matter of skill and discipline, and I have people around me who are training me in the skills I need and keeping me on track with the discipline to pull out of the nosedive.

Why do I go into such great detail here?  Because I want you all to be witness to the transformation that is taking place where I sit, and I want to make it okay for you to address your challenges in this pod.  All sharing that takes place in this pod is in the context of answering the question: who are you for yourself, your art, and your financial well-being?  Starting from where you're at is the only way to get anywhere, and in my case, this is where I'm at. 

In a year or two - or maybe five on the outside - my life is going to look completely different: I'll be living in a beautiful, sustainable home, driving a luxurious and clean-fueled vehicle, financing and producing huge Conscious Celebration events, advancing my own musical projects, participating in the musical projects of others, and using the skills I have learned for creating wealth as an artist to empower other artists who are committed to shifting paradigms on the planet to a world that works for everyone.

I do not claim to be an expert in wealth-building; actually, I am in the very beginnings of the learning curve.  If you came to this pod looking for answers from me, I am sorry, but that's not the purpose of this conversation.

The real value here is in looking at and squarely dealing with your own challenge; even with modern technology and the abundance that we enjoy in this part of the world, being an Affluent Artist still requires that you do the internal work that needs to be done to create the SPACE for wealth to show up.  THAT is what this pod is for.

My hope and prayer is that you take this on with me; put yourself into the conversation and contribute EVERYTHING you've got.  Put it all in here inside of your intention to TRANSFORM yourself into an Affluent Artist.

Come on in - the water's fine! : )

Much love,

Shawn

Re: Thread #1: Introduction

hello,

my name is dennis and i am new to this. still trying to learn how to navigate myself through all the links and hoping that i am not violating any community guidelines.

i am passionate about dance. i have been a non-profit volunteer for the last 14 years for numerous groups of “marginalized” and “disempowered” communities. and i got disillusioned from doing it. just came back from india and i think i've finally found something meaningful that i can do for myself and for them. so i am really passionate in helping them uplift 5000 internally displaced indigenous families.

i was a professional dancer but then i realized that by doing my own pieces i get to express myself better. somehow my craft does not bring me joy if i don't use it to make the world a better place.

i am so lucky that my financial situation is good because i have multiple jobs in different industries and despite the slowdown, i am still getting work.

20 years from now, i just want to see the community i am trying my best to help self-sustain. maybe i also hope to make some peace building/making initiative through my dance more concrete and possibly also to start another initiative to use dance to help them live to their fullest potential.

personally, i don't really care about what my life would look like or where i'll live. if i can see my dreams come true (or at least a big part of it), i'll possibly be the happiest camper around.

looking forward to knowing all of you.

dennis

p/s. do let me know if i am violating any community guidelines. still getting use to it but i learn fast, i think. haha! 8-)

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Hi,

I am Polly from South Africa.  You know that deep dark jungle out there at the end of the world?  That's it!

I love to paint, draw, etc.  I have painted for my sister in the states, and for my kids houses.  At the moment I do absolutely nothing in this direction.  I tried to start encaustic art at the beginning of the year, but every art shop I went into in a 200km radius had never heard of it!  I eventually orderes some bvasic stuff from the UK, and then tried to order from someone in Cape Town, but they had gone on holiday!  By the time they got back from holiday, my leave was finished.

I currently earn a living by being a Professional Nurse at a School of Industries for teenage girls.  I love and care for people very much.  Part of the reason that I work there is that I like to work from a relationship with someone (you can help them on a deeper level), and the fact that I get most of the scool holidays if we can place our learners out in the community.  This should afford me time to be creative.  But no!  I am currently doing a course in PHC at a University situated two hours away, and attent there once a week.  Once a week I have to take a day off work and do experiental learning, and because of that, I have to work every saturday!  I also have to somehow carry out 63 days of experiental learning before the end of this year - started that last week.  So you see, my creative side is way down at the bottom of the list.  I also have a grandson who I babysit every friday afternoon when I get off work, as well as overnight quite often.

So current finances are not too good.  My husband has not been paid for about a year.  We are hoping that things will change soon.   Like before the end of the month.  I have the same problem as you, Shawn.  Also due to this, I cannot buy anymore waxes even if I would like to at this moment in time.

My vision is to be able to practice and sell my art by using the holiday time to create, to start supplementing my income, and then to ultimately be able to leave off the nursing - by the way, nursing here is by no means lucrative - and be available to my family and anyone else who I can help.  I believe money is a means of being able to help others, as one cannot always help if one's own needs are not being met.

Does that give you a good idea of where I am coming from?  Will be great to be able to look back and see how far we have come!

All the best,
Polly

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Hi Polly -

Excellent introduction.  Thank you for being a part of this conversation and for letting it all hang out.  Before you can get where you're going, you've got to get where you're at, right?

Hang on tight; we're going to create a VORTEX of energy that'll make every one of us more financially powerful than we can even imagine at the moment.

We'll wait for another few days and then I'll post the next thread.  Please feel free to encourage others to post; let's start looking out for each other now, and encouraging each others' participation! : )

Much love,

Shawn

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

First off, let me say that I spent the better part of an hour writing my post and then my computer decided to jump back to the previous page…. and I lost everything! Ok so now I have to start over. What else can I do right? Hmm.

I just want to say how I think this thread (and pod in general) is a great idea. Thank you.

So me. Hi. I'm Erika. I'm currently living in the small Connecticut town where I grew up. I'm 25 years old by actual years but I like to say that my age changes daily & mood-ly. I have the most fun when I'm being about 6: singing, dancing, playing, drawing, making stuff up, and just being all around silly. For the majority of my years though, I chose to react to my situations and outside circumstances by rejecting this artistic/free/childlike spirit and instead spent my energies spinning my wheels, trying to fit in with the majority and what they choose to value. Ok. That's the past. And a serious run on sentence. Anyways, I love acting, writing, theatre and film. Real, truthful, creative works…

About 6 months ago, I found myself working in a cubicle in Manhattan, dreaming of life as an actress, spending most of my free time watching TV and movies alone, and hoping for a sign or hint of direction. I guess I got my sign when I woke up one morning to my apartment on fire! Yes, literally. It was unlivable so I stayed with my parents while commuting to New York, auditioned for a play in their local area, got the part and decided I was done with the city. I quit my job, moved in with my parents and decided to dedicate myself to acting full time.

Now since then, I have finished the play and started working part time at a law firm. I've gone out on a bunch of local auditions but I haven't been cast yet. I also submit myself (meaning pictures and resumes) fairly regularly to casting notices in the New York area. I am trying, but I know that I'm not really getting where I need to be. Or want to be. My headshots are 7 years old! I haven't made any money from my artistic endeavors, besides a 14 hour day spent working as a background actor on Law & Order. 14 hours = $70!!!! But I'm not going to whine because I do get the credit. Needless to say, my finances are not thriving and I have yet to see any real validation- by way of money or any other means. I'm a bit confused as to what I should be doing right now, where I should be headed. I visited Los Angeles a few weeks ago and I really liked it a lot. Trouble is I would be a small fish in a very big pond again. And then there's always the money thing too… Sign -  where are you?

20 years from now? I will be earning a living acting, writing, and making films. I will be part of a collaborative group of performers, writers, and artists. I will travel the world while filming. I will share my life with a compassionate, genuine, and spirtual man - who will preferably share my line of work, for convenience sake! I will have received many awards for my contributions. But more importantly, I will be making the contributions in the first place and leaving a mark on history and the world.

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Hi Erika -

Beautiful.  I'm glad you're here, and I'm glad that the topic resonates so strongly with you. 

It's funny; I'm actually moving to Maine in a couple of weeks, to a small town where I know NOONE - and I'm excited about the prospect of doing so knowing that I'm going to a “small pond”; there's great value in learning how to swim in a small pond, and becoming a big fish there. 

Especially when you've known what it's like to be in a big pond: Boston has proven to be a great training ground, *and* it's too big for my britches at this point.  Now I get to go bring my energy and skills to a smaller scene and actually empower people with them.  I'm looking forward to creating value for people in that way.

Thanks for putting yourself in the game - get ready to blow the roof off of what you think is possible for yourself, your films, your finances, your relationships, and your life. : )

I'm going to wait a couple more days for folks to post their introductions, and then I'll post the next thread.  If you have a moment, please encourage the other folks to introduce themselves, and then we'll get moving.

Perhaps we'll even do a PodChat or something - whaddaya think? : )

Much love,

Shawn

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

1. What's your name?  Lisa

2. What is your passion?  Love, dance, children, writing, creating connections.  Are you now, or have you ever, done it professionally?  I love all the time and I get paid for that in many ways.  I've danced since I was 12 years old throught college, then I “got a career” that didn't include dance anymore.  I've gotten paid working with children and still do.  One of the things I do that I believe is creative is I write grants and develop programming for organizations that usually work with children or the arts.  I help people see how they can work collaboratively and collect like energies to become more than their separate parts.  If you do not pursue your passion professionally now, what do you do to create income?  I consult for a charter school writing grants and doing development work.  I volunteer for my community theatre and write grants, any grant I get them, I receive 10%.  So far every grant I've written, we've been awarded funding.  I also work as a nanny, (practically volunteering) to stay connected to children's spirits.  If you ARE a professional in your art or craft, what has helped you to be successful?  Staying passionate about my focus.

3. What does your current financial situation look like?  Is it good, bad, ugly, or indifferent?  BE REAL with yourself here.  You don't have to attach a spreadsheet to your post to share all the numbers - just be honest with yourself and be genuine in your representation to the group.  I have a couple income sources that I would like to rid myself of and follow my heart to create emotional growth movement workshops for parents to connect with their children.  I have a couple gig that take so much of my time that I truly am making money to pay bills but not really doing day in and dsy out what I would love to do.  I am not a millionaire, that's not what I need.  I would say, I am upper middle class.  I'm not lacking.  I would love to afford to have another home by a lake, or the beach, to be my 'creative solitude spot' to create my writing, choreographing, developing my movement series.

4. Fast-forward to 20 years from now; you have transformed your life completely such that no stone was left unturned, and your passion is being fully manifested in your life and financial abundance has been flowing naturally.  What does your life look like?  I am traveling in the US and internationally and doing my workshop series, connecting families.  I have written a couple books, that I have ideas for, and done book signings in conjunction with sharing lectures. I have been an artist in residence to a few colleges.  Where do you live?  I have a couple places I'd live, around spiritually and creatively individuals connected to my heart and passion, (Laguna Beach, Vegas, Italy or Greece, on the coast of Africa).  What does your home look and feel like?  It's comfortable, relaxing, with fountains, easy to clean, warm, loving, big, with loft-like open spaces, treehouse windows.  Not ostenacious or flashy.  How do you spend your days?  The way I want, sleeping in if I want, waking up in the middle of the night to write, taking walks around the lake or at the beach.  Creating, dancing, talking with people to arrange engagements.  What kind of car do you drive?  Hybrid stationwagon.  What kinds of projects are you involved in?  Many, fun and enlightening.  Teaching at Omega and other spiritual colonies throughout the world.

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Thanks for having this pod!  I am Kathy Smith.  My passion is the artist.  I feel that I am one and always have been, but only discovered it about 5 years ago.  My passion in this part of my journey as been creating films from concept to reality and into the hands of consumers.  The pride is being able to show others it's done and get good feedback in words, goodwill or, pay is good too! 

Before this I called myself an artist's artist from behind the scenes helping actors.  I did casting since 1989 for movies and TV commercials.  The pay varied from spec deal up to $5,000 a week depending on the job.  Most averaged about $200 to $500 a day.  I was able to raise my son who is now in college.  I discovered that I usually got what was needed to survive; but never planned ahead - just arrived.  When I went  into filmmaking/authoring dvds I did my first two pictures for $15-20,000.  I thought it was a lot.  It wasn't! …so I moved to a cheaper place and bought a used car to complete the jobs.  To get the income stat back up I started doing lectures and coaching acting groups.  I am passionate about getting the best work out of each I can and have 98% that have made it with my techniques.  It would be great if I could push through some barrier and have more monetary wealth.  I am working it and aware on some level!  I just completed a sales course and a course called Art.  Both are so needed
and I am now ready to do more with a new set of tools to produce even more.

Earlier I played the piano starting lessons at 5 and can play that and started violin at age 12.
I like both instruments.  I was on 2 recordings but wanted to understand films and still play for joy and relaxation while learning more.  I can write songs when I am happy.  Anytime I am at the ocean, poetry and songs just happen.

I am a professional at my craft.  I go to film festivals and am just starting to sell my Organic dvd on the Web starting with 8 last week.  This is just starting.  I went to the Whole Foods convention and sold 100 with no returns and placed a batch in Target.  I have had to stop and learn about distribution and licensing deals.  They work!  i have an evergreen that will continue selling once I get the survey buttons corrected and refined to hopefully make money to fund more projects as well as income into the future.

I want to have my products on the market 20 years from now as well and help others have the same success.  My certainty level is high this year but i know things I still don't know and am willing to explore new marketing tools for art that work.

I consult helping put up artist organizational flow charts and management by statistics as they both help put the truth in the physical world on dreaming and putting out art of any type.
Creating more balance and having friends that we can share and help is where i am.
Thank you,
Kathy

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Loved the posts so far… Now here's mine - I'm Nikkolas Cruz (my pen name) and my passion is writing. There's always some kind of story rolling around in my head and its been that way for as long as I can remember. I'm 35 and have been pursuing my passion with a vengence the last couple of years. I managed to tap the energies of the universe and completed a novel and short story. The novel was published as an ebook and the short story is headed in the same direction. For most of my life I struggled to complete a work of fiction that I felt was good enough and when it finally happened I was thrilled. Since the they are - Gay/Horror/Thrillers - I'm not expecting NY Times Bestsellers. Though a week ago I actually recieved a royalty check in the mail and I was surprised that it was enough to pay for a nice dinner and pair of shoes I've been eyeing.  It was see the entire life cycle. I also write articles for local non-profits in my area as a way to give back to the community will exercising my writing muscles.

So you can see that at the moment fiction writing does not pay the bills yet. I am a technical writer by day and that's not a bad gig… I consider myself a technophile so its not so painful and it is financially rewarding. So financially I would say I'm okay and have what I need. A mercedes, a beach house, an overflowing bank account and closet filled with designer clothes would be nice but I'm not there yet.

Twenty years from now I see myself as healthy, fit and producing great works of fictions. An Oscar for best original screenplay, a NY Times Bestseller, coaching and inspiring other writers,  continuing to work with non-profits. Of course I'll be in that house overlooking the ocean - not sure which continent though - and sharing my life with a great guy who doesn't think I'm a total nutcase.  

I think the internet is a fantastic medium that will allow us all to become affluent artist… There's no denying the impact of actual human interaction, but here we can communicate with people globally and share ideas within an instant. I'm actually glad I was published on the internet because it's available to everyone anywhere in the world if they are interested.

Stay focused and positive everyone… it can happen if you really hold tight to the vision and the passion.

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

What a ring this podname has– Affluent Artist. Shawn, you are a man after my own heart. I started a forum called Art and Money in another online community.

I am Carla Sanders, who makes sensual art with magical powers. I live in a little town in Maine, where I have my studio in an old farm house, on sacred land with a sweat lodge and a peace chamber.

I am a professional and I do sell and make money. For the moment I also have other jobs, but as you will learn from my Zaadz profile, those days are numbered.  We have a responsibility to keep doing our work, and being profitable makes that possible.

My current passion is porcelain sculpture. My primary subject matter has always been the figure, and in the past few years the work has become more sensual and erotic… and magical! Right now I have a show up for the next few days in Rockport Maine called Love Medicine. I have begun teaching and promoting my artwork through video. You can see them at my Touching Art Blog.

My current financial situation: on paper it is disastrous, but what a success story it makes. You will not have to wait 20 years for the end of this story!

In 20 years I will be a very sexy grandma, maybe even great grandma, still making art, still dancing, and mentoring a new generation of Divas and Kings in the realization and expression of their Divine nature–and all of us prospering. The rest doesn't matter. It will all be delightful.

I have been at this work for a while Shawn, and can be a great resource.  How can we get more people active in this pod and be a force?
Carla

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Love the alliteration.  Affluent Arist.  Aaaah.

Anywho, My name's Jackie, and I started out in band, moved on to theatre, have dabbled in choir, and am now breaking my way into dance.  Mainly, I'm the theatre kid, and have gone from 5 lines to leading roles.  I love both musical theatre and non, and am looking at saving up great green gobs o' money so I can go audition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Drama, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Central St. Martins this December, and in February plan to audition at the University of British Columbia.  Each of these schools only takes about 30 students per year, however, so I've been preparing for months.  Though I've been looking since December, I only just found my classical monologues, and still need to pick my contemporary.

Financially, I'm screwed, realistically.  I'm paying my own way through Community College right now, living in my parents house, am car-less, and am making all my wages as a Security Guard, or “Target Protection Specialist.”  My father is disabled and my mom supports the whole family, so there's no way that I'm going to be able to expect any financial assistance from them.  Though I have applied for dozens upon dozens of scholarships (including the zaadz one), I haven't recieved a cent, and have come to the conclusion that I am both too white and middle class.

in 20 years, if all I dare to dream of comes true, I would love to have a part in a TV series.  Steady work, hopefully not a lot of notoriety, and, of course, being able to do what I love.  My biggest issue is going to be money, as my family has been historically dirt-poor (literally), and I just don't know where it's going to come from.

So, that's me.

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Hello,

My name is Shirley Gibson.

My passion - currently my passion is …This is a really hard question to answer! I love to create.. I love to get involved in an impossible or unusual creative idea and get in there, get my hands dirty and my feet wet, and watch what it becomes. I am an artist and have created a body of work that contains a wide variety of media and subject matter. Currently I have been putting a lot of energy into blogging and website design. My original idea was that I wanted to put my art someplace besides the closet. And then I discovered that I really enjoy creating little web spaces for myself and others… Aside from art - I am passionate about living a spiritual life, passionate about figuring out how to walk my talk… and constantly working to know what my talk even is…

When I was growing up, I set 3 intentions for my life. At the time I had no idea I was even doing this, and it is only in retrospect that I can see how profoundly it has impacted the way I “do” life. I wanted to be Daniel Boone - constantly on the move for more “elbow room”, always looking for something new to explore. When I was 7 years old, I learned about Spartans… and decided that was what I wanted to be - a Spartan. Strong, stoic, fearless, invulnerable, succeed or die trying… that sort of thing. And then from middle school up through high school, when people would ask me what did I want to “do” or “be” when I grew up, I would say that all I wanted was to know every thing there was to know about everything there is.

I guess you could say that I am ambitious… driven… intense… passionate… spiritual… and creative. And I am in my “dharma” when I am in the midst of something that makes good and generous use of those qualities.

My current financial situation is… precarious at best. My basic bills and expenses exceed my expected income by $300 a month. I do somehow manage to NOT end up living under a bridge in a box. I have enough really good abstract art stashed in my closet that if I could just figure out how to sell it, I could be debt free. I have enough really cool digital art stashed in my computer, that if I could just figure out how to sell it, I could feel good about quitting my “day job” and concentrating on some of the projects that are clamoring to get out of my head. I have a book full of art that if it was published, might give me a big enough monthly income that I wouldn't have to worry about how to pay my water bill anymore… and maybe even the electric bill too. And the list goes on…. and on… 

It drives me nuts knowing that I have great marketable art… really cool and interesting blogs… a wealth of knowledge about dog behavior and training… inspired ideas… and I can't seem to figure out how to “cash” in on them, how to share them in a way that supports my ability to do even more.

Twenty years from now, I want to be living in my beach house, hanging out with my friends, enjoying life to the fullest, free to create what I want to create, to go where I want to go, to do what I want to do, and to invest in whoever I want to invest in. The beach and freedom… that's my dream ..

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

Hi !!

I'm Ashley Pace,
born and raised in Florida.

I'm currently attending college. Majoring in art.

I enjoy noticing the simple things in life. Feeling the wind on my face. Watching the sky at night. Things like that. I like turning up the music and drawing random pictures and spending time with people that make the world more interesting.

There is alot in the world that I'm passionate about. love, life, earth,people, animals, music, art.

I believe that art is a window to the soul and music is the soundtrack.

I'm going to school to be an art teacher. I catch alot of heat from my family, because teaching doesn't pay that well. But I want to be the positive influence that I never had.
All of my art teachers in school were rigid and passion-less.

I want to instill in young adults the same love I had. And show them that their ideas and thoughts, as well as their entire being is beautiful. I want to make a positive difference in the youth of america.

I'm currently and unfortunatly un employed and my financial status is non exsistant. If that makes any sense at all! I have a love hate relationship with money. Love it when i have it, hate it when its gone. :P

I want to one day own my own gallery for aspiring artists and myself of course. I want to host parties and let artists have a chance at getting their visual voices heard.

I realize that I'm still really young and the world doesn't exactly make alot of sense. But thats the best part. Theres still so much to discover about myself, its a bit overwelming. But also so very exciting. I can't wait to see what I can do with myself, now that I'm ready to try to accomplish my dreams.

I hope this gives you a bit of an idea about me.. I can't wait to have some lovely discussions with you!

I also wanted to add something about the founder Shawns introduction. That feeling you have when everything is kind of spinning around you. The catalyst thats come knocking to bring a change in your life. You feel it coming and as crazy as the world seems, your the calm center to the much needed rain storm thats come to water the stale foundation of your world.
I love that feeling… :)

Re: Thread #1: Introduction!

loving the inspiration - more passionate than I've felt in many years…

I'm Cynthia Borelle, a single and stay at home mother for my 4 yr old daughter, Claire. She is my creativity and my passion and my inspiration to remember what I need to be doing in my life. Her father and I both have been singing and acting since gradeschool — neither of us have yet had financial success as artists, and he is more experienced than I have ever been.

A month ago, I posted an ad on a local online classified website “female vocalist seeks guitarist or pianist for ???” — and I met Shawn Madden. No, this wasn't a personal's ad in disguise… lol… I have just been led by Spirit to sing more and see where it might lead, and very nicely surprised by the Friend I have found in Shawn.

Overwhelmed and silenced by an unidentified fear… I related to one of the introductions in which a lady described herself as many different ages, and her favorite being age 6. I would love to be as free as my sweet Claire is… when I am just with her, I sing and dance freely… and feel completely certain that I could become a successful musician or actor.

My passion is as a Mother, nurturer, and while in romantic relationship, my love provides a strong and stable support for dreams to materialize. I am hoping to find someone other than my 4 year old child to support my aspirations, and I see this happening in time… networking is quite magical!

My current financial situation is ugly, but I have recently renewed my license for massage therapy and see this as supporting my creative endeavors. Part time work earning more than I ever have… Massage is an art in itself — a healing art. Spirit definitely has led me back to this career, and I intend to earn more income in the time I am not providing massage therapy — as an actor or musician. Whatever is enjoyable and allows me free expression and time for both Claire and my older daughter Audrey, now 15.  I am interested in storytelling, children's theater, children's music, voice over work, documentary film making, traveling to assist with a ministry, visiting hospital patients in order to spread the Love and Joy and Inspiration I have found.

I currently am a live-in assistant to a special needs young woman, who is much the same age as Claire, developmentally. I am exactly where I'm supposed to be… eventhough I'm surprised daily at the reasons for this. I have decided that I will be moving on from this position in 5 months to pursue my various goals full time. I'm trying not to become overly distracted… but I think Spirit provides distraction for reasons of It's own… John Lennon was the one who said Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans… We must listen to the nuances of the Now… Spirits will guide us if we listen closely.

In 20 years, I will have realized my priority of traveling the world, with a group of beautiful, welcoming, loving artists who freely support one another in every way. I will be enjoying the company of a Soulful and Truly Gentle Man, my children, my grandchildren, and my extended family of choice. We may have discovered by then a new form of currency which allows every dream to be realized, the Internal Revenue Service will be just a page in the history books. We will be free and elevated in the light and love and celebrate creativity with humanity in all regions.

Namaste'