Tag: Imagination

Conscious Creator, Imagination

Connection in community

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Connection in community
Connection in community

There’s much to be said for working in community, living in community, and connecting in community. It’s being and operating in this way that drives human connection, enables people to talk more openly, and in many cases sparks our imagination, unearthing ideas that would never have materialised and seen the light of day, if that creative practice that we’d been invited to participate in, never came about.

Tap into your imagination

You’d be forgiven for wondering what I’m going on about, so let me explain… ‘Connection in community’ was the theme for day 5 of the retreat I went on in Ireland in the first week of October, hosted along the Wild Atlantic Way, in the depths of county Donegal, Ireland. The overarching theme for the retreat was ‘From Word to World’, and each day had a specific focus, with many practices to experience and experiment with having started the day in silent meditation and set our intention.

Experiencing ceremonies influenced by traditional healing tribal practices, playing with movement inspired by QOYA known as a compass for navigating an embodied life that is wise, wild and free, sounding to experience how sound resonates in our bodies and sounds when expressed, to writing practices led by meditation and responding intuitively to a series of questions, designed to encourage us to step into our creativity and feel inspired to unleash our imagination.

Here’s some of the questions that were asked during our warm-up writes, where we have 60 seconds to write down and capture what we creatively, intuitively get, before our logical, analytical brain kicks in and says “that’s rubbish, what does that even mean?”.

  • Right now, what do I want to say to my body?
  • What does my body want to say to me?
  • What do I want to say to my voice?
  • What does my voice want to say to me?
  • What do I want to say to my heart?
  • What does my heart want to say to me?

Courageous conversations

Every day on the retreat, between 5-6pm, we had a ‘Courageous Conversations’ circle. The purpose being to share what is landing for us and to share this with the group, the intention to be of service to everyone. During these vulnerable, challenging and most often extremely insightful sessions, we were invited to observe and follow some rules that enabled everyone to speak freely, with no judgement or interruption. In the Courageous Conversations session on day 5, we were invited to speak and present to the group what we had written in response to our writing practice earlier that day.

It was surprising the intrigue I felt about putting my voice to my words and sharing them openly with the group. There was also a lot of resistance as I felt vulnerable and exposed, some questions and mind games coming into play… “Would it resonate? Would it make sense? Will they think I’m odd? Perhaps it’s best not to share?”. So, in the interests authenticity, sharing and bringing the premise of the retreat ‘From Word to World” to life, here’s what I wrote…

Burn, let your spirit soar

Your voice is beautiful, it’s rich and mellow,
Deep and strong, from pitch to shallow,
Your voice will say what needs to be spoke,
Let it burn like a fire, until it needs to be poked,

Poked with a pole, rod or piece of wood,
Encouraged to talk until it’s understood,
No need to hide, no need to stay quiet,
In this place my voice… my voice,

My voice can be booming, mild and weak,
But here I’m seeking a 10-pin bowling streak,
To leave nothing unsaid, leaving nothing misunderstood,
Releasing what’s worrying me from under my hood,

Like a car has an engine, our brains and bodies need juice,
Petrol, diesel and mindfulness, to feel fully present where we stood,
We stood at the beach, at the rocks, and the shore,
With a question bubbling “Will there always be more?”

More to learn,
More to seek,
More to enjoy,
More to peak?

To peak my interests when the day gets dark,
And I begin to feel like I’m losing my spark,

Sparks come in November for fireworks galore,
Guy Fawkes, now that was a man who wanted more!
He set fire to London city, in a blaze, in a flame,
Many people and things never to be seen again,

We’re all on a big journey, and over mountains I’ll soar,
Spotting pigs, geese and chickens, and probably wild boar,
I like it smoked, dried or sliced, to celebrate the flavour is stores,
Completely unlike a digestive and marsh mellow smores,

I don’t like them, they’re too sweet, no flavour to savour,
Where will this journey take me, what will be my next endeavour,
I’ll endeavour to be strong, wise, kind and smart,
Much like a baby born at the start,

All innocence and joy, a tight bundle of fun,
For them life on earth has just begun.

The Heroine’s Journey

Whilst in Ireland, at the location of our Heroine’s Journey retreat, I was amongst the most amazing group of women. All from different cultures, having a range of backgrounds, a spectrum of ages, and a huge depth of life experiences – our week together has been challenging, joyful, reflective and transformational, so to my sisters who were called to join this journey together, I have the upmost respect, warmth and heartfelt thanks. Together, in our community, we created something very special.

If you would like to listen to me speak my poem, ‘Burn, let your spirit soar’, check out Colourful Conversations on TikTok – here.

@emmapottercolourful

Connection in Community This was the theme for day 5 on the Heroine’s Journey retreat in county Donegal, Ireland last month. It’s the first retreat I’ve ever been on, so lots of new experiences to explore – writing intuitively being one of them. Here’s the poem that flowed following a few questions to get our creative joices flowing! In the spirit of sharing, here’s what I wrote… a poem I’ve called ‘Burn, let your spirit soar’ 🔥 #intuition #creative #writing #poem #flow

♬ original sound – Colourful Conversations

Photo by Eric Sanman, Pexels.

Conscious Creator, Imagination, Wellbeing

From word to world

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on From word to world
From word to world

FROM WORD TO WORLD – This is the overarching theme of a fabulous, inspiring and magical retreat I’ve just been on in Ireland, our location deep in the depth of County Donegal, a stone’s through from Horn Head along the Wild Atlantic Way. Our Heroine’s Journey was led by retreat facilitator, author, psychotherapist, Qoya and mindfulness teacher Victoria Smisek, and vocal alchemist Martha Rice.

To provide some context, each day on the retreat follows a similar structure allowing time for silence, mindfulness, movement, writing, vocal expression and free time, which is essential as some of the exercises are intense and took me to and beyond my boundaries, into discomfort and the unknown – the place of awareness, insight and growth.

After silent mindfulness practice, offerings to nature, and a delicious vegan breakfast prepared lovingly by our chef for the week Ellen-Meave, Victoria and Martha opened our morning session by having candles lit in the middle of the room. There were three circles of cards, each circle getting smaller, and the invitation was to pick a card from the outer circle, to read that card then dance QOYA into that card, then the invitation for the second, then to dance QOYA again, then the third and to dance QOYA again. The process being that we had 5 minutes to write after each card was chosen and the dance was danced – each stage and each card evoking different movement and words.

  • The first card I picked was the ‘The Spiral Dancer – circuitous route, perception
  • The second card I picked was 32. Iseutt – Goddess of Perseverance
  • The third card I picked was the ‘Owl’

After my dance and writing with all three cards was complete, followed the invitation to write freely with what flowed when I put pen to paper. In the spirit of sharing, here’s what I wrote…

Sunrise at Horn Head, County Donegal, Ireland

The Spiritual Dancer, Perseverance and The Owl

Once upon a time I felt your heart it’s beating fast,
Faster than it ever knew,
I raced, I crawled, I’m sure I drooled,
But was I ever really ruled?

The rules are, there are no rules,
Break free with delight, let your wings take flight,
The current of the wind will carry you high,
Higher than a star in a glittering sky.

Gour gong, gour gong, gour gong, gour gong,
This is the rhythm of my song,
My voice is ready, my heart is too,
To speak and express the words that are true.

No right, no wrong, the song is mine,
To sing silently, sing softly, to sing loud and proud.
Perseverance is key, my goddess knows the way,
Feel into my movement, feel into my sway.

There’s magic in the winds, feel the whispers, feel the song,
It’s time for me to ring my gong,
My spirit is high, the dance is strong,
Swirling, circling, perception is my song.

Perceiving a new future,
Perceiving a new me,
Perceiving a new way of being,
Creating a new me.

A me that’s magical, a me that’s fully expressed,
A me that’s most likely wearing a dress,
A dress that’s flowing and moving – no static, frozen or still here,
This babe has really shifted gear.

A sports car I’m not sure, but with wheels I’ll spin,
Spin directly into a new ‘everything’,
I don’t know what it is yet but I think it will include paint,
Painting with my fingers, brushing and saint.

Saint equals spirit, a spirit a new,
It’s time to put on my new golden shoe,
A golden shoe, I spot a shrew,
My wise eagle owl eyes, spot me like glue.

I’m now in my vision, I can no longer remain unseen,
It’s time to shine, don’t be afraid to be seen,
My wings are huge, there’s scope for so much more,
Soaring over mountains higher than ever before.

My head rotates left, my head rotates right,
Is it possible for this bird to take flight?
My wings are huge, my sight is too,
Will I have time to find the accompanying golden shoe?

The Heroine’s Journey

This piece, The Spiritual Dancer, Perseverance and the Owl, is the first of a series of writings that emerged on my Heroine’s Journey retreat. I’ll share a few more in the coming weeks.

You can find out more about The Heroine’s Journey retreats here.

Horn Head, County Donegal, Ireland

Photos taken at Horn Head, near Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland

Creative, Imagination

The Mighty Oak

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on The Mighty Oak
The Mighty Oak

Yet another month has passed and last night I participated in my third magical writing circle. A group of four incredible women who come together with a curious mind, ready to be guided by Victoria who sets the topic and gives us the prompts to warm us up and lead us into our main write.

So, this week, we were asked to bring along a photograph of us as a young girl. The photo that sprung to mind is one I have of me and my sister, possibly taken before my brother was born as we look so young. The guidance was to not worry too much about the detail, just go with what you feel. On opening the zoom link, we were greeted with music, not talking, it brings us beautifully together in this sacred space we share.

Remember her?

To get us into our writing zone Victoria asked us the first question – “What do I imagine she is feeling, thinking, saying, and needing?”, we have three minutes to write in our books what comes to mind, no over thinking, so I quickly capture the words that come up on my page. Then the second question, “From the perspective of someone else in the photo, or who took the photo, what are they feeling, thinking, saying and needing?”, we have another three minutes to write and capture what immediately comes to mind. Then the third question, “What are the parts of her (me) that are still in there that I want to reclaim?”, we have five minutes to write. And then the fourth and final question, “What is the story that wants to be told about this photo?”, we have 25 minutes to write… so, in the interest of sharing, here’s what I wrote, unedited, unfiltered.

Look at me with my fat chubby cheeks, my pudding bowl hair and dimpled hands,
There’s curiosity in my eyes, the ones that look out for my spies,
My button nose can smell a cake, does it have icing, it is homemade?
I’m not going to let anyone rain on my parade.

I’m happy here, all podgy and cute, smiling as I was often mute,
Mute as I listened to others at play, oh how I loved to play,
I love my sister, she’s big and caring, her arm around me, tight, but not overbearing,
We’d sit and do puzzles, she’d always win, quick to see the picture and overall, everything.

There’s beauty in my eyes, so small and shiny, curious with delight and always smiley,
A little Red Indian I was often called, dream catchers, smoke, the beat of the fire calls,
Calls me into the wake of night, to look up into the sky, at the stars with delight,
A face full of wonder, hands wanting to play, creativity beckons, calling louder every day.

Get your paint brushes out, be brave and splatter, there’s no need to listen to negative chatter,
Go big, go bold, express and sing, use every medium and vessel to capture everything,
Shapes, patterns, brush strokes and draw, take your shoes off and use your foot as a paw,
Create with your body, from your heart not your mind, don’t get controlled by people who aren’t kind.

There’s an expression for creating to paint, no one’s going to mind if you fall down and faint,
Faint into the painting, go into a state of flow, for if you don’t you will never know,
Know what’s inside you wanting to pop out, to make you smile, to make you shout,
You’re an artist at heart, you know that much is true, so why are you stuck in a pickle, a stew?

Just go with the flow and see what comes out, it may be crap, but who gives a spout,
It’s not important for what’s really at play, is how I want to spend my seconds, my minutes, my hours, in a day,
Playing with texture, colour and more, anything I can get my hand on when I open the door,
The door is a portal to honesty and truth, a portal of light to tap into my youth.

The youth I’ve been ignoring for years, for most of my life, things need to change to embrace my spice,

My spice,
My wisdom,
My intuition,
My core,
My funside,
My playside,
For creativity, to explore.
There’s an energy inside me, I feel it more every day, it’s seeking an outlet, it’s destiny to play.

What happened to little Emma, she got a little lost, in the expectations of life, but really at what cost?
The cost of freedom to really let rip, the freedom to splat, flick and dip,
Dip into adventures that light up her heart, reminding her that she has a real spark,
A spark is a spark, but it turns into a flame, a flame that creates happiness and gain.

Gaining of momentum,
Gaining of fun,
Gaining of colour,
It’s all just begun!

A photo is a moment, a speck of time, it’s in the past now, no need to recline,
Our imaginations are strong, a narrative they will create, but is our story really our fate?
I’d like to think we’re all creators at core, and to discover there is always more,
A flash, a smile, a grimace on our face, the wind has not blown, it’s not projected into space.

It’s time for me to feel that vibe, the one that leads me to my tribe,
They’ll be dancing and singing, flow and space, to grow into our true selves with gravity and grace,
I saw that exhibition many moons ago, bit it sticks in my mind, therefore was it a good show?
Does it matter what I think, do others even care, to steal a line from a poem “We have no time to stand and stare”.

Life is precious, take every moment by the horns, it’s time to plant and sprout, like an acorn.

Photo of me and my sister, I’m the one on the left.

Brand, Colour

Colour is emotion

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Colour is emotion
Colour is emotion

Firstly, I want to say a big thank you to Modulyss for raising awareness of the importance of colour in design. In their most recent Modulyss Talks session, held yesterday 5th Sept, they discussed an interesting topic, ‘The Impact of Neuroaesthetics’ with Karen Haller, who runs a behavioural design consultancy.

For decades, over 30 years, I’ve been fascinated by colour and its impact on us mentally, physically and emotionally. It’s a subject that I’m hugely passionate about and it’s one I’m always keen to understand more of, not only to apply to myself, but also for my clients.

Having studied with Karen a couple of times over the past five years with a focus on colour and its application and use in brand and marketing, and more recently from a creative artistry stand point, I jumped at the opportunity to be ‘virtually’ with people who share my passion for colour, have a thirst for knowledge, and are keen to understand more about how they can use colour positively in our personal and professional lives.

For clarity, at the start Karen defined ‘What is Neuroaesthetics’ as the field within neuroscience, that explores how our brain perceives, processes, and responds to beauty, art and design. And that it’s NOT creating spaces that are just aesthetically pleasing, creating a wow factor, slavishly following trends, or pleasing the brain with a dopamine hit.

“Neuroaesthetics emerged in the late 1990s, and nobody is clear on who coined the term, but a simple definition is that neuroesthetics is the study of how arts measurably changes the body, brain, and behaviour and how this knowledge is translated into practice,” said Susan Magsamen, founder, and director of the International Arts + Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Let’s dive in

Throughout the talk there were many refreshers about what I know already, but there are always some nuggets that stand out and resonate, or perhaps land differently, deepening my understanding. So, in the interest of sharing and spreading my love of colour and its application with you, here’s some key takeaways to ponder and reflect on.

Nuggets and takeaways

  • Colour has duality, both positive and negative
  • From a colour psychological stand point, it can influence our metabolism, appetite, body temperature, water regulation, sleep, autonomic nervous system, and even our sexual and reproductive functions
  • All colours drive and create a different energy, response and emotion
  • We don’t live in a grey world, we live in a colourful world
  • Grey hides things in plain sight, it wants to recede, to hide, it doesn’t want to be seen
  • When we think about colour, we also must consider pattern, scale, shape, texture and placement as they all interplay
  • The right colour in the wrong proportion won’t work
  • If it’s a colour, we’ll have an emotional response – neutral doesn’t exist
  • Colour isn’t just a visual stimulus, it delivers an emotional response

Target market

Wherever you’re using and applying colour, in your brand or your business; in all instances, understand your target market. When working with a client, always get clarity on their target market and audience, this will help create the desirable outcomes that your clients will want to see.

As Karen mentioned during the webinar, from an interior design perspective, in a hospitality interior design space, in a restaurant or café, imagine an environment that creates the behaviours your client wants to see – excited, relaxed and staying longer, talking, networking, dining, eating and drinking, and ideally turning into a repeat customer. In a workspace, depending on the brand and business needs, there will be a very different set of requirements.

Remember, when applying colour, make your KPIs measureable as we do want to know we’ve got things right; we can’t see or measure a mood or a feeling, but we can measure behaviour.

Unlock potential, create change

From a brand strategy perspective and in the projects I lead and get involved with, when a company is rebranding their colour palette will be an evocative and foundational point for discussion. Of course, a brand is much, much more than a colour palette, and that’s a topic I’ll touch on separately, but for now, remember, colour is emotion, it makes us feel something, and a brand will want to connect with its customers on an emotive, emotional level – not just sell its products and services.

I’m a very intuitive person and like to feel into and connect with what my clients want, which means really listening to what they say, and what they don’t. I also like to dig deep to understand their values, vision, purpose, what they want to create next for themselves, their teams and for their business. So, whether I’m feeding back following a 121-consultation process or a group brand strategy discovery workshop, I will back up my thinking with logic and information, not just a hunch.

Immersive memorable experiences

Fundamentally, colour creates immersive and memorable experiences. Humans are complex beings, we all have different needs and we all react and respond differently to our environment, be that at home, our work space, and when out socialising. What appeals to me, won’t appeal to everyone, and that’s a good thing – we’re all unique.

Let’s continue to use the power and application of colour to celebrate our differences, to build environments that encourage positive change, and build brands and businesses that are a force for good.

Have a colourful weekend!

Links for reference

  • Quote source – Artandobject – How art is scientifically proven to help brain health, Feb 2023
  • Discover more about Modulyss
  • Discover more about Karen Haller

Brand, Coach

Find your sweet spot

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Find your sweet spot
Find your sweet spot

In the past 18 months life has been pretty hectic and many things have changed, personally and professionally. I’ve been made redundant, I’ve moved house, I’ve renovated my home – from top to bottom, inside and out – so a bit of a makeover and transformation on both fronts; and I’ve also started contracting, making a conscious choice to specifically connect and work with businesses that are in a stage of growth.

Contracting and working in this way has given me a huge degree of flexibility to manage my time effectively and efficiently, ensuring I deliver what my clients need whilst also dedicating time to what I need for me – it’s a balancing act and it’s one I thrive on.

But what exactly do I do?

I’m a marketing, communications and brand specialist and I typically work with small and medium sized businesses that are looking to build brand awareness, drive growth, and create new revenue opportunities. Moreover, I have a desire to work with businesses that are people focused, are driven by their values and want to make a positive impact in the world.

Here’s what I’ve got

  • Experience – I’m a commercially and creative minded B2B marketing, brand and PR professional with 20+ years’ experience of working with innovative, forward-thinking and disruptive-tech businesses spanning multiple sectors including HRtech, digital, PR, mobile, customer experience (CX) and interior design
  • Knowledge – With an action and outcome orientated mindset, I operate at both strategic and tactical levels and I view myself as a collaborative and confident leader who inspires those around me
  • Holistic human approach – My approach is holistic, human to human, I believe in blending the creative analog right brain which calls for creativity, intuition, art, emotion and imagination, with the digital left brain that calls for facts, figures, data, analytical and logic – combining the two is where magic happens

Here’s what I can do for you

  • Brand strategy – I work with CEO’s, founders and MDs at start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to help them achieve growth and build brand value
  • Marketing & communications – I help businesses define their marketing and communications strategy, create a narrative that delivers differentiation in their market, and engage with the right audiences
  • Coach and mentor – I’m a certified NLP Practitioner and Coach, I’ve studied various modalities incorporating traditional and experiential practices and applied behavioural colour psychology, I’ll coach and mentor your team to help facilitate change

Let’s talk

With a growth mindset, I understand that navigating change can be challenging and uncomfortable. Acting as your head of marketing or marketing director, I will help you fuel business growth by embedding marketing and lead generation processes that deliver results whilst also injecting a unique blend of creativity that unlocks your potential.

Think of me as your strategic partner and trusted advisor who delivers all streams of work on-time, to budget and my support comes with integrity, passion, and a smile.

If you are a founder, MD or CEO seeking to make a positive impact in the world, I’d love to talk with you.

Drop me an email – emma@emmapotter.com

Photo by Alex Rumford – You will find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Creative, Inspiration

The Leopard and it’s spots

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on The Leopard and it’s spots
The Leopard and it’s spots

Another month has passed and another writing circle is complete. A smaller group this time, yet it is super powerful and insightful to share a creative space with likeminded individuals who have a passion for the written word. The inspiration this week was ‘Five Things’; these five things then formed the framework for our warm up exercises, those being to list five things that annoy (*iss) us off, five things my old school friends would say about me, and five things that I want to achieve in this life time. Our pens got writing.

Go where your energy takes you

With our responses gathered, we were then asked to quickly pick up five items from around us and tell the group what they were. From here we were invited to pick one of the items we’d selected and to write five words we associated with it, a second item to write a memory, a third to write the best thing about it, the fourth to write five words that describe it, and finally the fifth to capture if this object could speak, what would it say. Our response to these questions is not something to heavily think about, the idea is to be intuitive and to go with the first thing you get. Some of my answers surprised me, others made me laugh, but mostly it was a fun exercise to participate in and then share our responses with the group.

After, a rather poignant question followed… “What is the story your soul wants to hear?” Where is the energy in the prompts you’ve written? In the interest of sharing, unfiltered, here’s what I wrote…

I am not the person I was before,
The me that held quiet and hid behind the door,
I once was bullied with words and emotion,
Children can be cruel with the words they spout,
The words that fly across the playground as they shout.

I was fragile and scared,
Afraid to be me,
Socially inept and quite; shy and boring,
Everyone probably reduced to snoring.

But I did have friends,
I remember now,
Not the ones from Ashcombe,
Born from a cow.

Anna and Heidi were always there,
We stuck together a bit like glue,
Laughing and being silly, we really weren’t cool,
But who really cares when you’re at school?

We had lots of fun on trips to Wales,
Swimming in the sea probably looking for whales,
Spouting water from jets that at night time sparkled,
Lighting the surface with shimmer and grace.

North Wales and Devon were totally fun places,
We adventured to the beach for my 18th birthday,
So many fun memories flooding back to be now,
These weren’t born from the cow.

Fast forward to the last 10 years,
And with my friendships I have no fears,
I’m comfortable being me in my own skin,
Sometimes with the help of gin.

My Leopard wreaks havoc when these friends come to stay,
Games endlessly played into the dark night of day,
We laugh, we dance, we sing, we chant,
We swim naked too when we have the chance,
They’ve seen all of me, Worts and all,
Yet still they come back for laughter galore.

The Leopard spells joy and celebration,
Laughter from every nation,
British, French, Italian, Sardinian and Australian,
Our intuitive minds are our line of communication,
We’ve travelled together, holidayed too,
To the French Riviera and the real Africa – not a Zoo.

Soul Safari is our energy and vibe,
These people truly are my tribe,
They accept me for who I am,
Happy, and sad, and resting in the sand.

Joy is the word I want to remember,
I feel it’s important to feel joy and surrender,
Surrender to the warmth that is within,
There’s nothing to hide, no immoral, immortal sin.

Laugher and friendship bring me back to me,
The me that’s short for EP,
EP has EB the funny skin thing,
That I don’t let stop me doing anything.

BE the difference,
BE the change,
BE the energy,
BE insane,
Insanely happy,
Insanely joyful,
Insanely loving,
With my heart full.

Thank you for giving me the space to write,
They’re beautiful these sessions as my pen takes flight,
High into the clouds, way up in the sky,
Enabling my creativity to explode like a custard pie!

I prefer custard tarts if I’m brutally honest,
Have I always been so modest,
I’m not even sure what that really means,
But what’s lovely here is I feel heard and seen.

Thank you for this space,
Thank you for this time,
I sense it’s time for us all to shine.

My bottom is numb so I’m going for a wee,
I’m also going to stretch like a tree,
A tree with its roots that are strong and vast,
A tree that’s looking forward not anchored to the past.

Image on Pexels, Leopard photo by Satria Bagaskara.

To understand more about EB, the condition I have known as Butterfly Skin, visit charity DEBRA UK.

Creative, Inspiration

Run with the Wolves

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Run with the Wolves
Run with the Wolves

Last night was pretty special. For the first time ever, I attended and participated in a writing circle hosted by a friend, who is an avid writer, she’s currently writing her second book, and also leads writing retreats and workshops worldwide.

The session was titled ‘Women who run with the Wolves’, a term I’m not familiar with. It’s also the title of a book authored by American Jungian psychoanalyst Clarissa Pinkola, who writes about myths and stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, the book was on the New York Times best seller list for 145 weeks. I’ve now ordered it so I can familiarise myself with those myths and stories.

Connecting with my spirit guide

During the writing circle we were invited to introduce ourselves and talk about our spirit guide, if we knew what ours is – it’s not a fixed thing and often changes, shifting and evolving. With introductions complete, we listened to a guided meditation that concluded with us being invited to put pen to paper and go with the flow, writing freeform with whatever words came forth. I’ve participated in and lead several guided meditations over the years and they are a fabulous tool for tapping into our intuition and creative side. This is the first time a poem has flowed.

From the origins of my spirit guide, the horse, in the 25 minutes that followed the meditation, unedited and unfiltered, here’s what I wrote…

There’s hay on the hills the horses say,
Come eat, come chat, come rub, come neigh,
It’s time to play, its May come play,
there’s always time to play in the day,
When folks come past, they’ll look and stare but we don’t care,
We’re a mare – A MARE!
When people pass by, they’ll look and learn,
To play and gurn, to play is to learn.

When work becomes play, there’s fun in everyday,
No looking for more because it’s at your door,
It’s in your soul, the one that was stole,
But it’s made a return, like Saturn,
It’s been round and around, it has rings round it,
But now it’s your time to run rings around it.

Come play my angel, this horse has wings,
A mythical creature so strong and elegant,
So graceful and strong, she has presence,
Presence of mind to be at peace,
Presence of mind to feel at ease,
Presence of mind to connect to her heart,
And feel it beating powerful – from the start.

Take your time and gather your wings,
It’s time to fly and discover new beginnings,
It’s time to be at peace with your soul,
They’ll always be time for rock and roll.

Come for a ride, jump up for a hack,
I promise to fly you safely back,
We’ll soar over mountains, high in the sky,
Feeling the breeze, the lightness of flight,
You’ve been weighed down, it’s time to gain height.

Take a step forward every day,
One hoof at a time and we’ll gather momentum.

Be brave, be strong, be grounded, feel the earth,
Mother Nature is telling you it’s time for rebirth.

Put your hand and arms around my neck,
Feel the warmth and strength of my spine,
It runs from your neck,
And into mine – devine,
Together we are stronger, a dynamic pair,
Let everyone stand and stare.

Being still is not inaction,
It’s actually strength and attraction,
Go deep inside and feel your soul,
It’s always welcoming, just like a baby foul,
Whose legs might be doddery, they wobble and swing,
Yet quickly they are strong, supporting everything.

Let your roots find their way, they know the ground,
And also, how to make ‘THAT’ sound,
The one that calls us back together should we part,
We’re always together – ‘HEART TO HEART.’

Be strong my angel, be strong and pure,
For no one can truly ever be sure,
Be calm, be curious, be passionate, be brave,
You’ve been too long in this dark cave,
The light is bright and it leads the way,
Back up to the hill where there is hay.

Take time to pause, eat, look at the view,
It’s beautiful in the mountains, you might even see some fountains,
Fountains of ideas, where laughter and creativity flows,
Straight from your head and down to your toes,
Your toes have tread carefully but they’re growing strong,
Now you are ready to ring your gong,
The gong of love, the gong of freedom,
Rippling energy out into your kingdom.

Be brave, be curious, be passionate, be strong,
Now it’s time to ring your gong,
No need to stand back and ponder anymore,
No need to wait for someone to come knocking at your door.

Be brave, be curious, be passionate, be strong,
Step barefoot outside and ring your gong,
The gong of magic, the gong of truth,
The gong of rhythm, the gong of youth,
Your heart is strong, your heart is pure,
It’s time to let freedom ooze from your core.

Photo by Pixabay – Horse image

Growth, Inspiration

Rejection is redirection

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Rejection is redirection
Rejection is redirection

Let’s face it, for most people, being made redundant is not easy and it is often incredibly stressful. There’s fear of the unknown, it feels like rejection, it feels like you’re not good enough, it can feel embarrassing to talk about. Yet it happens to many great people, including me.

The truth of the matter is, rejection is redirection. I love this saying. I find it helps to accept a situation for what it is, it has helped me to reflect and appreciate the lessons learnt, and to embrace a new chapter that is gathering momentum.

Navigating change 

Chaos serves a purpose in our lives and it’s important to recognise this – it’s uncomfortable, it’s messy, yet it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect and to see things differently, to see a new perspective. It’s very easy to stay with that we know, to be ‘comfortable’, even when it is a dysfunctional pattern and structure that doesn’t serve us. Of course, it’s great to feel ‘comfortable’, we often seek ‘comfort’ in many ways – being with friends, in food, in escape watching movies, yet ‘comfort’ is not where growth happens.

In this state of flux and to help me navigate this time of change, I’ve asked yourself some questions…
• What am I resisting?
• What’s my souls’ vision?
• What makes me happy?
• Whose life have I enriched apart from mine?
• What legacy do I want to leave behind?
• What gifts, talents and abilities do I have to share?

Being made redundant creates a chaotic environment and requires us to navigate change. In the ultimate reframe – it is possible to look and appreciate this situation as a gift in disguise.

Here’s what my redundancy process has taught me…

Resilience

I’m way more resilient than I gave myself credit for. I’ve sat ‘in the mud’ and felt sorry for myself on occasion. Yet I recognise it’s important to feel my emotions and embrace them fully to be able to move on.

People

I have an amazing network of brilliant, inspiring, and kind people around me, in both my professional and personal life and for that I’m extremely grateful. You’ve all been so supportive and listened when I’ve needed to talk.

Nature

For me, being in nature is an extremely important environment for healing, for quiet, for acceptance, and for growth. A daily dose of nature clears my head and refuels me for the day ahead.

Pause

Take a break, if possible, book a mini get-away, enjoy a change of scene at home or abroad, it works wonders and has given me clarity. We are all creators and co-create experiences all and every day.

Play

I’m an artist, I paint and create for pleasure, and I’m extremely lucky to teach groups of people to paint a plethora of things from Highland Cows and Zebras to night scenes of Paris and Venice. Being creative and sharing my artistic skills fills my heart with joy.

New beginnings

To everyone in my network, and others I have yet to meet, I hope you’ve found reading this post empowering. And if you ever find yourself being made redundant, know that ‘rejection is redirection’. Reach out to your friends, reach out to your network, recognise the importance of play, take a break – you’ve got this!

And if you’re feeling a little stuck, remember, your track record for getting through challenging days is 100%, that’s always worth celebrating. Silver linings are everywhere, open your eyes and notice them, appreciate them. Celebrate your success.

To everyone I’ve had the pleasure to work with – Thank you for being amazing colleagues.

To everyone I’ve yet to meet – I’m looking forward to what we’re going to co-create together next!

A new chapter has begun!

Header image by Pexels – Scott Web.

Colour, Inspiration

Colour of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Colour of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta
Colour of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta

Every year the Pantone Colour Institute announce a colour of the year to engage colour enthusiasts and design communities all over the world. As an avid lover of colour, with a keen interest in brand, design and behavioural colour psychology, I’m fascinated to understand why Pantone chose ‘Viva Magenta’ for colour of the year 2023.

Described by Pantone as an ‘unconventional shade for an unconventional time’… ‘a pulsating red shade whose exuberance promotes optimism and joy’, I get a real sense it’s putting a full stop on what’s gone before and is opening a channel to a new path of positivity. And quite frankly, after the last few years, who isn’t seeking a magical period of time fuelled by good vibes. Viva Magenta certainly does stand out in a crowd as a bold, fearless, and brave colour designed to capture our imagination.

#magentaverse 

Pantone talks about Viva Magenta as a colour that ‘straddles the physical and virtual world, evocative of our multi-dimensional world’. #magentaverse – a play on the metaverse. At present, the world we live in does increasingly span both the real and virtual, which can be challenging at times. And whilst I have a virtual presence online on social channels, my preference is for real – real people, real situations, real conversations, real colour.

Viva Magenta in action

Colour has the power to change our state, elicit new or different behaviours, and drive action. From a psychological perspective, red affects us physically and will always trigger a physical response. It relates to strength, courage, rebellion and says ‘Look at me’. Red is often considered a powerful colour that not only makes us feel empowered, but can also stimulate and help us tap into a new level of stamina to complete a task, or ready us to be that little bit stronger when required. A bit like caffeine, red is powerful and gives us a real boost of energy. I liken this to what happens to me when I drink a can of coke or enjoy a freshly brewed americano – it’s like I’ve been given a new lease of life, a superpower strength.

Do you see Viva Magenta is a shade of pink? Pink is typically understood to be nurturing and caring, particularly when you think about baby or dusty soft pink. In contrast, strong cool pinks like Magenta are very red are physically stimulating. For me, Viva Magenta comes across as quite feisty, full of fight and personality. It’s likely to be a colour that will call and connect with people who have a rebellious spirit.

Pantone express Viva Magenta as…

“Powerful and empowering, an animated red that encourages experimentation and self-expression without restraint; an electrifying, boundaryless shade that is manifestly ‘out there’ as is a stand-out statement”

“A nuanced crimson red that presents a balance between warm and cool. A hybrid colour that comfortably straddles the physical and virtual, evocative of our multi-dimensional world”

“A transformative red tone capable of driving design to create a more positive future”

Colour in nature

When it comes to colour, I believe that everything stems from nature. Just as Viva Magenta originates from a natural dye, it’s easy to see that nature provides us with a natural colour palette. It also provides us with shape, texture, form and context.

If you’re looking for inspiration, a great starting point is to go for a walk into a forest or garden. Look around and observe what you see, really become aware of the colours and textures all around you. And as the year goes on, bathe in the seasons and ‘feel’ into the one that resonates with you most, become aware of how all the colours harmonise with each other, a colour palette will appear before your eyes.

However you choose to embrace and weave Viva Magenta into your life this year, may it empower you, draw out your assertive side, and encourage you to be a little bit more audacious, every day.

Header image by Pexels.

Inspiration, Wellbeing

Imagineering – find which way is up and follow your bliss

by Emma PotterLeave a Comment on Imagineering – find which way is up and follow your bliss
Imagineering – find which way is up and follow your bliss

Sometimes we just have to stop, look around us, and take stock. As we start a new year many people have asked me ‘What new years resolutions have you made?’ and the honest answer is ‘None’. Don’t get me wrong – I do have goals and aspirations – both personal and professional – but I don’t store them all up with a view to kick-start activity on the 1st Jan to achieve them. 

On the profession front, in 2019 I’d like to continue to work with businesses in the technology and wellness space, create new relationships, and build on those established over the past 18 years or so.  On the personal front, I would like to enjoy many more wild intrepid cycling adventures, bath in the wisdom and nourishment of nature, and embrace the fun, love and laughter of my tribe.  

Discover your Bliss 

Actually, as I write, I’m becoming aware that the Holy Grail is for my personal and professional ambitions to cross paths – that would be bliss, as I would be connecting with friends and colleagues on all levels. 

To reveal my bliss my starting point is ‘What’s important to me – what floats my boat – what am I passionate about?’ – And the short answer to that is to work with people who I find inspiring, who do what they love, and who take care of those around them. Yes that’s right, those who care about their staff and colleagues, both in and out of the work place, and empower people to shine and fulfill their ambitions.  

Wellness and Workplace Mental Health 

With 1 in 4 people in the UK experiencing a mental health problem each year[i]; £6.5 billion being the cost of work related stress to the UK economy[ii]; and 92% of the British population wanting complementary therapies free on the NHS[iii] – there’s never been a better time for wellness and workplace mental health to be taken more seriously. 

2018 has been a big year for employee wellness thanks to events such as This Can Happen that gather companies to discuss their employees mental health. Founded by Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn, the premise of the event is to ‘look positively at the spectrum of workplace mental health and all it entails’ and to acknowledge that ‘mental health affects everyone, regardless of their job title, status, sex, colour, or nationality – we all face the same issues’.

In the last year alone I’ve read many stories about ‘burnout’ and spoken with friends in senior management positions (Founders, Directors) who have ‘hit a wall’ because their focus has not been on taking care of themselves first. So I feel very privileged and blessed to be in a position where all my clients take wellness in the workplace seriously.

If I were to make a nationwide suggestion, I would ask everyone to show compassion to those around them. Not only does it make for a better environment, I firmly believe it’s fundamental to the success of any organisation. It has to come from the heart and works best when the origins are rooted in a companies core values and encouraged in every employee.

Let’s face it, when people feel looked after and cared for, they will give far more than you ever ask of them. Why? Because the feel heard and appreciated for the skills and experience they bring to the table. 

Fire your Imagination

So as we launch into a new year, excited by the plethora of unknown opportunities that we are creating all around us, I would like to share a couple of quotes that made my heart sing…

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” 

Nelson Mandela

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new”

The Good Quote

Sources

[i] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/statistics-and-facts-about-mental-health/how-common-are-mental-health-problems/#one

[ii] https://recruitmentbuzz.co.uk/work-related-stress-costs-uk-economy-nearly-6-5bn-each-year/

[iii] https://www.therapy-directory.org.uk/blog/2013/02/14/92-of-people-want-more-cam-available-on-nhs-reveals-therapy-directory/