what if you could :: KEEP TRUE
Art journaling saves me.
Messy, bold, vibrant splashes of color sing out my truth. Intuitive collage unearths hidden messages I didn't know I needed to hear.
from The Phoenix Soul: REBORN
What if you could create a personal guidebook to your innermost truth?
Find out more in this video:
Keep True trailer from Amanda Fall on Vimeo.
What an honor and joy to spill some of my secrets in KEEP TRUE: The Compass of You, my tenderhearted workshop in 21 Secrets.
I've long shared peeks into my art journal in the pages of The Phoenix Soul magazine, because I believe creative expression is vital for our wellbeing. So this opportunity to invite you closer, to create soul-prompts for you, to share the heart of my art with you? What a gift! (And, of course, we join 20 additional inspiring teachers, all in a giant eBook stuffed with instructional videos & heartpounding prompts--all for you to keep, forever.)
Right now at The Phoenix Soul, we're journeying through our January/February focus of being REBORN (in the daily, breath-by-breath decisions as well as in giant leaps of faith that change e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g). This theme stirs up so much in our hearts, minds, souls.
I can't think of a more important time to support your true self with creative expression than right now. Being Reborn is tough, tender. Vulnerable. Real. Creative expression can be your guide, your comfort, your companion.
I'd love to see you there, brave phoenix soul. (Oh, and with your purchase, you also join a vibrant community of support. These are some of the kindest people I've ever met! Newcomers and long-time creatives are all welcome.)
with love & big colorful messes,
Amanda
21 Secrets free audio interview :: vulnerability is my superpower
Dear one,
have you ever doubted your worth?
Felt ashamed of being different?
Ached to understand your purpose?
Me, too. Me, too. I spent many years trying to be anything but who I am.
But as you know, we phoenix souls are learning to specialize in vulnerability. We practice diving deep into our personal truth, striving to honor both our lament and our wild joy. The differences that make us sparkle. The quirks that are our superpowers.
“I never dreamed that I would end up here, honoring instead of hiding the things about myself that used to make me cry. That I would realize deep pain can lead to deep joy. That healing can only happen when we embrace and love our WHOLE story, every stumbling step that leads us to where we are today.”
If you've ever wondered how I journeyed from being a timid, hiding-her-light little girl to embracing my wild phoenix soul . . . now's your chance to cozy up and hear my story.
Even when it's hard (and I get so nervous my hands shake), I try now to befriend my vulnerability, because that's where truth resides. If my opening up can help you honor YOUR truth--if we can both travel from hurt to healing--then oh, kindred, every ache was worth it!
“My hope for you, everyone listening, is that you, too, can begin to look at your own creative journey with tenderness. With acceptance. With love for every seeming misstep or mistake or bumble, and with love, too, for every triumph and victory, no matter how small they may seem . . . wherever you are in your own journey.”
I am so honored to be interviewed by Connie Solera, host of the beloved 21 Secrets art journaling e-course and community. Working with her as I crafted my course for the current session of 21 Secrets (Keep True: The Compass of You) has been a life-altering experience. I tapped into my personal creative journey and shared what I've learned, in hopes that you will discover an intimate and healing creative practice of your own (or find ways to deepen and expand your already-existing practice).
Keep True is all about honoring your life's story, learning what sparks or smothers your spirit. As I say in this audio interview, I designed Keep True as a tool for "learning to LOVE our quirks and oddities and beautiful differences, and discovering how they can be a source of joy and power and healing, instead of something to hide and overcome."
“Creativity has saved my life countless times, and I truly believe that it can save you, too . . . especially when we approach creative expression with a genuine desire to be present, to honor our truth, and to be willing to go where our path leads—no matter how different it seems, or how much self-doubt wants to take over. We are worthy. We are needed in this world, exactly as we are. The things that make us different are what give us power and compassion and depth. This is where we, as artists, heal ourselves—and we heal the world.”
Phoenix soul, how has vulnerability been part of your creative journey? How about your life as a whole? I would love to hear your thoughts and to explore this subject more deeply with you.
And always, always:
You are so loved. Exactly as you are.
with such gratitude,
Amanda
the secret is out :: TPS news round-up
Hi, phoenix souls! You may have noticed I've been quieter on the blog these days (although you can always find me hanging out on Instagram, one of my favorite ways to connect with you all). I've been hard at work behind the scenes, pouring my heart and soul into a number of amazing projects.
I can't wait to tell you . . .
the secret is finally OUT!
I am chair-dancing, teary-eyed, beyond-words proud to announce that I'm joining the 21 Secrets team for the Fall 2015 session.
Connie Solera's Dirty Footprints Studio has been one of my deepest inspirations for years. Her honesty, vulnerability, and passion have guided me in how I want to conduct myself in this solopreneur business. And Hali Karla, her creative director, is a true kindred spirit and inspiration as well (her interview in our magazine still knocks my socks off).
I'll be sharing more of the backstory here on the blog in days to come, but for now, I want to be sure to mention that 21 Secrets is offering an early-bird bonus right now, during our pre-launch sale. If you want to join us, now's the time!
My workshop, Keep True, draws from my art journaling and life experiences over the past few years (especially in times of deep grief and wild joy). I teach about using art journaling as a compass for living with intention and integrity.
I'm so excited to share this material with you!
Next up: I can hardly believe this blessing, but I'm in a book! Liv Lane and Lori Portka offered a life-changing course last November, one that offered me tremendous comfort and companionship after a death in my family.
Their inspiring and encouraging lessons helped guide me through our total rebrand from Sprout to The Phoenix Soul, as I learned to embrace my own heart's cracking-open.
Liv and Lori have now gathered these lessons and transformed them into a book, including personal stories from students whose lives were changed. I'm so grateful to be among this tenderhearted group.
They're working hard to raise enough money to tour and spread the word of this amazing book. If you want to claim your copy and help support the movement, you can visit the IndieGogo campaign below.
TPS Staff News:
Beloved, fiery staff contributor Beth Morey has released a poetry collection! And lemme tell you . . . it's GORGEOUS. Night Cycles: poetry for a dark night of the soul is both tough and tender, exploring "that deep yet vividly beautiful realm of mystery and unknowing." Many of these poems have appeared in TPS already, but the power of seeing them all together . . . whew, goosebumps!
Wild-woman "Lantern in the Dark" staff contributor, Carissa Paige, has launched a deep and courageous ecourse! Carissa is one of the most kindhearted, whole-souled people I know. She steps fearlessly into "intuitive voyages" of the heart, shining brilliant light where hurts hide. I just joined this course & am so eager to soak up Carissa's teachings.
“Someone hand me a microphone so I can drop it. Please. 🎤 Project started in APRIL. DONE. 🎉👍🌠 Now get your butt over to 21 Secrets, would you? We’ve been working HARD! 😂 No, seriously. I am so proud. Creating my workshop, Keep True: The Compass of You, has stretched me in ways I never expected. And I am so excited to share with you & grow alongside you.”
Whew, I think that's it for now!
(Except for our REVOLUTION issue, one of our most edgy, intimate, heartbreaking-and-healing issues e.v.e.r., the release of which had me gulping with all the vulnerability. Oh yeah. THAT. You've already read your copy, right?)
Anyway . . . I'm breathing a deep, deep sigh of yes . . . of gratitude . . . of awe. Thank you, brave phoenix souls, for being part of our community.
You + me + we are the next revolution . . . gentle warriors of truth and love. And all these offerings, spilled above? They're designed to tend to our aching/singing hearts.
How are you?
I'd love to hear what you're celebrating or savoring right now.
love & gratitude,
Amanda