Strangers On A Plane

It is World Podcasting Day! I can’t believe that it is really a thing, but in the spirit of having come this far, I am sharing one of my favorite episodes on this special day.

Backstory: Sometimes I board a flight, pop my earbuds in, look out the window and hope the folks next to me take the hint. However, sometimes the Plane Angels gently lift my chin to smile. So imagine my delight when a few weeks ago, enroute to NYC, I sat next to Sandy and Tien. Who knew my spirit was about to lift as high as the plane.

I had also had another conversation with someone on a flight a few weeks earlier. I live by the philosophy when something happens twice, pay attention. Time to pay attention!

I hope you will tune in and give a listen. Tien is a very, very special man with something to say – and a spirit and attitude we could all be the better for hearing. You can find the episode, Strangers On A Plane here, and then link through to Apple podcasts, Sticher or Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

https://mindfullconversations.buzzsprout.com

Also, please consider subscribing/following MindFULL conversations, and rating and reviewing the espisode if you like it. On this special day, I get extra credit! The more ratings and reviews, the higher they bump me on the platforms, allowing me to keep this day job. Thank you for your support and good cheer!

Mothers, Daughters and NFTS, Oh My…

Much has been written about Mothers and Daughters. It’s a relationship that can go all sorts of ways. Lucky for me, I have a daughter, Adina (aka Addie) and the way its’ gone, has been better than I could have imagined. I was scared to have a girl. Afterall, I am still apologizing to my own mother for some teen/young adult behavior. I expected payback. Instead, I got a kid who got me. She is wicked bright, resourceful, funny, emotionally intelligent and great company.

Growing up, Adina’s interests varied and as she grew, so grew new ideas and perspectives. Today, as a young adult, she lives in another country and is following her current interest: the juxtoposition of art and technology. There is a lot out there these days on cryptocurrency, NFTS and blockchain. Opinions and ideas are as varied as the artists and art that create how art fits into our current understanding.

But who even knows what any of this means? In this week’s episode of MindFULL conversations, join me as Addie and I talk about NFTs, cryptocurrency and blockchain. Hear her patiently explain what this new language means. Then laugh along as we digress into banter. That’s how it goes with us. From the serious to the sublime – it’s what makes the Mother Daughter relationship so special. No one gets us like we get each other.

You can find MindFULL conversations where you get your podcasts, on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Sticher or Google. Or click here https://mindfullconversations.buzzsprout.com and then click through to your favorite podcast site. And if you like what you hear, please take a moment to like, rate and review Us.

Inclusivity, Diversity and Self-Publishing

When we were in Berlin last month visiting our daughter, we were invited to dinner by a wonderful group of folks from Israel. The guys happen to do business with my husband and are smart, capable men with smart, capable partners! My shoulders softened and my heart filled knowing they are there for my daughter and our family should we need anything. Trust me when I say, when your child lives so far away, these are the folks you want to be able to call!

At dinner that night, I was lucky enough (is it really luck or divine intervention?) to sit next to Sarah Cordivano. Sarah works as a Head of strategy and governance in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Berlin. She’s originally from Philadelphia and moved to Berlin 6 years ago. Her background is in data analytics and project management and she told me about the book she has just written: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: How to Succeed at an Impossible Job. The book is aimed towards anyone who is starting a job in DEI and wants to know how to get started, how to set a strategy and how to maintain a healthy relationship with the job. It’s very practical and hands-on. I loved her story and asked her to join me for an episode of MindFULL conversations. We talked about her book and her journey in writing it!

You can find our MindFULL conversation where you get your podcasts, on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Sticher or Google. Or click here https://mindfullconversations.buzzsprout.com/share

Even if her work isn’t your bag, maybe you’ve thought about writing a book. Listen to Sarah for ideas on how you can write one, too!

What The Borscht?

Last week I got a text and picture from my friend, John. It was the photo of 3 women and 3 guys, all standing by a food tent. My curiosty was piqued. Where were they? And who were those women?

Turns out, John, a retired United pilot, talked his retired pilot buddies into putting their time where their mouths are and going to the Ukraine to help feed refugees. Listen into this week’s MindFULL conversation as John phones it in from the World Central Kitchen food tent on the border of Poland and Ukraine.

You can find our MindFULL conversation where you get your podcasts, on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Sticher or Google. Or click here https://mindfullconversations.buzzsprout.com

And learn who the women are…

MindFULL conversations

What do you do when you are prone to micro conversations with people on planes, in lines and in yards as you walk by? What if you spent 25+ years having conversations with people about finance, health care, outdoor sporting gear, shoes, popcorn, insurance and window film? What about the books you read, the podcasts you listen to and ideas friends share that shift your perspective? You write this blog for 7 years and then you grow it into a PODCAST! 

For years, many of you met me here each week on MindFULL Monday. Thank you! Now, as things change in my life, in the world and with the work that brought me face to face with so many, it’s time for me to change the way I spend time, and the folks I spend it with. As such, I am proud to announce that I am embarking on my own Second Arc (listen to Episode 2 – From Strength to Strength – about the book that inspired this change, From Strength to Strength by Harvard Professor of Happiness,  Arthur Brooks) and learning the world of Voice Over Acting and Podcasting!

A few years ago, Ken and I built a sound booth in our basement. I set to work taking classes, getting coached, immersing myself in learning editing software and practicing. Then, I got a few breaks: A fundraising video VO gig, an audiobook opportunity (post to come, but check out Episode 4  – Love, Loss and Bold Living with Nancy Sharp) and another Tribute video. Next thing I knew, I was in a podcasting group and the idea to elevate the ideas and creative sharings from this beloved blog was born. My hope is that perhaps we can grow this into a community that shares ideas, where maybe I can even interview YOU and share what you are up to, so that together we can continue to be the better for time spent (my favorite success test).

Below is my Trailer – click on the > button in the bottom right-hand corner to hear it! And I am excited to have 3 other episodes on most platforms you listen to your podcasts on: Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google and Stitcher! Please subscribe, rate and leave a review, if you can! Here is my LinkTree for quick access: https://linktr.ee/robinglickstein . You can follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mindfullconversations/ and of course, here on The MindFULL Creative. I will try and post a little something each time I have a new episode to share. For now, 4 are up and you can hear them all. Then it will be MindFULL Mondays again in a few weeks! I hope you’ll tune in and find something that gives you a new perspective. Just like having a conversation with that friend you love.

Thank you for your support and good cheer!!

A Guilded Age

What are these times we are living in? The news is dismal, our connections are weakened by pandemic and politics, and it’s cold when it should be warm and it’s warm when it should be cold. However, we are resilient! And as such, fortunate to have ways and people who continue to leave us the better for time spent – one of MY favorite barometers for days and relationships.

One such person, who brings ways and joy, is my decades long friend, and creative muse, Rena Tobey. Rena is an educator by heart and an Angel in spirit. Years ago, when I met her, she was a Life Coach when it was a new genre. Man, did she have insight by the bushel. I still live by several thngs I learned with her. One, I’ll gift you with: Cherry Pie. When you have a situation and you think it’s only one way , see it as a pie and try to imagine other slices of what might be. This has helped me to soften my stance at times, for my self and others. It works!

Flash forward to today. Here’s her About from her webite www.renatobey.com

Rena values learning, creative possibility, and fun and dedicates her energy to sparking lively minds. Building on an academic and organizational career, she is passionate about engaging people with all forms of visual expression and filling the spoken word with verve.She has a PhD in Human and Organizational Studies, with 14 years experience as an organizational coach, trainer, and consultant.  Recently, Rena completed her MA, art history program at Hunter College, with a thesis on Elizabeth Okie Paxton and her provocative 1910 painting The Breakfast Tray.

That, and so much more, Rena brings to bare. Wanna taste? Check out her latest offering this Thursday – a library program, February 17th at 7 p.m. EST. https://tuxedoparklibrary.libcal.com/event/8828173

And if any of you are watching A Guilded Age, then I think you will appreciate so much of what Rena has to say – she is like having a companion who whispers details and brings to life what you are watching. So fun!! Check her out. I promise you will be the better for poking around her site and finding other books to read, things to hear and insights to carry you away from the news… and toward better moments.

Armchair Travel

Sticking close to home, but yearning to leave? Wanna travel, but can’t bare the thought of “what ifs”? Well, lucky for you – Sketching Spain Barcelona is just the ticket! Pre-Covid, my friend, art teacher and creative Muse, Judith Cassel-Mamet, and her delightful art partner, Danny (who lives in Spain), put together a sketching trip to Spain. But alas, this year’s trip is postponed – in person. Lucky for us, Judith and Danny have made it possible for us to still go – and you can join in, all from the comforts of your own armchair. Check out the links below and see how you can spend the winter months learning how to sketch, enjoying the sights of Barcelona and even learning about the wines that might have been served! So fun, you may want to bring a friend! Give the gift of Sketching Spain to yourself AND a friend! It will truly be the trip of a lifetime. And you won’t even have to wear a mask. Empaca tus lapices y disfruta!

Sketching Spain: All About Vinohttps://online.classes.sketchingspain.com/courses/sketching-spain-all-about-vino?ref=58921e
Sketching Spain: Barcelonahttps://online.classes.sketchingspain.com/courses/Sketching-spain?ref=58921e

MindFULL Evolution

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Music Que: Frank Sinatra, My Way

Courage. According to Ellen, it’s “being scared and doing it anyway.” Letting go. The theme of the year. Compaction. My own made up word – a combination of Compassion and Action. Mix it all up and you have, “Time for NEXT!”

For the last year, I’ve written about NEXT, talked to many, many, many  women about where they are with NEXT and given it a lot of thought. I’m in that phase of life, where what was is no longer, and what will be, isn’t yet. I can feel the small subtle shifts of change beneath me, around me and inside of me. And I have to say, after the ups and downs of the last two years, I’m finally ready to get up off the sofa and put down my iPad, bringing to life that which I’ve thought of, talked of and watched everyone else do.

And so, after 7 years of writing The MindFULL Creative, I’ve decided to sunset the blog as it is, and evolve it into something new. The new is in creative development, but the exciting potential has propelled me to sit and write posts that have been collecting in my Blog Box. I think I have enough to share on all the MindFULL Mondays still to come before the end of the year. Please stay tuned!

Thank you to all my friends and readers. Creating this blog was a big leap for me. From learning how to technically execute it, to coming up with a name and logo, committing to its’ content and generating the courage to put myself out to you, I have learned a lot. Most of all, I learned there isn’t one way to do anything. There are many.

As long as one of them is mine…

 

What have you MindFULLY created and then decided to let go of it? Let us know!

 

Free The Monkey!

I love signs. Both metaphorically and physically. I look for them everywhere. When the clock strikes 11:11 (which is crazy that I happen to notice it so often), I see it as a sign to set an intention. Years ago I made this little reminder sign and keep it on my shelf – Choice. It’s Yours. Use it.

sign

So it was a sign to me that on Saturday, Ken and I happened to take a road trip to Salida, a small creative town about 2.5 hours from Denver. We had never been and were looking for something different to do for our anniversary (after 28 of em, you have to keep coming up with new ideas, right?) It was a beautiful, vast blue sky, open plains kinda drive. Along the way, we played music and shared stories from the week.

I told him how I learned an awesome metaphorical story from one of my favorite people, and Kabbalah teacher, David. David and I had been talking about Letting Go. He told me about the study of monkeys in the jungle and their bananas. Seems traps were set by placing bananas in cages with small slits just big enough for the monkey to put his hand through and grab a banana. The kicker came as the monkey, while holding tight to the banana tried to pull his hand back out. No can do. The tighter the grip, the less space to pull, and thus, the monkey was stuck.

All the monkey had to do to be free was let go of the banana.

So imagine, my delight when strolling the Salida Art Walk a few hours later and Ken pointed out this sign!

monkey

The next day, at 11:11, I set an intention to Let Go and “drop” several bananas. Here’s to one free Monkey!

How do you MindFULLY Let Go ? Let us know!

Crack Me Up

I’ve been on a roll this past week. After months of dormant creativity, I engaged in some serious work about what was blocking me. As soon as I got down and honest, it was amazing how my energy began to flow! I started looking at things that were bothering me, not so much as problems, but as chances to create what I wanted, instead of reacting to whatever was on the 2am list.

And so, when at dinner last week I splattered salmon butter on one of my favorite summer easy dresses, I rushed home to wash it. Despite my best efforts, the spot wouldn’t come out. Bummed, I let it go. And then in the shower, it hit me…tie dye it! Barely dry, I ran out back, made a concoction of bleachy water in a spray bottle, simply rubber banded around the spot and a few other places and sprayed away. Viola’! Now I like it even more!

Check out this lovely essay about Kintsukuroi and then take a look around your home and life. What’s broken that you aren’t willing to throw out and yet maybe struggle to live with? Perhaps there are some relationships that are pretty cracked, but valued. Or maybe there’s an object, like my Bobie’s  cracked vase that I waited years to own. I love it and use it as a planter. I found a vine that sits inside and drapes over the crack. I don’t even notice it when my heart delights at it’s place on my table.

http://www.camiimac.com/good-juju-today-blog/kintsukuroi-more-beautiful-for-having-been-broken

Sometimes it’s easy to see a spot, or a crack, or what is missing in our lives, and feel badly. But sometimes, if we just reframe it, tie-dye it or fill it with gold, we hold it differently and it can become a new and valued treasure.

What was cracked in your life that you were able to MindFULLY  Kintsukuroi?

Let us know!