#Creativeinspo, Seconds To Courage.

This week's guest is Lori Laskowsky, a visual artist who paints pictures of dreamy beach fronts, cozy homes, adorable pet portraits and more! But it wasn't always like that, having been through the toughest of times in her life, Lori sought out solitary serene walks to clear her mind and find motivation. This eventually led to her channeling the courage she needed to put herself out there, offering up her artistic talents, and the world is better for it!

If you've struggled with the term starving artist, or felt shy to call yourself an artist, Lori's story will inspire you to find your voice to DO YOUR THING!!

My Favourite Lori Quotes:

"It was a tough time, but I guess I knew had to do something to change something"

"When it got to point where it was really difficult, I would just give up and say, well I'm not good at this...but believing, alright, if you do the hard part you'll get it eventually, it doesn't have to be perfect at first."

"I didn't actually want the people in my life to see my art, because they are going to think I am crazy for this"

"It's just doing, just do it, if you don't love it, just do it again, try to make it the best you can, instead of sitting back and saying it's too hard."

"If you don't believe in yourself then who else can believe in you..if I do have that belief then I can do anything."

Contact Lori:

IG: www.instagram.com/lorilaskowskyart 

FOLLOW her and make sure to keep your ears out for her upcoming podcast THE FEEL GOOD HOME!!

Contact Daisy  

Email: hello@aporpro.ca  

Website: www.aporpro.ca 

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy 

Thank you for listening and being a part of this space xoxo

In this week’s episode I’m chatting with Helida Dodd, founder of Marbella Perfumes. She built her career as an Industrial Engineer, then raised a beautiful family, and 12 years later had an idea to start her own perfume line.  This episode will not only make you think of smelling all the goodness of the raw ingredients she includes with her unique fragrances (a fragrance btw, that can make you irresistible to your spouse!) but will hopefully get you thinking about that thing you wanted to invent and/or create.  It’s possible peeps!! It takes time, sometimes years, and it’s not easy and you might want to give up along the way BUT it’s possible. If you’re thinking impossible, let’s break it down, repeat after me. Impossible = “I’M POSSIBLE”.  Now go, we believe in you!!!  My Favourite Helida quotes: "I think we really need that someone to show us what's possible, we all need it in so many different aspects of our lives..." "When I saw it, in was that moment, it was just so clear to me that I can do this"  "When you give yourself that space to know, beyond the shadow of doubt, I'm going to do this, I can, I really can, I think you really have to believe in yourself first...before you go and you make these kinds of decisions."  "Being present is just being where your two feet are."  “Being in tune with not just what propels you but also what are those things that stop you..when you're in tune with what's behind this, that's when you really get to know yourself and that's when you really get to hear those internal thoughts and that's been the best" Contact Helida/Marbella Perfumes  Website: https://marbellaperfumes.com  IG: www.instagram.com/marbellaperfumes  FREE EBOOK: "The Art of Perfume Appreciation”. It talks about perfume composition, notes, and ingredient fun facts.   Download here ---> https://welcometomarbella.ck.page/perfume-book  Contact Daisy  Email: hello@aporpro.ca  Website: www.aporpro.ca  IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy Thank you for listening and being a part of this space xoxo

Creativeinspo Message #4 is Break.

In a world of pushing out content, keeping busy, hustling, there is the inevitable time(s) that comes when a "Break" has to happen for you. Time to take to unwind for your body, soul, mind. 

When we are "in flow" and striving to achieve deadlines, taking a break seems counterproductive but sometimes it's out of our hands. Am I right??

In this solo episode, I chat about what unexpected breaks look like and how you can work through them, even if it means breaking the momentum you finally had.

I also have a verrrrry special announcement!!!

As with all solo episodes, get your worksheet for review and to have on hand to build up your arsenal of Creativeinspo!

Download your worksheet here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vmn8U0Gd0yDYAnjxh8InQGgHAzppVi18MmOh5LP-wUk/edit?usp=sharing

Wanna be a guest on the show?

I'm currently looking for people to interview. Let's connect...

Contact Daisy: 

www.aporpro.ca 

email: hello@aporpro.ca

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

Big love to all you LISTENERS!!! 

In this week's episode I'm chatting with Francis Arevalo.  Francis Arevalo is a Filipino artist-producer known for his personal storytelling, thoughtful messages, and colourful production. He creates to uplift, inspire, and energize his communities. His music has been described as if he has "found and embraced a truth deep within himself, that he sees the world not through rose-coloured glasses, but in shades of optimism, hope, and beauty" (DOMINIONATED). Whether through song or conversation, Francis is dedicated to collective growth through meaningful relationship. He is also a passionate mental health advocate whose journey battling bipolar disorder through music was the subject of a 2017 Vancouver Asian Film Fest award-winning documentary "The Lion"; for this, he was named one of the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Top 150 Canadian mental health advocates of 2018. He also tells this story through song in his EP The Sound of Healing. He is currently working on his debut album Home, Grown for release Spring 2023. He is currently living in Vancouver on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ. This conversations is sooo good! Francis opened up about his mental health journey and how through it, he experienced being judge and felt unseen and heard. Especially as a Filipino and among the Filipino community. It made me recollect when I experienced this first hand as well, and I got emotional. I was hesitant to include that part, but decided to put it out there anyways because, I was allowed the space and grace to let those emotions come through because of Francis and well, what a gift!  He also talks about what he does to help him through times when he feels his mental health is being compromised and how important it is to understand and recognize any symptoms that may come up.  In other parts of our conversation, Francis describes how he allowed himself to accept a job that gave him basic resources to live, but in the end allowed him the time and space to imagine and realize a dream.  So, for any of you out there working that 9-5 that you are not feeling passionate about, there is a means to a end. It's about shifting your mindset, knowing that even though it's not happening "right now", trust that every experience you have, has the potential to work for you and your future. My Favourite Francis quotes: “All the questions that you have for yourself as you move through life, that keep coming up, know that that’s a great question and there’s a reason why it keeps coming up and I hope that you know that you also have the answers to your own questions.” "Im doing the work of cultivating my life’s garden and I'm not so attached to what’s it gonna look like in the end." "Once the clarity is locked, the momentum can't be stopped." Thank you for listening! Contact Francis: Email: Francis.arvelo@uwidomusic.com Website: www.uwidomusic.com IG: www.instagram.com/francisarevalomusic Contact Daisy Email: hello@aporpro.ca Website: www.aporpro.ca IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy Resources: Canada Mental Health Support information: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html United States Mental Health Support information: https://www.usa.gov/features/usa-govs-guide-to-mental-health-resources-from-the-government

Creativeinspo Message #3: TELL YOUR STORY 

That's write! WRITE it down. 

Whether you are already doing what you love or just starting to follow what makes you happy, start at the heart of why you are doing what you do. It's important to remember this because at times when you feel doubt, when said 'ego' gets in the way, defining your story will help you stay aligned with your purpose.  

This week I share my talk from the Creative Abundance Leadership Forum, hosted by our own guest, Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey. My topic was Story(TELL)ing, The importance of storytelling. I share my journey of quitting my 9-5 , what I did to give me the courage to do so, to where I am today.  

Thank you so much for listening!! As with all Solo Episodes I've included a worksheet attached with some key questions and takeaways into writing out your story.  

Download your worksheet here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MhRHrQVJr1-wIP6Gia2EZHGGipWFFruH/view?usp=sharing

Contact Daisy: www.aporpro.ca email: hello@aporpro.ca 

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

For Valentine's Month the Creativeinspo message #3: SELF-LOVE.

What does it mean? What are the benefits of self love? I go over how you can activate the feel good hormones: Endorphins, Dopamine, Seratonine, Oxytocin and how can you cultivate a meaningful self practice love. 

It's important to recognize you must put in effort to achieve a happier, healthier state of mind and it's not a matter of ignoring or being immune to bad feelings.

One of the most important reminders as well is, when things feel a little too hard, too sad, too much. Recognize your feelings, honour them and forgive yourself. Remind yourself no feeling is final. Above all else when in this state, just breathe. This can be the greatest form of self love.

I share a snippet of a song I wrote that speaks to this annnnd I sing it--TERRIFYING!!! But the message is there to pass on so, hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much for listening!!

Link to Episode Worksheet Review highlighting the Creativeinpso Message of the month:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l58PjC0stXs-yzoGN4xFdY-dWxpcuqp0/view?usp=sharing

Contact Daisy:

www.aporpro.ca

email: hello@aporpro.ca

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

 Welcome to Season 2!! We are kicking it off with Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey! Dr. Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey is a leadership & life coach and practicing abstract artist. Clarissa's passion for coaching can be traced back to her childhood and young adult days. She was the friend people would go to for advice, counsel, and encouragement. Clarissa is the author of the book Painting Your Path, 21 Interviews with Extraordinary Women. She incorporates her Painting Your Path framework with her clients, who are seeking to define their path in life, whether to explore a new career or branch out on their own. It’s what she’s used in her life to achieve her visions, dreams, goals.  My Favourite Clarissa quotes:  "Art is just a form of self expression"  "Writing Painting Your Path was just another way to document that time in my life where I was just feeling like ok, it's time for another pivot, it's time for another transition again."  "The benefit of having a 9-5 if you want to transition to entreprenuership, is I had a schedule, the whole time management piece has been so great for me, and helpful for me, now I get to design what my Monday through Friday looks like, it's a huge transferable skill."  "All it takes is seconds of courage and I feel like once you take that little bit of action you'll find that what you feared the most, is actually not so scary and then my taking little action everyday, soon enough whatever it is that you desire to put out there in the world it's gonna be  your reality. When you let one door close, so many other doors open, so I just want to encourage everyone listen to paint your path and have fun doing it."  "You either get that result you want or you get the lesson that you need."  Clarissa's info:  Book a free strategy call:  https://calendly.com/clarissaramsey/15min  www.clarissastudio.com Facebook Group : From Employee to Entrepreneur Mindset IG: www.instagram.com/ccr_sunshine  LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ccastilloramsey  Daisy's Info:  www.aporpro.ca  IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy  ***Bonus***We are celebrating Season 2: DM or email a picture of you sending this episode to a friend and I will send you a personalized gift :)  email: hello@aporpro.ca or DM via Instagram 

This week's guest is Gina Clark. She talks about how and why it's so important to reconnect with yourself creatively, while being a mom, a wife and wearing alll the hats. It might take decades to realize what you need to do, but if in your day-to-day motions of life, if you are feeling any sort of lack, a void and uninspired, these are signs that you need to FILL. YOUR. CUP. This is definitely different for everyone, but it can be starting as simply as Gina did, with saying goodnight at littler earlier to her family and spending half and hour reading before bed. Gina was able to turn her creativity curiosity into a meaningful career change. She founded Gina Clark Creative, supporting people as a creativity coach as well as exploring her love of arts through watercolour. 

My favourite Gina quotes:

"I think how we stay young at heart is by being curious and by learning and there’s no end to that."

"If you don’t take care of yourself you can’t take care of anybody else, when you crash you are not good to anybody."

"Taking that extra 5min to yourself you are going to be a better mom, a better partner."

"5min a day, daliy-ish exercise, it’s usually the starting that’s the harder part but then momentum takes over."

"Just go make something small and crappy, it’s gonna get you creating."

Connect with Gina:

www.ginclarkcreative.com

IG : www.instagram.com/ginaclarkcreative

Fb Group: the creativity collab

Connect with Daisy: www.aporpro.ca 

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

Fb Group: #Creativeinspo, Seconds To Courage

Hello friends! This week's episode is just me and you. This kicks off the first episode where I am going to give you creative prompts in order to answer this question, How can I resist the urge to constantly do, be productive, be on the go-go-go and not feel guilty about taking time for ourselves. 

But trust me. there is a method to the what we think is the madness, of unapologetic rest. 

I share ways that helped me find moments to take a pause from work to see and respond honestly yes, this is the work that I want to be doing, or no, I need to change direction. 

How talking a rest can actually give you more energy to get things done. 

Here are my three tips:

Tip#1 ~Notice how you feel. Take stock and listen to what your body is telling you. 

Tip#2 ~Look at your situation from a bird's eye view. Track your point A (where you are) to point B (where you think you want to be) and make sure you pre-plot in your rest stops along the way. For your day-to-day it can be a 15-30min dance or meditation. If it's over the course of a month, what day(s) can you take for yourself? What would fulfill you with absolute energized peace. Peace that fills your entire body. Ahhh..le sigh. 

Tip#3 ~Be ***productively unproductive REST. FULL STOP. PERIOD. Put away social media!! Have compassion for yourself when you want to do absolutely nothing. There’s guilt and shame and attached thoughts of laziness when we don’t have the energy to do anything. BUT please, I’m not your MOMMA but I’m going to preach to you, give yourself permission to REST.

In these moments rest can ultimately lead you to heart centred peace!

Thank you for listening. I appreciate YOU!

Daisy's contact info:

www.aporpro.ca

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

***Use #productivelyunproductive and tag me, show me what that means to you!

This week's episode takes you on a personal journey of discovering Audrey's Wongs passion for making chocolate. Prior to being a chocolatier Audrey worked in costumes for tv and film. This podcast episode is an audio excerpt of a mobile short film I made of her.

Some of my favourite Audrey quotes:

"Chocolate makes me feel excited."

"In every stage (of chocolate) it has a life of its own."

"I want people to experience joy when they eat our chocolate."

Audrey's contact info: www.livinglotus.net 

IG: www.instagram.com/livinglotuschocolate

Daisy's contact info: www.aporpro.ca 

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

Watch mobile short film here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM7w3cnHUBv/

This week’s guest is Émely Steegstra-Hendrix. 

This story is the epitome of following what fulfills you in every which way, especially when you are faced with a serious illness. The energy you get from following your passion can truly heal you from the inside out. 

Émely has a long family legacy of female chefs. It wasn’t until she was faced with her own health challenges, that she became determined to find a way of growing her own vegetables while enjoying urban living.

Émely is the founder of  Easy Urban Gardening-system, specifically designed for raised beds or containers on balconies and terraces in town, to help city dwellers enjoy fresh harvested vegetables without the exhaustive work. Of course combined with inspiration and guidance on how to turn those veggies in delicious, fresh home-made meals.She now passes on her family legacy in food, cooking, flavour combinations and fresh ingredients.

My favourite Émely quotes:

"Being unhappy in a job and frustrated of not being able to fully bloom, and fully contribute with all the talents that I have, was kinda necessary for me to realize that there was this other thing in life, which is called food and cooking..that was my passion, that was meant for me to do." 

"Gardening is way broader than just healthy greens on your plate."

"Starting a garden...is not only about your physical health but it's also a lot about your mental health and general well being."

Émely's contact info: 

https://easyurbangardening.club 

Email: info@easyurbangardening.club  FB Group: Our Garden Party 

IG: www.instagram.com/emelyeasyurbangardening

Daisy's Contact info: 

www.aporpro.ca 

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

In this week's first solo episode, I talk about ways that help me overcome the hardships life throws at us. It's short and sweet and hopefully gives you some inspiration to always, when you're ready, push through.   Surrender. Let it BE. Talk it out. Humans are meant to thrive with each other. Not alone. I am here to support you

Daisy's Contact info: www. aporpro.ca

IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

My guest this week is Portia Yip!! She is a Business Coach, Creative Mentor, Copy Writer and Artist. Portia tells us her tale of how falling ill in a foreign country made her realize the importance of playing with creativity, and how it can ignite your soul in ways that can truly change your life. 

My Favourite Portia Quotes:

"It all just factors in and works out some, and builds up and leads up to that thing where you're just becoming the better version of yourself."

"When you choose yourself it's a full bodied thing, not just a thought in your head, it's a deeper level of choosing."

"Keep planting those seeds of opportunity, whatever that looks like to you."

Thank you for your time! Thank you for your energy! I appreciate YOU!! xo D 

Music By: Music Is, Pryces & Sancta Mea, Kisnou  

Connect with Portia: www.portiayip.com IG: www.instagram.com/portia_yip 

Connect with Daisy: www.aporpro.ca. IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

My FIRST PODCAST GUEST is Gloria Eid!! She's a coach, mentor and writer but that wasn't always the case. We find out what taking a career pause, before the pandemic, looks like, and how it can lead to curiosity to uncover the best of you.  

My favourite Gloria quotes: 

"The soul, that does not speak in words, was motioning me off the ladder I never truly wanted to climb." 

"My value in this world exists not because of what I do, but simply because of what I am." 

"I know there is no real destination, it's just the journey and if you stay present to every moment, every emotion, every whisper and pay attention to what does excites your spirit, you will ultimately be led to expressing your purpose, to feeling fulfilled, and it's likely not gonna look like the way you had envisioned." 

Thank you for your time! Thank you for your energy! I appreciate YOU!!

 xo D 

Music By: Music Is, Pryces & Sancta Mea, Kisnou  

Connect with Gloria: www.gloriaeid.com IG: www.instagram.com/glo_eid 

Connect with Daisy: www.aporpro.ca. IG: www.instagram.com/creativeinspo_daisy

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