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Join The Instagram Party - I'm @ckelso!

Traveling to Florida this weekend and I just flew over the Colorado River. I'm staring out the window marveling at the grandeur of the world below. We seem to be flying over a remote area of mountains at the moment, and yet I see roads everywhere. For the first time ever, this observation makes me pause in awe of the ingenuity of humans. We built roads THERE? How did we do that? How did we figure out how to get this gargantuan hunk of metal carrying hundreds of people to soar anywhere in the world? How did we invent technology to allow me to type this to you and connect with you from 20,000 feet above the earth?
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But marveling at all man has *achieved* sparks a new insight for me this time. This time looking around all we've invented only serves as a stark contrast to the REAL problems we've yet to solve -- problems of the soul. Feeling like we're more divided than ever. Unkind to each other. Fearful of one another. Ignoring our catastrophic impact on our planet, our home. It just makes me wonder: for a species that has advanced knowledge SO far, how can we still have so much yet to learn?
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That's when I remember we're in a system that values achievement above *alignment.* We focus our attention OUTSIDES ourselves - to grow, to build, to expand to new frontiers. Commercialism and technology and civilization all aim to say "We are the best. Look at all we've achieved."
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But what if instead of the BEST, we were focused on being the most honest? Most kind? Most true to our diverse and independent roots? What if we valued building roads within us, to our true selves, and to one another? .
I'm not saying innovation is evil. I'm grateful for modern conveniences. All I'm saying is that I think we'd do well to redistribute a bit of that enterprising spirit when it comes to progressing our hearts too. .
Give me alignment over achievement every time. 💗
#thoughtsfromtheair

Do as I say not as I do, right? 💁 Listen, the hardest part about creating a community who expects inspiring content from you is that when you're not living out that wisdom every single day, you feel like a total fraud. (Like... when I realized I had too much on my plate this week and had a mini-meltdown, complete with tears, on Tuesday night.)⠀
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In those tough moments where I've drifted away from my center, I try to remind myself that this community isn't just built on inspiration, it's built on AUTHENTICITY and truth. And the truth is that being a human is hard most of the time. Trying to juggle life and growth and business and creativity is a delicate dance, one I'm learning more about every day (and will continue to learn about.)⠀
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So while I may not always follow my own advice to a tee, eventually I always come back to it and it reconnects me to what feels good. ⠀
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If you're working toward your brightest life, be kind to yourself. Know that you won't always keep up with the habits and practices that keep you the most centered, vibrant version of yourself. When that happens, instead of beating yourself up, just come back to what you know and what makes you thrive. Let's all encourage each other to be more real, more honest, and more vulnerable because it's through true vulnerability that we allow ourselves to feel seen and loved. ⠀
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ps. Thanks to @ashley.beaudin at #theimperfectboss movement who continues to encourage us all to stay honest and show a move vulnerable side in the midst of our respective hustles. :) @imperfectbosses

I continue to be amazed by how realistic some of these digital paintbrushes can be. Playing around with importing @kyle.t.webster's brushes in Adobe Sketch on the #ipadpro and it's too fun! (Procreate is still my fave but I love learning new programs and techniques!)
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#creativelife #bigmagic #digitalart #ipadpaintibc #ipadart #soulfulcreative #soulshare #abstractart #liveyourtruth #risingtidesociety #dreamersanddoers #peoplescreative #makersmovement #liveauthentic #bloomyellow #creativepreneur #communityovercompetition

Today's piece: "Florida On My Mind" 18"x24" acrylic on paper. 💖🙏⠀⠀
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#carveouttimeforart #showyourwork #abstractpainting #thehappynow #choosemust #liveyourtruth #risingtidesociety #dreamersanddoers #peoplescreative #makersmovement #liveauthentic #bloomyellow #makersgonnamake #madetomatter #creativelife #bigmagic #creativepreneur #communityovercompetition #theimperfectboss #soulfulcreative #lovewarrior #soulshare #abstractart

I like to keep things pretty positive and even-keeled but know what I'm getting really sick of? An approach to governing that seems hellbent on diminishing the humanity of underrepresented people in order to feed the fear of the privileged and protect that privilege at any cost. Do not tell me this is about immigration reform when it is clearly targeted at those who are willing to participate in the system and WANT to succeed in this country, for some the only country they know. Tired of waking up to a new heart-breaking, narrow-minded headline every day. The America I love is diverse, open, and generous. ❤️
#defendDACA

#abstractaffirmationsdaily "Let JOY be your motivator."⠀
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I was a little worried this week about diving into creation mode to finish up the artwork for the first draft of my book (sidenote: EEK! 😁) This summer I've been so focused on systems and optimization that I've had to distance myself from my art and creativity a bit (an intentional choice to give myself more room to create in the future!)⠀
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But the second I fully immersed myself in paint and lettering and writing again this week, the joy I experienced from connecting back to my core self was like this instant source of fuel. It was easy to let myself fall right back into it, and I felt so energized to continue creating. ⠀
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Why? Because our spirits WANT to experience joy. They crave that high that comes with alignment. So often we think of motivation in terms of *doing* -- "What is going to motivate me to get this done?" But what if we think of it in terms of *being* -- "How can I make this feel joyful?" Tapping into that basic desire our inner selves have to feel free and happy might just be the best way to feel energized, fueled, and yes - motivated! ⠀
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Just a thought -- now back to the creation cave. I've got a deadline I'm working on here! 😉 (For those asking about pre-orders... we've got a ways to go! Book won't be out until late 2018 but I'm thrilled you're excited! 🎉) ⠀
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#abstractaffirmationsdaily #handlettering #lettering #digitalart #handletteredart #abstractart #thehappynow #digitalart #choosemust #liveyourtruth #risingtidesociety #dreamersanddoers #peoplescreative #makersmovement #liveauthentic #bloomyellow #makersgonnamake #madetomatter #creativelife #bigmagic #creativepreneur #communityovercompetition #theimperfectboss #soulfulcreative #lovewarrior #soulshare

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