Mindful Monday – Love Yourself

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To love is first of all to accept yourself as you actually are. – Thich Nhat Hanh . . . #qotd #quoteoftheday #brushdance #mindfulliving #mindfuldays #mindfulness #wordsofwisdom #quoteswelove #selflove #thichnhathanh #thichnhathanhquotes #beyou #doyou #thursdaythoughts

A post shared by Brush Dance, Inc. (@brush_dance) on Feb 8, 2018 at 4:32am PST

To love is first of all to accept yourself as you actually are.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Wednesday is Valentine’s Day. I’m proposing that we not only express our love to those important people in our lives, but that we also love ourselves just a little more this week. Let’s work on accepting ourselves as we actually are, shall we?

Overall, we’re pretty self-critical. And why is it that we say things to ourselves that we would never dream of saying to anyone else? Insanity.

“Your thighs are so big. They’re really an embarrassment!”

“You’re not smart enough to be included this conversation.”

“You’re not thin enough to wear that.”

“You’re not enough.”

We could visit all of the places where we receive these messages, but instead let’s focus on letting those old messages go and focus on loving ourselves. It turns out that when we accept and love ourselves more, we are able to accept and love others more deeply, too.

Replace those old messages with new mantras.

My body sustains me.

I am smart in ways that others are not.

I don’t need to fit into a certain body type to be valued.

I am enough!

It’s going to take some time and practice, but we can do it. We can learn to accept ourselves exactly as we are.

Happy Valentine’s Day to You!!

 

 

available now at Brush Dance

 

 

 

Mindful Monday

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To freely bloom – that is my definition of success. – Gerry Spence . . . #qotd #quoteoftheday #brushdance #mindfulliving #mindfuldays #mindfulness #wordsofwisdom #quoteswelove #gerryspence #gerryspencequotes #tuesday #tuesdaymotivation #freedom #success #flowers #painting #watercolors

A post shared by Brush Dance, Inc. (@brush_dance) on Jan 23, 2018 at 2:58pm PST

To freely bloom – that is my definition of success. 

Happy Monday!

How do you define success? I’m sure everyone reading this has a different measure for themselves.

I’ve been thinking more about short-term successes – those small wins that give us a little boost of confidence. If this moment is all we have (and it really is), why do most of us delay gratification by waiting for the One Big Thing that will make us feel successful when there are so many little things throughout our days that pass unrecognized?

Said another way, in the past when I made a small mistake (a typo spotted after an email was sent, a blunder in conversation), I’d spend too much time worrying about it. At the same time, I wasn’t celebrating when I got things exactly right. I’m sure I wasn’t alone in this illogical treatment of myself. Why are we so fast to be negative with ourselves and slow to give ourselves a high-five for things done well?

 

Let’s start paying attention to the small successes that lead to the One Big Thing. In this moment, my measure of success is to click Publish on this blog post. I’ll cheer myself on by crossing it off today’s To Do List. When I have all five items crossed off my list, I’ll celebrate some more. Go me!  #winning

I’m not saying it’s wise to let go of your long-term measures of success – we all need goals. Long-term, I want to have a happy marriage that lasts at least 100 years, I want Brush Dance to experience growth as more people hear our messages of love, peace, and inclusion.

The point is, we should look at the zillions of small achievements we make on the way to our bigger goals and give ourselves a hearty pat on the back. Are you in?

Want to read more on this topic?  I found this article.

Leuchtturm Journals at Brush Dance

2018 New Year Resolutions and Calendars On Sale

2018 Mindful Eating Wall Calendar

Did you make New Year’s Resolutions for 2018?

Shown above is our new and popular Mindful Eating 2018 Wall Calendar. Perfect if you’re resolving to eat more healthy this year.

Need a gentle introduction to becoming more physically fit? We suggest yoga.

2018 Yoga Silhouettes Wall Calendar

And if your goal is to check in on the spiritual part of your life in 2018, we have you covered:

2018 Scriptures Wall Calendar

 

 2018 Timeless Buddha Wall Calendar

We hope everyone is resolving to be just a little kinder, a bit more gentle, and loving with themselves in 2018. This calendar full of affirmations is just the reminder!

2018 I’m Perfect (IMPERFECT!) Wall Calendar

And sipping tea is the perfect act of quiet kindness for yourself:

2018 Cup of Tea Wall Calendar

Brush Dance Wall Calendars are perfect not only for planning events and keeping track of appointments, they also serve as beautiful pieces of art and encouragement for your home or office. We’re also having a sale right now. Quantities of some titles are especially limited. Order today to save big.

Welcome 2018

Embrace the Chaos Journal

 

Hello 2018!!!

Are you glad to say goodbye to 2017? Sorry to see it go?  Feeling hopeful for 2018?

The world was a busy place in 2017 – and I’m sure it will be this year, too. I’ve decided to Embrace the Chaos.

Last year, I learned lessons in patience (always a favorite…ha) and discovered that there’s no such thing as perfect (and even if there was, I wouldn’t want it).  I re-learned that if we don’t have health, we have nothing. And I remembered that family and good friends is where happiness lives.

Field Notes Expedition

Have you made resolutions for 2018? Is that a thing people still do? Rather than resolutions (no more junk food – ever!), I prefer to set intentions (I will do my best to limit junk food). It just feels a little more gentle, yes?

Leuchtturm Lined Notebook

For all of you resolution setters, list makers, and organizers, Brush Dance has a wide assortment of Notebooks and Journals.  Some of my favorites are shown above, and I’m also into this one, this one with a dot grid, and this one featuring the work of artist Renee Locks.

Let’s all do our best in 2018.

P.S. All of our 2018 Calendars and Planners are on sale right now – quantities may be limited and we won’t have them for sale much longer.

 

Planners Make Perfect Gifts

 

For 2018, Brush Dance has three different styles of Planners.  Planners make perfect holiday gifts for busy people who need to keep track of appointments, lists, and more. Right now, all Planners (and everything else) are on sale – save 30%.

Let’s take a look at the three formats we offer . . .

KARMA PLANNERS

Brush Dance Karma Planners are new for 2018 and they really have it all:

• More than 200 Pages of Planning Power
• Dated Through February 2019
• Super-Sturdy Cover with an Elastic Band and Wire-O Binding
• One Week Per Spread – Includes Checklists, Notes, and Inspiring Quotes
• Yearly and Monthly Planning Pages
• Numbered Pages and Index (Handy!!)
• Both Lined and Dot Grid Pages – Use for journaling, note taking, project management, lists, and more

Just Add Coffee

This is a serious and easy-to-use, intuitive planner. It’s also the one that most of us at Brush Dance are using.  See All Karma Planners

WEEKLY PLANNERS

2018 Weekly Planners from Brush Dance measure 5″ x 7″ and are the perfect size to fit into most backpacks and handbags.  As with all Brush Dance products, the paper quality is top-notch.  These Planners have yearly and monthly reference pages and each 2-page spread features one week. As with the Karma Planner above, Weekly Planners have wire-o binding and an elastic band closure. You can see them all right here.

 

MONTHLY PLANNERS

Finally, for those who need a planner for reference or just a few notes and appointments, we present the Brush Dance 2018 Monthly Planner.

Our Monthly Planners are super-handy and ready to be stashed in bags of nearly any size. Keep one on your desktop for easy planning. At just 32 pages, these books will take you through the beginning of 2020.  Each 2-page spread represents one month.

Life is Beautiful Monthly Planner

 

Planners from Brush Dance are perfect holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. 

Save 30% Right Now

 

Stocking Stuffers

In addition to all of our wonderful Calendars and Planners, we also have a huge assortment of Stocking Stuffers that are perfectly priced for your holiday shopping budget.  Let’s explore . . .

 

Kept Going Pin

Took My Own Advice Pin

We love this collection of Everyday Bravery enamel pins from Emily McDowell Studios. Finally, recognition for the things in our daily lives that require courage.  Maybe we should all get one of these as a reminder that we don’t have to please everyone?

 

Speaking of pins, ACTIVIST is one of my favorites from Seltzer Goods (a brand that is new to Brush Dance). Get one for yourself and one for your BFF because you know you’re on the right side of history.

Table Topics

 

 

 

Think you know your friends and family members?  Avoid those awkward silent moments by bringing out a box of 135 questions to keep the conversation going. There’s a Family Edition for all ages, and a Do It Yourself Therapy set for the brave among us. See all Table Topics (we’ve listed some sample questions – making it easier to choose the perfect set for you).

Coffee!

We have a small assortment of really fun keytags.  Here’s one for the mom in your life.

We are absolutely wild about these reusable bags from LOQI.  Artful, fun, practical, and handy! This one is my favorite – or maybe it’s this one?

 

Thank you for shopping with Brush Dance – we appreciate you and your business.

Mindful Living During the Holidays

Mindful Living Wall Calendar

Mindful Eating Monthly Planner

Mindful Eating Wall Calendar

With the holiday season in full motion, we’re thinking we all need a reminder to take care of ourselves.

How do you stay mindful during the holidays? Here are just a few suggestions:

• Spend some quiet time each morning – meditate, journal, just breathe before the busy-ness of the day sets in
• Manage expectations – yours and theirs
• Eat mindfully – find a quiet spot, sit down, no take-out containers
• Remain grateful – notice the joy
• Get extra sleep

Wishing you a joyous holiday season.

Brush Dance Journals

P.S. Our biggest sale of the year has been extended – it ends today.

 

 

 

Save Up To 75% + Free Shipping

Our Biggest Sale of The Year Starts Right Now!

Such a rare event for us – everything on our website is on sale.  Save between 20-75% on every item. Everything.

Here are some of your favorite and most discounted items.

Live with Intention 2018 Wall Calendar

Field Notes Campfire

Scriptures – 2018 Wall Calendar

Aquiesse Candles

Quantities on some items are very limited and may sell out quickly.

Blackwing Luxury Pencils

Leuchtturm Notebooks and Bullet Journals

Mindful Eating – 2018 Wall Calendar

Work Hard Weekly Planner – 2018

Shop now for the best selection

Lihit Lab Notebook Pouches

Totes and Shopping Bags

 

Inspired Living – 2018 Wall Calendar from Brush Dance

 

 

It’s a great time to shop at Brush Dance and save up to 75% on all of your favorite items!

Happy Holidays from Everyone at Brush Dance!

Featuring: Renee Locks

2018 Renée Locks Karma Planner

Renée Locks has been part of the Brush Dance family of artists since the 1990s. Her works have been wildly popular with our customers for many years. Many customers will return to Brush Dance year after year to specifically pick up a Calendar or Planner featuring the art of our much-loved Renée.

2018 Live with Intention Wall Calendar

Renée’s art is carefully paired with meaningful quotes that are meant to nourish, heal, and bless the mind, heart, and spirit.

2018 Live with Intention Mini Wall Calendar

Many of the items featuring the art of Renée Locks are titled as Live with Intention, the poem by Mary Anne Radmacher. Mary Anne has also been a tremendous part of the Brush Dance extended family, with her own Live Boldly line.

 

2018 Laugh Lines Wall Calendar

One of the things we most love about Renée is her playful sense of humor. Watercolor splotches and splashes are paired with quotes that invite us to laugh every day with her Laugh Lines Calendar.

Renée lives in the San Francisco Bay Area – close enough to the Brush Dance office that we get to visit on occasion.  She taught Western style calligraphy for more than ten years, and taught herself Sumi brushstrokes. Renée believes in giving back to her community, and has worked at local women’s shelters. We also appreciate that she is very active politically. Renée has raised five children, and now has oodles of grandchildren.

Here are links to some Renée Locks items with Brush Dance:

• Live With Intention – 12″ Wall Calendar
• Live With Intention – 7″ Mini Wall Calendar
• Renée Locks – Karma Planner (NEW this year)
• Live with Intention – Weekly Planner
• Live with Intention – Monthly Planner (NEW this year)
• Laugh Lines – 12″ Wall Calendar
• Laugh Lines – 7″ Mini Wall Calendar
• Delight in the Joys – Holiday Card
• Exhale – Blank Greeting Card

Mindful Eating and Save 25%

Mindful Eating 2018 Wall Calendar

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and even when we are doing our best to live a more mindful life, time can still seem to fly right on by, yes?

During this busy time of year, it becomes even more important to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. Becoming too busy and stressed can lead to a lack of sleep, and illness. While it seems counter-intuitive to some of us (calling all Type-A personalities!), slowing down when we’re the busiest may just be the best thing.

Part of living a slower and more mindful life is making sure we are paying attention to the food we eat. For many, this means more fresh fruits and vegetables and less packaged and processed foods.  It means preparing foods at home rather than hitting the drive-thru.

The 2018 12″ Mindful Eating Wall Calendar is twelve months of gentle, healthful reminders through beautiful photography and encouraging words.

Mindful Eating – 2018 Monthly Planner

And the Mindful Eating Monthly Planner is perfect for smaller bags or your purse. Here’s a great video of the Monthly Planner – they are new for 2018 and we’re loving them already.

 

Now through November 8, 2017,

Save 25% on all Brush Dance Wall Calendars