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Books, Books, Books!

I love the way they feel. I love they can go with me wherever I go. I love curling up on the couch and falling into a story.

I love books that inspire my soul to grow, that deepen my connection to my authentic being.

Somehow in two weeks time, I've ended up with 8 new books!

I couldn't stop at just one. 
All of these books were calling to me. 
I feel they will all be extremely beneficial in my life.



Ask and It Is Given ~ Esther and Jerry Hicks 
(The Teachings of Abraham)
I look up to Louise Hay and Wayne Dyer...Esther and Jerry Hicks were cut from the same spiritual cloth. I've been wanting this book for quite some time. I have so much going on right now, I thought it would help me bring all of my ideas to fruition. 

~ Gary Chapman
I don't even remember who suggested this book, but I saw praises on Facebook about it. I added it to my Amazon Wish List. I'm glad I purchased it now. Reading the reviews it makes me think that this book is a must-read for all couples. No matter how great your relationship is, nothing is perfect. This book guides couples in revealing their own personal love language.
I'm looking forward to figuring out mine, although I have a feeling mine is Words of Affirmation.

This is my new goal I can't wait to achieve.
I am going to be a Life Coach. 
This book claims to be 
"everything you need to be an effective Life Coach". 
Well, okay. Sign me up.

A Room of One's Own ~ Virginia Woolf
I have been obsessively pining over a craft room of my own...hell...just a room of my own. I've been dying for personal space. A cool psychologist guy works down the hall from me and he suggested I give this book a read. I already started it. I'm surprised I've never read it before. Female power!

The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor ~ Gail Meekin
A book about women achieving their dreams. I don't think I need to elaborate on this one. 

The Woman's Book of Creativity ~ C. Diane Ealy, Ph.D
This book was suggested by my Flying Lessons classmates. It looks like another fantastic book for nurturing and empowering your creative side. (as a woman)

~ Peggy Tabor Millin
Are you starting to see a theme here? The words women and creativity apparently send me into my happy place. 
I do love to write and I do not have any books on writing. This one called out to me. When I received it, I was pleasantly surprised and not so surprised to see the author lives in Asheville. 
Of course she does!


 ~ Julia Cameron with Mark Bryan 
I've always heard incredible things about this book. I hear stories of inspiration that begin with "So, I read "The Artist's Way" and blah blah blah breakthrough."
I'm joining a group for this book. I'm most excited. There are 12 chapters. We are going to take 1 chapter a month starting in January. It is sure to be an awakening on many levels.


So there you have it...pretty much a common theme!
http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=readbutton
I have to go...I have some reading to do.



Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

You Are Beautiful.

You Are Beautiful Exercise

“Look in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful you are.” – Louise Hay
http://shopcurious.blogspot.com/2009/04/ageless-art-deco.html

How often do you look in the mirror? I mean, really look in the mirror?
Are you afraid to express your own unique beauty?
Let go of preconceptions about what beauty is and allow your beauty to shine.
To feel beautiful on the inside and out, practice the following exercise.
Find a place you can be alone and will not be disturbed.


Take 4 deep breaths and center yourself.

Relax.

Look into a mirror.

Just look.

Let go of any criticisms.

Focus on what makes you unique.

Look at your eyes and say "My eyes are beautiful."

Look at your nose and say "My nose is beautiful."

Look at your lips and say "My lips are beautiful."

Acknowledge each part of your face and enjoy the beauty.

Keep going and do this for the rest of your body, 

all the way down to your toes.

When you have acknowledged your entire self, 
look into your eyes 
and say "I am beautiful."

Say "I am beautiful" over and over.

Bask in the appreciation of your beauty.

Take as long as you need.

When finished, take 4 more deep breaths.

Welcome back, beautiful being!


This beauty exercise was inspired by 

Amaterasu from 
"The Goddess Oracle" by Amy Sophia Marashinksy.


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Oracle of the Week~Goddess~Amaterasu

Amaterasu
Beauty

Let me share with you the secret of the mirror
let me share what is known only to the Sun Goddess
It is a secret so powerful
it will free you from darkness
a secret so delightful
it lets warmth dance in your heart
a secret so illuminating 
it allows you to know yourself
a secret so simple
all you need do is open your eyes
the secret is
in the light of the sun
in the eyes of the mirror
you are Beauty

********************************

Amaterasu is here to tell you to bask in 
the radiance of your own beauty. 

Do you know your unique beauty?
Are you afraid to express your beauty?

Amaterasu says that all women possess the light of the Feminine and that light is beauty.

She advises you to let go of your preconceptions about what beauty is and allow your beauty to be.

Wholeness is nurtured when we celebrate all our aspects and
 being female means that we are beautiful.

********************************

I believe we are all beautiful...but sometimes we need to be reminded...sometimes we forget.

Today, I look in the mirror and I say,
"I am Beautiful."


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer


This Week in
The Spirit Dancer

Reading: "Women, Writing, and Soul-Making, Creativity and the Sacred Feminine" by Peggy Tabor Millin 

Listening to: Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan 

Watching: Chris turned me on to "Oddities". WOW. Some freaky cool shit. Also on the 3rd season of "Smallville".

Thinking about: The future. 

Learning: Never ending lesson of balancing time. 

Doing: Relaxing, reading, writing, bonding. 

Pet Peeves: ...

Happy Thoughts: Sleeping in, snuggling, coffee, the power of the internet. 

Best Quote: "My journal is my life's companion. The format changes, the pens change, the contents vary, the cast of characters comes and goes. Yet this tangible object reminds me that my life is being lived on many levels; it reminds me that I need to act, watch, reflect, write, and then act more clearly." ~Christina Baldwin

Looking forward to: Returning to the gym this week...tonight is boxing. Jab-jab!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

I'm an Ambassador for Handmade In America

I'm an Ambassador for 
Handmade In America! 


What is Handmade In America, you ask?

"Handmade In America believes the handmade object has 
the power to transform both individuals and communities, 
and build partnerships and economies that are firmly rooted 
in the culture of Western North Carolina."
~Gwynne Rukenbrod, 
Executive Director of Handmade In America



Mission:

To grow handmade economies through craft, cultural heritage, and community assets.


Description:
In 1993 a handful of Western North Carolina residents came together to find a fresh approach to economic development in their mountains. They knew that the region was filled with assets: it boasts some of the oldest, grandest mountains in the world, it is a biodiversity hotspot, and it serves as a home to some of the most creative craft artists in the nation. This small group of citizens therefore realized that this industry of craft artists, working in studios, classrooms, and galleries tucked away throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, held the key to creative and sustainable economic development.

I am proud to be an Ambassador and Member 
for Handmade In America. 
I believe in craft. I believe in answering your calling. 
I believe in Handmade In America.

Right now a campaign is going on to help Handmade In America continue to thrive. They have already reached over half their goal.

Here is a message from Gwynne Rukenbrod.
(I'm super honored to be quoted in this video. Yay!)

A few ways to show your support...

~Go to http://www.indiegogo.com/handmade and donate. 
There are amazing perks and membership opportunities! 

~Spread the word. We are all connected. Social media is powerful. Here are social media links for Handmade In America:


~Buy handmade! Support crafters. Attend local craft shows. Buy your birthday presents and holiday gifts handmade. Don't go to the mall! Would you like some inspiration? 


"I am a crafter of sorts and it delights my heart to help out such a great campaign! Buy local. Buy handmade." ~Amy Riddle


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Thank you fairy much.

"Each day begins with a prayer of “Thank you,” which are the first words out of my mouth as I awaken."
 ~Wayne Dyer

Yay! It's Turkey Day. 
I love Thanksgiving. For me it is a time to relax. 
It's a time to hang out with loved ones.

And of course, a time to reflect on what one is thankful for...
I do this quite often, practically every single day...
but today is a perfect day to put one's thanks out there!


Today I am thankful for:

I'm thankful I took Kelly Rae Robert's Flying Lessons course. It has set me into a creative biz fury and I've made some amazing connections with similar crafty souls.

I'm thankful I'm taking a painting class starting in January and will be for the entire 2013 year! I'm a complete newbie with the painting world. I can't wait to dive in!

I'm thankful for creative inspiring books.

I'm thankful I've figured out my next career step. I'm most excited to get it moving.

I'm thankful I found a gym I enjoy. I love boxing class!

I'm thankful for the early morning Amy time during the quiet of the day.

I'm thankful for the power of the internet. It's amazing how close you can feel to people miles and miles away.

I'm thankful for Asheville. We are completely spoiled. Damn good beer and even better food. The hardest part about eating out here is figuring out which incredibly awesome restaurant to go to.

I'm thankful to be moving to a larger home next year. It will be so nice to have all my books and belongings in one location. It will be super nice to have my own room. Everyone needs their own personal space.

I'm thankful for Chris. He is a good person all around. He's fun to be with. He is smart. He is sexy. He's a good cook and an excellent cuddler. Who knew cuddling was so nice?


Enjoy today with your loved ones and ponder the question...

What are you thankful for today? 

"The more grateful you are, the more you get to be grateful about. It's that simple." ~Louise L. Hay 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Screw the Malls-I'm having an Etsy Cyber Sale!

Screw the malls!
Stay at home and shop online.

I encourage you to support handmade crafts.

Wouldn't you rather get your Aunt Virginia 
something one of a kind rather than a 
factory made scarf and mitten set from the mall???

I encourage you to relax and stay home.

Let me help you out. 
Shop Spirit Dancer Creations

I'm having a Cyber Sale starting on Black Friday and ending midnight on Cyber Monday. 

20% off everything in my Etsy shop for 4 days!



 To take advantage of the 20% off sale, enter coupon code:

SHOPHANDMADESALE.


While you are on Etsy, search "Flyalumni" for other incredible gift options from my Flying Lessons talented classmates. 




I know some of my fellow flyers are also having cyber Holiday sales...here are the shops you should check out!





Helena Chutjian - www.etsy.com/shop/Helenacstudios
       and 





So...save yourself the hassles of the crazy retail crowds.

Throw on your pj's, pour a glass of egg nog, and shop from home.

It really couldn't get any easier...or more fun. 

Support handmade!

Thank you!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Oracle of the Week~Faery~Violet Angel

Violet Angel
Violet Angel by Jasmine Becket-Griffith
Breaking Dawn

Guidebook by Lucy Cavendish


When something new is on the horizon, 
The Violet Angel shows up.

She symbolizes new blessings of wonderful possibilities. 

When she appears, it is a sign that many wonderful coincidences, events, friendships, and changes you've been longing for are about to arrive at last!

The Violet Angel wishes to arouse you so you will be ready to take full advantage of all the new blessings 
that are coming soon.

Wake up and ready yourself!

Speaking of waking up, she suggests waking up earlier. 
Greet the dawn and enjoy the morning time.

With this new dawn, your energy will begin to flow again,
and you'll feel reconnected to 
your own internal power source once more.

Your spirit will blossom and your intuition will hum.

With fresh hope after a difficult time, something new breaks through and shows evidence of its approach and, with it, 
your new reality.

You have good reason to feel optimistic, cheerful, and like something has changed on a permanent basis.

You on the verge of a new day-and it is in these delicate and faint beginnings that something strong and bright will come.

Do no wish it to hurry up to the brightest part of the day-enjoy this tender new birth of a time which you have long hoped for.

Gratitude and awakenings, early rising, 
and trying new things are all on the agenda 
when this beautiful Violet Angel of 
spiritual new awakenings flies into your life. 

*****************************
Hmm...well...guess that explains why I was up at 5:30am.

I've never been a morning person, however I'm noticing if I can pull myself out of my deep slumber and drag myself into the living room with my laptop and a cup of coffee in the wee hours of the morning...

I'm happy.

I enjoy it. I feel accomplished.

I like this quiet time before the world starts for the day.

It gives me time to think, time to work on my creative biz, time to blog, time to have just time.

It's even becoming a habit which surprises me...
I'm gonna go with it. 


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer


This Week in
The Spirit Dancer

Reading: The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women - A Portable Mentor by Gail McMeekin

Listening to: Catpower, The Concretes, Amy Winehouse...going through my chick voices phase this week.

Watching: Re-watching Portlandia and Once Upon A Time

Thinking about: Thanksgiving weekend...my favorite weekend of the year...I love 4 day weekends and I love eating. 

Learning: More about blogs! You may have noticed I changed the look of On a Journey Back to Her Wings...hope you like it.

Doing: Plunging forward with my creative biz. I now have numerous things on Etsy, re-worked my blog, ordered new business cards, etc 

Pet Peeves: Mean people.

Happy Thoughts: Cold Mountain beer...it's that time of year. 
Another happy thought-today is Chris's Birthday. 
Happy Birthday to my awesome guy! 

Best Quote: The first step towards success is knowing what it is that you aim to do.

Looking forward to: 4 day Turkey Weekend...bring it!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

Return to Etsy


I opened up an Etsy shop on my Holiday vacation in 2006. 
I spent two days taking pictures, writing up descriptions, 
and opening up shop.

The first day I sold something. 
The second day I sold another craft! 

I was on fire!

I went back to work after the New Year and did not devote all the time and effort I needed to into my Etsy site.

Over the years I just forgot about it. 

Too many people! Too many things! 

Too many items with birds on them!

Portlandia


Recently it has come to my attention that I need 
some sort of online shop. 
I was going to ditch Etsy all together...
but it's still "the most popular".

So here I am, at the mercy of Etsy.

I opened up a brand new shop. 
I have tons of wares to post, but whew...
it's time consuming. 

Mainly the picture part. 
I don't really have great lighting in my itty bitty apartment.

The photos I take when it's cloudy outside turn out decent...
but that dang sun keeps shining.

Fade To Black by The Spirit Dancer
Anyway...it has begun...11 items up...more to come...many more necklaces, candles, greeting cards, cigar box purses...
I got it!

Take a moment and check it out...and check back...

I'll be adding items when I can....plus Cyber Monday is coming up! 


I'm having a Cyber Monday Sale!



Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

I Know What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

The first step towards success is 
knowing what it is that you aim to do. 
~Curly Martin

Dream Job photo credit

I recently put myself out there to the universe...
at 4600 ft elevation to be exact...
standing on top of Max Patch 
with arms open, asking for guidance...

You can read all about it here, "Misty Mountain Top".

I got an answer that same day.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

My brain exploded with a voice saying, 
"You need to be a life coach! 
Hello! You already do this to some degree. 
It is your calling."

Yes. Why hadn't I thought of it before?

It makes complete and total sense. 

Being a life coach would bring all of my talents together. 

I've been researching schools, classes, licensing, etc. 

I am ready to do this.

I know I can do this.

Just have to figure out which program I want...and it's on!

If anyone has any advice, I am open.

Thank you.



Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer