Tag digital sisterhood

Joys of Caregiving

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

 A Blog from Digital Sisterhood Network Founder Ananda Leeke

Photo Credit: AARP.com

Photo Credit: AARP.com

Happy November Digital Sisters,

I believe caregiving is rooted in the spirit of compassionate service. When I serve compassionately and give back to others, my heart opens and fills with joy. Click here to read AARP’s Bulletin on the unexpected joys of caregiving.

Over the years, I have learned that caregiving happens in many ways. It can be a short-term project that a wiser family member, friend, neighbor, colleague, or person needs help with. It can also be a daily, weekly, or monthly series of activities that support the wiser person’s needs as they navigate the aging process, daily life, health concerns, financial matters, or transportation.

Photo Credit: CNet.com

Photo Credit: CNet.com

Recently, I used my digital skills to support a family member’s short-term project. It was a Digital Sisterhood moment for me. Here’s what happened. While I was visiting my 74-year-old aunt one evening, she asked me to give her a tutorial on how to use her brand new tablet. The digital sister inside of me jumped for joy! We spent 90 minutes reviewing her tablet’s features, experimenting with her camera by taking photos and recording short videos, and exploring numerous apps including one that would allow her to read the Holy Bible. She wanted to find one that would be easy for her 97-year-old mother to use for her weekly Bible study class. So we researched options and downloaded several free apps that she plans to show her mother. When we finished the tutorial, my aunt hugged me and told me how much she appreciated my support. I smiled and said it was my pleasure to help her become a digital sister!

Photo Credit: AARP.com

Photo Credit: AARP.com

This month, I invite you to celebrate National Family Caregivers Month by sharing your caregiving stories through AARP’s “I Heart Caregivers” online initiative. “I Heart Caregivers” is set up as a microsite for people to share stories about being a caregiver. It includes a newsletter signup for regular emails about caregiving and links to AARP’s caregiving resources. Check out AARP’s blog about the initiative.

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caregiving5-aarpkclogo

Disclaimer: This blog post was written in support of Digital Sisterhood Network’s Leadership, Lifestyle and Living Well initiative and participation in AARP’s #CareSupport Campaign.

 

Using Your Digital Citizenship to Give Back in July

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

digcitizen

Happy July and Happy Digital Citizenship Month Digital Sisters!

This month Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is celebrating Digital Citizenship Month and the theme, “Using Your Digital Citizenship to Give Back.” How are you using your digitial citizenship to give back?

Today’s blog invites you to explore who you are as an Evangelista. Check out the Evangelista Profile below. It is an excerpt from Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online. 

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley, www.leighmosley.com

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley, http://www.leighmosley.com

Evangelista Profile

 An Evangelista is a woman who supports and advocates a philosophy, a values system, a lifestyle, a cause, or a campaign that improves her life and others’ lives.  If you identify with one or more of the Evangelista’s characteristics, please check out the Evangelista Manifesto collage below. Consider making one to jumpstart your writing process. All you need are some of your favorite magazines, construction or poster board paper, scissors, and glue sticks. Look for words, phrases, and images that represent your definition of an Evangelista. Paste them on to your paper. If you need to write some of your words and phrases, use magic markers, crayons, or pens. After you finish the collage, give yourself a few days to look at it. Record any thoughts you have while looking at it. Use them  as writing prompts for your Manifesto. Feel free to use the one contained below as a sample or adopt it as your own.

Evangelista collage by Ananda Leeke

Evangelista collage by Ananda Leeke

Evangelista Manifesto

I am a woman who believes I can be heard, persuasive, enthusiastic, optimistic, passionate, articulate, generous, outgoing, and inspiring when I pursue what matters most. That’s when I am a force. One for others. One for humanity. I am a voice for those who have no voice. The change maker. The advocate involved in supporting a great cause. A woman making a difference. A woman starting something good and helping the planet. A woman making the world a better place for all.

Chakra Connection

Evangelista’s energy is connected to the:

  • Sacral, or second chakra, which corresponds to creativity, pleasure, sexuality, and well-being. It governs the bladder, circulatory system, and sexual and reproductive organs.
  • Solar plexus, or third chakra, which corresponds to willpower, persistence, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It governs the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, and spleen.
  • Heart, or fourth chakra, which corresponds to love, joy, harmony, and inner peace. It governs the heart, chest, lungs, and circulation).

Color Connection

Wear or surround yourself with the colors orange (second chakra), yellow (third chakra), and green or pink (fourth chakra) to connect with Evangelista’s energy.

Gemstone Connection

Wear or surround yourself with amber or carnelian (second chakra), citrine or tiger’s eye (third chakra), and aventurine or rose quartz (fourth chakra) gemstones to connect with Evangelista’s energy.

Goddess Connection

Evangelista is connected to the goddesses mentioned below.

  • Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of creativity, and Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of the arts (second chakra)
  • Al-Uzza, the Arabian goddess of confidence, vigilance, and preparation; Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess of royal power; Durga, the Hindu warrior goddess; and Sekhmet, the Egyptian warrior goddess (third chakra)
  • Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love; Erzulie, the Haitian goddess of love; Kwan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion; and Venus, the Roman goddess of love, (fourth chakra)

Yoga Connection

Practicing bound angle, downward facing dog, triangle, and wide angle poses (second chakra); bow, boat, warrior one, warrior two, warrior three, sun salutation, and all twisting poses (third chakra); and camel, cat, cobra, fish, sphinx, upward facing dog, and upward facing bow poses (fourth chakra) can help you connect with Evangelista’s energy.

 dsoftheyear300

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012 and 2013, the women listed below were named Evangelista Digital Sisters of the Year. Take a few minutes to learn about them. They are great Evangelista virtual mentors.

2012 Digital Sisters of the Year

2013 Digital Sisters of the Year

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Learn More About Digital Sisters of the Year and Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes

Digital Sisterhood Network founder Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (available on Amazon for Kindle and as a paperback) includes a list of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Digital Sisters of the Year. It also features an appendix that helps you explore and identify your own Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes. The interactive exercises encourage you to journal your thoughts in the book’s notes section.

June 18 DC Event: Digital Sisterhood Book Signing/June DSN Meet Up

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Calling DC/MD/VA Digital Sisters!

Join Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) founder Ananda Leeke for her Digital Sisterhood book signing on June 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lettie Gooch, 1517 U Street, NW in Washington, DC. The book signing event is also serving as the June DSN Meet Up. Click here to learn more about her book and to register for the event.

If you are unable to attend, you can purchase the book on Amazon for Kindle or as a paperback. It is a great summer read!

Thank you for the support!

Happy June Digital Sisters: Are You An Empirista?

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

Happy June Digital Sisters!

This month Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is celebrating the theme, “Lean In and Build Your Empire.” How are you serving as CEO of your life in 2014? What does CEO mean to you? What is your empire? How are you building it?

Today’s blog invites you to explore who you are as an Empirista. Check out the Empirista Profile below. It is an excerpt from Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online.

Empirista - Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley, www.leighmosley.com

Empirista – Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley, http://www.leighmosley.com

Empirista Profile

An Empirista is a woman who thinks of herself as CEO of her own corporation, ME, Inc.; maintains an entrepreneurial mindset; and gives birth to ideas and transforms them into businesses, economies, institutions, networks, and organizations that add value to people’s lives. If you identify with one or more of the Empirista’s characteristics, please check out the Empirista Manifesto collage below. Consider making one to jumpstart your writing process. All you need are some of your favorite magazines, construction or poster board paper, scissors, and glue sticks. Look for words, phrases, and images that represent your definition of an Empirista Paste them on to your paper. If you need to write some of your words and phrases, use magic markers, crayons, or pens. After you finish the collage, give yourself a few days to look at it. Record any thoughts you have while looking at it. Use them  as writing prompts for your Manifesto. Feel free to use the one contained below as a sample or adopt it as your own.

Empirista Collage by Ananda Leeke

Empirista Collage by Ananda Leeke

Manifesto:

I am a woman whose time has come as an entrepreneur, trailblazer, thought leader and pioneer. I am amazing in motion, taking aim, and leading by example. Carpe Diem is my mantra. It helps me start something that matters. It reminds me I got the power. So I own it. I can do what I love and love the rewards. All I have to do is focus, dream it, plan it, and do it. I can take it to the next level when I think outside of the box, act boldly, spark a change, and have fun. Being confident and taking risks makes me unstoppable. I build, adapt, develop diverse perspectives, plot the future, and even make mistakes. I own my tomorrow now!

Chakra Connection:

Empirista’s energy is connected to the:

§  Root, or first, chakra which corresponds to survival issues including food, shelter, money, and financial independence. It governs the feet, legs, bones, and spine.

§  Sacral, or second chakra, which corresponds to creativity, pleasure, sexuality, and well-being. It governs the bladder, circulatory system, and sexual and reproductive organs.

§  Solar plexus, or third chakra, which corresponds to willpower, persistence, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It governs the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, and spleen.

§  Third-eye, or sixth chakra, which corresponds to intuition, imagination, wisdom, and the ability to think and make decisions. It governs the eyes and base of the skull.

Chakra Colors

Chakra Colors

Color Connection:

Wear or surround yourself with the colors red (first chakra), orange (second chakra), yellow (third chakra), and indigo blue (sixth chakra) to connect with Empirista’s energy.

Gemstone Connection:

Wear or surround yourself with garnet or ruby (first chakra), amber or carnelian (second chakra), citrine or tiger’s eye (third chakra), and lapis lazuli (sixth chakra) gemstones to connect with Empirista’s energy.

Goddess Connection:

Empirista is connected to the following goddesses mentioned below.

§  Atira, the Pawnee Native American goddess of the earth; Coatlicue, the Mexican goddess of the earth; and Gaia, the Greek goddess of the earth (first chakra)

§  Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of creativity, and Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of the arts (second chakra)

§  Al-Uzza, the Arabian goddess of confidence, vigilance, and preparation; Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess of royal power; Durga, the Hindu warrior goddess; and Sekhmet, the Egyptian warrior goddess (third chakra)

§  Tara, the Tibetan goddess of wisdom (sixth chakra)

Yoga Connection (Click here to search Yoga Journal’s web site for instructions on how to do each pose):

Practicing mountain, warrior two, standing forward fold, and bridge poses (first chakra); bound angle, downward facing dog, triangle, and wide-angle poses (second chakra); bow, boat, warrior one, warrior two, warrior three, sun salutation, and all twisting poses (third chakra); and bridge, child’s, downward facing dog, shoulder stand, and standing half forward bend poses (sixth chakra) can help you connect with Empirista’s energy.

Badge designed by Dariela Cruz

Badge designed by Dariela Cruz

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012 and 2013, the women listed below were named Empirista Digital Sisters of the Year. Take a few minutes to learn about them. They are great Empirista virtual mentors.

2012 Digital Sisters of the Year

2013 Digital Sisters of the Year

 

 

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Visit Amazon.com to read about and purchase Ananda’s Digital Sisterhood book (available for Kindle and as a paperback). The book includes a list of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Digital Sisters of the Year. It also features an appendix that helps you explore and identify the Empirista and the six other Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes. The interactive exercises encourage you to journal your thoughts in the book’s notes section.

AnandaLeeke.com logo by Madelyn C. Leeke

AnandaLeeke.com logo by Madelyn C. Leeke

If you are in Washington, DC on June 18, plan to attend the DSN June Meet Up and Book Signing for Ananda’s Digital Sisterhood from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lettie Gooch, a high-end specialty boutique for women, 1517 U Street, NW, (located on 15th and U Streets, two blocks from the U Street/Cardozo Green/Yellow Line Metro). Click here to register for the event.

 

Happy May Digital Sisters: Are You A Lifestylista?

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

Happy May Digital Sisters!

This month, Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is celebrating the theme, “Lean In and Live Your Life as a Work of Art.” What are you doing to make your life a work of art?

Today’s blog invites you to explore who you are as a Lifestylista. Check out the Lifestylista Profile below. It is an excerpt from Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online.

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley, www.leighmosley.com

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley, http://www.leighmosley.com

Lifestylista Profile:

A Lifestylista is a woman who lives her life as a work of art; expresses it through her passion for beauty, entertaining, fashion, food, home décor, personal style, and travel; and inspires others to live their lives as works of art. If you identify with one or more of the Lifestylista’s characteristics, please check out the Lifestylista Manifesto collage below. Consider making one to jumpstart your writing process. All you need are some of your favorite magazines, construction or poster board paper, scissors, and glue sticks. Look for words, phrases, and images that represent your definition of a Lifestylista. Paste them on to your paper. If you need to write some of your words and phrases, use magic markers, crayons, or pens. After you finish the collage, give yourself a few days to look at it. Record any thoughts you have while looking at it. Use them  as writing prompts for your Manifesto. Feel free to use the one contained below as a sample or adopt it as your own.

Ananda's Lifestylista Collage

Ananda’s Lifestylista Collage

Manifesto:

I am a woman who lives her best life with passionate intention, purpose, and plenty of joie de vivre! In my heart of hearts, I know la vie est belle! I rejoice daily through an appreciation of all things beautiful. I celebrate by expressing my own beauty and style from the inside out. This energy inspires my home and office décor. It influences my taste buds and connects me to the pleasure of great food, wine, and dining experiences. It allows me to pursue and revel in the magnificence of the arts, culture, music, and travel adventures. It dazzles, shines, and sparkles in every facet of my life. So I let the good times roll!

Chakra Connection (Click here to learn more about chakras):

Lifestylista’s energy is connected to the:

§  Sacral, or second chakra, which corresponds to creativity, pleasure, sexuality, and well-being. It governs the bladder, circulatory system, and sexual and reproductive organs.
§  Solar plexus, or third chakra, which corresponds to willpower, persistence, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It governs the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, and spleen.
§  Heart, or fourth chakra, which corresponds to love, joy, harmony, and inner peace. It governs the heart, chest, lungs, and circulation).
§  Throat, or fifth chakra, which corresponds to communication, expressions of feelings, or the truth. It governs the throat, ears, nose, teeth, mouth, and neck.

Chakra colors

Color Connection (Click here to learn more about colors):

Wear or surround yourself with the colors orange (second chakra), yellow (third chakra), green or pink (fourth chakra), and light or sky blue (fifth chakra) to connect with Lifestylista’s energy.

Gemstone Connection

Wear or surround yourself with amber or carnelian (second chakra), citrine or tiger’s eye (third chakra), aventurine or rose quartz (fourth chakra), and turquoise (fifth chakra) gemstones to connect with Lifestylista’s energy.

Goddess Connection (Click here to learn more about Goddesses):

Lifestylista is connected to the Goddesses mentioned below.

§  Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of creativity, and Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of the arts (second chakra)
§  Al-Uzza, the Arabian goddess of confidence, vigilance, and preparation; Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess of royal power; Durga, the Hindu warrior goddess; and Sekhmet, the Egyptian warrior goddess (third chakra)
§  Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love; Erzulie, the Haitian goddess of love; Kwan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion; and Venus, the Roman goddess of love, (fourth chakra)
§  Vach, the Hindu goddess of speech and communication (fifth chakra)

 

Yoga Connection (Click here to search Yoga Journal’s web site for instructions on how to do each pose):

Practicing bound angle, downward facing dog, triangle, and wide angle poses (second chakra); bow, boat, warrior one, warrior two, warrior three, sun salutation, and all twisting poses (third chakra); camel, cat, cobra, fish, sphinx, upward facing dog, and upward facing bow poses (fourth chakra); and bridge, fish, lion, plow, and upward plank poses (fifth chakra) can help you connect with Lifestylista’s energy.

Badge designed by Dariela Cruz

Badge designed by Dariela Cruz

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012 and 2013, the women listed below were named Lifestylista Digital Sisters of the Year. Take a few minutes to learn about them. They are great Lifestylista virtual mentors.

Lifestylista collage

Lifestylista collage

 

Lifestylista collage

Lifestylista collage

 

Lifestylista collage

Lifestylista collage

2012 Digital Sisters of the Year

2013 Digital Sisters of the Year

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Visit Amazon.com to read about and purchase Ananda Leeke’s Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (available for Kindle and as a paperback). The book includes a list of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Digital Sisters of the Year. It also features an appendix that helps you explore and identify Lifestylista and the six other Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes. The interactive exercises encourage you to journal your thoughts in the book’s notes section.

Happy #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday: Our April Creativity Conversations & April 30 DC Digital Sisterhood Meet Up

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

Happy Digital Sisterhood Wednesday Digital Sisters,

It’s hard to believe today is the last day of April. This month, Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) promoted the theme, “Giving Birth to Your Creativity” as a Creativista. Click here to read more about what it means to be a Creativista. What have you given birth to this month and year?

Photo Credit: Ida Wainschel

Photo Credit: Ida Wainschel

DSN has given birth to a series of creative conversations. Earlier this week, we hosted an episode of Digital Sisterhood Radio that featured an interview with Tech Creativista  Ida Wainschel, Senior Director for Global Product Innovation and Strategy at Dun and Bradstreet. Click here to read about and listen to the interview (approximately 20 minutes).

April 23rd DSN Breakfast Meet Up at Teaism

April 23rd DSN Breakfast Meet Up at Teaism

Last week, DSN founder Ananda Leeke hosted the DC Digital Sisterhood Network’s Breakfast Meet Up at Teaism, a woman-owned tea house (see photo above). Learn what happened at the meet up by clicking here to listen to the podcast Ananda recorded with Valerie Trammel, founder of Trammel Communications. Valerie was the first person who arrived at the meet up. She won a Digital Sisterhood mug filled with Tazo Passion tea bags and chocolates. She also received a complimentary 20 minute creativity coaching session (which we had today). They had a great time chatting about creativity and overcoming challenges with Nia, founder of Karat Cakery, a DC Dessert Food Truck (makes the best carrot cake in the universe!!!!).

April 9th Altanta DSN Meet Up

April 9th Altanta DSN Meet Up

On April 9th, Ananda hosted a creativity conversation during the Atlanta Digital Sisterhood Meet Up held at Proof and Provision, a bar and restaurant located in the Georgian Terrace Hotel. Click here to listen to the podcast she recorded with the amazing women who attended the event.

April 30th DSN Meet Up Location

April 30th DSN Meet Up Location

APRIL 30 DC EVENT

If you are in DC on April 30, join Ananda for the DC Digital Sisterhood Meet Up: Sip Tea & Coffee, Eat Dessert & Chat About Creativity from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Mediterranean Spot, 1501 U Street, NW, Washington, DC (located on the corner of 15th and U Streets, two blocks from the U Street/Cardozo Green/Yellow Line Metro). Click here to register for the event on Eventbrite.

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Come ready to chat with Ananda about creativity and her new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online. She’ll have copies of the book for sale ($23.95 – credit card via Square or PayPal and cash accepted). Be sure to read the Digital Sisterhood Network blog for clues that can help you win a prize (the first person to arrive will win a special prize).

matissecreativity-takes-courage (2)

MAY 15 ONLINE EVENT

Do you know what creativity looks like in your life? Do you need to open your creative heart? Do you know what your creative voice sounds like? Are you able to access it? What is it telling you? Are you ready to give birth to your creativity? Do you need support and tips on how to give birth to your creativity or navigate your creative process?

If you answered YES to one or more of these questions, join Ananda on Thursday, May 15 for the “Giving Birth to Your Creativity” online workshop from 8:30 p.m. EST to 10:00 p.m. EST. The online 90 minute workshop will offer a small group of five participants the following:

•Creative Self-Care Practices (breathing exercises, guided meditation, affirmation, and kind and gentle office yoga for your eyes, hands, mouth, and shoulders).

•Ice Breaker Exercise and Sharing Circle.

•Talk on “Giving Birth to Your Creativity with a Creativity Recipe.”

•Journaling Exercises with Sharing Circle and Creativity Coaching Feedback.

•Action Planning Steps and Tips for Giving Birth to Your Creativity.

•Two creativity coaching email check-ins (one in June and one in July).

•A special discount on creativity coaching sessions and packages.

That Which Awakens Me by Ananda Leeke

That Which Awakens Me by Ananda Leeke

The workshop is based on exercises and information contained in her book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery (available on Amazon). It will be delivered via conference call. So all you need to participate is your telephone. Once you register and pay $26.26 ($23.95 workshop fee and $2.31 Eventbrite fee) for the workshop, she will email you an agenda with handouts, the special discount on creativity coaching sessions, and the telephone number for the conference call. Click here to register for the workshop.

Digital Sisterhood and Fierce Living at Spelman College on April 10

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

image

Digital Sisterhood Network founder Ananda Leeke is headed to Atlanta this week to participate in a conversation about fierce living online on April 10 with 2012 Creativista Digital Sister of the Year Dr. Ayoka Chenzira, founder of Spelman College’s Digital Moving Image Salon. They’ll be talking about digital sisterhood and social media too. Copies of Ananda’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online will be available for sale. If you are in Atlanta, plan to attend the event which will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the NASA Auditorium in Spelman’s Science Center, 350 Spelman Lane, SW, Atlanta, Georgia.

Copyright: Proof and Provision

Copyright: Proof and Provision

PS: For Digital Sisters in Atlanta: Drop by the Digital Sisterhood Meet Up: Cocktails & Conversation on Creativity and meet Ananda on April 9, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Proof and Provision at the Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree Street, NE. Click here to register on Eventbrite.

Happy April Digital Sisters! Are You A Creativista?

Ananda Leeke 2 Comments

Happy April Digital Sisters!

This month, Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is promoting the theme, “Giving Birth to Your Creativity” as a Creativista. What are you giving birth to this year?

Today’s blog invites you to explore who you are as a Creativista. Check out the Creativista Profile below. It is an excerpt from Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online.

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley - www.leighmosley.com

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com

Creativista Profile:

A Creativista is a woman who gives birth to creativity (art, books, content, films, mobile apps, products, services, webisodes, and videos). If you identify with one or more of the Creativista’s characteristics, please check out the Creativista Manifesto collage below. Consider making one to jumpstart your writing process. All you need are some of your favorite magazines, construction or poster board paper, scissors, and glue sticks. Look for words, phrases, and images that represent your definition of a Creativista. Paste them on to your paper. If you need to write some of your words and phrases, use magic markers, crayons, or pens. After you finish the collage, give yourself a few days to look at it. Record any thoughts you have while looking at it. Use them  as writing prompts for your Manifesto. Feel free to use the one contained below as a sample or adopt it as your own.

Creativista Collage by Ananda Leeke

Creativista Collage by Ananda Leeke

Manifesto:

I am a woman who makes beautiful things. I embrace Virginia Woolf’s wisdom: “No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” I create a life I love. It starts with a desire to chase what moves me the most. I discover it. I live it. I own it. I add my own scenery. I am colorful. I use my voice. I express myself. I take a deep breath and dream big. I rediscover myself. I am intuitive, open-minded, imaginative, adventurous, and curious. I am creative inside and out!

Chakra Connection (click here to learn more about chakras):

Creativista’s energy is connected to the:

§  Sacral, or second chakra, which corresponds to creativity, pleasure, sexuality, and well-being. It governs the bladder, circulatory system, and sexual and reproductive organs.

 

§  Solar plexus, or third chakra, which corresponds to willpower, persistence, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It governs the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, and spleen.

 

§  Heart, or fourth chakra, which corresponds to love, joy, harmony, and inner peace. It governs the heart, chest, lungs, and circulation.

 

§  Throat, or fifth chakra, which corresponds to communication, expressions of feelings, and the truth. It governs the throat, ears, nose, teeth, mouth, and neck.

 

§  Third-eye, or sixth chakra, which corresponds to intuition, imagination, wisdom, and the ability to think and make decisions. It governs the eyes and base of the skull.

 

Chakra colors

Color Connection (click here to learn more about colors):

Wear or surround yourself with the colors orange (second chakra), yellow (third chakra), green or pink (fourth chakra), light or sky blue (fifth chakra), and indigo blue (sixth chakra) to connect with Creativista’s energy.

Gemstone Connection:

Wear or surround yourself with amber or carnelian (second chakra), citrine or tiger’s eye (third chakra), aventurine or rose quartz (fourth chakra), turquoise (fifth chakra), and lapis lazuli (sixth chakra) gemstones to connect with Creativista’s energy.

Goddess Connection (click here to learn more about goddesses):

Creativista is connected to the goddesses mentioned.

§  Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of creativity, and Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of the arts (second chakra)

 

§  Al-Uzza, the Arabian goddess of confidence, vigilance, and preparation; Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess of royal power; Durga, the Hindu warrior goddess; and Sekhmet, the Egyptian warrior goddess (third chakra)

 

§  Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love; Erzulie, the Haitian goddess of love; Kwan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion; and Venus, the Roman goddess of love, (fourth chakra)

 

§  Vach, the Hindu goddess of speech and communication (fifth chakra)

 

§  Tara, the Tibetan goddess of wisdom (sixth chakra).

 

Yoga Connection (click here to search Yoga Journal’s web site for instructions on how to do the poses below):

Practicing bound angle, downward facing dog, triangle, and wide angle poses (second chakra); bow, boat, warrior one, warrior two, warrior three, sun salutation, and all twisting poses (third chakra); camel, cat, cobra, fish, sphinx, upward facing dog, and upward facing bow poses (fourth chakra); bridge, fish, lion, plow, and upward plank poses (fifth chakra); and bridge, child’s, downward facing dog, shoulder stand, and standing half forward bend poses (sixth chakra) can help you connect with Creativista’s energy.

Badge Design by Dariela Cruz

Badge Design by Dariela Cruz

 

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012 and 2013, the women listed below were named Creativista Digital Sisters of the Year. Take a few minutes to learn about them. They are great Creativista virtual mentors.

2012 Digital Sisters of the Year

 

2013 Digital Sisters of the Year

 

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Visit Amazon.com to read about and purchase Ananda Leeke’s Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (available for Kindle and as a paperback). The book includes a list of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Digital Sisters of the Year. It also features an appendix that helps you explore and identify Creativista and the six other Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes. The interactive exercises encourage you to journal your thoughts in the book’s notes section.

 

Are You An Empowerista?

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

Greetings Digital Sisters!

This month, Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is promoting the theme, “Finding Your Digital Tribes” as an Empowerista. Today’s blog invites you to explore who you are as an Empowerista. Check out the Empowerista Profile below. It is an excerpt from Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online.

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley - www.leighmosley.com

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com

Empowerista Profile:

An Empowerista is a woman who creates and curates content, shares information and experiences, connects with others and establishes positive relationships, and builds and participates in communities that empower her and others. If you identify with one or more of the Empowerista’s characteristics, please check out the Empowerista Manifesto collage below. Consider making one to jumpstart your writing process. All you need are some of your favorite magazines, construction or poster board paper, scissors, and glue sticks. Look for words, phrases, and images that represent your definition of an Empowerista. Paste them on to your paper. If you need to write some of your words and phrases, use magic markers, crayons, or pens. After you finish the collage, give yourself a few days to look at it. Record any thoughts you have while looking at it. Use them  as writing prompts for your Manifesto. Feel free to use the one contained below as a sample or adopt it as your own.

Empowerista Collage

Empowerista Collage

Manifesto:

I am a woman who lives fearlessly. I affirm and value relationships. I invest positive energy and time when I connect with others. I share information and experiences willingly in an effort to build community. I use my wisdom to guide me in how I affect the opinions and actions of others. I give birth to sisterhood through activism, connections, conversations, empowerment, and inspiration that transforms women’s lives and communities.

Chakra Connection (click here to learn more about chakras):

Empowerista’s energy is connected to the:

  • Solar plexus, or third chakra, which corresponds to willpower, persistence, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It governs the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, and spleen.
  • Throat, or fifth chakra, which corresponds to communication, expressions of feelings, or the truth. It governs the throat, ears, nose, teeth, mouth, and neck.
  • Third-eye, or sixth chakra, which corresponds to intuition, imagination, wisdom, and the ability to think and make decisions. It governs the eyes and base of the skull.

Chakra colors

Color Connection (click here to learn more about colors):

Wear or surround yourself with the colors yellow (third chakra), light or sky blue (fifth chakra), and indigo blue (sixth chakra) to connect with Empowerista’s energy.

Gemstone Connection:

Wear or surround yourself with citrine or tiger’s eye (third chakra), turquoise (fifth chakra), and lapis lazuli (sixth chakra) gemstones to connect with Empowerista’s energy.

Goddess Connection (click here to learn more about goddesses):

 Empowerista is connected to the Goddesses mentioned below.

  • Al-Uzza, the Arabian goddess of confidence, vigilance, and preparation; Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess of royal power; Durga, the Hindu warrior goddess; and Sekhmet, the Egyptian warrior goddess (third chakra)
  • Vach, the Hindu goddess of speech and communication (fifth chakra) 
  • Tara, the Tibetan goddess of wisdom (sixth chakra)

Yoga Connection (click here to search Yoga Journal’s web site for instructions on how to do the poses below):

Practicing bow, boat, warrior one, warrior two, warrior three, sun salutation, and all twisting poses (third chakra); bridge, fish, lion, plow, and upward plank poses (fifth chakra); and bridge, child’s, downward facing dog, shoulder stand, and standing half forward bend poses (sixth chakra) can help you connect with Empowerista’s energy.

 

Empowerista Digital Sisters of the Year Photo Collage

Empowerista Digital Sisters of the Year Photo Collage

 

Badge Design by Dariela Cruz

Badge Design by Dariela Cruz

During Digital Sisterhood Month 2012 and 2013, the women listed below were named Empowerista Digital Sisters of the Year. Take a few minutes to learn about them. They are great Empowerista virtual mentors.

2012 Digital Sisters of the Year

2013 Digital Sisters of the Year

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Cover Art by Dariela Cruz

Visit Amazon.com to read about and purchase Ananda Leeke’s Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (available for Kindle and as a paperback). The book includes a list of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Digital Sisters of the Year. It also features an appendix that helps you explore and identify Empowerista and the six other Digital Sisterhood Leadership Archetypes. The interactive exercises encourage you to journal your thoughts in the book’s notes section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women Are Talking About The Power of Digital Sisterhood in October & November

Ananda Leeke Leave a comment

Logo by Dariela Cruz

Logo by Dariela Cruz

9781491706398_COVER_FQA.inddWith the release of Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) founder Ananda Leeke’s new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (available on Amazon), women are talking about the power of Digital Sisterhood online and offline this month. In Chapter 14 of Digital Sisterhood, Ananda writes,

“Digital Sisterhood is the feminine currency women use to create relationship wealth through the connections they make, conversations they have, communities they build, causes they support, collaborative partnerships they establish, and commerce they engage in with women they meet online and offline. The relationship wealth of digital sisterhood is based on what women care about and their shared interests and experiences. This wealth supports women as they stand in their own power and reclaim themselves online and offline. When they do so, they move with a power not seen before. It is rooted in women being fully,

P – Present when they

O – Own their lives as

W – Women who believe they have

E – Everything they need to live out their

R – Revolution of authenticity.

When all women know their investment in themselves and each other, they will yield a high return!”

What do you think about her definition?

What is your definition of Digital Sisterhood?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Check out the list of upcoming events sponsored by DSN, 85 Broads Boston, Everywhere, Spelman College’s Digital Moving Image Salon and Art of Genius Creative Technology Series below that women are participating in to discuss, explore, and learn about the power of Digital Sisterhood.

 

CelebrateDS300

SPECIAL NOTE: Digital Sisterhood Month (#DSMonth), the fourth annual celebration of women in social media and tech, will be held December 1 through December 31. This year’s theme is “Fierce Living: Too Bold for Boundaries.” During #DSMonth, DSN will announce the 2013 Digital Sisters of the Year, a dynamic group of 100 digital diva leaders known as the “Digital Sisterhood 100.”