CreativeMornings/Toronto @creativemorningstoronto - Tumblr Blog

Wow! We love receiving your messages. But before we get in touch, this post can help you answer some questions you may have. What is CreativeMornings? CreativeMornings is a series of conferences where attendees gather in cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people and an international variety of breakfast foods. *Currently CreativeMorningsare being held virtually all around the world.* Volunteer hosts and their team members host local chapters that not only celebrate a city's creative talent, but also promote an open space to connect with like-minded people. The growing archive of past breakfast talks is impressive. From design legends to city heroes, each chapter selects speakers based on a global theme. Can anyone attend? Everyone is welcome. Everyone is creative. Just sign up in advance to reserve your (virtual) spot. Is there a cost to attend? No, CreativeMornings is a totally free event. How do I register for an event? CreativeMornings Toronto usually has our events the second last or last Friday of the month. You'll notice once we have an event listed it appears at the top of our city page. Tickets are released the Monday before the event day. How can I hear about upcoming events? To know the exact date you can register for our local newsletter and receive the invitation in your email or follow us on social. 📅 https://www.facebook.com/CreativeMorningsTO/ https://www.instagram.com/toronto_cm/ https://twitter.com/Toronto_CM How can I become a sponsor? Our sponsors are an essential part of making CreativeMornings Toronto possible. Our local sponsors come in all sizes, so drop us a line about how we can customize your sponsorship experience at [email protected] ✋⭐🤚

July's Theme is Underdog

An underdog questions and expands what’s considered possible. When others expect them to lose, underdogs must lean on their self-trust and hard won experiences to envision and fiercely assert new realities. They do not dwell on what’s expected of them, but instead focus on what’s not expected of them. In a letter to his nephew, James Baldwin writes, “You were not expected to aspire to excellence. You were expected to make peace with mediocrity […] Take no one’s word for anything, including mine, but trust your experience. Know whence you came. If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go.” Whether you’re an underdog yourself or you know someone who is, you can help raise the bar. Recognize that every day is an opportunity to participate in life-affirming problem solving and to, and that every moment is an opportunity to engage creatively with your sense of what is possible. Call in and deploy your experience, your intuition, and your voice. The arena of change is calling. Our Edinburgh chapter chose this month’s exploration of Insecure, Astrid Jaekel illustrated the theme, and Mailchimp is presenting the theme globally.

June's Theme is Insecure

Insecurity shrinks our optimism, beliefs around potential, and blinds us to how things really are or how they could be. We project our greatest fears when we succumb to the negative ways we are conditioned to react. How can we start to overcome insecurity and strengthen ourselves? According to author Leo Babauta, we can begin with a small dose of courage: “A bit of courage. Just in small doses, to start with, but it means a willingness to set aside all the distractions for a little bit, and just focus on what you’re struggling with.” By observing and seeing, we can catch the early moments we allow our insecurities in. Pay attention to when you are being driven by insecurity and notice what exactly makes you contract. The secret is that the path out can be found in the patterns we have repeated thousands of times. Ignite a small dose of your courage and fiercely protect its flame. Commit to breaking one limiting belief at a time. With good work and focus, you’ll soon be able to spread your wings and fly higher. Our Louisville chapter chose this month’s exploration of Insecure, Rachael Sinclair illustrated the theme, and WordPress.com is presenting the theme globally.

May's Theme is Nature

What can nature teach us about living with strength, vulnerability, and grace during these challenging times? In the book Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown, Naima Penniman reflects on the decentralized strength of oak trees: “Amidst the whipping winds and surging water, the oak tree held its ground. How? Instead of digging its roots deep and solitary into the earth, the oak tree grows its roots wide and interlocks with other oak trees in the surrounding area.” It’s natural to be feeling alone and scared when storms come our way. But nature, in all its forms and stages, shows us time and time again that resilience comes from adapting, collaborating, and leaning on the support systems around us. By moving away from the idea that we need to be strong on our own, we open up possibilities in our lives and build our collective resilience. Whether it’s in person or from afar, find the networks you can interlock with and ground yourself in them. Lean on those branches of support and hold on tight. Surviving and thriving in hard times requires us to bind together even while apart. Our Salt Lake City chapter chose this month’s exploration of Nature, David Habben illustrated it, and it’s presented globally by WordPress.com.

April's Theme is Purpose

You are here. Being here means you are alive, that you exist, and the mere fact that you exist means you have purpose. “Purpose" does not have to be something grandiose. In fact, it can exist in all sizes and dimensions, separately, or even all at once. Author and coach Martha Beck once wrote, “The ‘track’ of your life’s purpose has a unique character. It often shows up as a sense of joy and lightness in the body […] It may also appear as fascination, a strong desire to pay attention to certain topics or phenomena. More than anything, it’s a sense that what we’re doing is meaningful.” Your purpose is made up of both the literal and the abstract, and its power is unmistakable. Those moments, memories, ideas, and conversations that you find yourself circling back to, with great fondness, make up the fabric of your purpose. What makes you light up inside? What brings you peace? What are the big ideas that bring meaning to your days? And what are the specific details about each of these feelings that you’re drawn to? However big or however small, draw your strength and inspiration from your purpose. Give yourself permission to approach your decisions with your purpose in mind. The more you do things in line with your purpose, the less you’ll default to what you’re conditioned to do. When in doubt, take the steps you need to follow the path of your own joy. This path is your purpose. Our Indianapolis chapter chose this month’s exploration of Purpose and Jason Ratliff illustrated the theme.

March's Theme is Identity

What makes you, you? Your identity is made up of multitudes — the stories you carry, the music you love, the challenges you overcome, the books you read, the communities you’re a part of, and more. But your identity is a colorful blend of not only what you consume or create, but also the questions you ask and what you’re willing to learn. In her CreativeMornings talk, Lucy Bellwood shared, “When we box ourselves too tightly into a single identity or career path, we deprive ourselves of the nutrients necessary to remain connected to the world around us. We are lacking in vitamin curiosity.“ The things that make you unmistakably you are not just the eclectic edges, but the simple pillars, beliefs, and values that you simply can’t shake. What sort of spirit or energy do you bring to a room? How do you show up in the world? What are your pillars? The most unique care and love you can give to your creative identity is to craft it with your own hands. This month’s exploration of Identity is presented by our new Global Partner Basecamp! Our Jakarta chapter selected the theme and Nadya Noor illustrated it.

February's Theme is Invest

Every day we give our time, resources, and energy to the world through our decisions. We might read certain books, join a new community, or pick up a hobby. And whether we acknowledge it or not, every choice we make is an investment either for or against ourselves. Wise investing requires patience and awareness. It’s an art that combines our knowledge from past experiences with future aspirations to inform where we’ll put our energy and our heart. To live a sustainable creative life requires us to say ‘yes’ to the choices that bring richness into our lives, even when it seems risky. In the Investment Theory of Creativity psychologist Robert J. Sternberg discovered: “The greatest obstacle to creativity […] is not exactly strictures from others, but rather the limitations one places on one’s own thinking.” Take this opportunity to diversify your dreams. Convert your doubts into positive currency and bet on yourself. Without a doubt, you’ll see a worthwhile return. Our Hong Kong chapter chose this month’s exploration of Invest and Bao Ho illustrated the theme.

January's Theme is Roots

A tree is made up of not only its colourful leaves, but also its bark, branches, and most of all — its roots. The roots exist to provide sustenance and a strong foundation for the rest of its body. Examine your own roots. When you retrace them, what do you find? In his CreativeMornings talk, James Victore shares, “The things that made you weird as a kid make you great today. But only if you put it in your work.” Identify the things that ground you and what you’ve carried with you over time. How have your roots shaped who you are today? The start of a brand-new decade gives you the perfect excuse to dig up the old and to nourish the elements that sustain you. Courageous, creative work begins below the ground. The Québec chapter chose this month’s exploration of Roots and Félix Girard illustrated the theme.

December's Theme is Silence

As the end of the year draws near, life can get humorously hectic. We rush to finish up projects, try to squeeze in appointments with loved ones, and can easily lose track of ourselves in the process. Is this inevitable? Or can we find ways to ground ourselves amid all the chaos? In this busy season, create moments of stillness where you can. When silence is intentional, it is valuable and restorative. It brings us back to our senses and is essential to our holistic well-being. Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton defines quiet as a ‘presence’ and ‘think tank of the soul.’ Silence is a powerful tool that allows us to take a step back from the atmosphere around us and realign with our intentions, our hopes, and ourselves. This December, set aside time to tune out the noise. You can go for a walk outdoors, find a cozy corner, or simply close your eyes. The magic of silence is that we can access it wherever we are. Our Montevideo chapter chose this month’s exploration of Silence and Dani Scharf illustrated the theme.

November's Theme is Lost

When you’re wading through the unknown, it can feel scary and risky. You float around wondering if you’re going in the right direction and want to know what’s next. Being lost is a collaboration between possibility and uncertainty. It’s an excuse to get one step closer to a more fulfilling life. What you were comfortable with may not be there anymore, but you will have the remarkable opportunity to reconnect with yourself and embrace discovery. In these “in-between” moments, turn to your inner beacon and pay close attention to where it’s guiding you. Your beacon is the light that blazes within you, a signal made up of your values, dreams, and priorities. The essayist Anaïs Nin put it best when she wrote: “The unknown was my compass. The unknown was my encyclopedia. The unnamed was my science and progress.” Shine your light. Ask for help and let go of the idea that you have to make a perfect choice. You may feel lost, but you are not alone. Our Milwaukee chapter chose this month’s exploration of Lost and Melissa Lee Johnson illustrated the theme.

October's Theme is Flow It’s no secret that our modern-day world is full of distractions: Glowing screens. Notifications. 24-hour news cycles. At times, it can feel exhausting to try and get things done with all the bells and whistles competing for your attention. In his book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, psychologist and researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi theorizes that people are happiest when they are in a state of flow. Flow is the experience of completely immersing yourself in a singular pursuit and effectively applying your skills to it. When you’re in flow, your awareness of time momentarily dissolves. You’re in a temporary, but energizing state that helps you make progress with the task in front of you. So, how can you rise above the noise and get into flow? First, quiet your mind and take a deep breath. Then, pick one task (yes, just one) and set clear goals for it. Move or put away any distractions around you. Lastly, take your first action. Whether it’s writing your first sentence, drawing your first stroke, or playing your first note — dive in. Activate your flow and let it carry you where you need to go. Our Mexico City chapter chose this month’s exploration of Flow and David Espinosa a.k.a El Dee illustrated the theme.

September's theme is Muse Whether you’re a mathematician tinkering with complex equations or a musician pairing discordant notes together, searching for inspiration can often send you in circles. The longer you sit and wait for an epiphany to strike, the harder it gets to make progress. What if you could get unstuck by turning to your muse? Your muse comes from the deepest parts of your imagination and guides you to new ideas. It invites you to bring your dreams to life using the raw materials found in your daily life. Beloved artist Frida Kahlo once famously said, “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better.” The next time you want to draw out your muse, stimulate your imagination in a different context. Leave your desk, take a walk outside, read something different, observe the ordinary, or try your hand at a new recipe. Chances are your muse will come out to play. Our Dubai chapter chose this month’s exploration of Muse and Shahul Hameed illustrated it. Presented globally by our Global Partner, Mailchimp.

August’s theme is Justice Justice can be a path to healing in fractured times. When we envision moments related to justice, we often think of suits, a gavel hitting the surface of a desk, or people marching in the streets. Change happens when enough people raise their hand to work together. Author Omid Safi wrote, “Justice is love, embodied. We cannot speak of love without linking it to justice, nor of justice unless it is permeated by love.” Justice is restorative when empathetic and innovative solutions are brought to the forefront. Through generous listening, we all hold the ability to form moments where people can feel safe, strong, and at ease. Our Bratislava chapter chose this month’s exploration of and Simona Cechova illustrated the theme.

July’s theme is End Ends are unique opportunities in disguise. They allow us to make meaning out of our past relationships, experiences, projects, and seasons in life. On the other hand, beginnings are romanticized and energize us to envision all the impressive things we will do. Headlines celebrate the latest rising startup or ‘it’ destinations travelers must see. But reaching the end of something can also carry meaningful joy. Author Wes Moore once talked about the difference between our jobs and our work. Moore said, “Your goal should never be to start something. Your goal should be to end things.” When we truly fulfill an ending, it reflects growth and real change. We can create projects to end loneliness, walk away from empty relationships, change habits, or choose a different career trajectory. The secret about ‘the end’ is that it actually contains countless possibilities. Our Rio de Janeiro chapter chose this month’s exploration of End and Isadora Zeferino illustrated the theme.

June’s theme is Wonder Our sense of wonder is the code for tapping into our most creative selves. It enables us to expand our horizons and encounter parallel universes that haven’t been explored yet. According to the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” By drawing us out of our typical patterns, wonderment reconnects us with our ability to marvel at new and beautiful things. We all have the capacity for wonder; but why do we lose sight of it? As our lives get busier, we tend to streamline our schedules and relationships to become more efficient. We want to know what will happen and when it will happen. But extraordinary things occur if we make room for the unexpected. When we leave space in our plans, we create magical conditions for our imagination and thoughts to collide with one another. And it is from these sparks that our best ideas are born. Our Copenhagen chapter chose this month’s exploration of Wonder and Rune Fisker illustrated the theme.

May’s theme is Preserve The beauty in our world deserves to be cherished, sustained, and rediscovered. We share this life, and every day we have the opportunity to act as thoughtful participants in it. What do we care about? What do we take for granted? Would we miss it if it disappeared? Preservation begins with asking deep questions and turning our attention to the environment around us. Marine biologist and explorer Sylvia Earle wrote in her book, The World is Blue, “Should we race to see how quickly we can consume the last tuna, swordfish, and grouper? Or race to see what can be done to protect what remains? For now, there is still a choice.” Our daily habits are a mirror reflecting back what we truly care about. Our actions are key to protecting the wellbeing of our communities, cities, and planet. Pause for a moment to notice what is being neglected and take an audit. We can break out of patterns, simplify our lives, and focus on the things that will last a long time. Together, we can chart a brighter path into the future. Our Charleston chapter chose this month’s exploration of Preserve and Chris Nickels illustrated the theme. Thank you to our Global Partners—Mailchimp, Adobe, and WordPress.com—for supporting us.

When different people come into our lives, they bring gifts. We can blend the best of our wisdom with the best of theirs. We can teach and learn from each other to produce closer circles that foster community and commit to diversity. People who include with intention, raise their hand to do the work of embracing what is unfamiliar. Inclusion is an attitude to consciously be open to ideas that come from outside of our settled ways of thinking or feeling. It’s about making a decision that comes from a place of love, of caring for others. When you place inclusivity at the center of how you live, it has great power to heal, elevate new voices, and change the narrative of who belongs. As diversity advocate Vernā Myers once said, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” Our Grand Rapids chapter chose this month’s exploration of Inclusive, Libby VanderPloeg illustrated the theme, and WordPress.com is presenting the theme globally.

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