Aladrian Goods on Ember

September’s Theme is Depth.Depth is a space that denies easy ways of seeing or comprehending — when we shine a light into the deep blue of the ocean, we cannot see much further than the surface. In our age of instant answers, we bristle at this resistance. It’s often easier to reduce people, places, and ideas into flattened renderings, rather than grapple with the nuanced and contradictory truths found in their
depths.Our Columbus chapter chose this month’s exploration of Depth and Bryan Christopher Moss illustrated the theme.

DJ Jim Q’s Playlist (coming soon!)
Illustrator interview: Meet Our Depth Illustrator: Bryan Christopher MossHappy sharing folks!

Mark your calendars for August 26, we are back at the San Diego Downtown Library. August’s theme is Critical, chosen by @calgary_cm, illustrated by Maedeh Mosaverzadeh @mayimosaver, and presented by @mailchimp.
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To be critical means to be like a sieve, dividing and separating. Our critical abilities allows us to discern the insubstantial from the made-to-last, the credible from the untrustworthy, the sincere from the ego-driven.
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Critical feedback is essential for our growth. But being needlessly critical — especially of ourselves — can stifle the creative impulse. How can we hone our perception, spotting what needs to evolve, without becoming ruthless? How can we remain astute while not losing sight of all that is inherently good and whole? It’s critical. #CMCritical#Creativemornings

July’s Theme is Spirituality

Spirituality is the search for our deepest values and meanings, something that touches us all. It is our yearning to peel back the curtain on the world we can see. The word comes from the Latin spiritualis, meaning “of breath, wind, and air.” It comes so naturally it might as well be breathing.

Spirituality can be found in meditation, in science, in holy spaces, in music, in community. We locate the sacred in the stars that guide us home, our capacity to love both kin and stranger, the divine that gathers in the kitchen dustpans and the forest groves lit by fireflies.

Through spiritual practice — be it by prayer mat or paint brush, microscope or movement — we seek answers to the eternal questions: How should a person be? How might we find meaning in the mundane, and purpose through great pain? How can we repair the world?

Our Jeddah chapter chose this month’s exploration of Spirituality, and Bayan Yasien illustrated the theme.El tema del mes de julio es la Espiritualidad.

La espiritualidad es la búsqueda de nuestros valores y significados más profundos, algo que nos toca a todos. Es nuestro anhelo de correr la cortina del mundo que podemos ver. El término proviene del latín spiritualis, que significa “perteneciente a la respiración, el viento y el aire”. Viene de manera tan natural que bien podría ser respirar.

La espiritualidad se puede encontrar en la meditación, en la ciencia, en los espacios sagrados, en la música, en la comunidad. Encontramos lo sagrado en las estrellas que nos guían a casa, en nuestra capacidad de amar tanto a nuestros familiares como a un extraño, en lo divino que se reúne en los recogedores de cocina y en la arboleda del bosque iluminada por las luciérnagas.

A través de la práctica espiritual—ya sea mediante una alfombra de oración o un pincel, un microscopio o el movimiento—buscamos respuestas a las preguntas eternas: ¿Cómo debería ser una persona? ¿Cómo podemos encontrar significado en lo mundano y propósito a través de un gran dolor? ¿Cómo podemos arreglar el mundo?

Nuestro capítulo de Jeddah eligió la exploración de la Espiritualidad en este mes, y Bayan Yasien ilustró el tema

April’s Theme is Kismet.

When the stars align and good fortune visits, it must be kismet. An unexpected windfall, a chance encounter with another that blossoms, a doorway opening to impossible dreams. Kismet is a little pocket of time just for you. We marvel at the sheer, unlikely wonder of these moments.

Kısmet is a Turkish word that evolved from the Arabic qisma, meaning one’s portion or lot in life. When kismet was borrowed into English in the early 1800s, its meaning shifted into fate and fortune. But be wary of awaiting your destiny with passivity, philosopher Barrett Holmes Pitner warns, lest you resign yourself to a fate where nothing grows. Attend to the synchronicities in your life. When kismet alights upon you, the cosmos is letting you in on something, and you can choose to meet it.

June’s Theme is Matriarchy.

This month, we shine a light on all the leaders who are also women, from across the vast spectrum of identities and experiences of womanhood. The decision-makers, the life-givers, the caregivers, the frontline workers, the problem-solvers, the world-changers. The organizers and activists, the artists and writers and innovators. The teachers, scientists, medical professionals, politicians, business owners. The ones with megaphones and the ones working behind-the-scenes. Without you, where would our world be?

CreativeMornings/Rotterdam chose June’s Matriarchy theme, and Xaviera Altena created the accompanying illustration.

February’s Theme is DivergentTechnologist, author, and designer John Maeda explains, “A divergent thinker takes an idea and expands it. They look for new ways to connect it with other diverse things […] I’m in favor of a synthesis to connect the convergent and divergent.”As creators, builders, and thinkers, how can we get better at solving complex problems? A promising starting point is for us to be in the same spaces with those we’ve traditionally deemed different.Moments of divergence can create beautiful futures when we are willing to leave space for change. Take a step back to reflect on what winds of change you want to welcome into your life today.Our Valencia chapter chose this month’s exploration of Divergent and Núria Tamarit illustrated it. It is presented Globally by Basecamp and HEY

QUICK FIRE QUERIES:: RAMEL J WALLACE

Our series of random questions that dig a little deeper into the minds of the people holding the mic…

Hi Ramel, what is your favorite virtue?

I have grown accustomed to following the Four Agreements: be impeccable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.

What is your favorite vice?

Ambition is my favorite vice and teacher.  Learning not to use ambition as a coping mechanism is a practice that comes with mindfulness for me.

What phrase do you find yourself repeating all too often?

My mom always says, “A mouth will say anything”, and I walk with those words.

Biggest pet peeve?  

I hate having pet peeves, they are so annoying!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Stressed is desserts backwards, perspective is everything.

Who or what inspires you?

Curiosity is the mother of most of my inspirations. Ideology wise I’m moved by Audre Lorde, Cornel West, James Baldwin and Hip Hop.

Favorite place in San Diego?

Home is where the heart is so everywhere I go in San Diego is my favorite place, but I have a special place in my heart for Barrio Logan.

What’s a secret talent of yours?

I can juggle.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure song?

Gimme some Pizza by Nathy Pelusa is a soul love song to Pizza.

What does community mean to you?

Community is a mirror that allows you to see yourself clearer and tune into a purpose bigger than the self.

January’s Theme is PromiseA promise is doing something “because I said I would.” Promises can come in all shades, depths, and forms: appointments, acts of kindness, creating and quitting habits, agreements, and resolutions. Thanks to life’s unpredictability, we make and break them all the time.But what is the value and impact of being individuals of our word?In Albanian culture, the word “Besa” means a code of honor and faithfulness. It exceeds the meaning of merely keeping a promise, thus becoming mythologized in its divinity as a solemn oath.Promises that are made and kept are exchanges of powerWe invite you to make and keep one promise to yourself and one promise to others this year. When applied towards positive impact, even the smallest fulfilled promises can create meaningful ripples of change.Our Tirana chapter chose this month’s exploration of Promise and the talented Jolin Matraku illustrated the theme.

December’s Theme is Biophilia Appreciate living things.
Commune with nature.
Bring the outdoors in. Coined in the 1960s by Erich Fromm, “biophilia” refers to a beautiful idea: Whether it’s a human, an animal, a plant, or in the wild, humans have an innate desire and instinct to want to connect with nature and other living systems.The increasing hum of busy neighborhoods and cities, heavy traffic, and superficial reading on our devices can numb our natural senses. However, even in the most urban environments, we express our biophilia by placing a newly potted plant in the corner or allowing greenery to grow organically up concrete walls.Every day, we have the opportunity to grow into relentless stewards and protectors of our living environments, and not just lovers and beneficiaries of it all. Together, we exist. CreativeMornings speaker Missy Singer DuMars aptly said, “The nature around us is the nature within us.”Our Düsseldorf chapter chose this month’s exploration of Biophilia, Lara Paulussen illustrated the theme, and our new Global Partner Skillshare is presenting the theme globally!

October’s Theme is Transit.How can we make space for new ideas and creative energy while staying in place?While cars, trains, boats, planes, and our many modes of transportation may take us where we need to go — taking note of our inner worlds and soaking in the details around us can often be the best vehicles of renewal.Your search might lead you to long strolls in nature, cooking to your favorite tunes, gazing up at the sky, or getting lost in an immersive process. Finding your calm and filling your cup first will help you become a fuller version of yourself — not only for you, but also for those who might need you.Make a list of activities you can turn to when you need to get from point A to B. Leave it somewhere you can easily access and turn to it when things get tough.Our Cleveland chapter chose this month’s exploration of Transit and Aleea Rae illustrated the theme.