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*This conversation includes adult language so be aware of who might be listening in with you.

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A Special Passage for Nicole\xa0 \xa0

Art is a spiritual transaction. Artists are visionaries. We routinely practice a form of faith, seeing clearly and moving toward a creative goal that shimmers in the distance \u2013 often visible to us, but invisible to those around us. Difficult as it is to remember, it is our work that creates the market, not the market that creates our work. Art is an act of faith, and we practice practicing it. Sometimes we are called on pilgrimages on its behalf and like many pilgrims, we doubt the call even as we answer it but answer it we do. - From the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Artist\u2019s Way by Julia Cameron\xa0

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Finding Enlightenment from a Bad Experience

Nicole had the unfortunate experience of having her car windows busted out by vandals while she was in San Francisco. She had to drive on the expressway to her art therapy classes for students with autism and Alzheimer\u2019s. As the wind ripped through the car, she found herself angry and disappointed with humanity. Then as the sun was setting during golden hour, she noticed the broken glass sparkling in the back seat of her car. She felt driven to make the glass whole again so she created art with it, spirit art.\xa0 \xa0

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Compassion is Not Always There When You Need It

Nicole met Mark, the Musician, in Miami. He plugged her in and sparked her creativity. She joined him in Los Angeles and started sharing his fast-paced life. Nicole loved the vibe in LA, she felt valued for her artistry and innovation. They spent four creatively productive years together.

Then in an instant, Mark passed away. He was only 39 years old. Nicole felt anguish, guilt, depression and anger before going through the entire cycle of grief as her life suddenly changed. She felt shunned by Mark\u2019s family and mutual friends started falling away. She believes that people fall away because they don\u2019t know what to do and when they see you, you remind them of what they have lost. When his family started coming to the house to collect Mark\u2019s things, Nicole experienced the ugly side of loss. Everything she did became a sad event.

Then she met Terri. Terri had recently lost her boyfriend and she was experiencing her own grief. Nicole and Terri validated each other\u2019s pain and eventually became soul sisters.\xa0 \xa0

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The Epic Wellness Academy

In addition to Nicole\u2019s fabulous website, Nicole Keating Art and her The Art of Epic Wellness Podcast, Nicole is designing The Epic Wellness Academy, which is for entrepreneurs who want to create sustainable business habits and rituals along with a vibrant life. The Epic Wellness Academy includes rich experiences which are enhanced with group coaching and facilitated learning. Use the code #CurvyWorld to get a special rate.\xa0 \xa0

I met Nicole in the Philippines at Chris Ducker\u2019s Tropical Think Tank. We met fellow creatives and lifelong friends there.

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Work Directly with Me

If you would like to work directly with me visit my website, Annpeck.com or email me directly at ann@annpeck.com and share with me the impact you have gotten from these stories. If you would like to share your thoughts and ideas with me you can connect on twitter with #curvyworldpodcast and/or @iamannpeck. On Facebook, you can join the private Curvyworld group. If you would like a copy of my \u201cI Am Habits\u201d, simply text Iamhabits (all one word) to 44222. Let me know how you found out about Straight Talk, I love collecting the stories.