The author shares her way of life and training in the arts to help the reader to attain happiness in Loving Your Life: An illustrated how-to book on becoming who you are and loving it, through passionate, creative living Elke Scholz is an artist and an art therapist who dedicates her time to passing on her philosophy, tips, and techniques. She addresses the need for listening—to ourselves and to others. She stresses the importance and efficacy of journalling. She points out the importance of spiritual pursuits—meditation, a walk in the woods, listening to special music, reading spiritual material . . .Then there is the question of creativity. Elke goes into this aspect of our possibilities very deeply, pointing out the stumbling blocks and suggesting ways to remove them; discusses how to stimulate our creative energy; and, finally, how to translate our creativity into an art form. Here is hope for those of us who would like to live more fully and creatively. --- from the publisher I believe that each person has a wealth of creativity that leads to the ability to achieve his or her dreams. It is within us, waiting to be recognized. With clarity of mind, body, and spirit comes the confidence to access all possibilities and probabilities. This book is not about fixing or changing who you are but rather about how through creativity and curiosity you can increase your awareness of self and your surroundings and fully live your life. Reviews and Endorsements: “Creativity is a habit, a way of learning to see what it is you are actually looking at, to notice the weirdness and wonder of life while you are actually living it. In this book, Elke Scholz offers her guidance after years of honing her ability to be hyper-vigilant in the practice of creative living. Let all who have eyes learn to see, let all who have ears learn to listen. The world is rumbling and whirling about us. Elke Scholz will teach us how to marvel at this world and ultimately how to live in it.” Thomas Gokey , Adjunct Professor of Art at Syracuse University, New York “Your book is well written as a road map to live the best life intuitively, creatively, and with a healthy mind. It is very clear in bridging between Eastern and Western culture.” Wayan Karja , Bali “Elke Scholz is a courageous woman who through her own life’s unfolding has learned to sit with a difficult experience and hold this experience through the arts. Since the first edition of this book, Elke has continued experimenting with how to ‘sit in the swamp’ and move through the dark places, not knowing what’s to come. Through a combination of meditation practices, words of wisdom, and easy-to-follow processes, the reader will find unexpected paths to increasing his or her own creative potential.” Lisa Herman, Ph.D., MFT, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist Director Creative Expression, Sofia University, Palo Alto, California. International Acclaim “Loving Your Life offers a genuinely kind attitude towards life and art. The image of a colour-filled brush emerges in one’s mind’s eye. The brush playfully caresses the totality of everyday experience, touching the sad, grieving, and unloved aspects of life. Combining the principles of attraction with the honesty of her introspection, Elke Scholz transforms hitherto lofty mainstream understandings into grounded spirituality that we can live, dance, and paint by.” Bihter Yasemin Adali, MA, Expressive Arts Therapist and Founding Member, Arts Psychotherapies Association, Istanbul, Turkey “This collection contains a wealth of innovative ideas for involving children and adults in therapy sessions. The interventions are classified into sections that therapists can easily select and apply. A valuable resource for mental health professionals who work in this field. Elke shows how love and an open heart give us access to creative living.” Vered Zur, MA, CAGS, Director of Expressive Arts, Ireland “Elke Scholz writes with a lively and clear style that anyone can understand. Every word of it comes from the heart. I recommend her book to artists, therapists, and to anyone who wants to live an authentic, creative life.” Prof. Tom McLaughlin, Appalachian University, Boone, North Carolina “Throughout Loving Your Life, Elke safely, joyfully, and artistically guides you into your path not taken . . . the path that sometimes we skip . . . the path to our heart.” Joana Fins Faria, Expressive Arts Therapist, Portugal |