Coffee with Moe - Falling into Place

Coffee
with Moe
falling into place

All you need is the plan, the road map and
the courage to press on to your destination
- Earl Nightingale

Table of Contents
From Moe
A big HELLO from Moe
6
14
Coffee with Moe & Sally
Espress-ing a passion for art
Falling into Place
Being you is the only place to be.
8
22
Insta-Connected
Building a community on shared vision
Checking In
Top 5 ways to fall into place with yourself
10
28
Rituals
Acts of Value
ISSUE 7: FALLING INTO PLACE
October 2017
On The Cover:
Sometimes the only thing I need falling into place is
some early morning coffee into my cup. Other times,
it's a little more complicated. Pictured here is just
that. Coffee & one of my favourite Group of Seven
mugs. Morning perfection.
Previous Page: A glimpse of a day in the mountains
with my camera in my hands and this lonely road
ahead of me. A perfect day. (I have my road map)
All art , writing & photography, unless attributed
to others, is by Monique DeNault
Contact: monique@moecreative.com
for Digital Prints & Commissions
Painting above: A portion of 'Buttoned up' From
'The Beauty of Bokeh' a series in mixed media.
by Monique DeNault
( aka Moe )
Website: www.moecreative.com
Blog: www.moecreative.com/blog
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/moecreative/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/moe_creative
Etsy: moecreative.etsy.com
Twitter: twitter.com/MoeCreates
Coffee with Moe Digital Magazine is published
in association with Moe Creative Inc. based in
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Many thanks to Family, Friends & Inspiration:
(Gratefully & alphabetically: AB, AC, AG, AL, AR,
BCV, BD, CF, CG, CR, CS, DD, DK, DL, DO, EC, ED,
EN, GD, GDC, HC, HM, IF, JD, JM, JR, JS, KH, KW,
LD, LK, LM, LOL, MB, MC, MH, MQ, MS, MY, ND,
NH, NS, PA, PB, RC, RS, SB, SH, SK, SP, TN, TR, VH,
YK, ... You know who you are!).
Sally MacGregor & all Moe Creative Clientele.
All for whom this issue was created, with heart.
© 2017 Moe Creative Inc. All rights reserved.
Digital Watermarking on all photography by Digimarc.
Publishing made possible by Yumpo & the Adobe Suite of
Products.

Editorial
What exactly does ‘falling into place’ mean??
When you just say it flat out, it almost sounds like
it refers to a mythical happening. One big kismet
moment when the stars and planets align.
While planets aligning is a thing, it’s not the thing
that I was ruminating about, when I created this latest
issue of Coffee with Moe. The falling into place of
things of this issue, explores the little wins. Those
small moments we can celebrate along our way
to bigger and perhaps better wish, work and life
fulfillment. Not everything in this complex crazy life
has to be monumental to be worth a nod, a high five or
even a small tantalizing reward.
Join me in this issue of Coffee with Moe, as we explore
the stepping stones to our personal successes, dream
fulfillment and talk about putting a smile on all the
little moments in our lives that are slowly but surely
falling into place.
Happy Thanksgiving, fall & above all else…
Happy falling into your very own place.
Moe

Falling into Place
Be at least as
interested in
what goes on
inside you as
what happens
outside. If
you get the
inside right, the
outside will fall
into place.
-Eckhart Tolle
How often do you check in with yourself?
Does it happen:
a) When faced with a tough decision?
b) If you feel ill?
c) Throughout the day?
d) Not at all?
Don’t fret if you fall into category d. You
may never have realized what a difference
“checking in” can make. We often get
so caught up in the many things happen
around us, that it’s hard to imagine we
could carve out enough time to stop to
take note, especially long enough for it to
create value for us.
But I know from experience, that change
can start in as little as 3 breathes. When I
used to facilitate wellness classes, the first
challenge I always gave attendees was
to implement 3 deep breathes (approx
15 seconds) into their daily lives. The
challenge went like this:
Whenever you are faced with a question,
a challenge, a choice or a difficult
personality throughout the week take 3
deep breathes and connect with yourself
before acting/reacting. Don’t beat yourself
up if you forget, just do this whenever you
remember and start paying attention to
what happens next.
I always asked the class for feedback the
following week. Those who were willing
to take on the challenge, without fail,
came back with many accounts of how
differently they reacted or acted in a wide
variety of situations. This change didn’t
always show up in the first 15 seconds,
but after just a few attempts every class
member in multiple classes had stories to
tell.
The most beautiful thing about taking on
the 3 breathe challenge?
It’s dead simple and the results speak for
themselves. People who choose to tune
in with regularity, slowly and continuously
improve the way their lives fall into place.

Checking-In
OK, you’ve stopped to “check in”.
So?
Now what???
Here’s my pick for the top 5 ways to check in and how they will help you
become a better you every time you count to 3.
Breathe
Focus on breath is one way to go and really the best way to start this
process. Simply by shifting your focus to breath, you’ll find that your
reactions and actions are more tempered and reflective of your true self.
It might take a few rounds of breathing to get there, but it will.
Body Tension
We all carry body tension in different places. For me it’s in the hips, for
some the shoulders, while others the forehead etc. Where do you hold
your stress? Is it in one place or do you share the love over multiple tense
body parts? By noticing where you hold your tension, you can gage a
situations effect on you and actively work to release tension while you
breathe.
Mantra
Mantra means a word or sound that is repeated with frequency. Usually
inside your head unless you are on a yoga mat. This technique can be
used in many ways. It usually helps if the word is positive, but I have
even used an expletive or five when taking a few breathes after stubbing
a toe. Mostly people will use words like OM, Relax, Release or anything
else that speaks to them. Pick a word and change it up. When it comes to
mantras it’s all about what works for you.
Feelings
Feelings are a tough one for some people. Many spent most of this
lifetime shoving theirs under a rug. But new research proves* that
awareness of feelings are key to making the most out of your life. Start
connecting with yours in the quiet of your 3 breathes. This is a place
where you can name them, understand them and soothe them without
judgement. Ensuring that over time you don’t let rogue feelings hijack
whatever situation you find yourself in. The feeling you’ll get for acting/
reacting in a new way, that makes you proud, will change you on a
physical level*.
Stress
Stress effects every aspect of our being and is a massive contributing
factor to illness on all levels. If we have any hope of mediating our stress
levels, checking in with regularity is a great place to start. Get to know
your feelings, where you hold tension and the identify things that trigger
you. Checking in will not only help you recognize the issues, it will give
you the opportunity to do something about it.
*Referenced from the work of Neuroscientist Antonio R. Damasio, Researcher & Chair
of the University of Iowa’s Neuroscience Dept.

At any moment the
decision you make can
change the course of
your life forever.
- Tony Robbins

Coffee with Moe & Sally
This quarter I am thrilled to bring you
an interview with a wonderful Acrylic
and Mixed Media artist from Calgary,
Ab. Her name is Sally MacGregor and I
recently caught up with her over coffee
and a wander through Sally's studio
and garden. Here we explored her love
of the arts, alberta and beyond. Without
giving too much of this interview away,
I will start off by saying:
M: Welcome & good morning Sally.
S: Good Morning Moe.
M: Let’s dig right into things this
morning by having you tell us a little
bit about where you grew up and how it
has influenced who you are.
S: Growing up in Calgary surrounded
by our beautiful mountains, foothills and
prairie landscapes has had a profound
influence on me as an artist and
person. Exploring the mountains with
the breathtaking views or riding horses
in the foothills has always made a huge
impression on me. The wilderness has
always called to me, mostly because
of the total sense of serenity you get
when you are on top of a hill listening
to the wind and viewing the landscape.
Hopefully these experiences can be
seen in my work, as I express in paint
the beauty around us. I also lived in the
Millarville area for some time and had the
opportunity to ride on beautiful ranches.
Whether it was summer, winter or fall,
each season gave me new landscapes to
paint from.
M: I can absolutely see, how growing
up here has translated into your art
and self beautifully. Speaking of self, if
you were to choose 3 words that would
express who you have become today,
what would they be and why?
S: Creative. I’m always looking for
new inspirations and new techniques
for making imagery. Whether painting
or creating collage, I try to experiment
with new media or subject matter. This
challenges me to stretch my imagination
or technical ability and helps me to grow.
Motivated. Working as an artist is mostly
a solo pursuit. I paint almost every day
and miss it when I am not in the studio.
Each year I try to focus on a new theme,
to create my next fall show. This gives me
purpose and helps to guide my efforts in
my painting practise. I am also learning
Italian. Mostly to help me navigate on my
trip to Italy this fall, but also to help keep
my mind present.
Active. Getting out and moving every day
keeps me vital. Whether I am gardening,
horseback riding, walking, or skiing, the
physical activity is invigorating. Alberta
is such a beautiful part of the world and
getting out to explore it's many beautiful
corners is such an inspiration.
M: I so agree with you! Alberta is
absolutely inspirational. How has being
here played a part in your work life?
S: My first career teaching art in
elementary, junior and senior high school
for thirty years gave me many wonderful
moments working with children and
teenagers. My new job is painting full
time. I painted throughout my life but now
I have the opportunity to paint full time
and have done so ever since I retired. I
paint every day. When I am not painting
I am exploring life and enjoying family
and friends and travelling. All of these
experiences in my life are part of my
artistic journey and each part helps to
inform my work.
M: And what is it about your work that
you would say you love the most?
S: Working in the arts has endless
possibilities and it allows you to immerse
yourself in creating imagery that
expresses your personal views. Painting
landscapes has been an ongoing passion
for me. It challenges me to express the
beauty I see in the landscapes that I have
had the privilege to experience. Painting
is very liberating and gives you so many
opportunities to play with color and light.
Every day in the studio is different.
I have also been working in collage
using printmaking and creating images
with papers that I have collected from all
over the world. It has made me focus on
the human form, from children to adults.
These collages each tell a story and
allow me to play in a very different media.
Working as an Artist to me is the best job
in the world.
M: Seeing that you are so passionate
creative, both in life and your art, I
hope that you are equally so with a
good book. If you could, can you give
Coffee with Moe readers your top 3
book suggestions?
S: Art and Fear - Observations on the
perils and rewards of Art making. by David
Bayles and Ted Orland
As an artist, you always have moments
of feeling insecure or feeling blocked
artistically. This book
discusses how art gets made or not,
suggests that you should commit your
practise to your own hands.
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
His books are truly brilliant observations of
society and life.
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
This is possibly the best book I have ever
read. A true story. Brilliant. I have passed
this one on to all of my friends.
Cont’d next Page

Coffee with Moe & Sally
M: Great picks Sally. I heard a rumour
recently that Shantaram was getting
made into a movie. Let’s hope the
director and cast will do your favourite
justice. With all the great creative
experience and exposure that you’ve
had in your life, can you give CwM
readers your thoughts on when it’s ok
to break the rules?
S: The Arts are an area that begs for
people to break rules. Picasso and
George Braque succeeded in changing
the art world with their rule breaking
Cubism movement. Hip Hop and Jazz
were musical genres that were truly
musical inventions that broke rules and
changed the music industry. Technology
and science are based on inventions that
break the rules and change the status
quo. Rule breaking is normal in youth.
Children are fearless and grow and learn
by breaking rules.
Breaking the rules teaches you about
making happy mistakes. These moments
can help create your most brilliant ideas
and place you on the road to new artistic
inventions.
M: Happy mistakes indeed. Great
perspective Sally. From this positive
viewpoint, is there any advice that
you’ve come across in your life, that
has resonated with you?
S: Give yourself up to something bigger
than yourself! In following this advice, I
have found that love comes back to you
in so many different ways. Also, I believe
in the Latin saying "Carpe Diem". Seize
the day! Love your family, your friends and
yourself.
Make a habit of building good Karma
around you. Life is so very short and the
people that love and support you are such
a gift. Always allow new friends to enter
your life. Every person that you share your
life with, and vice versa, give you new
avenues to grow. The last one is, laugh
every day! Laughter is the elixir of life.
M: That’s really sage advice, thank you
Sally. And as a wrap up for this Q&A,
can you tell us what helps you distress
in this busy modern world?
S: I deal with stress by playing in my
garden, my studio and getting out to
Millarville to horseback ride or walk. Plan
Air Painting is possibly the best stress
buster. When you plant yourself on a
hillside and immerse yourself in a painting,
life just seems to melt away.
M: Beautiful. Melting away is exactly
what we all need from time to time.
Thank you Sally for speaking with me
today for the benefit of CwM readers.
I’m sure they’ve gained not only a
glimpse into your beautifully created
life, but have also found nuggets of
wisdom they can use to increase their
happiness and creativity today.
To learn more about Sally, visit her at
her website:
www.sallymacgregor.ca
and/or, if you live in the Calgary area,
come visit Sally at her Show & Sale
this October 14-15 2017 at her studio.
Details on the next page or her website
More studio photos & show details are
also available on the next page.

Coffee with Moe & Sally
Base image:
The essentials inside the
studio of Sally MacGregor.
Left Top: Sally with a few
of her mixed media collage
pieces
Left Base: A collage in the
making.
Next Page Left Inset:
Show and Sale Details &
one image from the show

Coffee with Moe & Sally

Insta-Connected
Over 350 days and images ago, Moe Creative hopped aboard Instagram
so that I could take on the challenge of connecting with you daily and
share some photos with you.
What a ride it has been.
I have to say, the ride hasn’t always been easy. 350 days, with life bumping
along in the background, not to mention those days when I catch myself
thinking:
What on earth am I going to take a picture of today?
But, knowing that this uncertainty is part of the challenge, I show up anyway
and with eyes wide open I end up finding some strange perspective
that’s looking to be photographed, then shared.
To my delight, I find I what I love most about Instagram is not even the
challenge and the showing up, it’s the people I’m meeting along the way.
Individuals spread across the world. Connecting with shared vision, common
interests and we’ve even shared some laughs along the way.
And so, the journey continues. If you’ve yet to join in, say hello when you
stop by. I would love to see what laughs we can share into the next 350+
days ahead of us.
With Heart,
Moe aka @moe_creative

Insta-Connected
Last Page:
Lighting of the Torches in Oahu, Hawaii
Bottom Left:
Macaw Feather Abstract
Bottom Right:
Fireweed at Lake Louise (there is a wee bee still
alsleep on one of the flowers.)

What are you doing this October?
If one of the things on your bucket-list is:
1. Getting more creative
2. Starting to draw
3. Completing more fun & rewarding tasks
4. Being more artistic
5. Trying something new
Then Inktober may be for you.
Inktober started in 2009 when an artist named
Jake Parker wanted to better his inking skills. He
clearly wasn’t alone in his quest, as he is now
joined every October by thousands of individuals
world wide to take on this month long challenge.
To participate is easy!
Just find a place to lay down some ink and get
cracking. You can either ink out your own ideas
or follow the creative prompts provided. That’s
it!
And if you feel brave enough, post your drawings
on-line with the hashtag:
#inktober
Take your creativity to the next level, I look forward
to seeing you there!
Moe
ps. To learn more about Jake & the Inktober Challenge,
& some official rules, visit:
http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober
Official Inktober Prompt List:
1. Swift
2. Divided
3. Poison
4. Underwater
5. Long
6. Sword
7. Shy
8. Crooked
9. Screech
10. Gigantic
11. Run
12. Shattered
13. Teeming
14. Fierce
15. Mysterious
16. Fat
17. Graceful
18. Filthy
19. Cloud
20. Deep
21. Furious
22. Trail
23. Juicy
24. Blind
25. Ship
26. Squeak
27. Climb
28. Fall
29. United
30. Found
31. Mask
#inktober #inktober 2017

Rituals
The secret of
happiness is not
doing what one
likes, but liking
what one does.
- James M. Barrie
It’s Saturday morning, some months
before the next issue of Coffee with Moe
is set to be released. The sun is rising,
the sky is clear and I just slipped indoors
(quietly) from my daily ritual of wandering
around the garden. Early morning is
the time I water thirsty plants, pull a few
weeds and generally enjoy the peace and
quiet of a world not quite awake.
As I make my first cup of coffee, the quiet
of Saturday morning triggers the thought
that it’s time to pay some weekly attention
to my indoor plants too. So, with coffee in
hand, I began another plant based ritual
of watering and tending to all my indoor
plants.
While these Saturday morning rituals
certainly feed the plant life around me,
they also feed me. A blessing in this
ever depleting world. I could, take the
perspective that I am just completing
chores, but I’d have a hard time getting
out of bed for that. I choose instead to
look at plant maintenance as a time to
wake up slowly, practice photography
and enjoy nature. It also provides much
needed time to reflect on new ideas and
enjoy a few moments free from other
people’s agendas. This shift in perspective
flips the switch on a boring chore, turning
it into an action that I am willing to roll out
of bed for.
Saturday mornings aren’t the only time
I delight in rituals of my own creation. I
turn house-cleaning into a solo dance
party, walking is either a meditation or a
chance to catch up with friends & family,
while driving is story time (via audio book)
and this just names a few. The joy of
infusing energizing fun into the potentially
mundane, is exactly why I might seem
altogether too happy some days, and
leads me to ask you:
Do you have any self-created rituals that
feed you?
If you don’t, that’s OK, but maybe it’s
time to have a thought conversation with
yourself about how you’d like to be fed.
While we still have to get up, go to work,
take care of family responsibilities and
more, you may find the injection of fun
rituals softens these obligations. Over
time, you may even notice, that creating
your own rituals allows for more happy
and revitalizing moments to seep into the
ordinary of your every day.
Ultimately, the choice is yours regarding
how you enjoy today. Just know,
that at any time, you can take on the
creative challenge and potential treat of
experiencing a happier tomorrow.

And to this end, I thank you for joining in.
Every story has an
end. But in life, every
end has a beginning.
- Dakota Fanning
(Uptown girls)
Every quarter it is my absolute pleasure
to create space for you to breathe new life
into your day.
Enjoy taking your time with all that is
Coffee with Moe. And remember, you
can find any past issue on-line, anytime,
RIGHT HERE
Until the beginning of next quarter
(Jan’18) Enjoy creating an incredible
holiday season with your family & friends.
Happiest of Holiday Wishes to you!
Moe

Next time in
Coffee
with Moe
Out of theBlue
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