JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 13: Work


Are we doing our life’s work? Is our work fulfilling and meaningful? What work lies ahead of us?

Work is a huge chunk of our lives. We work to make money and support ourselves and our families. We work around the house and in the yard. We work to help friends out, and often our recreational activities require a lot of work and effort. With work being such a part of our lives, it is often a good idea to stop and ponder the work that we are doing and reflect on whether that work resonates with who we are and how we see ourselves.

Take time today to ponder the work that you do in your life. Is your work meaningful and fulfilling? Are you doing the work that you want to do? What work is there left to do?


Keep those online and social media posts coming, and remember to use those hashtags as you share. #jfjbigideas or #jfj16

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 12: Balance


How do we find balance? How do we react when we are out of balance?

It seems so easy for our lives to swing out of balance in our contemporary times. So many things vie and compete for our attention that we can easily run ourselves ragged. Finding time to readjust and swing the internal pendulum back to center is a vital task. How we balance work, family, and all of those other obligations is of utmost importance in what can be a hectic world.

Spend some time today contemplating how balanced you and your life are. Reflect on what knocks you out of balance, or respond to what brings you back to center. Allow the idea of balance to spark your imagination and see where it takes you.


Remember that if you're posting online or on social media, use those hashtags. #jfjbigideas or #jfj16

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 11: Home




Where do we call home? When do we feel most at home?

Home is more than a physical place. It can be a feeling - a feeling of belonging, a feeling of ease, a feeling of being cared about and being cared for. Home is also more than a structure with walls, roof, windows, and doors. Many of us feel at home in the woods, or in the city, or in a particular situation. For many home is a place of sanctuary, but for many others home is place of turmoil and turbulence. Home can conjure up many memories of childhood, or it can conjure notions for our lives in the future.

Allow the idea of home to guide you in your creative endeavors today. Think about where you consider home or where you feel most at home, and respond in any way that feels right to you. Remember that there is no right way to respond, and allow the idea to be a spark.

If you're posting online or on social media, use those hashtags so that others can find and see what you're doing. #jfjbigideas or #jfj16

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 10: Fear


What are our deepest or recurring fears? How can we confront and overcome those lingering or overwhelming fears?

Fear is an inevitable part of being alive, and we may find that there are many things that bring us fear. Some of those fears are normal and understandable, and some are overwhelming and irrational. We might be afraid of the dark, afraid of being alone, or afraid of creepy crawlies. We may fear our weaknesses or fear another’s power, or we may fear doing something new or being stuck in a rut. We can deal with fear by letting it paralyze us, or we can confront it and see if there is a way to move forward.

Take a few moments to think about fear in your life. You might want to consider the role that fear has, or you might want to confront those specific fears that pop up and keep you from moving forward. You can ponder how you deal with and overcome your fears, or you can explore fear in very general terms. Respond to the idea of fear in a way that seems appropriate to you. 


Don’t forget those hashtags if you're posting online or on social media! #jfjbigideas or #jfj16

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 9: Hope


What are our deepest and most sincere hopes? How can we pursue those hopes and follow our dreams?

Hope can keep us going even through the darkest of times. Hope gives us a glimmer of light during times of struggle and stress, and when we feel defeated and overwhelmed, hope can lift us up and carry us forward. Our hopes are our brightest aspirations for the future and our brightest wishes for a better tomorrow.

Spend some time reflecting on your hopes and dreams. You might list all of your hopes, or you might focus on your deepest and most specific wish for your future. You might even consider the actions you need to take in order to fulfill these hopes. Just let the idea of hope guide you as you work.


Make sure to use those hashtags if you're posting online or on social media! #jfjbigideas or #jfj16

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 8: Connection



How do we connect to ourselves? How do we connect to others? How do we connect to the places that we inhabit?


Everything is connected. Nothing is separate or completely isolated, though at times it might feel that way. If we look closely, we will find that we are connected to so many things in so many different ways. We have family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. We are connected to our homes, our jobs, and the places that we move through on a daily basis or visit occasionally. We feel drawn to certain people, specific ideas, and special places.

Take time today to explore the connections that you have in your life. You might want to focus on a very special connection, or you might want to think about the vast number of connections that you have in your life. Draw, paint, photograph, or write about those connections in any way that you feel is appropriate.

If you share via those social media outlets, don’t forget the hashtags #jfjbigideas or #jfj16.

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 7: Growth


How have we grown over the past year, over the past ten, or over our lifetime? How does the world around us grow?

Growth is the process of life. We are born, and we grow. We are children, and then we grow into adults. Plants and animals all grow. They live and they die. Even communities can grow as people and businesses move to an area. But growth isn't just a physical phenomenon. We can grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We mature and hopefully gain insight and wisdom into our lives.

Take time today to ponder how you, your children, your pets, or your community have grown. Focus on growth as a general process, or delve into the personal ways you have grown. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to respond. Just allow the idea of growth be the spark for exploration.


Don’t forget those hashtags #jfjbigideas or #jfj16 if your sharing online.

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 6: Change


How do we handle change? How have we changed over time? How can we affect positive change?

Everything changes. It’s a fact of life. We grow older, and our physical appearance changes. The seasons change. What was once new becomes old. People change. Change is all around us, so how do we respond to it.

Use the notion of change as the starting point for the art today, and see where it takes you. You might think about the idea of change in a broader, more philosophical way, or you might want to explore how you have changed.


Keep those posts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and personal blogs coming, and use the hashtags #jfjbigideas or #jfj16 so that you can share with others.

JFJ Big Idea Challenge - Day 5: Time


Where does the time go? Why does there never seem to be enough time?

The older we get the quicker time seems to go, and despite all of our modern conveniences we never seem to have enough time. Time is an ever present concept in our lives with our schedules, deadlines, and calendars, and life can speed by in a blink of an eye. How does time impact your life?

Spend some time today whether it’s 15 minutes or 3 hours, and reflect on the role that time has in your life. You might want to focus on the idea of time in general, or you might want to respond to a very specific and personal story about time.


However you respond, remember to use those hashtags #jfjbigideas or #jfj16 if you want to share so that others can see what you're doing.

Art Unraveled


Are you looking for some creative fun this summer? We will be in Phoenix in one month along with our good friend Sam Peck, teaching at Art Unraveled. Please join us for some artistic fun in the desert!

August 2-3, 2016 - Art Unraveled, Phoenix, AZ
  • Wednesday, August 3 - Life of Lines - 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Sam's Class)