These Three Things: Curiosity as a Superpower

Join a global community of creatives on a quiet rebellion of joy. Let’s kick off this journey together.

In July of 2016, a few weeks shy of his 42nd birthday, Tree called. We talked more on the phone instead of by text by then, which was nice but also rare. His schedule on set made connection difficult. Conversations were short, burps, he called them. Often spewing out quick sentiments over loud background noise.

“How are you, things are good, not good, I’m going nuts, love you.”

It was special to hear from him in the early afternoon instead of a voicemail sent at 2am while on break; barely a voice left, tired, achy, but doing everything he could muster to make me laugh. A call during the day when we could both be present felt special.

If I could go back in time I would have recorded the conversation. I would have recorded every single conversation and also insisted we speak only via Facetime. I would want to see his face and soak in every minute of his beautiful listening. He had a way of witnessing that came through in his eyes. It was really special to be around.

I assumed his call was a friendly and humorous reminder that his birthday was near and that he had plans to go to New York, but secretly really wanted to meet at Disneyland, eat way too much Dole Whip, and make each other sick on the teacups. Really though, it would serve as a quiet reminder that while he never wanted to ask, he wished for me to remember his birthday, call and or text and send him pictures of my dog and tell him I loved him.

“Lisa, Hi. Tell me what is going on? I got the bat signal. Are you okay?”

I could hear the whirr of a wind machine in the background. Voices and machinery making noise all combined together in a soft hum. He was on break.

“No, actually.”

I was weary, my stomach had been in knots for weeks. My sense of wonder and curiosity fading. I had lost my optimism. A pressure in my gut and frenetic energy in my body. Something I know now begins to grow when an idea is ready to be birthed but I haven’t given myself the time and space to let it come forth. “Creative constipation” is how I now jokingly refer to it with my clients.

Tree had a way of understanding when I needed a witness. On the precipice of some of the biggest moments of my life he was there. Staying up all night with me before I left for college, reading me poetry until 2 am before I left for Ireland, and taking me CD shopping the day before I moved to California.

Historically, he has gently pushed me off every single cliff I ever approached. And somehow always willing to jump with me.

I told him I was weary, he said somehow he knew.

“You’re going to birth something,” he said, “I can feel it.”

Tree’s instructions were clear, I was to find 2-3 hours when I could just be in my studio without an agenda. Sit and see what happens and then tell him all about it. Also, to call him back in a few days and wish him a happy birthday. “Consider it my birthday gift,” he said. “I want to know what you created.”

I listened.

The next day I entered the studio with a clean slate, leaving all assumptions at the door. Following my intuition I sat down to write, the least likely starting points for a person who usually paints herself out of corners. What emerged was what would become the first official post of These Three Things, a list of three lessons learned that I held deep in my bones. Sentiments that remain unchanged and unshaken; things that I knew to be true no matter what the world around me was reflecting back.

A few days later I called Tree.

“I’ve got like two minutes Lisa, what’s new?”

I read to him what had grown.

“I think I might share it,” I said.

“I dare you. I’ll consider it my birthday gift.”

And so began These Three Things.

I suppose I could really use that push over the cliff right now.

So let’s do it together.

I dare you.

Today, I’m excited to officially launch a new chapter of this journey, exclusively here in Muse. These Three Things returns, but this time, it’s revitalized, focused, and tailored for those of you who are ready to embrace a deeper creative journey and maybe jump off a creative cliff or two.

Paid Subscribers, this is for you!

Weekly Creativity Prompts: Thoughtful exercises designed to spark inspiration, deepen your creative practice, and keep your ideas flowing.

Behind-the-Scenes Insights: A glimpse into my creative process, from my fine art to my writing, sharing lessons learned and discoveries along the way.

Wildly Creative Guests: Special features from fellow artists, writers, and creatives, who will share their own “Three Things” with us. I’m so excited for these collaborations!

A Community of Creatives: A space to connect with like-minded individuals who are also embracing curiosity and creativity. You’ll have a chance to learn and grow alongside each other.

Why Join This Practice?

In a world that moves quickly, it’s easy to feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or lost. We’re often caught up in the day-to-day, focusing on what’s next instead of what’s right in front of us. But the practice of creativity, of simply noticing and reflecting, has the power to bring clarity, peace, and inspiration back into our lives.

This practice offers a unique way to slow down and reconnect with yourself. It’s a gentle, consistent ritual that invites you to pause, reflect, and create, allowing space for ideas, insights, and growth to naturally unfold. Also, it’s a lot of fun. Here’s why I want you to join me on this journey:

Let’s Create a Sense of Stability and Focus: In a world full of distractions, having a simple creative ritual can bring a sense of grounding and direction. It’s a tool to help you remain present, even when life feels chaotic.

Let’s Unlock Curiosity and Inspiration: This practice is about more than just creativity; it’s about nurturing a deeper curiosity about the world and about yourself. With regular prompts and gentle guidance, you’ll find new ways to engage with your creative flow, uncovering inspiration that’s been waiting for you.

Let’s Empower Creativity, Without Pressure: This practice encourages you to show up as you are, whether you’re feeling inspired or uncertain. It’s about embracing the process, not the end result.

Let’s Connect with a Like-Minded Community: Creativity is better when shared. By joining this project, you’re becoming part of a community that values curiosity, learning, and creative growth. You’ll have the opportunity to exchange ideas, gain insights, and inspire one another.

Let’s Allow Space for Reflection and Personal Growth: Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, make sense of life’s challenges, or simply find a new way to engage with creativity, this ritual offers a space for personal exploration and growth.

The beauty of this project is its simplicity: it’s about noticing what you learn each day and giving yourself the space to create. I’m inviting you to be curious, to pause, reflect, and commit to a practice that will transform your creative life.

This is the first step. The invitation is here. Let’s make ourselves available for work.

Paid subscribers, look for the Paywall below. My dear readers, I hope you’ll join us there.

xxx

Lisa

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Q + A

Welcome to my exciting monthly feature: Q + A!

I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving into your thought-provoking inquiries about Human Design, Astrology, creativity, and Energy Work. Your curiosity fuels my passion for sharing knowledge, and the process of answering your questions continually enriches my own understanding.

Consider this space a welcoming sanctuary for curiosity, self-discovery, and expanding your horizons. Here, you can explore the intricate world of Human Design, Astrology, and Energy Work, and discover how they can profoundly influence your creativity and success as a creative professional. It's a journey of enlightenment and empowerment, and I can't wait to embark on it with you.

Don't hesitate to send your questions my way by simply clicking the button below. I'll be selecting one or two questions from Paid Subscribers to address each month. Your inquiries drive the conversation, and I'm eager to provide you with insightful answers.

Q: How can I differentiate between my inner critic and my authentic creative intuition?

A:
Let’s start here: there is no such thing as an inner critic.

Oooof! I know right?! The psychoanalyst in me is rolling around in her grave. But here’s what the Energy Practitioner in me knows; your inner self, your essence, your spirit, does not send you messages to keep you small, stuck, or silent. That voice of judgment, fear, and doubt? It’s not inner. It’s not yours. It is external energy. Collective, cultural, ancestral, familial. Energy that gets activated when you move closer to your truth and start to embody your creativity more fully.

And yes, just because this energy is external doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. We feel it. It impacts us. The nervous system, the body, our relationships. But when we understand that it isn’t our true voice, we can begin to create space between us and it. That space invites neutrality. Instead of being consumed by the feeling, we can be with the feeling. And that subtle shift is everything.

We live in a world that often resists brightness. So when we begin to shine, that resistance shows up. Not from within, but as old patterns we’ve absorbed. These voices might sound like us, but they’re just echoes of conditioning. Recognizing this is a liberation.

And here’s the important nervous system piece:
You don’t need to silence your perfectionism or resist comparison. These are not personal failings. They are deeply human responses to uncertainty. And at their core, they’re about safety.

• Perfection says, “If I get it right, I’ll be safe.”

• Comparison says, “If I measure up, I’ll be safe.”

• Competition says, “If I win, I’ll be safe.”

These survival strategies are clever, ancient, and protective, but they are not you. They are not your truth. They are the nervous system doing its job to keep you from perceived harm, especially when you're creating from the edges of your comfort zone.

Your intuition, on the other hand, like your creativity is your birthright. It’s calm, clear, and often quiet. It speaks in the language of resonance, knowing, and embodied “yes.” It doesn’t push or panic. It guides. Often, it feels like peace, even when it’s asking for something bold.

This is where Human Design becomes such a powerful ally. Your Design offers a blueprint for how your intuition speaks to you. It tells you where in the body your truth lives, whether that’s through your gut, your emotions, a subtle instinct, or the sound of your own voice. When you know your Authority, you can begin to tune out the static and trust the channel that was meant just for you. You’re not here to guess. You’re here to know, and your body already does.

And alongside that, energy work is essential. Running energy, grounding, clearing, releasing, helps you reclaim your space and center. These external energies that cloud your clarity can be moved. When you run energy intentionally, you ground out what isn’t yours, reconnect to your body, and open up to your own neutrality, clarity, and truth. It's not about fixing or resisting. It's about making space for more of you to return. You don’t have to carry what isn’t yours.

So the task isn’t to fight the critic or conquer your fear. It’s to tend to your nervous system. To clear your energy. To ground deeply into your body and your Design so your truth can rise above the noise.

You don’t have a critic living inside you.
You have truth, and sometimes, interference.

Trust your truth. Support your system. Run your energy.
Embody the sovereign being you are.

And hey, I can totally help you out with this. It’s kind of my jam :)

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SOLAR TRANSIT

4-16-25

Gate 3

Gate of Ordering

On April 16, the sun gracefully traverses Gate 3, known as the Gate of Ordering. During this celestial transit, you're invited to embark on a deeply introspective voyage of self-discovery. This celestial transit encourages a deep exploration of your inner realm, focusing particularly on the energy to transform chaos into order.

Gate 3 embodies the essence of innovation and resilience in the face of chaos. As the sun moves through Gate 3, it illuminates a natural affinity for bringing structure to disorder, utilizing their innate creativity to overcome obstacles with grace and ease. This gate serves as a beacon of light, guiding individuals through the turbulent waters of transformation with a playful and lighthearted approach. Yet, amidst its capacity for innovation, Gate 3 also grapples with feelings of disempowerment and frustration when confronted with disorder and uncertainty. Embracing the energy of Gate 3 invites us to cultivate a deeper understanding of our ability to navigate change and harness our creative potential to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

This transit acts as a journey of your innate power to transform chaos into order. Gate 3, with its essence of innovation and resilience, guides us with a playful spirit through the twists and turns of transformation. Though challenges may arise, embracing the energy of Gate 3 allows us to navigate change with grace and harness our creative potential to thrive in the ever-shifting currents of life.

Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:

1. Reflect on a recent challenge. How did you approach it? Did you find innovative solutions or struggle with disempowerment? Gather evidence affirming your ability to navigate chaos gracefully.

2. Recall a moment of disorder. How do you usually react? Explore patterns in your responses. How might adopting a playful approach enhance resilience?

3. Recall a creative block. How did you reignite inspiration? How can Gate 3's energy infuse your creative process with innovation?

4. Explore "order in chaos" in your life. Reflect on moments where chaos led to growth. How can chaos fuel your personal and professional development?

EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.

“Even though it is scary to be faced with chaos, I now choose to approach disorder with ease and amusement and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

Want to Know How This Transit Impacts You Personally?

As the Sun moves through Gate 3, the Gate of Ordering, it brings a potent energy of transformation and creative innovation. But how does this transit specifically impact you? Do you have Gate 3 defined in your Human Design chart? If so, this transit could feel especially significant, amplifying your natural ability to bring order to chaos and to approach challenges with innovative solutions.

Discovering your unique Human Design chart gives you insights into how Gate 3's energy may show up in your life. Want to explore how this celestial transit specifically influences your creativity, resilience, and sense of order in the midst of chaos?

Download your FREE Human Design Chart today and get access to my HD Starter Kit including two free exclusive guides to help you tap into your creative flow and navigate life with mindfulness and ease.

1. The 6 Gifts Workbook – Discover gentle teachings on energy, trust, and creativity, journal prompts to help you reflect and integrate, a deeper awareness of how your design already supports your work and wellbeing.

2. The 5 Pillars Guide – Discover a clear overview of the five core components in every Human Design chart, creative + leadership-focused reflections, space to notice your own patterns and begin connecting the dots, and a gentle bridge to deeper personalization.

Understanding your chart and the impact of Gate 3 can unlock powerful insights for this transit and beyond. Download your chart now and start your journey of self-discovery and creative empowerment!

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So, how’s this for great news! Muse is currently #53 and rising on Substack in Philosophy! Thank you so much everyone for reading and sharing and showing up! I love this community we are creating together.

And hey, invite your friends, the more the merrier!

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Next week we return to the Good Stuff - the best beach hoodie, favorite chain stitch patches, and what book I’m reading for the 5th time.

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Here’s a sneak of what’s ahead for Paid Subscribers:

The post that started it all

Prompts to get your practice going

The support of community to connect and get curious.

Dive in, I dare you!