Archive for ‘Daily Inspirations’

February 28th, 2012

What’s Vital to the Success of Your Dreams

Every day a million dreams are dispersed around the world. I like to think of them as seeds awaiting their potential, having faith in nothing, but the wind to carry them far and love to embed them deep.

Think of a dandelion with all of its individual seeds. If it sits safe, it will never grow. Taking that risk and flying in the wind it could be eaten, it could disintegrate. But if it never left, it would perish anyway.

This weekend I went to a Buddhist Retreat where I remembered the price we pay when we forget to breathe.

In an attempt to make something of your life, you work against time, you fight your competition, you struggle with any obstacle that confronts your path. But at what cost?

How many times have I made that mistake? How many times have I forgotten and had to be reminded that the price I pay for overworking myself isn’t worth the sacrifice?

It’s one thing to work hard towards your goal. It is quite another to work hard regardless of your health, your relationships, your livelihood. I must continually remind myself that I am only responsible for myself, that the only goal in my life is to be happy, that my life will not be more meaningful based on the job I have, the house I don’t own, the book I didn’t finish yet. But how much I’ve given to others and most importantly myself.

Right now you may be throwing yourself in your latest endeavor. And you are proud of what you’ve accomplished and excited about the prospect of finishing it. And that’s good. We all need dreams. But remember that the risk of not doing, the risk of having faith that the wind will carry you through is also necessary.

It’s not just all that you do, but it’s giving yourself time to not do that is important.

You will never finish that book or complete that daunting task unless you put away that computer, turn off that phone and sit and be for awhile. So do it. Do it and be comforted in knowing that your life will be waiting for you when you return.

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February 22nd, 2012

How Much Would You Risk for Your Dreams?

Dandelion

As you know from this post, I’ve had a little more free time on my hands lately. Especially since my new blogging job at Beliefnet has been temporarily stalled because of all the increase in traffic that’s been landing there lately (good news for my future, bad news for me now).

On the bright side, I’ve had ample time to work on my dreams: a book I hope to publish one day, a copywriting job, and my latest project (recovering a vintage typewriter I bought and shared on Facebook over the weekend).

Sunshine with a Chance of Crazy

Well in the midst of all my applying, I’ve gotten a surprising number of callbacks and interests. There were at least a handful that made my stomach tingle (you know the feeling you get when you really like someone? That kind).

But here I am, feeling that same doubt. Because I’ve gone and done something super crazy! Crazier than leaving a job for no job in tow. I’ve said, “No” to all of them. Why? Because they’d require a sacrifice I can’t foresee making right now-giving up the freedom and flexibility that comes with freelancing and telecommuting. Am I crazy or what?

I have to admit that turning down jobs, especially writing jobs that I would love, seems not only illogical, but quite frankly a little bit of stupid. But I can’t give up now. I think following your dreams take faith. The kind of faith that makes you walk forward without any certainty that something or someone will catch you if you fall.

If it sounds too crazy for you, think of it this way. If you were single and wanted to find your soul mate, would you get together with each person you met that was available just because they were available? Or would you risk turning a few down because you had faith that you would eventually meet the right person or at least a few date worthy candidates?

What Would You Give Up for Your Dreams?

I heard someone say once that you can have everything you want in life, but not all at one time. What’s required of you to fulfill that dream is to give up something else in return. For some, it’s family over career. For others, it’s a willingness to wait a lifetime in order to finish that book or travel to Europe. But whether it’s time, financial security or stability, it’s worth asking yourself this:

What am I willing to give up for the purpose of pursuing my dreams?

CategoryDaily Inspirations, Following Your Dreams | Comment2 Comments »

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February 2nd, 2012

Pursuing Your Dream Career in a Rotten Economy

{via pinterest; originally weheartit.com.}

I’m getting ready to reveal some big news here. But in the meantime, I wanted to share something short, but hopefully meaningful.

I started this blog a few years ago because I had a profound belief that if every person did what they were born to do, the world would be a happier place. Children would grow up with happier parents. Parents wouldn’t feel resentful and jaded. People might even be kinder to one another because they wouldn’t be living in a repressed state.

When we are free to be who we are, it is like coming home. My hope in writing here was to help free others to live their own dreams, whatever that may be.

While the blog has changed a lot and grown, I still feel strongly about my purpose. When I hear friends and family complain about the bad economy or hear reporters talk about the worsening job market, I try to stay hopeful. I want to rise above the anxiety and fear with hope and blind faith. The only other choice is to believe the worst, immerse ourselves in negativity and consequently sabotage any efforts we have to rise above it.

But I doubted others felt this way. And of all people, I hardly thought financial guru Suze Orman would agree with my thinking. But she went and surprised me.

On her show The Money Class on OWN, she said the following to a mother and military vet who found herself unemployed:

“Why do you want to be a waitress when your dream job is to be a photographer? You should pursue your dreams…a job is not a career, a career is a passion.”

Amen Ms. Orman! It thrills me to no end that she feels this way. Even in a bad economy, you can own a dream and there is no shame in pursuing one. It is not selfish. It is not asking too much. It is something we all deserve-if a dream is as big as Walt Disney’s and if it’s as small as wanting to learn how to be a photographer. Maybe you’re working full-time and still want to be an author or an entrepreneur or a painter. Don’t give up on your dreams! Keep to it. The only sure way you won’t get there is if you give up and never pursue it.

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January 30th, 2012

Find Magic in Your Every Day

It’s easy to fly right by the magic that’s right there in front of you. To give you a good example, I’ll tell you a story.

Why I’m Sun Obsessed

I used to have bad seeing challenged eyes. Before lasik, I couldn’t read anything unless I squished it right up against my nose. My mom says it’s because I used to oogle bright lights for hours as a baby. I was mesmerized by them. Though I don’t always believe her stories are 100% accurate, I believe this one. Mostly because I have the same bad habit. I can hardly look away from the sun-it’s giant orange orb fascinates me. My husband has to stop and remind me we weren’t meant to stare into the eyes of the sun. Staring won’t, for example, reveal any well-hidden life truths.

Well, today I wear sunglasses and I still sort of stare at it, at an angle, through camera lenses. I’m stubborn, I know. But I’m stubborn for a purpose. When I gaze at the sun setting on the day, I see things that move me. As I watch that deep bright orb, I marvel at the orange glow it makes on everything it touches-the dark shadows that form creating unique designs from winter bare trees. I see the faded pinks and purples and blues that mix better than my watercolor paints can. And I am grateful for all of it. I wonder if others are looking at it too.

I am reminded that life itself is a work of art. And that every day, regardless of the drama I’d like to attach it, is beautiful in its own way. We only need to be of sound mind to really see it.

Thanks to Facebook

{photo by Professor Gary Greenberg. from the Daily Mail.}

While scrolling through my Facebook newsfeeds, I caught a story that was like my sunset awakening. A friend of a friend posted an article magnifying something we often take for granted especially those of us who grew up on an island. You know those tiny particles that get stuck between your toes when you’re at the beach? Well as a kid, I found them beyond annoying. My dad often tells me how I was so prissy back then, I didn’t want to go to the beach just because I hated the feeling of them in my slippers. Yes it’s sand.

But until now I didn’t really SEE them. I didn’t know the magic I held when I cupped them in my hand, when I walked upon them with bare feet, when I made castles from their tiny beings. And then I read this article and saw these pictures and I was both amazed and inspired.

If this much art and beauty can exist in something smaller than our pinky finger, then what possibilities hold within each of us? And how many other things are in our life right now that we are passing by, taking for granted, walking right over?

The magic is right there in front of us. We don’t have to wait for big opportunities, for big trips, for life changing events. All we need to do is begin opening our eyes and embrace them all.

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January 23rd, 2012

Overcoming Sucky Days

{found on pinterest. from shirt.woot.com}

by: guest blogger

Today was just one of those days!

You probably know the kind I’m talking about. The ones that just drain all the energy from you.

You get home from work with a million things that need doing; but somehow, you just don’t seem to have any energy to do them. Instead, you end up on the couch, suddenly startled to see that it’s 11 p.m.

Where did the evening go? The TV was on, but you can’t really remember what you watched (or why).  The kids were in and out, fed and put to bed, but you were on auto pilot.

 

We’ve all been there, right?

I call these days the “suckies” cuz they just suck!  They suck the energy from you and they suck because they’re just rotten!

It seems like the suckies pop up in my life–like a lawn full of dandelions–when I’m most determined to make dramatic change.

The more determined I am to spend some serious time writing or creating, there they are. The suckies just won’t leave me alone!

I trudge in the door, fix some dinner, tell myself I need to sit down in the office and get some things done.  Somehow, I never seem to make it to the computer.

Ugh!  Another day down the drain, I think, frustrated.

 

How to Break Free of the Suckies

1. Ready? Set. CLEAR!

Have you ever seen a movie or TV show where someone is using a defibrillator? Think of yourself as the patient.

You have suffered an emotional and energetic heart attack.  You need to administer a jolt to your psyche. Get yourself re-calibrated.

How? (So glad you asked)

Break up your routine.

If you normally come home and get into something more comfortable and make yourself a hearty dinner…don’t.

Instead, come home, take off the tie or jacket and stay in your “work” clothes.  Grab a healthy snack–a granola bar or some fruit/veggies.  Then get directly to work. In an hour or two, you can take a break to eat something more substantial if you need.

By that time, you’ll feel re-energized because you’ll be engaged in work that is important to you and which energizes you.

If you normally come in and try to go right to work, change it up.  Take time making yourself a delicious dinner.  Enjoy your dinner.  Then get busy with your “important” work.

The vital thing is to change it up.  Don’t let yourself settle into the normal routine.  You deserve better.  You are better than that.

2. Create a List…Or Don’t

Make a short list of the things you want to accomplish.  Stay focused.  (Or don’t)  I’m a free spirit and can be distracted easily.  I sometimes need a list.

If your life is governed by lists and you’re super-efficient, then do the opposite.  Set aside your lists and spend time reconnecting to the tasks which expand your bliss and sense of joy.

Spend some energy just enjoying the wonderful process of engagement with the work about which you are passionate.  Experience what it feels like to just be present in the creative moment and creative space. (It’s exhilarating)

3.  K.I.S.S.

We’ve all heard the maxim: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

When it comes to overcoming the “suckies,” I recommend doing something simple.  Sometimes all it takes is one small, simple action to draw us out of the suckies and help us to reconnect to our passionate work.

But I would like to modify the K.I.S.S. maxim to remind us to Keep It Small and Simple.  Don’t try to take on the whole debilitating and demoralizing project.

Just do one small and simple part.  Then do the next (and the next).  Soon, you’ll find that you have completed it.

***KISS= Keep It Small and Simple***

The Power Punch

The takeaway is to do what it takes to break yourself from your unconscious habit state and reawaken your awareness in order to engage with the power of your innate creative mind. The strength lies within you.  It simply requires a simple remembering and a small refocusing on what is important.

Now it is your turn.  What are your tips for overcoming the “suckies” in your own life? Have you used the techniques I have listed above?  How have they worked for you?

BIO: Steve Rice is the owner of TrueSpiritualAwakening.  He is an author and entrepreneur committed to creating a well-lived life and helping others to do the same. You can follow him on Twitter or connect on Facebook.

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January 16th, 2012

Be Shameless

{via pinterest originally from waveavenue.com}

There’s been something weird going on with me lately. Or maybe it’s been like this for awhile. I noticed that every time I create something, I have a tinge of something. Something that comes from a deep place, but difficult to put my finger on.

Then, I started getting signs of what it could be. I was watching The Rosie Show the other day where she devoted an entire segment to the show Shameless. The word carried so much meaning with it. It stayed with me and haunted my thoughts for awhile.

And then I was thumbing through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and landed on page 67 on Shame. She says:

“Those of us who get bogged down by fear before action are usually being sabotaged by an older enemy, shame.”

While she says that art actually shines a light on shame, the wounds we carry from our childhood tends to gloss over that. Shame comes from our parents who wanted to keep us from coloring outside the lines. It comes from our friends who taunted us for being weird. It comes from those who wanted to keep us in the norm so that we couldn’t threaten them with our own innate power.

And as adults we keep slipping right on over it. Every time we create something, we are walking on that tight rope again. Will someone think our creation is less than? Will they think, “How dare she think she’s talented?” Or, “Who does she think she is for creating that?”

It’s a deep-rooted fear that haunts me whenever I write a post, send out a tweet, or share an update on Facebook. It’s the fear that someone will point me out and claim that I am a fake.

How to be Shameless

In the end, while feeling shame is common in creating, I realized that I don’t want to live this way anymore. Instead of repressing the hurt that comes from shame or telling yourself that it doesn’t matter, that your art doesn’t matter, why not embrace a life of shamelessness?

What does this mean?

It means telling your inner voice that:

1. you are courageous

2. that their negative review doesn’t sum up your life

3. that your art is simply an expression, not an extension of you

4. that your own way of creating is special and you don’t have to seek the approval of others to know this

5. that you are worthy just for the sake of being alive.

*The winner of this happiest book giveaway is Cory Clay. Congrats Cory! Let me know what you think of the book.

CategoryDaily Inspirations, Dealing with Fear | Comment6 Comments »

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January 9th, 2012

Where Inspiration Comes From

Yes, sometimes inspiration comes in beautiful things-in waterfalls, quiet carpets of green sprawling grass, in the smile of a child.

But most often the most profound moments come to us in grief, when we’ve fallen down, broken in, cracked on the the inside and have nothing left to give.

It’s during these times that we have a rare glimpse into our true selves. It’s in these moments that we’re asked:

“Can I make it? Will I survive this? Do I have what it takes to move forward stronger than I was before?”

It can come in tragic experiences or in small tests-tests that ask us if we’re willing to accept who we are and the life we’ve been born to live.

If I know anything, it’s this. We were not made to be born the same. We were given our own individual minds and a fingerprint unique to each individual soul. Although society and your friends and family would like you to fit the mold and keep you there for their own safety, you were meant to break it.

On one of Oprah’s Lifeclass she says:

“Your life doesn’t have to be what everybody else thinks it should be.”

And when you can mourn that loss, when you can grieve their expectations that you will never and should never fulfill for them, you will then pick yourself up from that tear fallen floor and rise above it all.

It takes heart, courage, sheer will and a reminder that shedding that skin no matter how painful, is what being human is. It is not to walk the same path as your neighbor. It is not to make a million dollars a year. It is not to exceed your competitor. It is only to be. Exactly the way you are. Exactly the way you were meant to be.

Breathe that in dear friends. You already are more than enough.

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