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Posts Tagged ‘Christine Mason Miller’

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing: 10 Sources of Inspiration

April 14th, 2009 | 28 Comments »

Summer Blue

… image via kristybee on etsy …

Do you have tools that you rely on for inspiration? Whether you want to write a private journal entry or a public blog post, how do you get inspired?

While waiting for that moment of creative genius to hit and for this blog post to spill onto paper, I became aware of “inspiration mode.” I never consciously realized this mode before today. I think this mode is actually pretty common. It’s the lull filled with things that make you happy – make you feel creative and inspired – and of course, make you feel ready to conquer the world!

I had planned to write about something a bit more structured today: inspiration boards. I won’t be talking about “inspiration boards” directly today, but I want to talk about “inspiration” in general, which is a great introduction to the topic of inspiration boards. I suppose this is a more natural beginning for a series of posts on inspiration boards. In order to begin discussing the broad topic of inspiration boards, one must have a good handle on general inspiration, which differs for each individual. So today, I am going to discuss 10 sources of inspiration that I personally use over and over again.

• • •

The Basics:
What is inspiration?
(Noun) The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. [Oxford American Dictionary]
Ponder this question, what does inspiration mean to you?
Need some help: check out this great online resource – Creative Something: Inspiring your Creativity. One Idea at a Time.

I define inspiration in terms of the energy I get from a source. Is it positive or negative? Is it creative energy? Is it motivating… and so on? That is how I start. What do I gravitate towards (rather than away)? What do I enjoy and feel almost guilty for doing? It’s in these sources that I typically feel less cognitive strain and more creative thinking. It feels good. It feels fun. It doesn’t feel like work!

• • •

While, sitting, waiting, and wishing…

1)    Music. Quick Burst of Inspiration.
Create short playlists (about 5 songs) that you can listen to for a quick burst of inspiration. You may want to create different types of playlists for different types of inspiration. Do you need a song that makes you feel like writing, like working out, like focusing… and so on. Create a playlist that lasts approximately 15 minutes that you have ready to listen to whenever needed.

I am loving Susannah Conway’s playlists on her blog, Ink on my Fingers.

2)    Quotes. Words that Define your Mood.

Quotes are a fantastic source of inspiration; in particular, quotes that you refer to over and over again – the ones that are memorized and repeated multiple times a day. I usually find quotes organically while reading a book or an article. They jump out at me. I usually relate with the feeling that the quote describes or feel inspired by the words themselves.   And then they stick. If you tend to love quotes, but don’t have a way of keeping track of them see below for a few ideas.Margaret and Walter File

  • Write quotes in a little journal or notebook — designate an entire notebook to quotes or just a few pages of your daily planning notebook. It doesn’t need to be super organized — just nice to have them in one spot to locate later.
  • Put quotes up on an inspiration board. I put up my most frequently used quotes.
  • Store quotes in text documents according to different categories (e.g., books, moods, or any other categorization method).
  • Store quotes in an old-fashioned Rolodex. I recently started to do this and love the flexibility of having this paper method. I jot down new quotes on a little piece of paper and add them into my file. The Rolodex I use is super cute, which makes it more approachable (rather than a paper system that I will quickly abandon).

3)    Photos. Images that tell a Breathtaking Story.

Posy (Susannah Conway, 2008)

… “Posy” by Susannah Conway (2008) …

Photography is a beautiful source of inspiration – looking at photos and/or taking your own photos. I find wonderful photographs through flickr and etsy. My favorite photographs are by Susannah Conway. Susannah writes, “Each of my photographs is my attempt to unravel the world around me, to see the beauty in all things.”   Other incredible photographers with online portfolios to browse: Alicia Bock, Jennifer Causey, Yvette Inufio, Honeytree, and of course, Danielle Anthony!

You can look at photos online and/or order prints from individual photographers to create your own inspiring collection.

4)    Journaling. Otherwise known as Writing Therapy.
I recently started keeping a personal journal. I didn’t realize the therapeutic benefits of journaling until I started my own. I typically journal before I go to sleep about whatever is on my mind at the time. Some of my best ideas are jotted down in that journal. It’s where I keep those random ideas for “someday.” Little diagrams of how I see an idea evolving or the steps needed to make an idea concrete. I stick magazine clippings into it as well – so it’s a whole big journal of personal thoughts and ideas that have sparked creative energy within me.

5)    An Inspiration Board. Make me Happy!

Make me Happy! Inspiration Board

… image of my first inspiration board, Make Me Happy! …

This inspiration board is on the wall above my desk. It was my *first* inspiration board. It sat for about a month with a single post-it note in the center that says: Make Me Happy! I wanted a board that “made me happy.” And so that is how I started — my first creative venture. I’m starting my third inspiration board now on a different theme: A Beautiful Ripple Effect! I’m having a ton of fun brainstorming ideas for it and creating different projects. It’s a blank canvas and a wonderful source of inspiration. I also create mini inspiration boards for my mini personal organizer — love the idea of a portable inspiration board! It contains quotes, images, thoughts, and goals.

6)   Books. A Treasury of Inspiring Words.

I have a collection of about 15 books that I keep in my office all together. I have read these books multiple times and refer to them over and over again for inspiration. I have them close by and can always find exactly what I need in one of them. Some of the books include: I Thought it was Just Me (but it isn’t) by Brene Brown, Ordinary Sparkling Moments by Christine Mason Miller, The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker by Aby Garvey, The Power of Less by Leo Babauta, Domino: The Book of Decorating, Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds, Mindfulness by Ellen Langer and other inspiring reads.

7)  Blogs by Inspiring Bloggers/Writers. Simple Bites of Inspiration.

I may be biased, but I find blogs to be a great source of inspiration. In particular, I love blogs with a personal touch — typos, humor, less than perfect grammar, real world examples, and so on. Sometimes I need a blog with very few words (eye candy blogs), but most of the time I’m looking for inspiring articles to give me that creative edge. Reading a blog article is much more than just reading — you are given the key to a community of other readers interested in the same material. Within the comments, you can often find even more inspiration and community chit chat.

Some of my favorite blogs include: When I Grow Up, UpUp Creative, Decor8, Real Simple: Simply Stated, Treasuring, Made by Girl, Creative Thursday, Christine Mason Miller, Makeunder My Life, Annechovie, Creative Organizing, Melissa Loves, Ink on my Fingers, Ordinary Courage, Think Simple Now, Write to Done, and Zen Habits.

8)    Anything Family. And that includes Ben and Lila Rose!

Just thinking about my family and how much we love each other leaves me feeling incredibly happy, creative (and inspired)! I’m also inspired by how much each member of my family has done — from the little stuff to the really really big stuff. I’m proud of my mom, my dad, my sister, and my brother. We are all so different yet so driven to reach our dreams. Whenever I feel like something is too big for me to do, I think about what my parents did on their own. I know their story — and I know that at the end of the day being parents was their top priority. They taught me that you can do it all. It’s hard, but it’s possible. I could ramble on and on about them — that’s what it feels like (for me) to be inspired.

9)    A Beautiful Ripple Effect. Inspiration grows stronger as it is linked from one individual to another.

How can I describe this source of inspiration without the quote by Christine Mason Miller — not possible! I think I share this quote about every other post or so — have you memorized it yet?

A Beautiful Ripple Effect (Christine Mason Miller)

10)  Care. Commit. Change.® Inspired by others who care about a cause and commit to creating change.

Which artists are committed to creating change? Who inspires me? Well, I created an event just to answer this question! And it began TODAY!!! So exciting!! We already have 700 applicants for our scholarship program this year – which is the largest applicant pool we’ve had ever – and probably the largest applicant pool for college scholarships for young adult cancer survivors (anywhere) so we are hoping that this online auction will help us support these individuals in their quest to go to college.

Why support young adult cancer survivors when everyone is feeling the strain of the economy? Take that strain being felt by everyone and multiply it by at least 10. And that is what is felt by young adult cancer survivors, many are hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt. College is not a possibility — ever. We are changing that through our college scholarship program and by providing *hope* that people (like you and me) believe in them. Should the cost of surviving cancer be the loss of a college education? Absolutely not. Help me — Help them. The auction will end on Friday April 24th. 100% of every dollar donated (every dollar used to purchase an item in this auction) will go directly towards a college scholarship for a young adult cancer survivor. [Update: Auction is complete. Thank you!]

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Posted in: Creativity & Inspiration, Tips + Techniques, Top Posts

9 Methods to Use When Returning to Normal

March 23rd, 2009 | 11 Comments »

BlogImage_3.23.09

How does one go from overdrive to baseline without losing his/her sanity?

I decided that I would willingly be the test subject for this little study — okay willingly may be too calm of a word — forced, perhaps?

When working on a lot of different projects in various roles, my life can sometimes feel like a circus. Day blurs into night and sleep can become a rare treat.

[Disclaimer: I don't recommend this for anyone.]

The question becomes: after being in “overdrive” how do we return back to “normal?” Normal is obviously quite subjective, but regardless of how we define it, I find that I typically utilize 9 methods to re-calibrate my life and regain a sense of normality.

• • •

(1) Mistakes are Made

“A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers.” — Lao Tzu

When working in overdrive, we can make mistakes. They can be little such as, “Oops… I spent too little time on that project,” or they can be a bit larger. And these mistakes can make us go a bit crazy. We can dwell on them and systematically assess them — torturing ourselves that we did something wrong even though we were working so intensely. This cognitive state can be like quick sand and can make any type of transition seemingly impossible. It’s easier said than done, but recognizing that we made a mistake can be the escape route.

Why?

Because even though we know we all make mistakes, we hold ourselves to different standards and so “mistakes” = “bad.” But it’s part of human nature and one of the greatest methods of learning. So it’s okay to admit, “I did this wrong.” It will get you moving forward much quicker.

Need some inspiration? Read the book, Mistakes were Made (but not by me) by Carol Travis and Elliot Aronson. It was a major eye opener for me recently.

• • •

(2) Establish a Transition Mode

“Don’t just do something… sit there.” — 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself (Steve Chandler)

Think of transitioning like moving from one house to another. It doesn’t happen immediately. You need to pack things into boxes, create lots of labels, often move into a temporary home before your final location, and then unpack boxes and peel off labels all before you are settled into that new home. Similarly, when working at 100% (i.e., overdrive) — regaining a sense of normality isn’t something that happens when you wake up the next morning. You’ll need to be kind to yourself and realize that you may not be up to your normal workout routine or your typical night out adventures. You may need to mentally unplug, sit on the couch, and watch tv for 8 hours straight. That doesn’t mean you are a slacker! Realizing that “transition mode” is actually a normal part of your routine will allow you to release the tension associated with the conflict between “what I should be doing” and “what I really need to be doing.” You likely need to establish more “you” time to return back to baseline. Schedule this time into your calendar so you negate the tension before it has time to build upon you. It can feel uncomfortable so plan ahead to be good to yourself.

• • •

(3) It’s Okay to Ask for Help

“We all need cheerleaders. We all need supporters who look at us and exclaim, ‘Yeah You!’ Going crazy when we score a victory, whatever that victory may be. Supporters who feel deep in their hearts that when you win, they win. And if you lose, they’ll keep on cheering, because the most fundamental truth is that you’re worth your own cheering squad simply by being yourself.” — Ordinary Sparkling Moments (Christine Mason Miller)

You have a support system for that reason: support. When you need extra time to help you through a transition, don’t be afraid to ask for help. A good exercise to try: if your good friend were in this situation, what would you tell him/her to do? Is that what you’re doing? Usually we’re much kinder to our friends than we are to ourselves. So think about your answer. If you’re not doing the same for yourself, ask why. You don’t need to be the “strong” supporter every moment of every day. You can still be “strong” and receive support. Just Ask! It’s often during these little periods of time that we are able to forge closer bonds with our friends as we learn from one another and support each other in different ways. But never be afraid that you’ll appear weak if you ask for help. It’s actually quite the opposite.

waiting

• • •

(4) Focus your energy on a passion

It’s typically easier to expend energy when it feels like we’re not doing anything at all. You may be passionate about knitting and so spending some extra time knitting will actually help you to regain energy rather than trying to force yourself to do something that feels like pulling teeth. Because something feels “easy” doesn’t mean you’re being lazy. I know what it feels like to be doing something you’re passionate about and to feel like you’re not doing anything at all — wasting precious time. But in reality, you’re giving yourself a wonderful gift.

I love to write and read blogs. When I need “down time,” I will do these things. I have become more aware of the automatic thoughts that accompany down time and am better prepared to combat them. Just becoming aware of what you’re saying to yourself is helpful and can decrease energy wasted on negative cognition. We’re all about conserving energy and refueling our bodies :). If we do it for planet earth, we should be doing it for ourselves as well.

• • •

(5) Be Positive

All of these methods relate to one common theme: be positive. It is much easier to allow your mood to move into a downward spiral than to watch it like a hawk and try to focus on the positives. It takes energy. Realizing that your energy is well spent on just this activity is key. We often don’t even recognize this as something that requires energy expenditure. But it needs so much focus that when you feel burnt out and you haven’t delegated energy to this task, you will have much more cleanup to do to return to normal than if you focused on maintaining a positive attitude and moving forward. Recognize the smallest glimmers of hope and silver linings. You’ll be able to push through tough times and persevere much more seamlessly than if you feel like everything is just plain awful.

Need more Inspiration? Positivity Week is happening right now at When I Grow Up! Michelle is one of the most positive individuals that one is bound to meet so this is going to be one inspiring week for all to share! (and maybe she’ll continue it beyond this week!)

• • •

(6) Motivate Yourself

brave

“Whatever we learn to do, we learn by actually doing it; men come to be builders, for instance, by building and harp players by playing the harp. In the same way, by doing just acts we come to be just: By doing self-controlled acts, we come to be self-controlled; and by doing brave acts, we become brave.” — Aristotle

Notice I said, “yourself.” Don’t ask for the world to motivate you — you’re leaving far too much up to chance. Be prepared to motivate yourself. Know what keeps you focused and positive. Know how to “reward” yourself. Rewards have become a common word, but not a common act. Redefine what a reward is to you, today. What will make you regain light within — to create a sense of tranquility — to balance turbulence that often is out of your hands? Notice that spark of energy when doing something and create a personal treasury that you can turn to when you need to motivate yourself (e.g., quotes you can read, movies you can watch, songs you can listen to). When you feel the least motivated to move forward, these personal sources of motivation are typically one of the few channels that will guide you in the right direction.

• • •

(7) Notes to Self

“Get away from the crowd when you can. Keep yourself to yourself, if only for a few hours daily.” — Arthur Brisbane

I think a lot about how our words differ when they are spoken to ourselves as compared to when they are spoken to others (e.g., twittering our thoughts, blogging, e-books, podcasts, instant messages, and the list goes on). Do our thoughts evolve differently when they are formulated for ourselves as compared to when they are formulated knowing others will be evaluating them? I would have to assume that the answer is yes — it’s basic social psychology.

For some people, their thoughts may be more powerful when delivered to others. For others, it may be the opposite. I’m probably in between. However, it can be tricky to realize when our thoughts are meant for us or meant for an audience. When I am in “transition” mode, I tend to journal more and write down thoughts that are also in transition. They are meant for me and the act of just writing them on paper is powerful and often what I need to work through a certain thought or problem solve so I can move forward. Just because your words aren’t published doesn’t mean they aren’t just as valuable — if not more valuable. It’s important to value our self as a member of the audience and to realize that our thoughts don’t have to be announced to be meaningful. Great notes can be contained within your journal without guilt or worry. You are worthy of them.

I emphasize this point because you don’t want to block thoughts from being released due to a need for them to be perfect for publication. They don’t have to be published for all to critique. Realizing this allows us to untie the extra weight attached to such thoughts and as a result to worry less about the output and focus more on the process of change.

• • •

(8) From 30,000 Feet

“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.” — Leonardo Da Vinci

Look at your life from 30,000 feet — like what you see from outside an airplane window. Look at the big picture to regain a sense of what normal tends to feel like. Utilize this tool to help you re-establish a sense of balance. It serves as a compass from which you can see, create, see again, create again, and so on. It’s a back and forth movement from which you work on the ground floor and then take a moment to utilize a bird’s eye view. Sometimes re-establishing normal is more difficult than just taking a few days off and as a result — utilizing this big picture can become very helpful.

• • •

(9) Ordinary Moments can be quite Extraordinary

It’s within the ordinary that we usually find “sparkling moments” or the trigger for “a beautiful ripple effect.”

What does that mean?

Don’t underestimate what will actually occur when you are transitioning back to daily routine. I read an incredible essay this weekend that really reminded me of this sentiment. The essay is called, A Witness to Grace by Aldra Robinson, the Real Simple Life Lesson Essay Winner.

A tiny excerpt: “Working in that intensive care unit gave me countless sad tales, and some unfortunate memories are burned into my brain. But it wasn’t some catastrophic moment that taught me one of the most powerful lessons of my life. I learned that unbelievably awful things can and do happen. In truth, they are not such rare, isolated events. Each of us has a story that would break someone’s heart. Despite the grief and the unfairness of it all, we keep going. There are chores to be done. There are people who still need our care. There is a life to be led.”

• • •

The three most powerful words: we keep going.

True and simple.

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Posted in: Creativity & Inspiration, Tips + Techniques

An Imperfect Ten: Inspired by the Beauty of Imperfection

March 16th, 2009 | 10 Comments »

monday-inspiration-cover-pic-by-cathy-nichols

… Image by Cathy Nichols (Sanctuary) …

(1) Effortless Perfection: Is it For You?

During the fall semester of my freshman year at Duke University, an article was published anonymously in our school newspaper. I think everyone can relate to this article on a different level.

While published in the newspaper at Duke, the issue of effortless perfection is evident on college campuses across the nation as well as almost every neighborhood. This article reminds me to strive for what makes me happy rather than solely for what makes others happy. Living in a structured box with no crayons is no fun!

“She worked hard on that exterior. It was important. Because what no one suspected was the demons that controlled her life, that had ravaged her self-esteem during her four years at Duke. No one realized how she felt from the moment she rolled out of bed to the early morning hours when she hit off the light. Like a failure. ‘Effortless perfection,’ the Women’s Initiative called it. Female undergraduates wanted ‘effortless perfection.’ It was the new catch phrase. She didn’t even want effortless perfection. Just perfection. She’d work for it. She wasn’t afraid of work. But she was fixated on the ideal, and sooner or later, it all began to come undone.” — An excerpt from Effortless Perfection

(2) The “Imperfection” Photography Project

Photographer, Jessica Hilltout, describes a powerful trip to Madagascar which led to her project, “Imperfection.”

In an interview, Jessica is asked, “What thoughts and concepts are you trying to express with this body of work?”

Jessica responds, “My world… people… privilege… perfection…  This project was almost a reaction against that… (the machine and the manufactured, the excess of consumption, the lack of individuality, media and advertising’s influence, the conformity…).

Imperfection for me speaks of uniqueness, character, that which is not asceptisized, that which is made by hand, unique that which has lived a long life and has been respected and cherished. Less is more, little things are big… the ingenuity of people with so little who achieve so much (ex. Recuperating old metal, plastic etc to create new objects).”

(3) Accepting Imperfection as Beauty

Nicolle Camarata of Nicolle Shops Portland describes Portland jewelery shop, Rock On Jewelry Design.

“Features Earth friendly, funky neckwear (necklaces not ties) made from things found. Using natural forms of stones, shells and beach glass, local artist Deanna Wohlgemuth has created a jewelry line with meaning. Her focus and inspiration? …accepting imperfection as beauty. By doing this it allows the true beauty to shine through. It is after all, imperfections that make things unique. Each piece is wire wrapped in sterling silver and adorned with a balance of new, salvaged, and antique beads….” — Nicolle Camarata

Artist, Deanna Wohlgemuth describes her jewelry line: “I’ll never have two designs that are exactly the same. The wonderful thing about my work is that it can be viewed simply as unique jewelry, but the story behind each piece is often what attracts others to my art. My pieces are keepsakes, and they won’t be out of style next season. Each piece has a story, and the meaning and purpose behind the story is always fashionable because it’s genuine.”

(4) Be Happy Without Being Perfect

Be Happy without being Perfect

Be Happy Without Being Perfect: How to Break Free from the Perfection Deception (Author: Dr. Alice D. Domar)

  • Listen to an interview with Dr. Alice D. Domar on BlogTalkRadio
  • Great article and interview from Today Show
    • Learn to be happy, without being perfect: Goals are good, but not reaching them isn’t the end of the world

Dr. Alice D. Domar, author of the book Be Happy Without Being Perfect, is a pioneer in the application of mind/body medicine to women’s health issues. She not only established the first Mind/Body Center for Women’s Health, but also conducts ongoing ground-breaking research in the field. Her research focuses on the relationship between stress and different women’s health conditions, and creating innovative programs to help women decrease physical and psychological symptoms.

(5) Girls who Draw present… Misfits (… and you really want to be part of this crowd)

Misfits Book

  • From the “Girls who Draw” Blog: Girls who Draw are an international group of all female illustrators each one with their own unique visual language. Their work is very diverse including slick digital graphics, quirky hand drawn characters, and humorous sequential imagery. Other than being women the main thing members of our group have in common is that we all make and sell our own work be it prints, t-shirts, artist’s books or other multiples. We got together in order to showcase our work to a wider audience. This has been the catalyst for our first collaborative project, a limited edition book based on the theme Misfits. We will combine our work to launch an exhibition of the same name in the UK during 2009.
  • Check out each member of the “Girls who Draw” — Clare Power (Bogus Baby), Jess Bradley, Gemma Correll, Jane Anderson (Currentstate), Zoe Darnell (Mmm…Biscuits!), Yee Ping Kuit, Yee Ting Kuit, Tanya Meditzky, Karoline Rerrie, and Sarah Ray.

(6) Color outside the Lines

outsidelines_artheadstudio

“By coloring outside the lines of her life  she found  her passion.” — Deborah C. Kracht

(7) A Ring with Magical Powers: A Reminder that it’s okay to be Imperfect

Image of Ring from Ordinary Courage Blog (Brene Brown)

… image from Ordinary Courage Blog …

An excerpt from the blog entry by Brene Brown:

A couple of days after buying it, I found myself in a familiar situation. Someone needed wanted asked me to do something that I didn’t have the time, energy, or inspiration to do. Rather than saying “yes” right away, I stood there (looking crazy, I’m sure) and thinking. When I turned 40, I promised myself to be more thoughtful about saying yes when I really need to say no AND saying no when I really need to say yes.

As I stood there, I suddenly realized that I was spinning the little rings on my new ring. Each spin gave me confidence. It was a reminder about the real gifts of turning 40.

I said no. I chose discomfort over resentment.

Make sure to check out the blog post to watch a video demonstration of the ring in action!

(8) Creating a Collage

polyvore_collage by megg

… image by megg on polyvore …

A collage: no guidelines, no checklist of items that must be utilized. The process of creating a collage forces us to think outside the box — to see items from a different perspective. Everyday items begin to look differently and a story unfolds.

You’re able to get out whatever you may be feeling — the good and the bad — mix it all together and create something beautiful.

A story is told as a result of a messy undefined process. You learn as you go.

It is that freedom — in those moments, when I’m simply focused on the joy of the moment. I feel weightless as if I can redefine the objectives — and we can at any time. Imagine if you had to define yourself like a word in the dictionary. Would you rather have a simple definition with a one line description or a definition with synonyms and antonyms, links to other words and no clear objective statement? I rather the latter.

Unclear and complicated, imperfection is filled with layers — layers that unravel and evolve. Layers that inspire. If life were purely a finished coat of paint, perfectly even — would that be beautiful?

(9) “If you can measure it, it’s probably not that important.”  — Brene Brown

Trying to be Brave — Blog post by Brene Brown on Ordinary Courage Blog

Read this blog post, read the comments, and then re-read it over and over again.

The hard part of imperfection: letting go of perfection. Perfection feels safe — no judgment, no battles. Imperfection is scary. Admitting imperfection is even scarier.

Yet, remaining true to yourself and what you believe in is too important to neglect. I write this with more conviction than ever. It will likely be the topic of my next book (another book — one day!).

I am constantly being judged and analyzed by others. It is much easier to give in and be the mold that people want you to be. But to do so would be admitting to yourself that you are not enough. For me, that would be the ultimate betrayal to myself and to those I love and cherish. And particularly to those individuals who gave me the wisdom to know that life is too important to put on hold.

carolyn_kadeejah1

This picture reminds me daily what it means to be brave. I’ll never forget the moments I sat next to Kadeejah, holding her hand or creating collages. I never saw her without a smile — until she closed her eyes. And even then I felt that smile. Her birthday is tomorrow and I feel like it gets harder every single year to feel the loss within me. I realize now that I am scared to reveal that part of my life because it is so painful. Yet, it is also the most beautiful part of my life. The part that fills me with passion and courage. And so I continually try to be brave. I don’t think it’s something we ever master.

(10) Ordinary Sparkling Moments: The Video

Just watched! Strongly suggest watching this video by Christine Mason Miller inspired by her book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments.

* * *

… Enjoy the Beauty of Imperfection …

… Relish the Unfolding Layers of Life …

* * *

What do you love about imperfection?

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Posted in: Authenticity, Personal

Day Three of the Giveaway Celebration Event

March 3rd, 2009 | 7 Comments »

girl in field of grass

… image by pafe (istockphoto username) …

What do you love reading about on blogs (i.e., general topics)? Leave your response in the comments section by Thursday March 5th at 11:30 pm EST. I will contact the recipient shortly afterward and post him/her on the blog as well.

I decided to post all four items this time — so no surprise item!

Okay, time for some fun!

• • •

Item 1: Sunblooms by Amy Butler: A Stationery Collection (30 sheets and envelopes — 6 Different Designs)

sumblooms-stationery-box

Item 2: Russel and Hazel Patterned Mini Binder

rh-binder-inside

russell and hazel mini binders with pattern

… Description from Russell and Hazel Website: our patterned binders will add perk to your workday, sans the caffeine. Reinforced corners and a laminated cover in one of three motifs. Mix and match with other colorful Mini Three-rings to build your system.

- 1/2″ ring holds over 75 sheets
- metal-reinforced corners
- dry erase interior
- made from 100% post-consumer materials
- 7 x 9″ size”

Item 3: Ordinary Sparkling Moments by Christine Mason Miller

ordinary-sparkling-moments-book

… image from Christine Mason Miller …

… Description from Etsy: Is it possible to find meaning in our day to day existence? Can wisdom be attained while we run errands, do the dishes and pay our bills? Ordinary Sparkling Moments – a joyful combination of the writing, collage and photography of Christine Mason Miller – explores these questions and more, celebrating the deeper truths that await our discovery in some of life’s most mundane moments.

Details

160 full color pages / 8″ x 8″

This book is a self-published labor of love, printed in the U.S.A.

“In this book Christine asks us ‘What does it mean to live an authentic life?’ By sharing some of her thoughts and experiences she attempts to peel away the layers of the created self in search of what it means to live fully open to what gives us the greatast meaning, even when that is extremely challenging.” -From the Forward by Keri Smith, author of Living Out Loud, The Guerilla Art Kit and Wreck This Journal

Item 4: Decoylab Wall Hanging Clock (Aqua)

decoylab clock

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Posted in: Treasure Chest

10 Steps for Overcoming Overwhelm

March 2nd, 2009 | 7 Comments »

nature image

Monday Inspiration: 10 Steps for Overcoming Overwhelm

“We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along the surface of things… [but] there are times when we stop. We sit still. We lose ourselves in a pile of leaves or its memory. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.” — James Carroll

I decided to write this post after battling with feeling overwhelmed last week. I wanted to provide a more personal look into “overcoming overwhelm.” I have inserted excerpts from my personal journal to help explain how I utilize these steps. I hope these steps help you to look at overwhelming situations a bit differently and most importantly, help you to realize that you are never alone. We all feel overwhelmed. I realize my example is a bit superficial, but I don’t think it matters. I feel overwhelmed by things that are superficial and things that are far from superficial, but how I react to feeling overwhelmed tends to be the same regardless of the specific situation. And by no means have I figured out the solution to avoiding feeling overwhelmed. If someone has found that secret solution, I would love to know about it!

• • •

1. Recognize the Feelings

Determine the common feelings/thoughts/behaviors that accompany feeling overwhelmed.

To help recognize the feelings, I documented what happened to me last week when I started to feel overwhelmed. Below are notes from my personal journal.

I feel anxiety soaring through my body. My mind is jumping around so much that I feel dizzy. First thought: I am overwhelmed. How did I get here? What have I been doing? I’ve been working all day on research and coding. I’ve felt focused, calm, and productive. So what triggered, “I am overwhelmed?”

Don’t ignore these initial feelings. The key is to catch these thoughts/ feelings before they erupt.

Think of this step like the process of recognizing someone walking towards you on the street.

2. Attend to the feelings

After you recognize that someone is walking towards you on the stress, is the process done? Most of the time: no. You think about how you know this person. If it’s a friend, you’re probably going to want to stop and say hi. If it’s someone you don’t know, you’re probably going to keep walking. If it’s someone you’re in a fight with, you’re probably going to do something different. Now back to feeling overwhelmed.

So I recognized that I was feeling overwhelmed. But then what? The next step is to focus on the feelings — what is going through your mind? What led to those feelings? Below is the next section in my journal entry.

I went on Amazon to purchase a book on qualitative data analysis. On the home screen of my account, I saw an alert regarding a book that I had pre-ordered. It was a notification that the book would be shipped earlier than noted online. I noticed that it was my book, Perseverance, so I clicked on the link for more information.

When I saw the screen, I got excited and felt pride — wow my book is on Amazon. And then I scrolled down and my eye stopped on a very long number. [Remember - I had been doing data analysis all day]

My eye stopped at: Book Rank.
Book Rank: 2 million something…. YIKES! TWO MILLION!!!

It might as well just say no one is looking at this book and no one is going to buy this book when it comes out. Of course, I wanted to be really nice to myself so I clicked on the link to the list of “bestsellers.” It was conveniently located right next to my book’s ranking.

I proceeded to peruse the books on the bestseller list and their websites and their blogs and their magic tricks and I began to panic. I can do magic tricks too. I can write “professional” blog entries, hold virtual seminars twice a week, and speak in five cities a day. And so all of these ideas flood into my head and I am panicking. It’s already midnight so I must get started NOW!

And so I sit at my computer ready to create my “master plan.” But there’s a document already open on my computer — oh yes, my research project.

Reality hits quickly and a tidal wave of fear takes over my thoughts.

Rational thoughts hide in the background and are no where to be seen.

I ask myself, “what am I doing?”

Thought 1: I must quit grad school right now so I can focus solely on my book.

Thought 2: Is that really what YOU want?

3. Cross-Examination

Questions. Questions. Questions.

Even when my rational thoughts seem to have disappeared, I am able to ask questions. And so I do — lots and lots of questions.

I recognize that something is not right (I feel overwhelmed).
I attend to the feelings. (Don’t ignore what’s underneath the “overwhelmed.”)
I question.

If you look at my journal entries. I ask lots of questions throughout, such as:

  • How did I get here?
  • What have I been doing?
  • What triggered, “I feel overwhelmed?”
  • So I recognized that I was feeling overwhelmed. But then what?
  • What is going through your mind?
  • What led to those feelings?
  • I ask myself, “what am I doing?”
  • Is that really what YOU want?

Questions allow me to rationally restructure my thoughts even when I feel far from rational. They lead me to the source of the problem and allow me to go from panic mode to problem solving mode.

Most importantly, questioning the irrational thoughts is a way to defend yourself — your rational self.

Final section of journal entry:

It seems that my cross-examining worked. Rational thoughts came back to the surface.

It’s going to be okay. I realize that I am only one person.

And so what if others don’t understand that publishing a book and completing the first year of graduate school is a lot for one person.

Back to my reality.

And I repeat to myself a quote that has been with me all day:

“At any given moment you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end.” — Christine Mason Miller, Ordinary Sparkling Moments.

4. Reflect and Recharge

Every time I go through this process, I take time to reflect at the end. I congratulate myself for pausing and taking control when I could have ignored the feelings building within me. I recognize that I am doing something that is still very new to me and feel a sense of pride for taking the time to defend myself.

I realize the power of my book. It is changing the way I live my own life on a daily basis. The subtitle of the book is much more than just words. For many books, I don’t think this is the case. A subtitle can become a marketing tactic — to add a bit of “umph” to the title. But the subtitle of my book is focused on reality: How Twenty Young People Turned Fear into Hope — and How They Can Teach Us to do the Same.

For me to overcome feeling overwhelmed, I am turning my fears into hope. I am moving from a negative state, feeling paralyzed by fear, to a positive state, feeling energized by hope.

Through hope, I recharge.

5. Move Forward

Decide “next steps.” Determine what you are going to focus on without ignoring what has just led to you feeling overwhelmed. For me, I decided to focus on my research and my book. I needed to evaluate how I would balance both of these projects without feeling overwhelmed everyday. No master plan created. It’s still a work in progress, but a work that I am attending to and focusing on. Often, when things become overwhelming — even if we recognize them as overwhelming — the easiest thing to do is to ignore the overwhelming culprit. But we’re really not ignoring it. It is still in our mind, but just sitting there. We’re not taking any steps to move forward. And so it drains our energy and sits there untouched. Moving forward for me means that I make it a priority to not leave the feeling untouched in the back of my mind. I make it a goal to focus on it everyday for a few minutes so I don’t revert back to the cycle of what led to my previous feeling of helplessness.

green

6. Assess the Worst Case Scenario

For me, this step is never the fun part. However, it is often the most helpful part of the process. When we assess the worst case scenario — we are able to move out of the paralyzing state of fear.

So what was the worst case scenario in my situation?

The book’s ranking continues to drop and becomes the lowest ranked book on Amazon — EVER. There it is. I ask myself — So What??

I didn’t write the book to gain money or prestige. I wrote the book to tell a story and that’s done regardless of Amazon Ranking. So what is important to me? Where do I want to focus my energy with regards to the book publishing process?

My goal is to inspire individuals to focus on struggles (whatever they may be) from a different perspective. To give individuals hope that, even during rough patches, they can grow stronger. To share what I have learned from the amazing individuals within Perseverance. It’s often during the difficult moments in life that we find more meaning and joy. We all have within us the incredible power to persevere. To share the core message: learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles you face, knowing that now is everything.

The focus from the beginning has been on respecting the quality of the book’s message. I feel that it’s becoming far too easy to sacrifice quality for quantity. And that is something I strive NOT to do with anything I undertake.

* What reminded me of the importance of asking yourself, what’s the worst thing that could happen? Tough Question Tuesday post on the When I Grow Up Blog

7. Ask for Help

“Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.” — Brian Dyson

This step is simple yet profoundly difficult. You must first admit to yourself that you are overwhelmed and then admit to someone else. And sometimes you won’t receive the help you need and other times someone will help you in just the way you needed. Last week, I asked for help on twitter when I was having major writer’s block. I didn’t think anyone would care or even respond. I was wrong. Aby Garvey sent me a clip from TED. I watched the video at least three times and have sent it to many people for inspiration. After watching the video, I was able to write. And I realized yet again that asking for help doesn’t equate to weakness, but to strength.

Just admitting that you’re overwhelmed (even if it’s just on a piece of paper) is healing. It translates the intangible into something concrete that you can work with.

The video is a speech by Elizabeth Gilbert entitled: A different way to think about creative genius.

8. Reality Check

  • Do I NEED to do everything NOW?
  • What can I defer?

Give yourself a break. Letting go of one current obligation helps to free up valuable time and leaves you with a little wiggle room. Easier said than done? I dropped a required class this year, statistics. I will need to make it up next year with the first year graduate students. I need the additional time and that’s okay.

9. Visual Reminders

I have two main visual reminders: my inspiration board (a whole other blog post) and my desktop wallpaper. I use my desktop image as a reminder of something I can do when life feels overwhelming. Sometimes it’s a quote — sometimes it’s an image. Right now I’m using images from lululemon’s website. Lululemon is known for their yoga clothing, but is much more. Their website is a reflection of their company’s motto: creating components for people to live longer, healthier, more fun lives. They have an entire section of free desktop images.

For me, yoga is something I can do in less than 5 minutes to help clear my mind, refresh, and recharge.

10. Finding Detours

Often we feel stuck or even set ourselves up to feel overwhelmed. I did that on this blog recently.

I wanted to do a four day giveaway event — four days in a row and end it with a wonderful announcement. However, I did this knowing that last week was one of the biggest weeks for me — research presentation, meetings in new york, birthday. But I did it anyway. And I only completed two days. I feel awful and overwhelmed and want to make it all up right now. But I can’t. I’ve realized that it’s okay if I don’t do my first blog giveaway perfectly. I’ll finish the giveaway event this week. Rationally, I know if anyone hates me for not putting my giveaway up on time that this blog isn’t for them. It’s not a giveaway blog or a professional blog. It’s a blog about living authentically and part of living authentically is being vulnerable and showing imperfection. Understanding that “not being enough” is a struggle we all deal with and a part of what makes us unique individuals. And so I will not neglect my blog for fear of not being a perfect blogger. Because I know I’m not a perfect blogger and do not want to even begin to strive for that.

To feel unstuck, we need to find detours. Detours are okay. No need to repave the entire road — just change directions. To get to a destination, there is usually more than one route.

• • •

Turning Fear Into Hope

And so it comes full circle. What led me to write this post was my fear tied to book publishing. And what resulted from that fear was hope instilled in me that beauty can grow from darkness and uncertainty. We just have to find the little bud of hope and hold onto it. We all have the power to do that. We all have the power to hold onto hope, attend to hope, feed our hope — like a bridge over troubled water.

• • •

How do you overcome overwhelm? What have you found to be helpful for yourself?

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Posted in: Authenticity, Personal, Tips + Techniques

Monday Inspiration

February 16th, 2009 | 8 Comments »

"Ellie in Blue" by Melissa

"Ellie in Blue" by Melissa

I just walked into my apartment after a day of travel. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s Monday and not Sunday. It feels like Sunday today. I’m unpacking and getting organized for the week — two things that leave me feeling absolutely overwhelmed! So I decided it was time to write my wonderful Monday blog post that always makes the day a bit sweeter :).

• • •

Every single moment you are writing the story of your life. — Christine Mason Miller

• • •

*Jen Lemen* — incredibly inspiring individual, currently documenting a photo-journalism project on Shutter Sisters (read more at link below)

Jen’s Blog

*Russell + Hazel Chicklet Adhesive Notes* — Love color, little sticky notes, and obsessed with fun office products? Check these out!!

Image from Simplify101

Image from Simplify101

*Sweet + Simple Blogs*

–> Melissa Loves

Melissa could not be a sweeter person! Her blog is amazing as well as her handmade jewelery :). I just received my first piece, Little Ellie, and will not take her off. You can see Melissa’s jewelery at her Etsy Store: Acts of Kindness. The image at the top of this post is the piece I got from Melissa!

–> When I Grow Up

I recently discovered Michelle’s blog and am hooked. It’s full of inspiration :).

*Be Creative*

–> Polyvore

Create your own online inspiration board/collages without any software! It’s a lot of fun (… quick + super easy too!). If you create something, please share!!

"Happy simply.." (created by Opptini on Polyvore)

"Happy simply.." (created by Opptini on Polyvore)

• • • {Squam?} • • •

Is anyone going to Squam (Art Workshops)? It’s so close to me and there are going to be so many incredible people there… would love to know if anyone is planning on going or would like to go!!

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Posted in: Creativity & Inspiration

Now is Everything

February 1st, 2009 | No Comments »

butterfly1Life unfolds every moment. There are good moments and bad moments. I am learning that even during these awful, yucky moments we have the ability to experience something beautiful.  I am learning this through practice. Prior to becoming more mindful, bad moments meant dark clouds, tears, and sadness. I only saw black and white. I didn’t realize that there were other options. Of course, sadness is felt; however, it does not have to be the only emotion present. During rough experiences, I felt as if the only direction I could go was down. And so I went down… until my eyes finally opened and the pieces of my life started to make sense. They don’t fit perfectly together and I’m embracing that.

Prior to this shift in my thinking, I couldn’t understand how intense pain could help me grow — it sounded foreign to me. No one I saw as “perfect” did anything sub-par. I desperately needed someone to unveil perfection. Hopefully, I am doing that through this blog as I personally unveil my own perfectionism.

“Now is everything” has become my guidepost in this journey. It was the core lesson I learned while writing Perseverance. The phrase reminds me to be mindful of priorities and to not allow myself to shift into the mindset of, “I’ll do that after I get through this.” Time is not guaranteed — just “now.”

I often read an excerpt from Christine Mason Miller’s book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments, to remind myself of this guidepost and to focus on the process of change rather than just the outcome. It reminds me that the consequences of our efforts may not be immediate — and that’s okay. I hope you’re able to pull your own meaning from Christine’s powerful words.

• • •

Excerpt from Ordinary Sparkling Moments:

The story of a caterpillar going through a difficult, tender process in order to emerge in a more extraordinary form is an apt description of what we experience at different life stages as well as when the earth seems to crumble beneath us. Comparing our own process of change to something as exquisite as a butterfly enables us to focus on the beauty that can be attained within if we are willing to go through our deepest internal mines, no matter how arduous. When a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, it is losing its familiar form in order to become something entirely different, just as periods of loss and metamorphosis alter our own interior landscapes.

Through any period of change, there lies the opportunity to not only rebuild one’s self and environment, but also demolish structures that have become outdated and destructive.

Where a caterpillar curls up into itself and does not re-surface until its entire being is transformed, as human beings with jobs, children and other responsibilities, we must do our morphing in the midst of day-to-day routines. This requires commitment, awareness and a clear sense of our deepest priorities. It requires effort when we might rather turn on the tv; it requires energy when we feel on the verge of collapsing. The work must be done to re-assemble the pieces of ourselves that have been shattered, otherwise we remain fractured individuals – not quite ourselves but not quite someone else either.

Life is nothing more than continuous cycles of transformation and growth. We become caterpillars, we go into the cocoon, we burst through as butterflies, and then we do it all over again. The belief that we are all gorgeous winged creatures waiting to emerge from our own experiences is a lovely one, but it is also important to embrace the cocoon, to cherish the times when we are deep in the act of change and shedding old selves. The in between times- which can sometimes be quiet and still and other times full of rage and ferocity – are where the real lessons are learned and where real change is possible.

The cocoon is where we learn to slay dragons, howl at the moon, and embrace our flaws more tenderly than ever.

The cocoon is where our souls do the work they need to do, where we are safe enough to face the truth with eyes wide open.

• • •

My journey is continually evolving. I love that I have no idea what I will learn about myself tomorrow. I am currently working on my “Feel Good List” created by Julie Green, Up Up Creative. In my next post, I will discuss these incredible lists and what I’ve been learning and reflecting upon during the creation process.

I just started using twitter and am loving it! You can follow me at: clrsimple2.

• • •
As you can tell, I love quotes. What quotes inspire you? Or is there a book or song that has inspired you?

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Posted in: Personal

Ordinary Sparkling Moments

December 18th, 2008 | 9 Comments »

What a beautiful title for a first blog post! Starting a blog has been a dream. I’ve “blogged” before, but in an impersonal kinda way. It was never really about “me” or what’s going on inside my crazy head. However, I have recently started to just let my guard down and live authentically. It is such fun to learn who I am beneath labels and boxes and so on. So here I go on this incredible blog journey! 

The title for this post comes from the title of Christine Mason Miller’s book: Ordinary Sparkling Moments. I can’t remember how I came across Christine’s blog, but her words are so powerful and describe everything I am feeling in such a beautiful way. I ordered the book last week from Christine’s shop on Etsy. I got the book a couple days ago and just love looking at the cover. It’s beautiful – the color, the font, the design. I’m a bit obsessed and I haven’t even opened it yet!! 

ordinary-sparkling-moments

The first quote I read on Christine’s website reflects the prose in the book. After I read the quote, I immediately printed it on photo paper and put it in the middle of my inspiration board above my desk. I read it multiple times a day and so it’s the origin of my blog’s name. 

I’ll end my first blog post with Christine’s quote. Enjoy and come along with me as I journey through a multitude of ordinary sparkling moments! 

inspiration_quote

images from www.christinemasonmiller.com

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Posted in: Uncategorized

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