A Beautiful Ripple Effect

Over the past few months, Unconventional Success has been a hot topic on A Beautiful Ripple Effect. Each post prompted unique reactions and a desire to know more. After much brainstorming, I realized that in order to “know more,” we needed to look at the journey from different perspectives. Last month, I announced this realization and the beginning of a new interview series. I could not have imagined a better person to launch this series — since it was this individual who prompted the launch of A Beautiful Ripple Effect.

Purpose of “Living Your Vision” Series: To focus on the journey – the how – of unconventional success. The series emphasizes that life is truly a verb – not solely a string of accomplishments.

Unconventional success redefines what we consider possible – it’s success that has not yet been defined by others. Essentially, it means paving a path through uncharted territory.

Christine Mason Miller is a Santa Monica based writer and artist who has been drawing, painting, creating, writing and exploring ever since she was a little girl. She began her journey as a professional artist in 1995 with the creation of Swirly, which began as a line of handmade greeting cards and evolved into an internationally recognized brand with licensees, clients and retail partners that included Target, Recycled Paper Greetings, Andrews McMeel Universal, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Girl Scouts of America.

Christine has maintained a strong audience over the years with gallery exhibits of her mixed media work, her website and blog. In 2008 she released Ordinary Sparkling Moments: Reflections on Success and Contentment, a full color self-published book that combines her mixed media work and writing, all aimed at exploring the joys of finding wisdom in everyday life.  Her writing has been featured in Skirt! Magazine, The Wish Studio Blog, and This Ordinary Day, and she is is a member of the Squam Art Workshops teaching roster.  She was the keynote speaker at Virginia Tech’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Conference in June 2009 and her newly released line of inspirational wall art – licensed to Demdaco, Inc. – is off to a strong start, with new designs for a 2010 release already underway.

Christine’s art and writing gives viewers a peek into a variety of details from her life, including travels around the globe and memories shared with her grandma. Using materials as varied as acrylic paints, ink, coffee, mannequins, vintage photographs and other ephemera, Christine’s creations are full of color, texture and hidden stories.

• How are you living your vision?
  • It is in the smaller details – being able to live in Los Angeles without a car, having writing deadlines on my calendar, creating a family with my husband.

• When working on an exciting project (one that you are passionate about), how do you quiet your thoughts and shift your mind-set in order to do “other” things?
  • It is sometimes challenging; if I lived alone I would likely be a workaholic.  But with a home, a husband and a busy social life, there are always plenty of other things that need to get done (and that I enjoy doing), so those other facets of my life help keep me balanced.

• What are three to five lessons you have learned during your personal journey?
  • Trust my gut.
  • Be true to my word.
  • Do my best.
  • Remember what really matters.
  • Stay in the present.

• How do you acknowledge and celebrate personal success?
  • With my husband, family and friends – very often with champagne!

• What is an “ordinary sparkling moment?”
  • I actually had a few moments this morning when I saw clearly that is what I was experiencing.  My husband and I had just come downstairs – me in my yoga pants, he in his suit for work.  He was at our kitchen table reading the paper while I was making coffee and emptying the dishwasher.  We weren’t talking much, just doing what we do every single morning.  I loved recognizing that this was our routine, this was how we were able to begin our day everyday:  Together, with coffee, breakfast, our newspapers and the sun streaming through our windows.

• What are your unfiltered thoughts on “failure?”
  • I’ve had plenty of failures, and my perspective of them has evolved into something like this:  First of all, when I think of a new idea, project or venture, the first place my mind goes is to what it would look like if that idea succeeded.  Even though I’ve failed plenty, I go immediately towards success as a possible outcome, because I have also learned that sometimes it is wise to be careful about what I wish for.  We attach these labels to success and failure – one is good and the other is bad – but in fact both have positive and negative elements, and both have the potential to help us grow, evolve and create a more meaningful, authentic life.
  • When I think about failure, I try not to attach a label to it.  If I try something and it doesn’t work, that is not a reflection on my character, integrity or talent.  It is simply one step along my journey, and my job in those situations is to glean whatever lessons they have to offer and take them with me on my next endeavor.

• What is an inspirational tip you would like to share with readers?
  • Your creative idea, dream, longing?  Do it!  Your 85-year old self will be so happy you went for it.

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Thank you so much, Christine, for opening up your heart and sharing your personal thoughts on A Beautiful Ripple Effect!

The first “Living Your Vision” interview wouldn’t be complete without an incredible giveaway! One lucky reader will receive a limited edition signed hardcover of Ordinary Sparkling Moments. Enter the giveaway by responding to Christine’s question below in the comments section!

Respond by Tuesday December 15th at 11:59 pm EST. Recipient will be chosen via random.org and announced on Wednesday December 16th.

What does your 85-year old self want you to do? Try? Experience? See?

– Updated 12.16.09 –

Congratulations to Rachel — the recipient of the Limited Edition Signed Hardcover of Ordinary Sparkling Moments!!