18. Ordinary Sparkling Moments. Reflect on the ordinary moments that bring you joy (e.g., the tea pot whistling, the sun setting). What moments would you like to relish in the coming year?

For this prompt, I decided to approach my response using a more visual technique. I created the mosaic above to reflect ordinary sparkling moments from 2011—moments that I hope to continue to cherish in the coming year. This mosaic represents such extraordinary happiness. I highly recommend putting together a little personal collage of happy moments/memories from 2011 that you can look back on at any time and feel a surge of joy :).

My Technique (Love reading others’ step-by-step processes so I thought it would be fun to share the nitty gritty details!)

(1) I spent about five minutes journaling ordinary sparkling moments from 2011. After this exercise, I had a list about a page long of happy moments + memories.

(2) Next, I brainstormed how I wanted to share this list. I could type the list and publish it in its raw form or capture the list in a more visual form. Since I have relied on words for most of my reverb11 responses, I chose to move outside my comfort zone and use the visual approach.

(3) I selected a mosaic photo template created by Pugly Pixel for Photoshop.

(4) I searched for photos* to capture a few of the ordinary sparkling moments on my list. After finding about 20 photos, I cropped and edited until I got down to just the right number of photos for this particular mosaic. I knew I was done when I looked at the mosaic and felt a strong emotional response to the collection of images all together :).

*I keep track of images that I find online by creating a new bookmark folder for particular blog posts. For example, for this post, I created a bookmark folder with the name: OSM (Ordinary Sparkling Moments). As I find photos, I bookmark the photo and save it to its post folder so I can easily find the image sources to link back to when I’m finalizing my post. I very rarely will share an image if I can’t find the source to reference.

Ordinary Sparkling Moments 2011 (Image Sources and Notes)

Blogshop Boston (Group Photo) | Carolyn + Lila Rose (Oct. 2011—I remember playing with Lila and feeling such joy. It was a weekend evening and my hubby and I were having a casual cosy night in. I asked him to take a spontaneous photo to capture this ordinary moment of bliss.) | Twinkle Lights (always make me happy) | Pink + Gold Wrapping (this is my new favorite color combination and inspired me to get more creative with my own holiday wrapping this year!) | Book Styling Photo (Leah Verwey shot and styled the most beautiful photos of my book. Looking at this photo and acknowledging this experience makes me incredibly proud and grateful for my book’s journey.) | Carolyn + Ben (Oct. 2011 in Paris—This photo was taken at a fabulous bistro in Paris on our first night. We were so excited to be celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary in such a special place, just the two of us.) | Cocoa and Hearts Painting (My hubby bought me this painting for our apartment. It has the most beautiful pinks and golds in it. In the evening, the gold sparkles and just looking at it brings a smile to my face.)

Related posts:

1. Ordinary Sparkling Moments
2. 11 Books from 2011
3. Beautiful people do not just happen.

The Desire to Inspire Book Launch celebration is now just over 48 hours behind me. Most of the houseguests who flew in from all over the globe have gone back home, beds are in disarray, and my dining room table still looks like it was taken over by Christmas elves on crack. There is not a single present under the tree yet, and my best friend is still here helping me wash dishes, pack orders and run errands. Traces of the celebration are everywhere, and the sense of exuberant giddiness that fueled all the weeks of planning is still with me. The night of the book launch I chose not to do a book reading or any kind of formal speech, but instead offered a brief but emotional thank you, sharing that this experience has been one of the most remarkable of my life. This book, these contributors, and every single moment of this extraordinary ride has been about many things at different times, but at its essence, just one:  JOY.

The first person to land at LAX for the festivities was Vineeta Nair, a contributor who flew in from Mumbai, India. She arrived Tuesday, and most everyone else was coming in the next day. That night, my husband and I took her out to dinner, and we had a discussion about entrepreneurship. The topic of Apple came up, and we all decided that the core of their success came from their unwavering focus on the why of what they did. Theirs was an empire built on a vision of what was possible – of presenting something to the world that the world did not yet know it would want or need or be endlessly inspired by. They did not do any test marketing; they did not take consumer polls. They created something they felt fiercely passionate about and the world was forever changed.

In any endeavor, it is easy to be clear on what I am doing, and my work is also to figure out how I will do it. But it is the why that compels me more than anything; without a solid foundation to support the motivation behind my actions – whether personally or entrepreneurially – I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed in the morning. The why is reason I do what I do, and this has always been so.

The book launch was an evening of celebration first and foremost. Held in a beautiful setting, this gathering of sixty or so guests – which included more than half of the nineteen contributors – was a living, breathing validation of the why of Desire to Inspire. That night, I only had access to all the conversations and moments that I was experiencing, but having talked to so many who were there since then, I am now developing a more well-rounded picture of the evening. And with every story I hear, with every glimpse I am given into the exchanges between my friends, I grow more confident that the intention I set at the beginning of this journey – which was to create and work and organize from a place of joy – worked. The why of Desire to Inspire was to create a substantive, meaningful exploration of all the ways one can construct a meaningful life, and to do this joyfully. Three nights ago, this why came to life, and created a tiny universe where everyone present had joy in their hearts yet still felt comfortable sharing intense stories of love and loss and walking through this world with one another.

I have known all along that I wanted this event to hold and support and encourage joy, but beyond that I was game for anything. Like always, what transpired was more beautiful than anything I could have imagined on my own, and that light will never fade – confirming that as long as I keep that why at the center of my compass, everything is good, and all is an adventure.

Christine Mason Miller is the author of Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World, available on Amazon.com and at bookstores everywhere. Follow her adventures at http://christinemasonmiller.com/.

image: liz kalloch

Related posts:

1. Desire to Inspire: A Sparkling Giveaway
2. A Turn in the Pathway
3. Living Your Vision: Christine Mason Miller

I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to announce I am on the roster of twenty contributors to Desire to Inspire:  Using Creative Passion to Transform the World by Christine Mason Miller. In Desire to Inspire, readers will be introduced to twenty extraordinary women – writers, artists and entrepreneurs – all of whom share a unique example of how they create a meaningful life and, in turn, make a positive impact on the world. The stories and examples explore the roots of their desire to inspire and how they manage to pursue their passions in the midst of all the twists and turns life has given them. In addition to a beautiful collection of quotes, stories, and anecdotes, readers are given substantive, encouraging exercises aimed at supporting their own journey towards a meaningful, mindful life. It will be available  December 20^th through Amazon and you can pre-order your copy today!

To be a part of Christine’s second book project is something I could never have imagined when I began A Beautiful Ripple Effect. The title of my blog is taken from Christine’s first book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments. This book was the catalyst for a multitude of positive changes in my life. I cannot begin to envision what the impact of this second book will be. However, I do know, it will be powerful.

To celebrate the release of her new book, Christine is generously giving away a gorgeous wall art piece to one recipient.

Giveaway Details

PRIZE: One of three wall art pieces (your choice from the three in the image above!)

TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “INSPIRE!”

BONUS ENTRY: Where would you put your inspiring new wall art? Answer in the comments.

LOCATION: No restrictions!

GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Sunday December 11^th at 9 PM EST

**Updated (12.12.2011): winner is… Stephanie! Stephanie, check your email for a message from me shortly :)!**

Related posts:

1. The Why of Desire to Inspire
2. A Turn in the Pathway
3. I Am Project Giveaway

The Seven Links

• Your first post
• A post you enjoyed writing the most
• A post which had a great discussion
• A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written
• Your most helpful post
• A post with a title that you are proud of
• A post that you wish more people had read

My Seven Link Picks

• My First Post (published on December 18, 2008): Ordinary Sparkling Moments
• I love writing all of my posts so this one is hard! But I really enjoyed writing a post on embracing imperfection in March 2009 called An Imperfect Ten: Inspired by the Beauty of Imperfection
• I loved the long and thoughtful comments on the June 2009 post, Your Greatest Work is Ahead of You
• Breathe. (via Zen Habits) has inspired me tremendously. It is an incredible reminder to get back to the basics and to let things be easy.
• Most Helpful Post: You Don’t Have to Know
• I love this post and its title… Learning to Let Go: One Life Altering Step at a Time
• And I wish more people had read this post

Wanna play along? Leave a link to your post in the comments and help create a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration!

:: goodies ::

-> Check out Spring for new content (videos, mp3 recordings, giveaways, guest posts) each day! The site is growing like crazy and is full of unique inspiration for designing a creative and intentional life. I hope you enjoy!!

-> Have you heard about The Daily Brainstorm? I am a regular contributor and it just launched last week. It is an emporium of blog posts on a broad range of topics. Be sure to visit the site and indulge in its amazing inspiration!

image: skippy designs

Related posts:

1. Creating A Beautiful Ripple Effect – Got Tips?
2. Give & Receive: Creating A Beautiful Ripple Effect in 2010
3. A Beautiful Ripple Effect Celebration Finale

… quiet

… relaxation

… visual inspiration

… biographies

… interior design/nesting (daily obsessions: decor8 and making it lovely)

… journaling

… connection

… ease + simplicity (counting down the moments until Aby’s new online workshop, It’s About Time: How to Have More Fun and Get More Done – I talked to Aby throughout the creation of this workshop and know that it is going to exceed all expectations. No affiliate connection, just an exciting opportunity to share)

… yoga

… family

… acceptance

… decisiveness

… quotes

… photographs (addicted to a creative mint)

… giving + receiving

… chocolate chip + banana pancakes

… dance lessons with soon to be hubby

… marriage (T minus 3.5 months!)

… personal growth (my guru extraordinaire: Jennifer Lee)

… discovery sessions (i.e., magical transformation)

… sharing my imperfect journey (the little stuff as well as the bigger lessons)

… learning your stories, your little and big life moments

… lowered expectations

… doing without doing

… focus and inner quiet

… soft music

… creating in the moment

… handmade indulgences (etsy + papernstitch)

… transparency

… forgiveness

… receiving support without asking (in an ideal world, but crave support and may need to get better at the “asking” component)

… structure

… innovation

… new beginnings

… reconnecting with my online + offline friends, cheerleaders, and supporters

… celebrating ordinary sparkling moments and cherishing the friendship of my personal sparkling genie, Christine Mason Miller

I want to throw this question back to you and would love to know: what are you craving? Share your cravings, big and small (deep and/or playful) in the comments.

:: goodies to share ::

-> I recently wrote my first official guest post for one of my favorite blogs, Live Bold and Bloom. I loved the experience and hope you’ll hop on over to read my piece entitled, How to Embrace Uncertainty and Cultivate Inner Peace.

-> New videos + lots of great giveaways on Spring. July’s hot topic for discussion: self-care. Episode one went live on Tuesday! This month’s video series is our best yet. In the final episode on the topic (available the last week of July), I share a very personal story for the first time that I hope offers inspiration for others.

[image 1: calypso; image 2: a creative mint]

Related posts:

1. Tuesday Treasures: Life is a Verb
2. Create a Beautiful Ripple Effect of Inspiration: The 7 Link Challenge
3. In Between the Moments

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.

- – - – -

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!!

Related posts:

1. Living Your Vision: Carrie McCarthy
2. Living Your Vision: Leana May
3. Day Three of the Giveaway Celebration Event

We all have journeys into uncharted territories that we must take alone. But I have learned we aren’t necessarily alone. No matter how dark the moment, brave souls have already walked the same path. The purpose of this book is to shine a light on the path each of us takes.” – me, in Perseverance

Growing up, I watched in awe as my parents lived passionately every single day, using their passion to work tirelessly for what they believed in. They were always learning new things about the world and themselves. Most importantly, they never gave up when things got tough. My parents were the first to demonstrate to me that there is no one way road to success.

Individuals who have found unconventional paths to success and redefined what it takes to be successful have had a profound impact on my ability to create and live an unconventional life – defined primarily by passion. The road has never been easy; yet, giving up has never been an option.

The purpose of this post is to redefine what you recognize as the realm of the possible. To do this, I will introduce you to individuals I consider to be modern-day pioneers. Hopefully, they will open your eyes to an entire world of possibilities and motivate you to create your own unconventional success, to overcome feeling intimidated by the daunting task of pursuing a personal dream.

I wrote down the names of these individuals long before the idea for this post took its final shape since each of them have helped me realize that there is indeed light on the path I am taking—even though it often feels scary and lonely. I look to these individuals for courage and inspiration on a regular basis. I hope that you find inspiration through these individuals as well.

In this post, I will discuss six individuals organized within three different categories.

{It may look like a lot of information to read, so take a deep breathe and read at your own pace. Check out links during downtime – for inspiration and motivation!}

-> Redefining Change: From Curing Cancer to Eradicating Child Poverty

Josh Sommer

I met Josh while I was an undergraduate at Duke University. After I met him and his mom, Simone Sommer, my life has never been the same. Before meeting for the first time at dinner, I knew very little about Josh and expected a quick meal, nice conversation, and a definite conclusion. Of course, fate had different plans that night. Clearly, Josh and I were united for a much greater purpose. Ultimately, Josh would become one of my closest friends. What follows is a short bio to give you a better understanding of why Josh redefines what is possible and inspires me to extend past the limits of my comfort zone. For those who received an advanced release copy of Perseverance, you’ll be surprised to notice an addition to the book: the first page of the book has been changed; it is written by Josh Sommer.

Josh Sommer is the executive director of the Chordoma Foundation, an organization he co-founded with his mother, Dr. Simone Sommer, after he was diagnosed with a clival chordoma in 2006. Josh believes that patients should play an active role in facilitating treatments for their own conditions, and that the patients themselves represent a largely untapped source of funding, energy, and know-how in the treatment development process.

After finishing his junior year in May 2008, Josh was awarded a two-year Echoing Green fellowship for social entrepreneurs. Subsequently, he took a leave of absence from Duke to lead the Chordoma Foundation along with his mom. To complement his work for the foundation, Josh has joined Duke’s Program on Global Health and Technology Access as a Fellow in Strategic Philanthropy and Health. Further, Josh continues to participate in research in Dr. Kelley’s lab and helps coordinate collaborations with a network of chordoma researchers at other institutions worldwide.

You can read this article/watch the video clip for a quick overview; I’m sure he’ll leave you speechless. A link to the overview of Josh’s story is here.

Follow Josh on Twitter!

Marian Wright Edelman

At my sister’s graduation from the University of Miami, Marian Wright Edelman gave the keynote speech. It was the first time I had ever heard her life story. From her biography:

Mrs. Edelman, a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School, began her career in the mid-60s when, as the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, she directed the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund office in Jackson, Mississippi. In l968, she moved to Washington, D.C., as counsel for the Poor People’s Campaign that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began organizing before his death. She founded the Washington Research Project, a public interest law firm and the parent body of the Children’s Defense Fund. For two years, she served as the Director of the Center for Law and Education at Harvard University and in 1973 began CDF.

I found the speech awe-inspiring, and it left me—as it did most of the audience—speechless. You can watch online the speech Mrs. Edelman gave at Whittier College, and you can read a short excerpt from the speech here. Additionally, you can read Mrs. Edelman’s “Child Watch” column every Monday on the Huffington Post.

-> Trailblazers in Online Unconventional Success: From the Art of Nonconformity to Zen Habits

Chris Guillebeau

I “met” Chris Guillebeau via twitter and realized immediately that I had no choice but to check out what he was doing. How could I not? After all, the name of his Web site, and the common thread that links together his incredible ventures is The Art of Non-Conformity. Once there, I read the title to his free PDF: “A Brief Guide to World Domination.” I have to admit that I was more than a bit wary at first. The concept of “World Domination” is indeed somewhat lofty—but then I read the guide. Through his writing, Chris has redefined world domination and serves as a personal example of someone who walks the talk. Surprisingly, his manifesto has been read by more than 100,000 people in 60 countries. Talk about world domination!

The essence of Chris’ philosophy on World Domination:

Quoted from Chris’s site:

(1) You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to.

(2) You can do good things for yourself and help other people at the same time.

(3) There is usually more than one way to accomplish something.

(4) If you don’t decide for yourself what you want to get out of life, someone else will probably end up deciding for you.

Follow Chris on Twitter!

Leo Babauta

Leo Babauta is the author of a recently published, best-selling book, “The Power of Less,” and the wildly popular blog, “Zen Habits,” which was named a top 25 blog by Time Magazine and has more than 125,000 unique subscribers.

Leo has become incredibly successful through his authenticity, creativity, and a lot of hard work. He wasn’t an overnight success and talks openly on his blog about personal issues, such as exercise and living frugally. It’s very easy to relate to Leo and his strong, thought-provoking posts. He places great value in the quality of his posts and doesn’t sacrifice quality for quantity. The blog’s design also reflects his strong belief in the power of less: the blog is dedicated primarily to content and saves room for just one ad. Nor has Leo sacrificed his personal values for professional success—something most people similarly affected struggle with on a regular basis. His most recent publication is sure to be read by most of the online community: “The Essential Motivation Handbook,” which is a collaboration between Leo and Eric Hamm of the blog, “Motivate Thyself.”

Follow Leo on Twitter!

-> Changing Lives One Word at a Time: From Creating A Beautiful Ripple Effect to the Power of One

Christine Mason Miller

In December 2008, I opened a free account on Wordpress to begin a personal blog. At the time, I had just received my copy of Christine Mason Miller’s book, “Ordinary Sparkling Moments” and had read a few passages before I felt compelled to begin writing. This was a huge step for me, and it marked a passage in my life. I was going through a difficult period at the time, and this book literally became the catalyst for changing my life, embracing my difficulties, and knowing that I would emerge stronger because of the experience. My first post, written on December 18, 2008, is entitled: Ordinary Sparkling Moments. I wrote the post, clicked submit, and began my personal blog journey. In fact, the title of my blog, A Beautiful Ripple Effect, is taken from Christine’s book, and captures the purpose of this blog as well as this new series of posts on unconventional success and redefining what is possible.

When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy, and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle.”
- Christine Mason Miller

Follow Christine on Twitter!

Maya Angelou

I have been a fan of Maya Angelou’s work since I began reading it in middle school. Still, it wasn’t until I entered Duke that Maya Angelou made a profound impact on my life through the power of her presence and words. I wrote about Maya Angelou in February in response to the following question posed by Michelle Ward: If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?

Maya Angelou. Read “why” below.

During my first week as a freshman at Duke, Maya Angelou spoke to my entire class, the Class of 2007. I was very close to the stage and could literally feel every single word she spoke. Every word had intention. I remember thinking to myself, one day… I want to have that impact on others. Her words — at that moment in my life — left a mark that set me on a path… a path that I wouldn’t even understand until years later. She was living and breathing each moment in and paying attention to the smallest details, such as eye contact and speech. She filled Duke’s Chapel with more energy than I ever experienced on other occasions. Just Maya Angelou alone on stage. She lit the spark inside of me — the little whisper that said… Wake Up! I heard her speak to each incoming freshman class until I graduated in 2007.

Today, when I listen to Maya Angelou speak, my eyes fill with tears, and those tears are filled with myriad emotions and memories. More than anything, I feel hopeful that I too will “sing.”

How incredible for one person to have such an impact on so many lives. It’s an impact that all too often goes unrecognized because it becomes so deeply rooted within each individual touched. I had to untangle the details to reveal the big picture and realize the etching Dr. Angelou created in my soul. It feels as if it’s always been there. But it hasn’t. Maya Angelou’s words remain with me — and often whisper in my thoughts to do that thing called “living” — even when the skies are filled with clouds and my heart feels heavy. I hear the powerful voice and remember that now — this moment (not the next moment) — is absolutely everything.

Future Directions

In my next post, I will focus on four more individuals. Then, we’ll look at how you can utilize the three essential ingredients with the lessons learned from the 10 pioneers featured. We’ll start thinking about the “what” – what do you want to create, what are your dreams? I’ll begin to weave in a bit of my personal story as well. If you have any specific questions, please let me know in the comments and I’ll try to address them!

: : :
If you enjoyed this post, I would love for you to share it with others on digg, delicious, stumble upon, or twitter. I appreciate your support!

Related posts:

1. 10 Inspirational People Who Have Redefined the Road to Success (Part Two)
2. 3 Essential Ingredients for Creating Unconventional Success
3. Choosing a Different Road

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.

• • •

(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

“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.

Related posts:

1. How to Create a Positivity Treasury
2. You Gotta Know It’s Normal
3. What I Don't Know for Sure

… 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)

Item 2: Russel and Hazel Patterned Mini Binder

… 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

… 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)

Related posts:

1. Day Two of the Giveaway Celebration Event
2. A Four Day Celebration Giveaway Event
3. Desire to Inspire: A Sparkling Giveaway

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?

Related posts:

1. In Between the Moments
2. Dancing with Struggles and Icky Inner Chatter
3. An Imperfect Ten: Inspired by the Beauty of Imperfection