Personal Success

Trapped No More

O is for Opal*

IMG_0359

 

Go to the animal shelter

walk up and dawn the barking galley

make eye contact with several dogs

– German Shepherds, Pitbulls (many) and a Chihuahua –

she sits quietly with those huge eyes

you can see every rib through her skin

Years later, she will prove herself

to be the most tender family member

yet the most ferocious watchdog –

Her love is vast and absolute

 

IMG_0341

 

Here is an inspiring (under 3 minute video) of someone using his talents and know-how to help disabled dogs:

dog_wheelchair.jpg

 

My favorite quote of his:

“…but the more I do, the more I want to enhance my knowledge and improve my skills.”

 

*Part of my alphabiography series

 

Do You See the Monster?

6sWSMX8UbpgteVX4xuj43R-650-80.jpg
photo by Creativebloq

N is for Negative Space*

In third grade, my art teacher instructed us to never have too much white paper in our art. “Fill the white space!” Ah, Mrs. Raims.  She was great. She gave sound art advice. If you have a small figure on a large canvas of white, it ought to be small for a reason.  It ought to be making a statement. 

Negative space, however, is not all bad.

“Negative space is, quite simply, the space that surrounds an object in a image. Just as important as that object itself, negative space helps to define the boundaries of positive space and brings balance to a composition.”

Jul 26, 2017  (Creativebloq)

KMMy8YgSBSo5XEPKQxc5MF-650-80

The logo on the cup is for an adult-targeted alcohol and gourmet ice cream shop! (Creativebloq)

I embrace this philosophy of negative space. In a literal, every day sense, I love having lots of negative space in my house.

It leaves room for possibility.

 

*part of my alphabiography series

Show a Little Tenderness

K is for Kindness

To be kind means to be benevolent, to be compassionate and caring.

I am kinder on some days than others. When I’m not as kind as I’d like to be, it’s always because I am not being so kind to myself. Being hard on myself because I didn’t eat as healthy as I should have, or skipped my work out, or said or did something “dumb”…can lead me to show not-so-kind behavior to others.

If we were all kinder to ourselves, and we made a concerted effort to be kinder to others, this world would change.

Truly, I believe members of hate groups (such as the KKK) do not like themselves. They possess unsavory feelings about themselves and then their outlook on the world changes. They look for scapegoats to blame for their own unhappiness and fears.

Have you noticed when you’re really happy – happy with yourself and your life’s situation – the last thing you want is to be mean to others?

I wonder if you know the story behind the KIND bars. The founder (Daniel Lubetzky) is a son of a Holocaust survivor. He remembers his father telling him that while he was in the concentration camp, one German soldier threw him some potatoes, risking his own life in order to be kind.

Watch the three minute video. I love how this company says that “nice” is passive, but being kind is an ACTIVE verb!

kind bars.jpg

 

 

 

 

Jump, Jive an’ Wail!

J is for Jillian

I have been doing Jillian Michael’s workouts for the past seven years or so.

A friend of mine introduced me to her DVDs and I’ve been hooked ever since. At 48, I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in and it just takes 30 minutes a day. (Do I sound like an infomercial or what?)

In my youth, I exercised to look good. Now, I workout to be strong.

When I feel strong physically, I am stronger mentally and spiritually.

I take care of my health for my loved ones, too. I want to be active for as long as possible and I want to model good living. Yesterday, my 15 year old daughter said, “Mom, when I’m your age, I hope I look like you.”

Body+Revolution+Logo

 

 

*Alphabiography blog series

 

 

Alphabiography

jaime-serrano-96957.jpg
Photo by Jaime Serrano

I recently assigned an alphabiography to my 6th grade students. For each letter of the alphabet, they had to write 4 sentences regarding a meaningful topic (could be a noun, adjective, verb) to that letter. After reading theirs, I was inspired to write my own.  My version is presenting itself in poem form:

A is for Acceptance

I am learning to accept what is

to see every “flaw, mistake, tragedy” as beautiful

I’m getting better at not asking “why?”

And replacing it with “why not?”

 

 

*My Alphabiography project

 

 

 

Thanksgiving in August

hanny-naibaho-308083.jpg
Photo by Hanny Naibaho

You know someone who is always cheerful and helpful, don’t you? This person has a big heart and is dependable when you need them most.

Don’t wait for Professional Administrative’s Day to give him or her a small token of appreciation. Don’t wait for birthdays or holidays.

Say thank you. Write a card. Give a small gift.

Make a positive, unexpected gesture. See what happens…

 

 

 

 

 

Beginner’s Mind

joanna-kosinska-131081.jpg
Photo by Joanna Kosinka

Beginner’s Mind is a term in Buddhist thought referring to how fresh “things” are to someone who is just beginning. I am a beginner when it comes to art (just completed my first online class)!  Our society tends to laugh or look down at beginners. But when and how else are you to get good? You have to start at the beginning.

I love learning about basic lines and curves and putting them together to create art. Wow. I surrendered to it. I don’t judge. I just draw. Using Skillshare’s free classes (to start with), I took “Become a Pencil Ninja.”  After completing it, my eye caught one of the feedback comments, “This is a perfect class for children.” I had to laugh…for children, indeed. I am a child when it comes to drawing.

Next up: a self portrait. This looks like it will be much more challenging!

face

 

Skillshare is pretty cool. You can teach classes as well ask take them. Check them out! Skillshare.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Terrible Terrier

 

I love her quiet presence

–  wide-eyed and expectant –

she lives each day without self-judgment

 

jaclyn-clark-115839.jpg
Photo by Jaclyn Clark

She is ready to play at any time,

faithful, affectionate and constant,

she delights in all life has to offer

 

people keep their distance from her breed

believing them to be vicious

when they merely mirror their human companions

 

they are mute and misunderstood

 

Once a mascot for 20th century America,

and even called “nanny dogs,”

Pits can sustain much pain without yelping

 

The language barrier rendered us speechless

but my Korean grandmother’s love for me was a quiet companion

playful, devoted and boundless