Amending…

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Morning Doodle

 

He sighs as I speak

I’m his teacher

why talk about guns?

He loves them

I recount my weekend

driving up steep hills to find a lake

gunshots all around me

men with rifles and cans of beer (target shooting)

My dog was quivering beneath the seat

I express my distaste of weapons

Have I crossed a line?

THE line?

It’s a funny time…

 

When two comes before one

 

Walt’s Spider

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A Noiseless Patient Spider

A noiseless patient spider,
I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated,
Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.
And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.

I’ve Joined…

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Multi-petal flower doodle

Creativebug.com.

Since taking a (trial) Lisa Congdon art class in watercolor, I’ve made drawing and painting part of my morning ritual. I don’t know where this will lead me (maybe my second self-published children’s book as author and illustrator?)…but I know I enjoy the process.

Subscription options for Creativebug.com are below:

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They offer a multitude of art classes:

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When you consider the cost of classes at your neighborhood art academy or fabric store, this is a steal: unlimited classes all month for $8!

Laugh at Your Fears

 

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Salma Hayek told Oprah a story: When she was 10, there was a neighborhood flasher. This man accosted her and exposed his full frontal nudity. “I was terrified, just so scared…” She went home and told her grandmother who then gave this advice (Hayek offered a disclaimer – she is by no means telling little girls they ought to do this)  BUT…

“The next time that man flashes you – even if you are terrified and alone – LAUGH at him. Point at his groin and LAUGH.”

The man DID flash her again. And little Salma stopped. She felt her entire body tighten with fear. But she remembered her grandmother’s advice. So she stared, pointed at his groin and laughed.

“He ran away, he cowered and ran away!” Hayek says, still incredulous.

You can always choose to reclaim your power.

 

 

Free Spirit

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Waiting on my white gel pen to finish this piece.

 

Another way to look at your day’s purpose (and string of those leads to a life’s purpose) is to be mindful of your “vibrational frequency.” Yes, that might sound like hippie-speak, but consider it. (What’s wrong with being a Flower Child or Free Spirit, anyway?)

I read Light Watkin’s blog and this is how it inspired me:

If you’re into positive thinking and purpose, think about the present moment in terms of the vibrational frequency you’re putting “out there” (into your world). Are you giving off positive vibes? Or are you complaining or worrying?

When we talk about people giving off “vibes,” we’re often addressing their general energy, not something that said or did specifically. We have all felt someone’s energy as positive or negative before that person said a word.

Appreciating your present moment in terms of energy can get you out of your head (when you’re worried or upset about a specific event). Sometimes, it can be easier than identifying your current thought and catching yourself thinking non-productively. Am I giving off good vibes? Easy to answer. And thus, easy to change.

 

 

 

Productivity Tip

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Hmmmm. What does this say about me?

Since I’ve turned off all my notifications on my cell phone, I’ve become a lot more productive and less reactive:

  • I read emails when I am prepared to, not because my phone blings;
  • I focus on writing quality blog posts and creating art, and refrain from checking stats; and 
  • I’m far less distracted in general and my productivity has increased by at least 40%.