
Being conscientious (taking obligations to others seriously and desiring to do tasks well) are forms of being present.
This is a success factor as what you focus on, grows.


Being conscientious (taking obligations to others seriously and desiring to do tasks well) are forms of being present.
This is a success factor as what you focus on, grows.



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:

They offer a multitude of art classes:

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!

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.

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.

When it’s all too much:
lie down, place hands on rib cage
breathe deeply…in…out…

you chose to enjoy the very thing you dread most today?
Wouldn’t the entire day be lifted?

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

Nature teaches us how to be quiet and calm.
*from William Wordsworth’s poem, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”
My favorite lines are the last three:
Which is the bliss of solitude;And then my heart with pleasure fills,And dances with the daffodils.

Recently, I (wo)manned a booth at our school’s International Festival. We were making maracas using empty toilet paper rolls, duct tape and (uncooked) beans and rice. Kids of all ages and sizes came to make their maracas.
After just one hour, I realized something: six and seven-year-old girls came up confidently and chose their colors without hesitation. “I want blue! And red! And green!” They taped their rolls, scooped up rice, taped again and smiled radiantly.
Teenage girls, however, hemmed and hawed, wracked with indecision. “Ummmmm. I dunno. I dunno what to choose! Ummmm…” It took them far longer to decide and even after they decided, they second-guessed their decisions and did not seem entirely happy with their results.
What happens to girls?