Thursday, January 29, 2015

Life Coach in the Hot Seat: The Most Creative Present I've Ever Received


The most creative present I’ve ever received…

The first thing that came to mind is a box of Golden Books that I received as a Christmas present.  I was about 8 years old and I loved to read.  Most of my books would come from the library.  So this was very special to me for a couple of reasons:

1.       There was a collection of about 10 or 15
2.       They were mine to keep
3.       They were my very own.  


The third reason is important to mention because I am the oldest of 4 children.  And pretty much every year due to modest resources, we would receive presents from Santa that had ALL OF OUR NAMES on the tag in the ‘to’ section.  To have a this collection all to myself… well something about it felt like I was being treated like a big kid.
                              
Years later when I would read bios of creatives who I admire, they would mention the name “Mary Blair” as someone who inspired them.    Her name came up A LOT.  One day I decided to find out who Mary Blair was.  Lo and behold she was the illustrator of many of the books in the Golden Books series, many of the ones that I remember as loved as a child. 

I picked up a treasury collection of Mary Blair’s work recently and was immediately reminded of another reason I loved this collection of books:  the illustrations.  Page after page of joy and whimsy… the things I craved and continue to pray in my quest for a fulfilling life.

What about you? 
 Share in the comments your most creative present or post a link and I will come by to check it out.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Life Coach in the Hot Seat: These Things I Know for Sure


These things I know for sure…

Today I sit at an indoor recreation center called Amazing Jakes while my daughter and her friends enjoy this freedom of being able to hang out and have fun in a safe setting.  

 And I feel joy.  

 Joy that I have been able to give this experience to her.  Joy that I have raised a son who I have been able to give similar experiences to.   Healing in those places where I did not feel such joy as a child.  I am deeply grateful that we may not have all the answers to every problem in our lives at this particular moment but we do experience immense amounts of joy.  I experience incredible joy as a mother, as a wife and a creative, as an entrepreneur and a teacher.  

Here are some things I know for sure:

1.       You have to CHOOSE joy – life has so many unexplainable tragedies.  I have a friend right now who is helping her two year old son battle cancer.  She chooses joy.  I have questions in my life over my dad dying and not being able to see him before he died.  Family members in pain that I have no answers for though I wish I did.  Yet I CHOOSE joy

2, Your life can be FULFILLING – no matter the circumstance. You got to dig down deep.  Sometimes it take a while to feel that way but you can have a fulfilling life.  In the midst of some really difficult circumstances.

3.       God IS IN CONTROL – Even when I am in the my most What the Hell is going on state of mind. 


But it is my choice to choose joy, create a more fulfilling life, believe that God is in control.


What about you? 
What do you know for sure? 
 Leave a link from your blog in the comments OR just write your thoughts below

Monday, January 19, 2015

DAILY PAINTWORKS News: DPW Spotlight Interview: Robin Norgren

 


DAILY PAINTWORKS News: DPW Spotlight Interview: Robin Norgren: Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Robin's painting, &q...

Monday, January 5, 2015

Excerpts from Savor Your Life: Where Can I Get a Bit of Wisdom?



3 baby blu pods on white wheel thrown pot 

 So you want more wisdom, eh?

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
 -
James Oppenheim

Wisdom is earned.  With each hardship, there is a lesson. Each time we make the decision to be patient, learn all the details, be coached or become an apprentice of life, we find rich soil on which to grow beautiful new well earned success. 

Sometimes we have to choose to take the long way around, take our time, wait on something, save for it, earn it when we could easily give up or decide if it's not coming easily it's not meant to be.

Sometimes....the waiting is where we find the true wisdom to be successful.  True freedom of choice - even the ones that caused delayed gratification - feels beautiful.


Buy Savor Your Life (or to view my other resources): CLICK HERE

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Excerpts from Savor Your Life:What is the REAL Reason You won't Make a Decision?


Herb Planter Set ROSEMARY, BASIL, THYME


What is the Real Reason that you won't make a decision?

It is truly said: it does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide what to do
-
Chow Ching


Too many ideas or...
not enough faith to believe?

You know what to do and how to do it or...
you let yourself stay in overwhelm?

You are afraid to be disappointed or...
You know someone who will be disappointed by this choice?

What ONE decision do you need to find the strength to make?

 

Buy Savor Your Life (or to view my other resources): CLICK HERE