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Blind To Our Own Blindness
Photograph Compliments Of Rhoda Alex Humans are great at being wrong, whether we admit it to ourselves or not, blind to our blindness. Whether right or wrong, our convictions, and belief in our self-perceived correctness carries us daily. For instance, I’m very good at finding great deals on used automobiles. On my last purchase, I…
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Tools For A Positive Mental Outlook
Life is difficult to negotiate even with a positive mental outlook. There is a perception that the world is out of control. This frame of reference affects our daily lives. It can seem that our individual actions become negligible with so many challenges. Here are a few very important applications to help balance our lives.
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If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes
I have recently encountered circumstances which have put limitations on time. Time constraints – the worse, Man. My productivity has fallen and the thought crushes me. The results are showing up. What was once expanding and growing is now stagnant. It’s not that I’m not doing what I need to do, it’s that I don’t…
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Mental Prisons
Some people do not know they are in a mental prison. Their day-to-day perceptions have become standard. Some folks may not have the tools to break out. Or even be willing to. The more we can stay in a predictable environment, the more comfortable we humans tend to be. An Example Of Mental Prisons Couch…
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Think Again
Photograph Compliments Of Lucie Hosova Do I need to think again? I am constantly calling myself into question. Here are the things I must consider:Am I on the right path?Is my work meaningful, and does it matter? Think Again With Humbleness It is part of human nature to overestimate ourselves, especially when there isn’t adequate…
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Truth Is Simple?
Who and what To trust And The Simple Truth I know I can trust my cat. He knows exactly what he wants, when he wants it, and has no problem letting me know. I appreciate his forthrightness even though I’m often unable to figure out his motives. I can definitely depend on him and his…
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Art As A Process
Life brings enormous challenges, some which might represent the distance between how things are and how we would like them to be. By implementing process I have learned to attain my goals. Putting aside distractions allows follow through. I work to accomplish daily objectives. We can take measures that help develop our attributes and capacities,…
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Happiness
What Is Your Source of Joy? When your head is cast in bronze, is that when you will finally be happy? There is a difference between happiness and contentedness. Happy is a feeling, or a showing of pleasure, or of contentment. Contentment is a state of happiness and/or satisfaction. You don’t need to have the…
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The Right Questions
How Do I Know Who I Am? Are you searching for your identity? Curiosity is the key to understanding yourself. Asking questions leads to answers which in turn leads to more questions. The more specific the question, the more specific the answer, at least that’s the hope. The right questions lead to the right answers.…
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Inspiration
Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts The Greeks considered the Muses, the daughters of Zeus, goddesses of creativity. They were the source of inspiration for multiple artistic undertakings. Is inspiration of divine nature, of mystical origin? I have learned that creating motion, capturing and utilizing process can enhance creativity. Creative inventiveness can be sourced from ideas which…
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Spirituality
I think most all of us consider ourselves decent by nature. If we are suffering, it is only natural to seek a reason for that experience. Victor Frankl addresses this in his book “Man’s Search For Meaning”. How do we connect to our environment? Why do circumstances happen the way they do? What is the…
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Gratitude
I have spoken to many people who have great levels of success and one of the most predominate statements they make is of gratitude. They have appreciation for what they have, not necessarily dependent on monetary gain. Also, they speak of the path they have followed, the people in their lives and the circumstances they…
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Criticism And Haters
We all deal with it. Our art is very personal; it is an expression of the depths of our being. Criticism from others has torn me to shreds. Likewise, it has created feelings of inadequacy and anger. Someone else’s disapproval of my abilities impacts my self worth. Judging involves having an opinion on something, pointing…
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Balance
I’ve heard of this concept called work/life balance. A friend of mine told me his employer taught the concept at an employee work shop. Turns out the job still required a maximum amount of commitment from the employees with little commitment from the employer. So much for balance, as long as the employer gets the…
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Challenges And Frustration
Frustration It’s part of the deal. Sometimes there is just nothing we can do about it. Situations will arise which are completely beyond control. How we react to the challenge is what sets us apart. There are “tragedies” which happen everyday – I loose my wallet, misplace my keys, the cat refuses to come in,…
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What Is Imposter Syndrome?
So this morning, I’m listening to one of my favorite podcasts, and the podcast host starts talking about Imposter Syndrome. I’m, like, what is he talking about? I had never heard the term. I Had No Idea Evidently, Impostor Syndrome is a thought process where a person seconds guesses and may not even believe their abilities,…
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Mental Latency
Often times I draw a blank while talking. The pause in thought process seems excruciating, including some mild embarrassment. This tendency is annoying. I am a highly intelligent human, or at least I would like to think so. My good friend Jerry explained this phenomenon. Short-Timers Short timers is a progressive mental state that blocks…
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Attitude And Belief
To quote a famous teacher, “When I was a child, I thought as a child.” Now that I’m older I want to be mature in my thought process. The reason Why Attitude and belief are foundations of purpose. It’s okay to be happy without one. Lives have been ruined because of persons exercising their purpose.…
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How To Herd Cats
This Is A Bit Of A Stretch… Definition Of A Cat: Evidently Cab Calloway coined the term in the 30’s. Back in 1938, he published Cab Calloway’s Cat-ologue: A “Hepster’s” Dictionary. Wikipedia has a great page on the origins of Jive; vastly entertaining. A “Cat” could have been a jazz musician in a New Orleans whore…
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Motivation
Actually, that was my entire reason for getting involved in music, oh, and besides the fact that music constantly runs through my head. I think I was hoping for side benefits. Those benefits did materialize, whether that is a good thing was decided later. Defining success: confidence, proficiency, articulation, enjoyment. Those are underlying factors in…
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Seven Examples Of Counting The Cost
What are you willing to give up to chase your dreams? If we want it badly, we have got to sacrifice. Obsession, it’s what we do regardless what is happening. First thing in the morning pounding it out. Last thing at night, getting the final two cents in. Priorities: Woody Allen: “80 percent of the…
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Freedom
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. Or so the song goes. I chose to define freedom as this: I personally make more decisions for myself than my boss , my family, my government and my friends. Henry Thoreau said, A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he…
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Inspiration
I choose to hang with folks who are smarter, more talented and more driven than myself. Daily, I take time to read and garner other peoples ideas, checking to see if their concepts and practices are adaptable to my circumstance. I think I have applied maybe 1 out of 1000 suggestions. You might think it…
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Excuses
How about one more excuse?
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I Have No Children
The Gene Pool Stops Here Times were when I used to envy my married friends. But enough about my thirties. When I hit forty it was like, “What was I thinking?” I’ve been told I would be a good father. Yeah, maybe when I cared. Now I’m selfish and jealous with my time. Life’s priorities…
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Distractions
A Normal Morning In My House Get out of bed, wander down to the coffee maker, get some Joe brewing, wander over to the lap top, fire it up, oops, my feet are cold, wander back up stairs, put on some socks. I got to pee, wander in to the bathroom, pick up the tooth…
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Habits
I have read the books. I have stood in front of the mirror yelling at myself. I have gone to the conferences. I have read the blogs. I have reaffirmed my affirmations. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah. I have found out what habit is – its habit. The daily routine is what moves me forward. No…