THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY ELEVEN/ METAMORPHOSIS!

"French Poetry"

Metamorphosis

The word playing upon my mind this morning?  Metamorphosis.  

I also found it interesting upon reading the definition of the word, that it involves...programmed cell death AND resting stages.  

Some things must die when change comes.  Boats and bridges must be burned.  

And Resting Stages...

Rest is a necessary ingredient, often overlooked, misunderstood, and bound to come with some guilt attached for taking time out!  

The energy required for the process of change MUST have rest as part of a successful recipe.  

So..... I am thinking, in order to evolve, to take flight on the wings of our dreams,  we  should consider....

• Being okay with not being so visible and transparent for a period of time.
• Allowing and making room for resting, peaceful time while in the process.
• Recognizing that some things are going to “die” in the process....relationships, ways of thinking, a business idea, a plan.  It is “programmed in” to the process.

One thing not mentioned in the process, but surely  programmed in as well--a sure trust in the process of life.  Trust that this cocoon time is necessary  to evolve into all that we are intended to be.

Aware that we cannot always explain what is going on but sure that we are fine and are going to become even more amazing:))  We are becoming  and it will be self evident as the metamorphosis is complete.  

Also noted in the process is “a change of habit or behavior”  as in-- the crawler is now a flyer!  We can feel ourselves being pulled towards these changes as it is happening--however, it is exceedingly difficult to share that or make sense of it with another.  
We know--however it sounds so silly when verbalized to another.  

Imagine...Caterpillar to friend
“Hey, I can feel myself growing and changing.  Suddenly I am interested in aerial maps!  I have a feeling I am going to be flying or something, moving at fast speed, seeing the world from above--the big picture so to speak.” 

Friend to Caterpillar “Hey, are you off your meds again??”

Metamorphosis  does defy everything that is “normal” and is at odds with how we normally view life--it comes with an entirely different playbook.

When we feel change pending, a stirring that says this is different, a brand new road ahead, --remember--none of the old rules apply. 

It simply is...

Metamorphosis.

THE GRATITUDE  WINNER FOR DAY TEN  IS.....

June of Ireland

Congrats June!   Click here to email me with your snail mail address:)

Here's tomorrow's Gratitude Giveaway:))

One of my favorite studio gadgets...Paint Savers.  Little covers to extend the life of your colors!

 Also keeps Eddies out;))

What are you grateful for today??

Leave your comment on this blog (click here for directions) to share the JOY and get your name in for tomorrow's Gratitude Gift (which also puts your name in for the big drawing at the end of the month:)

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THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY TEN/ FOLLOWING YOUR HEART

"Color Song"

When your heart speaks, take good notes.  ~Judith Campbell

Following the Heart

What exactly does that mean?  

For me it’s some do’s and some don'ts.

As in not following popular opinion and ideas just because they are there, presented and in vogue.  

It does means listening.  Being quiet enough to hear that still, small voice within---the one that requires me to turn down the volume of everything else so that I can HEAR it.  Part of turning down that volume is recognizing and agreeing to tune out the opinions around me because.....

No matter how well intended, no matter how strong the love, no one---and I mean no one--knows what is best for me except.....me. 

(It has taken me a long time to get this one!)

  

Intuitively we know that our heart,the voice within, has a cheat sheet---knows the answers we are seeking.  

It promises a short cut to the good life, to living the life we are intended to live---a life of purpose, of promise, of peace, of magic.  

Somewhere, someone made me realize the importance of taking action when I hear that inner voice speak.  To follow that ever so light whisper of direction, for in doing so, and this is important--- we exercise the muscle of belief.  And with use, that muscle grows, becomes stronger--more able to take action sooner next time--no lag time or delay in indecisiveness.
  
With every follow up action that is taken, our steps become more sure in leading us to the life we desire.

Boiled down to its essential elements following the heart  contains within it the recipe for the life we are longing to live.

Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.
~ James Earl Jones

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens. 
~ Carl Jung

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. ~ Antoine De Saint-Exupery

THE GRATITUDE  WINNER FOR DAY NINE

Dana Burton

Congrats Dana!   Click here to email me with your snail mail address:)

Here's tomorrow's Gratitude Giveaway:))

A petite print/giclee of the original painting, "Color Song".

What comes to mind today of something you are grateful for?  Share it with the world on this blog --it will make your day happier AND get your name in for tomorrow's gift and for the big drawing at the end of this month!

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THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY EIGHT/THE 80/20 RULE!

"All Aglow"

The 80/20 Rule

Starting today I want to break the rules.
The ones that say we spend 80% of our time doing the “extra” things
And only 20% on the thing we were born to do

80 on the minutiae, the “declared” important by the somebody said so’s
20 on the divine gift that was placed in us from the get go

I wanna be a rebel

Not to do what I have been told

Not  accept the bill of 80% goods

That I have been sold:)

To tip the scales way to the other side

Spend the biggest chunk divinely

and leave the other 20 behind

If how we spend our minutes is of course

how we spend our lives

then let my 20 grow to be the 80

Let those would be watching

simply be 

Inspired!

(....okay, so my rhyming skills are somewhat less than impressive--but you know what I mean) 

Giving yourself permission to spend time cultivating the gift within gives those around you permission to do the same for themselves.  

We never know in  life who is waiting to see if we are going to reach for our star or settle for the status quo of urgent but not important. 

Your child?  Your spouse? Your best friend?

They may need for you to take that leap of faith as much as you need it yourself.  
They may need for you to leave off the “vital few and trivial many” that eat up the hours and instead choose to follow your bliss.

Often times we worry that we might be considered selfish for following our dreams, letting other things go in order to do that one thing that calls to our heart.

Author J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame is rumored to have once said that while she was writing the first book that she lived in absolute rubbish--the writing, her gift, taking precedence over the more mundane details of living.  I think if she had spent 20 percent of her time on the “vital few” and 80 on the “trivial many” that we probably would have never known about Hogwarts School and Lord Voldemort.  (400 million books later......!)

80 and 20

It may be time to flip the numbers around in our lives:))

THE GRATITUDE  WINNER FOR TODAY IS.....

Tracy Wall

Congrats Tracy!   Click here to email me with your snail mail address:))

Here's tomorrow's Gratitude Giveaway:))

A  journal/notebook complete with Eddie the Cat and Phyllis the Mouse.

What are you grateful for today??

Leave your comment on this blog (click here for directions) to share the JOY and get your name in for tomorrow's Gratitude Gift (which also puts your name in for the big drawing at the end of the month:)

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THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY SEVEN/ QUIRKS AND ODDITIES

"Chillaxin'"

Celebrating the Oddity

In our rush for acceptance (ie approval/love) we often reject the very thing about our self that makes us a unique, one of kind, never to be duplicated kind of soul.

When it comes to doing creative things I think that may be the reason we often find our self with an internal war going on.  

We crave the creative, one of a kind, signature look---and simultaneously fear being seen as “different”

And why is that you ask??

--'Cause different ain’t generally held as a good thing in some parts.  

“You all know Jim?”

”Yeah, he’s kind a different ain’t he?”  

As I am writing this  I am looking at the newest member of my family...one cute tuxedo kitten with half---yes---half a moustache.  He’s so darn cute!  And much cuter than if he had had a whole moustache:))  

Of course he’s not worried about it.  It has never occurred to him that he is anything but perfect.  And doggone it---it’s what sets him apart from about a zillion other tuxedo cats on the planet.

Our divine uniqueness, our imprint, our oddities if you will--are what set us apart from all the other creatives/artists/human beings in the world. 

If you are inspired to try something a little unorthodox with your art---I suggest you go for it:))  It could be the very thing you will go down in history for!  
Playing it safe, filling in that half moustache with a tattoo to try and blend in with what’s already happening, downplays the very reason you are here. 

Personally, I think we should start celebrating our oddities.  
Maybe call it  Quirkday.  
Once a year not only acknowledge our weirdness.... actually CELEBRATE it in high style:)))

Are you the one who always gets the most paint on you at a workshop?  By gum, celebrate it.  Take photos.  Make sure folks realize how much fun you are having to the point they are Sap Green with envy:)  

Are you someone who likes to have a soda with that Glazed Krispy Kreme Donut?  Do not apologize.....while folks are watching, throw in a  couple of packets of sugar just to watch their eyes get bigger.

It’s worth taking note--- 

what makes us different can be our salvation! 

Some folks with the oddest of voices have become famous lending their voices to cartoons,  commercials and movies.  
Even Van Gogh’s moment of thinking he might look better with one ear probably contributed to his fame:))

Our quirks are our strengths, if we can but allow ourselves to see them that way.  

It is our way of being, of seeing, of doing in the world.  A singular, unique perspective that we bring to life.  

The cool thing about quirks and oddity’s--- like those that occur  in a junk store or remnant bin ---are how they stretch our imaginations.  Something that doesn’t have a match, that's unusual, becomes the very thing that engages us.  

Much more satisfying than walking in and picking out matched sets of everything---odd tables and chairs in some of the bohemian restaurants have a feeling of freshness about them --they intrigue us with their chipped paint and worn colors.   

I like to think that our quirks provide the same kind of inspiration!

Until we are able to celebrate our quirks, we may never know just how amazing and wonderful we are:))

The First Annual Quirkday.

It’s almost here

What are you celebrating?

Me?  

I’m celebrating my ability to listen to the same music....over and over and over 'til it drives those around me nuts. (I am currently on a Maroon 5 binge;) 

I’m celebrating my ability to carry the same purple handbag for 3 years. 

I'm celebrating my penchant for buying paint because I like the name of it (as in Caribbean Blue) 

I'm celebrating my need for faux and real fur in my life--on blankets, coats and cats:))

Celebrate your quirks and open the door to inspiration!

P.S.  Okay, so there really isn’t a Quirkday, but I am thinking of starting one....all you need do to be a member is claim your oddity.

Let the Celebration Begin!

P.S.   Can you believe we are at Day Seven already?? That's way over 1,000 comments of Gratitude--How beautiful is that!
 Please take the time to share the Great Gratitude Adventure with others--you never know what a difference it could make--and that's what it's really all about!

THE GRATITUDE  WINNER FOR THE DAY IS.....

Baciocco1

Congrats!  Just head to My Print Shop (click here) and select the image you'd like to receive--then Click here to email me with your snail mail address:)

Here's tomorrow's Gratitude Giveaway:))

I am so excited to share this book which just came out October 25. I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of it and after reading it, decided I had to purchase some to share:)) Written by one of my favorite biz guys online, Chris Brogan (along with Julien Smith), The Impact Equation:  Are You Making Things Happen or Just Making Noise? is a must read for those building an online presence.

“Anyone can write a blog post, but not everyone can get it liked thirty-five thousand times, and not everyone can get seventy-five thousand subscribers. But the reason we’ve done these things isn’t because we’re special. It’s because we tried and failed, the same way you learn to ride a bike. We tried again and again, and now we have an idea how to get from point A to point B faster because of it.”

What are you grateful for today??

Leave your comment on this blog (click here for directions) to share the JOY and get your name in for tomorrow's Gratitude Gift (which also puts your name in for the big drawing at the end of the month:)

Please note:  If you received this blog post in your inbox, please  click here to go to my blog, THEN scroll to end of today's post and click on COMMENTS.  Need more help? Click here:)

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THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE/ DAY SIX/ THE LUXURY OF DREAMS!

"Never Never Land"

The Luxury of Dreams

We often are wishing for things, for something in our life to change---just wishing.
Wishing somehow leaves us feeling hollow and unfulfilled.
Not so with dreaming!

Dreaming has power in it. 

Dreaming is visioning.  Visions are what bring that which is   unseen into that which is apparent.  

Dreaming is hope filled, open to possibility and a belief that something--ANYTHING is possible.

 It someone how feels decadent to simply sit and dream, to do it on purpose, to dream consciously---perhaps because we forget just how powerful dreams can be.

The beauty of dreaming is that we are the builders.  

We decide who gets to be in it, where it takes place and what its outcome is.  Dreaming lives right next door to visioning and visions are what pull us into where we belong.  

Dreaming for most part doesn’t get the attention or billing of importance in our lives that it should have.  Looked on as trite and non-essential , it is in fact the portal to living into the life that we would desire for ourselves. 

Things that are seen and thus deemed “real” existed first in the unseen world.  

Great inventions, solutions to complex mathematical problems, beautiful art---must first be imagined, visioned and dreamed of on their way to being “seen”.  

When you take into account the possibility and important role that dreaming can play in our lives, it would seem to me that dreaming is

Worth scheduling

Good for you

A necessary Luxury:))!!!

P.S.  You may say that I'm a Dreama, but I'm not the only one:))

THE GRATITUDE  WINNER FOR TODAY  IS.....

Nancy Bowron

Congrats Nancy!   Click here to email me with your snail mail address:)

Here's tomorrow's Gratitude Giveaway:))

A petite giclee print of your choice from My Print Shop:))

What are you grateful for today??

Leave your comment on this blog to share the JOY and get your name in for tomorrow's Gratitude Gift (which also puts your name in for the big drawing at the end of the month:)

I love it when you share this with a special friend!  

To do so, simply forward it and/or click the Facebook like button on my blog.   

(To leave a comment , scroll to bottom of today’s post and click on COMMENTS. 

Please note, if you received this blog post in your inbox, click here to go to my blog, THEN scroll to bottom of today's post and click on COMMENTS.  

Need more help on how to comment? Click here:)

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THE GREAT GRATITUDE ADVENTURE--DAY FIVE/ CHOOSE THE GOOD THING

"Celebrate You!"

Choose the Good Thing

If I offered you a brownie with the words, “It has just a wee bit of poo in it, but only a little”, would you still eat it?  Or would you hold out for a better batch?

What about a piece of cake with a couple of dead flies in one portion of the bite.  You know,  you could pinch those little guys out and consume the rest---would you still want it?  (We could consider this a compromise--I’ll eat the cake but not the dead flies...even though we know flies are pretty unsavory little characters;).

I think most of us have a pretty clear understanding on the food choice thing.

We are fairly certain 

a little of  something can contaminate the whole of everything.

How about a little fear?

A little doubt?

A smidge of worry?

A pinch of insecurity?

Maybe a 1/4 tsp of self-loathing?

Just a pinch, added to this moment, to this day can, well....need I bring up the little bit of poo in the brownie again??  

When faced with the choice, no matter whether it is a self-service “eatery” or being served up by any number of situations in life---

Write it in your heart, you have a choice.

Choose the good thing. 

THE GRATITUDE  WINNER FOR TODAY  IS.....

Sheri Freshour 

Congratulations Sheri!   Click here to email me with your snail mail address:)

Here's tomorrow's Gratitude Giveaway:))

Yep, one of my 2013 Calendars!

...so to get your name in the hat for this and for the big drawing November 30, leave your comment and report back tomorrow to see A) if you've won and B)  to leave another comment (see how this is all starting to make sense...:))! 

I love it when you share this with a special friend!  

To do so, simply forward it and/or click the Facebook like button on my blog.   

(To leave a comment , scroll to bottom of today’s post and click on COMMENTS. 

Please note, if you received this blog post in your inbox, click here to go to my blog, THEN scroll to bottom of today's post and click on COMMENTS.  

Need more help on how to comment? Click here:)

 And for those of you who may have just started, here are the details for The Great Gratitude Adventure!

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